FPL teams are shifting closer to the template as we approach the blanks and doubles, which makes this the perfect time to look at some differentials to set your team apart.
Two under-the-radar midfielders and a forgotten forward make up the list this week, with one returning having featured in our gameweek 9 article.
Pascal Groß
Ownership in FPL: 0.1% Price: £5.5m Position: Midfielder
When Brighton signed Pascal Groß back from Dortmund, many thought he was coming in as a squad player. The German has surprised everyone by slotting straight into the starting XI, looking like he never left. This is a man with multiple 150+ point seasons under his belt, who is owned by just 0.1% of the game.
His main route to points comes through his creativity. Over the last six gameweeks, he sits fifth for chances created with 15. He is accounting for 29% of chances created for Brighton while he is on the pitch. To have taken on such a large role so quickly shows the level he is operating at.
His chance creation is helped greatly by his set-piece share. He takes most corners and set-pieces for Brighton. In fact, no one in the league has taken more corners than Groß over the last six.
Corners and free kicks might not be his only dead-ball duties, either. He used to take penalties for Brighton and has a decent record from the spot, scoring 9/12 in senior football. With Welbeck having missed two already this campaign, it will be interesting to see who steps up next.
The baseline bonus numbers for Groß are very solid, meaning that a return almost guarantees him bonus points. His goal in gameweek 24 meant that he ended up with all three.
To add to all this, Brighton could also benefit from a potential double gameweek in 33.
There are a few tough fixtures on his horizon, but at just £5.5m, he can rotate in and out of the team as necessary, providing reliable avenues to points for 0.1% of FPL managers.
Xavi Simons
Ownership in FPL: 1.2% Price: £6.5m Position: Midfielder
Starting the season at £7.0m, Xavi now finds himself £0.5m down with considerably fewer owners. As Spurs find themselves at the wrong end of the table again, they need a spark from somewhere. Xavi Simons is showing signs that he could be the one to provide this.
The young Dutchman has finally cemented himself in the team, having played 90 minutes in every match since gameweek 21. In this time, he has been going shot-mad. He has taken 18 shots, with 8 from inside the box. His xG is sitting at just over 1.30 for this spell.
His xA since returning to the team sits at 1.87, which puts him fifth in the league among outfielders. He also sits third for chances created, as well as for successful passes into the penalty area. Some of this is coming from dead-ball situations, as he has a share of corners and free kicks for Spurs.
His shot numbers and chances created account for 38% of Tottenham’s chance involvement numbers since gameweek 21. They appear to be starting to rely heavily on both facets of his game.
Spurs have quite a mixed fixture run to end the season, but their best fixtures generally come at home, meaning he can be hidden on the bench for the tricky away games.
They have had their fair share of injury issues of late, but as players start to return, there is a chance Spurs will start to click in the upcoming matches. Xavi would stand to be one of the main beneficiaries of any improvements and could reward owners brave enough to take a punt.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Ownership in FPL: 9.9% Price: £5.8m Position: Forward
It feels like a lifetime ago that we picked Calvert-Lewin as one of our gameweek 9 differentials. Since then, he has been on a run of seven goals in six matches and has helped propel Leeds to a position of relative safety. Things have quietened down slightly for DCL in recent weeks, and his ownership has dipped just under 10%. This presents another differential opportunity to own this forgotten forward.
Calvert-Lewin is still the main man for Leeds. While he has been on the pitch this season, he has a 38% share in their big chances and a 32% share of their goals. While he has just one goal in the last six, his numbers have been positive despite playing Arsenal and missing one through illness.
His last two outings have shown promise. At Villa he racked up three shots in the box and was unlucky not to score. Against Forest, it was two shots in the box, one of which was a cleverly taken goal with his chest. Despite the relative lack of goals in recent weeks compared to his earlier form, he is still playing with a lot of confidence.
This level of belief could be thanks to the trust placed in him by his manager this season. As a notoriously bad finisher in recent years, he is actually outperforming his xG by 0.6.
With penalties in his locker, Calvert-Lewin is another asset who could be good to hold for the rest of the season. Leeds do not have a double coming up, but he has good fixtures in both blank gameweeks and could be called upon in the gameweek 33 double with Wolves at home.
Calvert-Lewin has become a talisman for Leeds, and they will be relying on him to help them finish the season strongly. With focus shifting to players that double, DCL is going to be overlooked for this spell, making for a great window to buy.
FPL Gameweek 28 Differentials: Round Up
Pascal Groß £5.5m is back as Brighton’s chief creator, with a huge share of set-pieces 0.1% Ownership.
Xavi Simons £6.5m is shooting loads and providing creativity for a Spurs side that desperately need it 1.2% Ownership.
Calvert Lewin £5.8m is still the main man for Leeds and has looked sharp in recent weeks 9.9% Ownership.
