We’re back!
It’s been another crazy draft season but we can now finally look forward to settling down to watch some real football. If you’re not happy with your draft, a differential XI is exactly what you need to kickstart your season!
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 are your picks for Gameweek 1!
Alex McCarthy | Goalkeeper | Southampton | 20% Owned
I make Southampton hot favourites for their opening day encounter with Crystal Palace. With exciting new signing Eberechi Eze a doubt and Wilfried Zaha’s mind potentially wandering, a clean sheet for Alex McCarthy and co wouldn’t be a surprise. McCarthy may not be a bad set and forget keeper this season.
Kurt Zouma | Defender | Chelsea | 23% Owned
You’d expect Chelsea’s defence to improve considerably following the signings of Ben Chilwell and legend Thiago Silva. This should, in turn, boost the value of Kurt Zouma who I expect will be the busier of the two centre halves. I like him this week against Brighton assuming he keeps his place.
Luke Thomas | Defender | Leicester City | 56% Owned
Thanks to suspension and injury, Leicester’s defence is facing a miniature crisis at the start of this season. This means youngsters Luke Thomas could be given one more chance to shine. The left back played well and scored well in Fantrax at the tail end of last season and, if reports are to be believed, Thomas may start at left wing back ahead of a back three against West Brom on Sunday.
Rob Holding | Defender | Arsenal | 1% Owned
With David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi ruled out through injury ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Craven Cottage this week, Rob Holding suddenly becomes Arsenal’s experienced centre half. Mikel Arteta now seems keen to keep hold of Holding despite interest from Newcastle and he’s likely to partner one of Gabriel or Saliba at the heart of the defence.
Grady Diangana | Midfielder | West Brom | 43% Owned
Rarely has a signing caused such controversy amongst those at the departed club as Grady Diangana’s now former club West Ham. Senior players have voiced their disgust at the fact that the talented youngster was allowed to leave for West Brom. Baggies fans are delighted, as are Fantasy managers who have seen his value shoot up very quickly! He won’t be a low ownership option for long.
Dani Ceballos | Midfielder | Arsenal | 41% Owned
It was inevitable that the much loved Dani Ceballos would return to Arsenal after his loan spell last season. Arteta most have seen a lot of himself in Ceballos who plays in a remarkably similar style to himself. Ceballos was arguably Arsenal’s most important player after the restart and led the way in all counting stats such advance interceptions, tackles and key passes. A very useful MID 3/4 this season.
Moussa Djenepo | Midfielder | SOuthampton | 16% Owned
Is this Moussa Djenepo’s break out season at Southampton? The midfielder showed flashes of brilliance during the last campaign but they were blended in with injuries and suspensions. Stuart Armstrong’s injury should lead to a start for the enigmatic Djenepo who has everything needed to become one of the league’s top wingers if he can find some consistency.
Andros Townsend | Midfielder | Crystal Palace | 23% Owned
Andros Townsend’s fall from fantasy grace looks set to continue this season with the arrival of Eberechi Eze, especially considering rumours that the youngster looks set to take Townsend’s number 10 shirt. Eze is a doubt for this weekend’s opener due to an injury, meaning Townsend may get one more run out. He’s one to look out for in terms of transfers before the end of the window.
Neeskens Kebano | Midfielder | Fulham | 16% Owned
It’s currently unclear whether it will be Neeskens Kebano or Ivan Cavaleiro who takes the left wing spot at Fulham but it was Kebano who took the spot (and shone) in the Championship play-offs. Kebano hit a stunning free kick against Cardiff in the semi-finals and many tip him to keep his place going into the Premier League season. His direct style will be a threat to defences and should also provide decent Fantrax returns.
Michy Batshuayi | Forward | Crystal Palace | 4% Owned
Michy Batshuayi sealed a loan return to Crystal Palace this week, meaning he is a Fantasy Football asset once more! The Belgian striker enjoyed his last short spell at Selhurst Park, scoring five times in nine starts and he will be the perfect FWD3 in your lineup if you can pick him up now. It’s unclear whether he will be thrown straight into the lineup this weekend against Southampton but his double in midweek for Belgium suggests there’s no issues with his match sharpness.
Eddie Nketiah | Forward | Arsenal | 23% Owned
Mikel Arteta appears to be a big fan of Eddie Nketiah and it’s easy to see why. As well as his industry up front (something they don’t always get from Alexander Lacazette), Nketiah is clinical in front of goal, as demonstrated by his hat-trick for England U21s this week. Rotation is to be expected up front at Arsenal thanks to their numerous options but the youngster is well worth a start if he gets the nod this week at Fulham.
Che Adams | Forward | SOuthampton | 58% Owned
Following a promising end to the last campaign, many expect this to be a promising year for Che Adams at Southampton. His ownership is already high at this stage but if he’s available in your league he’s well worth the gamble. If he forms a partnership with Danny Ings up front he will be a potential league winner as your FWD3.
Fantasy Football 92 