It’s back! The Differential Potential XI, our most popular feature of 2018/19, is back with a bang.
Simple fact: a good differential pick is the difference between winning a crucial Fantrax matchup 99% of the time. It’s all very well (and also, essential) having a core of top players. However, that low ownership gem that no one thought of can, more often than not, be the difference between a narrow loss and a convincing win which leaves your rivals in awe of your football knowledge.
Each week on Fantasy Football 92, we pick a full eleven consisting of low ownership players which you can help yourselves to in your league in order to (hopefully) grab yourself the win. All of our differentials are 60% owned or lower.
Here is the first Differential Potential XI of 2019/20!
Goalkeeper
Adrian | Liverpool | 44% owned
Liverpool’s latest hero looked as amazed as the rest of us on Wednesday after his Super League heroics.
Signed as a stand in stopper, Adrian probably thought he’d see little game time at Anfield. However, an unfortunate injury to Alisson has thrust him straight into the lineup. He represents a very easy way into the Liverpool defence, starting with Southampton away this weekend.
Defenders
Martin Montoya | Brighton | 4% owned
Here he is again! Heavily featured in our Waiver Wire article and our Twitter time line, we are high on Martin Montoya this week and this year in general.
Without wishing to repeat ourselves, the Spaniard is playing as a right midfielder/winger in an attacking new system at Brighton under Graeme Potter. The former Barca man will surely enjoy attacking returns over the course of this season.
John Egan | Sheffield United | 2% owned
Another one of our Waiver Wire targets, John Egan features in our uber low ownership defence.
There’s a lot of talk of Jack O’Connell as a low ownership differential from the Blades defence but it was Egan who impressed in the first game, scoring 9.75 without a clean sheet. A battle with Christian Benteke should yield plenty more defensive contributions.
Ahmed Elmohamady | Aston Villa | 10% owned
We aren’t anticipating an Aston Villa clean sheet as they host counter attacking Bournemouth in Gameweek Two but attacking contributions should make Ahmed Elmohamady worth a roster spot this week.
The Cherries are no strangers to shipping goals themselves so an open game should give the Egyptian license to go forward.
Midfielders
Phillip Billing | Bournemouth | 50% owned
If you like a player who will score plenty of ghost points, Phillip Billing is your man. A score of 14 points on the opening weekend without a goal or assist was a timely reminder of his Fantrax value. In a progressive Bournemouth side, he should find himself on the score sheet before long.
The Dane even managed to score decent points while playing for Huddersfield last season. He must be good.
Trezeguet | Aston Villa | 24% owned
It appears that we rate Egyptians who play for Aston Villa. New man Trezeguet makes it in to our differential XI thanks to a bright debut against Tottenham. A score of 8 points without a goal or assist shows that he has the potential to fill up his stat sheet nicely.
Todd Cantwell | Norwich City | 10% owned
After watching their opening weekend display at Anfield, we want a part of that Norwich City attack. Whether young Todd Cantwell can keep his place in the side is another matter but he looks like a decent option in their midfield and possibly a top class differential pick.
Cantwell was enterprising going forwards and looks comfortable and creative on the ball, translating to 7 points in a 4-1 loss at the home of the European champions. You’d expect Cantwell and Norwich City to have more attacking opportunities in their Gameweek 2 showdown with Newcastle United.
Andreas Pereira | Manchester United | 29% owned
Much of the talk was (understandably) about Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial following Manchester United’s convincing 4-0 win over Chelsea in the Gameweek 1. One who went under the radar was youngster Andreas Pereira who, thanks to a lack of transfer activity in the midfielder market, may just cement his place in the middle of the park.
As someone who has regularly played on the wing, Pereira possesses excellent technical ability and was even trusted with a lot of United’s set pieces on Sunday. His assist against Chelsea could be the first of many if he keeps his shirt, making him a very handy differential and an easy way into a new, more expansive Man United.
Oliver Norwood | Sheffield United | 19% owned
Oliver Norwood should represent good, consistent FPL value in Fantrax this season. The holding midfielder dominates set pieces and is an integral part of the Sheffield United setup.
After The Blades set up to frustrate Bournemouth on the opening weekend, a home game against Crystal Palace should represent a chance for them to open up a little. Norwood loves an assist…
Forwards
Wesley Moraes | Aston Villa | 57% owned
There was little to whet the appetite about new Aston Villa striker Wesley’s debut at Tottenham in Gameweek One.
Their new front man didn’t see a lot of the ball against Spurs but he should have a lot more opportunity to leave his mark on the Premier League when Bournemouth come to town. He shouldn’t be a differential for too long if he starts finding the net.
Wesley is very much in that Christian Benteke mould which Villa fans won’t mind one bit. Speaking of which…
Christian Benteke | Crystal Palace | 40% owned
It’s easy to see why Christian Benteke has been left on the Waiver Wire in a lot of leagues: he seems to have forgotten how to score goals.
But the big Belgian is one of those who wins valuable points in Fantrax without finding the net. His contribution of 9 points in a goalless draw in Gameweek 1 is the perfect demonstration.
Even if he continues to misfire, Benteke is a valuable FWD3 (maybe even FWD2 in some leagues) to own. If he rediscovers his goalscoring form, his ownership should skyrocket quite quickly. A trip to Sheffield United in Gameweek Two gives him a good chance of getting on the board early.
Fantasy Football 92 