We’ve all seen the “template XI” and will, no doubt, have figured out which elite assets we’re going to jump on this season.
Whether you’re on the Salah train or the Haaland bus (or both), you’re going to be needing some handy differentials in your side to ensure you’re always one step ahead of your mini-league rivals and can climb up those world rankings!
In this weekly series, we explore those low ownership options that could be the hidden gems to help you to creap up that table. Here are the options we like the look of for GW4…
Illan Meslier – Leeds United – Goalkeeper – £4.5m – 2.3% TSB
Illan Meslier kept his first clean sheet of the season as Leeds United tore Chelsea apart in GW3. He watched on from afar in relative comfort as his opposite number toiled in the Elland Road sun on a famous day for Jesse Marsch’s men. Leeds are at the start of a friendly run of fixtures and, although Brighton represent another tough test, a clean sheet is highly possible if the defence continues it’s early season form.
Tyrell Malacia – Manchester United – Defender – £4.4m – 1.9% TSB
New left back Tyrell Malacia was the best of a very bad bunch for United two weeks ago at Brentford. Fast forward a week and Malacia was rewarded with a start up against Mo Salah at Old Trafford in a much more enjoyable 90 minutes if you’re of a Manchester United persuasion. The Dutch full back has all but made the left back position his after a solid display. His share of corner taking duties and the expectation to get forward and join the attack in easier fixtures could ensure Malacia is a bargain at his current price of £4.4m.
Joe Gomez – Liverpool – Defender – £4.5m – 0.4% TSB
In contrast, Joe Gomez’s Old Trafford experience on Monday was pretty horrendous as he was pulled around from pillar to post by United’s mobile front three. He will still be in the lineup that welcomes Bournemouth to Anfield in what SHOULD be a much quieter afternoon on Saturday…
With Joel Matip and Ibou Konate set to be out for a few more weeks, that centre back will belong to Gomez for the short term at least, making him a very cheap way into that Liverpool defence.
Emerson Royal – Tottenham – Defender – £5.0m – 3.6% TSB
Against all the odds, it appears Emerson Royal is Tottenham’s first choice right wing back. Matt Doherty was the pre-season favourite for the spot (especially among FPL managers) but the Brazilian has silenced his doubters with a series of solid displays. More attacking returns are surely to come following his two assists on the opening day vs Southampton and this week’s fixture against Nottingham Forest represents a very good chance of a decent haul for Royal.
Marcus Rashford – Manchester United – Midfielder – £6.3m – 4.8% TSB
Is Marcus Rashford back (again)? United’s return to for coincided with Rashford’s first goal with January and his driving forward runs were a large part of his side’s success against their arch rivals on Monday. You get the feeling that it may only take one goal to kickstart a run for the struggling England star and with Southampton next up you wouldn’t bet against him making it two in two.
Bernardo Silva – Manchester City – Midfielder – £6.8m – 4.8% TSB
Who knows where Bernardo Silva’s future lies? The Barcelona links have seen the Portuguese star warming the City bench in recent weeks but his inclusion in the starting XI against Newcastle United at the weekend saw him score and assist in a vintage performance. Pep Guardiola is desperate for Bernardo to stay and it’s easy to see why. A start in GW4 against Crystal Palace is surely nailed on after such a commanding performance last week, providing he is still at the club, of course…
Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United – Midfielder – £5.5m – 1.3% TSB
Brenden Aaronson helped himself (literally) to his first Premier League goal last week against Chelsea and will be hoping for more of the same against Brighton in GW4. Granted, he won’t ever get another goal gift wrapped like he did thanks to Edouard Mendy but the American is central to everything this new look Leeds side does and may be the £5.5m option we have all been missing!
Demarai Gray – Everton – Midfielder – £5.5m – 1.0% TSB
Demarai Gray opened his account for the season against Nottingham Forest at the weekend and despite a predictably stale start for his Everton side he has looked very lively so far. A trip to Brentford this week represents a tough task but if Everton are to spring a surprise it’s likely that Gray will be a big part of it.
Miguel Almiron – Newcastle United – Midfielder – £5.0m – 1.4% TSB
It will have surprised many to see Miguel Almiron get on to the scoresheet against Manchester City last Sunday but his stats suggest otherwise. He’s already managed five shots in the box over the first three weeks and there could be many more goals to come ahead of a decent run of fixtures. He’s also had 19 touches in the penalty box so far, the same as Rodrigo from Leeds. I told you the stats back him up!
Danny Welbeck – Brighton – Forward – £6.5m – 1.6% TSB
Danny Welbeck’s hot form continues and he remains criminally underowned at just 1.6%. The £6.5m pricepoint is putting many off but with good fixtures to come and a constant involvement in Brighton’s forward play, Welbeck could be the value forward pick that frees up funds for a premium midfielder or two.
Anthony Martial – Manchester United – Forward – £6.9m – 0.8% TSB
Rounding off our FPL differential XI this week is returning United forward Anthony Martial. The Frenchman made an instant impact coming off the bench at half time against Liverpool and all signs suggest that he will be Erik Ten Hag’s chosen man to lead the line this season rather than Cristiano Ronaldo. If the controversial decision is made, Martial should be an absolute bargain at £6.9m.
Fantasy Football 92 