Gameweek 1 is done and dusted, and the Differentials XI ended up with a gameweek 1 rank of 1,877,724, which is around the middle of the table. Not so bad for a first week, but we hoped for better! Saying that it wasn’t disastrous. Overall rankings fluctuate with every goal and assist at this stage of the season so its nothing to worry about at the moment. The goal for the Differentials XI is to achieve a top 1 million finish. This may seem easy but with no players over 10% ownership being permitted, it certainly makes the task harder.
So this is how the Differentials XI finished the gameweek:
Moving forward, we have been forced to make a transfer. With Firmino’s ownership having risen above 10%, that’s him no longer classified as a differential so he’s got to go…
Firmino (OUT) -> De Bruyne (IN)
In comes De Bruyne (5.8%); he seems like the most logical choice and I have a little bit of wiggle room when it comes to his ownership. Let’s hope I get a little more than 1 gameweek out of him! Away to Stoke is a tricky game for City and the Bet365 stadium provides a challenge for many of the league’s top teams. However, following the injury to Jack Butland, it certainly makes the fixture look a lot more appealing.
Here is a look at the Differentials XI squad for gameweek 2:
Starting XI: Forster (5.4%), Taylor (1.1%), Simpson (2.8%), Terry (4.9%), De Bruyne (5.8%), Sigurdsson (8.0%), Deulofeu (4.2%), Townsend (6.5%), Redmond (8.9%), Costa (7.9%), Rooney (6.2%)
Bench: Mandanda (4.5%), Valencia (9.7%), Ward (1.2%), Grabban (4.5%)
In between the sticks, Forster remains. A disappointing display against Watford in gameweek 1 but away to Manchester United, Southampton’s game plan will be going there to frustrate the opposition. Hopefully that will return a clean sheet, although it will be a difficult task with Paul Pogba’s first game back for United dyeing the occasion.
In our back line, I’m hoping Taylor can pass a fitness test to play at the weekend but if not, Antonio Valencia will provide an adequate replacement against the Saints. Chelsea will be looking to back up their promising start away to Watford this weekend so Terry gets the nod. I think playing only once a week due to no European football will hugely benefit the Blues as it allows Conte to put practice in on the training field. Leicester will be looking to bounce back after a surprise opening day defeat to newly promoted Hull. Against Arsenal it won’t be easy. With Riyad Mahrez committing is future to the club alongside Vardy, morale will be high in the Leicester camp and I think a positive result is on the card for the Foxes. With Simpson, I’m hoping for attacking output as a clean sheet doesn’t look likely.
The 5 man midfield consists of De Bruyne, Siggy, Deulofeu, Townsend and Redmond. Like the team as a whole, I was disappointed with their output in the first week of the season. Only Redmond provided the goals with a debut goal for Southampton. Hopefully he can go on a bit of a run but remain under the radar so I can keep him in my side! Sigurdsson was only deemed fit enough for the bench in gameweek 1 but he’ll be sure to start from now on. At home to Hull, the chances of a goal are quite high and he gets the armband. De Bruyne makes his debut for our team and Townsend & Deulofeu are both away from home. Townsend returns to his former club Tottenham so will be extra motivated while Deulofeu is up against the underwhelming Baggies.
Up top we have Costa. He looked his gnarly self once again in the Monday Night Football fixture, scoring the winner 2 minutes from time. Rooney get one goal for United as they put 3 past Bournemouth. I’m giving him a bit more time in the team, but he may be one of the players I ship out in gameweek 3. He just drops too deep to be registered as a striker in FPL.
Written by FPL Avids (@FPLAvids)
