FPL Differential XI: Gameweek 7

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 GW7…

GOALKEEPER: Illan Mesler – Leeds United – 2.4% TSB

It feels like Illan Meslier is selected for the differential XI every other week at the start of this season and he’s back again for Gameweek 7. Despite seeing five fly past him last week, Meslier and Leeds should have a much better chance of keeping a clean sheet against a struggling Nottingham Forest side on Monday night.

DEFENDERS: Wesley Fofana – Chelsea – 2.3% TSB, Pascal Struijk – Leeds United – Defender – 0.6% TSB, Vladimir Coufal – West Ham United – 0.7% TSB

It’s not been the easiest start to life at Chelsea for Wesley Fofana as a fortunate debut win against West Ham was followed up with a shock Champions League defeat in Zagreb on Tuesday. Regardless, you’d expect Chelsea to tighten up defensively as the new back line gels and at £4.4m Fofana represents a very affordable way into the Blues defence.

Pascal Struijk has also started the season very well in his new left back role and an attacking return doesn’t feel too far away while Vladimir Coufal will also be a useful FPL asset as West Ham’s fixtures start to turn for the better. They face Newcastle this week and Coufal’s afternoon should be a much easier one if Allan Saint-Maximin is still on the sidelines.

MIDFIELDERS: Alexis Macallister – Brighton – Midfielder – 4.7% TSB, Harvey Barnes – Leicester City – Midfielder – 1.0% TSB, Brenden Aaronson – Leeds United – Midfielder – 1.9% TSB, Jarrod Bowen – West Ham United – Midfielder – 2.4% TSB, Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace – Midfielder – 2.5% TSB

Alexis Macallister’s ownership has rocketed this week thanks to a sparkling performance against Leicester and you’d back him to be among the attacking returns once again this weekend against another leaky defence in Bournemouth. Despite the deeper role nowadays, the Argentine should continue to deliver decent numbers due to being on penalties and free kicks (and just generally being an excellent footballers).

From an in form midfielder to two previous favourites desperate to get back in the goals. England hopefuls Jarrod Bowen and Harvey Barnes. Both are yet to impress so far but this weeks fixtures against Newcastle and Aston Villa should mean both have the chance to kickstart their seasons.

Eberechi Eze is another name we’ve mentioned a few times in these articles but even though he’s yet to deliver the signs are there and we’re going to keep the faith! American Boy Brenden Aaronson completes our differential midfielder lineup this week, partly because he’s a great asset and partly because of the excellent chant the Leeds faithful have penned to honour him!

FORWARDS: Bryan Mbuemo – Brentford – Forward – 2.0% TSB, Danny Welbeck – Brighton – Forward – 1.4% TSB

Brentford and Bryan Mbuemo have looked clinical at times so far this season and I fancy them to keep that going this week away at Southampton. It’s a similar story for Danny Welbeck over at Brighton who could also enjoy their own positive trip down to the south coast to face Bournemouth. Both are great options in the 6.0-6.5 range and are great options if you can’t quite afford the red hot Aleksander Mitrovic.