25 Dec, 2024

Game Week 18: BigManBakar’s Best Differentials

Best differentials to own for Game week 17

For our purposes, a differential refers to a player owned by around 15% or less of FPL managers. Many of Bakar’s differential’s can be found in our Player Rankings section where you can see how they stack up for the next 5 game weeks.

1) Martin Odegaard (Ownership: 6.3%, Price: £8.3m)

If you’re looking for a Saka replacement who also happens to be a differential, look no further than Odegaard.

The fixtures a really appealing from an attacking point of view and Odegaard should be on penalties in the absence of Saka.

He should also take an increasing share of the set pieces.

If Saka is out till March like the reports suggest, Odegaard should be good set and forget options for the foreseeable, potentially even till the second time we use our Wildcard.

2) Daniel Munoz (Ownership: 2.6%, Price: £4.7m)

I also like the look of Daniel Munoz from this point.

Owned by just 2.6% of FPL managers, Munoz is only behind Trent Alexander-Arnold for expected goal involvement (xGi) among defenders this season, so should offer points potential at both ends of the field.

Palace have a noticeable fixture swing as well, which bodes well for future returns.

3) Jurriën Timber (Ownership: 7.7%, Price: £5.7m)

Jurrien Timber continues to have my faith as often seen in this piece every week.

Arsenal rank 1st for xG conceded, making their defence a solid pick.

Timber, cheaper than Saliba and Gabriel, has been contributing in attack, with two recent attacking returns — one against Sporting in the Champions League and another in Gameweek 14 versus Manchester United.

Clean sheet odds for this week are 53% as well – which is the highest of all teams featuring in Gameweek 18.

4) Antoine Semenyo (Ownership: 6.0%, Price: £5.6m)

I’m glad that Semenyo scored last week. FPL managers who showed their faith despite a spell of blanks deserved to be rewarded – and I think they will be again.

A £5.6m nailed-on midfield enabler playing in a team that is ranked 3rd for xG this season just seems too good to pass up.

Bournemouth appear to have the tools to score regularly in most of their upcoming fixtures, with a solid run ahead.

Semenyo is averaging 0.5 xGI per 90 minutes this season and, unexpectedly, has attempted more shots than anyone in the league apart from Erling Haaland!

5) Alisson (Ownership: 6.0%, Price: £5.4m)

Liverpool’s excellent defensive data and the appeal of a potential double in Gameweek 24 brings Alisson to the table.

He’s back from injury and should be a reliable set-and-forget goalkeeper from now on.

If you own someone like Sels, Verbruggen or Flekken and have the funds to go for Alisson, I would definitely make that switch to Alisson.

Head over to our Transfer Wizard to view other potential differential picks or our top ranked players, at any position, within your budget to maximise your teams potential!

By: BigManBakar 

Last updated: 25/12/24