As we approach the halfway stage of the FPL season, we have selected three differentials in defence, midfield and attack to help you climb the ranks.
With teams starting to navigate life without their AFCON-bound players, there may be some players who are currently flying under the radar that could emerge as top assets.
Michael Kayode
Ownership in FPL: 0.7% Price: £4.5m Position: Defender
There has been a shift in the meta this season when it comes to throw-ins. Teams are hurling them into the box with increased regularity, but Brentford have been leading the way on this for some time now. Michael Kayode is their 0.7% owned secret weapon in this respect.
The distance he can get on his throw-ins alone is worth the £4.5m he costs. When you watch Brentford win a throw, you know that he is sending it into the box on most occasions. Brentford have caused many issues from these situations already this season and will continue to do so.
Leaving the throw-ins aside, Kayode is a great watch in his general play too. He loves to dribble, and across the league he is 5th for successful take-ons this season. He is also a solid chance creator, ranking 9th amongst defenders who have featured in at least ten games this season.
Brentford’s underlying defensive numbers have been decent this season, putting them 7th for expected goals conceded (xGC). With the fixture run that Brentford are about to embark on, a defender from their back line could therefore be a good choice. Only Chelsea away in gameweek 22 would need to be avoided in this spell.
He has the best baseline BPS from the defenders at Brentford, meaning that a clean sheet or attacking return is likely to land him amongst the bonus points. He has six already this season.
Kayode could be one to benefit from Dango’s departure to AFCON. If Brentford were to switch to a back five, Kayode would be given the role of an attacking wingback. A rise in his attacking returns may follow, meaning this could be a good time to buy.
Yeremy Pino
Ownership in FPL: 0.3% Price: £5.8m Position: Midfielder
There is a midfielder with almost no ownership, costing £5.8m, with the same expected goal involvement (0.5 per 90) as Phil Foden. His name is Yeremy Pino, and because of a lack of tangible returns, he is flying under-the-radar completely undetected by all but 0.3% of FPL managers.
To go along with the great xGI numbers, Pino is ticking along nicely in terms of shots and chance creation. He is taking around two shots per 90 and creating just under two chances per 90, also. In the last six gameweeks alone, he has created three big chances. For comparison, Saka has created five in that time.
Palace rank second in the league for expected goals from set pieces. This bodes well for Pino, who takes some of their free kicks and corners. With targets such as Lacroix and the red-hot Guehi to aim for, it would not be a surprise to see returns from these situations continue.
Palace have a mixed long-term horizon, but they do not face City, Liverpool or Arsenal in this time.
With Sarr now at AFCON and Munoz injured, Glasner will be looking to players like Pino to step up and provide the output that will be missing.
Igor Jesus
Ownership in FPL: 1.2% Price: £5.8m Position: Forward
With Chris Wood out and no timeline for his return, the lesser-owned Igor Jesus has been leading the line for Forest since gameweek 10 this season. Forwards have been hard to nail down, but for just £5.8m Igor Jesus could be a hidden gem waiting to break out.
While he has just one goal in the Premier League so far this campaign, his goals have been flowing elsewhere. In the League Cup and Europa League, he has six goals in six appearances.
Where Igor Jesus shines is in his shots and liveliness. He is taking 3.22 shots in the box per 90, which is where all his shots are coming from. This puts him behind only Haaland, who is on 3.74 per 90. He is also getting at least a shot per 90 from set pieces as well, showing his threat from set play deliveries into the box.
It is little wonder he is getting so many shots away in the box. Since he became the starting striker in gameweek 10, he has received 16 passes in the box. This again is just behind Erling Haaland, who is good company to be keeping.
When he has the ball at his feet, he is not afraid to take his man on. He has been attempting this about twice per 90 since securing the starting role. He is young and new to the league, so if he can improve his effectiveness on the dribble, the chances may start to open up for him to get better shots away.
At just £5.8m, there is a real chance Igor Jesus emerges as the next serious budget option now that Thiago has risen to over £7m. With only 1.2% ownership at this time, you could be well ahead of the curve.
FPL Gameweek 17 Differentials: Round Up
The differentials this week are not going to break the bank, but they could break the game if they deliver on the promise and data they are showing.
Michael Kayode £4.5m is Brentford’s chance creator, with a huge throw-in up his sleeve. 0.6% Ownership.
Yeremy Pino £5.8m has great underlying data and the chance to step up for Palace in Sarr’s absence. 0.3% Ownership.
Igor Jesus £5.8m is shot crazy and leading the line for a Forest team that is on the up. Some improvements to the young striker’s game could see him make a big jump. 1.2% Ownership.
