Last updated on August 19th, 2021
By Fantasy Football Experts – Twitter ID: @FFExperts_
The opening weekend of the Premier League did not disappoint. Fans were back in big numbers, lots of goals scored and no draws. The 10 games produced 34 goals over the weekend and each game had a winner. There were a few surprise results but it was business as usual for the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United. Now let us look at which players you can consider for your GW2 squad as differentials. These players have low ownership despite favorable fixtures and good underlying stats and can help improve your rank.
Ricardo Pereira (Leicester City – Defender – £5.5m) vs WHU (A)
Pereira missed a big part of last season due to injury. But he looks fit and raring to go this season. He is a dangerous player going forward and looking at Leicester’s upcoming fixtures, he looks like a good bet to deliver both clean sheets and attacking returns. Upcoming games are WHU (A), NOR (A), MCI (H), BHA (A), BUR (H) & CRY (A). Except for Manchester City in GW4, the Foxes do not have a difficult fixture till GW7.
Pereira delivered a 12 point haul in GW1 with 1 assist, a clean sheet, and 3 bonus points. We back the right back to do well in these upcoming weeks. Current ownership is at 4.8%.
Mason Greenwood (Manchester United – Midfielder – £7.5m) vs SOU (A)
Greenwood was again impressive for Manchester United against Leeds United in GW1. The youngster caught the eye with his link-up play, pace, and clinical finishing. He scored a brilliant goal from Pogba’s through ball. He made 3 attempts on goal in the match, 1 from inside the box and 2 on target. He also created 1 big chance for his teammates.
Greenwood finished the 2020-21 season on a high. He scored 6 goals and provided 1 assist in his last 8 appearances. He looks like he has picked up right where he left off and we back him to continue his brilliant form. Upcoming games are SOU (A), WOL (A), NEW (H), WHU (A), AVL (H) and EVE (H). Manchester United have a good run of fixtures in the upcoming weeks and Greenwood can prove to be a solid differential. Current ownership is at 9%.
Sadio Mane (Liverpool – Midfielder – £12m) vs BUR (H)
Liverpool is another team who have a good run of fixtures to start the season. Their next 5 fixtures include BUR (H), CHE (H), LEE (A), CRY (H) and BRE (A). The Senegalese is surprisingly overlooked by many FPL managers who prefer his teammates and attacking partners i.e. Salah and Jota over him. This makes Mane a solid differential pick.
Despite not being at his best in the 2020-21 season, Mane scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists in 35 appearances. While he did not produce an attacking return in GW1, he sure looked like a threat. He made 3 attempts on goal in the match, of which 2 were from inside the box. He also created 3 chances for his teammates. Mane has a decent record against Burnley, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist in 9 appearances. He is definitely a player to watch out for in GW2. Current ownership is at 3.9%.
Neal Maupay (Brighton & Hove Albion – Forward £6.5m) vs WAT (H)
The Brighton forward has hit the ground running with a goal against Burnley at Turf Moor in GW1. His underlying stats from this performance highlight his attacking threat. He had 4 attempts on goal from inside the box (joint 2nd highest in the league) with 2 shots on target. His opponents in GW2 are newly promoted Watford. While the Hornets got the all-important win in GW1, they did not look very solid at the back conceding 2 goals in their win over Aston Villa.
Maupay will look to exploit Watford’s defensive frailties. He has 1 goal in 2 Premier League appearances against them. Upcoming games are WAT (H), EVE (H), BRE (A), LEI (H), CRY (A). With a current ownership of 2.8%, Maupay can be a good punt.
*Ownership percentage is as on August 19, 2021 at the time of writing the article.
Let us know what you think?
By Fantasy Football Experts – Twitter ID: @FFExperts_
