Another special edition of the differentials article from us this week. We are focusing on under-the-radar picks for managers on free hit in gameweek 33.
We have selected four differentials from multiple positions to help you set yourself apart from the template.
Matheus Nunes
Ownership in FPL: 3.1%
Price: £5.3m
Position: Defender
City’s right-back Nunes has quietly become one of the most nailed defenders in Pep’s backline this season, and his performances have justified this.
Amidst the doubt around Nico O’Reilly’s fitness, Nunes becomes an even more tempting differential on the free hit in gameweek 33.
His main appeal comes from his creativity and underlying bonus potential.
In the last six gameweeks, no defender has created more chances than Matheus Nunes’ nine. Since gameweek 23, he has chipped in with three assists, which he has been good value for.
This creativity plays a part in the bonus potential that Nunes carries. Across the season, he is behind only Gabriel amongst defenders for points in the bonus system. This has allowed him to rack up a total of 16 bonus points already.
With a tight fixture expected against Arsenal, before a trip to strugglers Burnley, the potential is there for two clean sheets in the double, plus whatever else Nunes can conjure up through an assist or bonus.
Jaka Bijol
Ownership in FPL: 0.9%
Price: £3.9m
Position: Defender
As Leeds continue their push for safety, they face Wolves and Bournemouth as part of a very appealing double. At the heart of their defence, and under 1% owned, is Jaka Bijol, who deserves more attention than he is getting.
The big Slovenian has started each of the last three for Leeds, securing defcon points in all of them. In this time, Leeds have also kept two clean sheets and put in an excellent performance away at Old Trafford. This reflects well on his impact on the team.
His first opponents, Wolves, have been very weak defensively from set pieces recently. In the last six, they lead the league in expected goals conceded (xGC) from such situations. With Bijol a big target in the middle, could we see a repeat of Mavropanos’ exploits in gameweek 32?
Bijol’s high defcon floor might be enough to net an additional four points across the double. Any further returns in the form of clean sheets or goals could catapult owners up the ranks with Bijol’s low ownership.
Rayan Cherki
Ownership in FPL: 9.2%
Price: £6.3m
Position: Midfielder
A two-assist performance in gameweek 32 came at the perfect time from Cherki to remind FPL managers what he is capable of ahead of City’s double gameweek.
In a season that has been dominated by defcon and set pieces, a player like Cherki is a rare commodity. He feels like a player from a forgotten era, similar to a Mesut Özil or David Silva, players who are immensely fun to watch and a joy to own in FPL.
Critics will point out his minutes of uncertainty and lack of avenues to points. These are valid criticisms, but in a double gameweek and on a free hit, he is the type of asset who could strike gold.
In just 1370 minutes this season, Cherki has hit double figures for assists, providing eleven. He has supplemented this with three goals as well. While we expect the Arsenal game to be tight, he could be unleashed in the Burnley game, where the sky would be the limit for him
Cherki is a high-risk, high-reward asset for managers looking for an explosive punt on free hit.
Junior Kroupi
Ownership in FPL: 5.9%
Price: £4.6m
Position: Forward
Speaking of double digits, in gameweek 32, Junior Kroupi became the first teenager in over 20 years to hit ten goals in his debut season.
With a lot of eyes on Danny Welbeck, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joao Pedro, Junior Kroupi is flying under the radar coming into his double gameweek.
Kroupi has found minutes as Bournemouth’s number nine hard to come by, with Evanilson taking the lion’s share. Being trusted in the ‘ten’ by Iraola away to Arsenal is a great reflection on how he has taken to a new role. The fact that he also scored and played 84 minutes in such a big game shows the quality he brings to the Cherries.
His eye for goal is very appealing from an FPL standpoint, but what is even more appealing is his penalty share. Before gameweek 31, it was believed that Marcus Tavernier was Bournemouth’s penalty taker. When Kroupi stepped up and scored a penalty with Tavernier on the pitch against Man United, we saw this was no longer the case.
Whether this is split responsibility or not, Kroupi having some penalty share is big for his outlook.
A faltering Newcastle and then Leeds in the double makes for an appealing set of matchups for Kroupi. Those willing to take the risk on his minutes could stand to profit hugely from his upside in these fixtures.
FPL Gameweek 33 Free Hit Punts: A Round Up
Matheus Nunes £5.3 provides great creativity and bonus potential as part of a secure defence 3.1% Ownership.
Jaka Bijol £3.9m has hit defcon in each of his last three and has a very appealing double 0.9% Ownership.
Rayan Cherki £6.3m is a maverick pick, bringing plenty of flair and creativity 9.2% Ownership.
Junior Kroupi £4.6m has ten goals already this season and could now also be on penalties 5.9% Ownership.
