Differential Picks – FPL Gameweek 8 Tips – Fantasy Premier League Tips

Number one differential pick Johann Berg Gudmundsson did the business in gameweek 7, picking up two attacking returns in Burnley’s away victory over Cardiff City. Raul Jimenez also returned attacking points, while Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli disappointingly picked up an injury and was not able to face off against Huddersfield. The end of gameweek 8 will signal the beginning of another international break, so enjoy it while it lasts with a few differential options:

DANNY ROSE – £5.9m – TSB: 1.2% – Cardiff (H)

Though the reports have varied on why Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy has been absent over the past couple of weeks, his injury/fallout with boss Pep Guardiola came just as Tottenham’s fixtures took a turn for the better. Fantasy managers quick off the mark brought in Spurs right-back Kieran Trippier, who has rewarded buyers with 2 assists in his past 2. However, no one appears to be discussing left-back Danny Rose, who has also picked up an assist in each of these games. The risk of rotation with Ben Davies tends to dissuade managers from the Spurs left-backs, but Rose has played each of the last 3 league fixtures, offers a slightly cheaper route into the defence, and looks likely to line up at home to a joint-bottom of the table Cardiff City side in gameweek 8. His low ownership could be a plus point for those looking to make ground on Trippier owners. Heung-Min Son (£8.3m, TSB: 2.0%) looks an excellent attacking option for the weekend, but was tipped for this run in the gameweek six differentials article, so didn’t make the five picks this time around.

ANTHONY KNOCKAERT – £5.5m – TSB: 1.1% – West Ham (H)

A budget midfielder that appears to be going under the radar despite impressing in recent weeks is Brighton midfielder, Anthony Knockaert. The Seagulls midfielder has had 14 shots on goal and managed a goal and 3 assists so far this campaign, all of which have come at home. Despite West Ham picking up form in recent weeks, recently beating a lacklustre Manchester United side, they still look defensively fragile and have conceded in all but one fixture so far this campaign. Brighton have one of the most favourable fixture runs moving forward, not facing a top 6 side until Chelsea in gameweek 17. A double-up with one of Brighton’s defensive options or the reliable Glenn Murray (£6.5m, TSB: 2.1%) could be the catalyst for green arrows in the coming weeks.

JAMIE VARDY – £8.9m – TSB: 4.7% – Everton (H)

This will be the second time Jamie Vardy has been included in the differential picks this season. But with his percentage still under 5%, it seems he is still not being given the attention he deserves. Vardy has scored 2 goals and managed an assist in his last 2 gameweeks, and comes up against an Everton side that have conceded at least 2 goals in each of their 3 away games so far this season. Afterwards, the Leicester forward has great long-term potential with regard to the Foxes upcoming schedule – Arsenal are the only side ranked above 3 on the assigned Fixture Difficulty Rankings (FDR) until gameweek 16, and Vardy scored 2 goals at the Emirates last season. After a poor performance against Bournemouth in gameweek 6, two wins on the trot for Leicester suggests they may be finding their form again.

FELIPE ANDERSON – £6.8m – TSB: 2.3% – Brighton (A)

West Ham have finally hit some form after a rocky start with no points from their first 4 games. Marko Arnautovic has obviously been key to their upturn in form, but so too have attacking wingers Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko (£6.8m, TSB: 1.4%). Anderson scored his first goal for the club in the gameweek 7 victory over Manchester United, snagging all 3 bonus points. Yarmolenko picked up an assist in the same game, recently picking up a brace away to Everton. Both appear great options going into West Ham’s next 5 fixtures, where they face just Tottenham of all top 6 sides. The nod here is given to Felipe Anderson on the basis that he tops Yarmolenko in every measure of the ICT index (influence, creativity and threat), but expect each of West Ham’s front three to do damage in the coming weeks.

MARCUS RASHFORD – £6.7m – TSB: 4.2% – Newcastle (H)

It may sound a little crazy to tip a Manchester United player ahead of gameweek 8, and maybe it is. However, the same was probably true before United faced off against a Burnley side a few weeks ago who were also in poor form, and they profited well. As a one week pick only, Marcus Rashford could be a pre-wildcard punt for some. He started on the bench in gameweek 7 but made an impact after being subbed on with a clever finish to bring Manchester United back into the game. Rashford took six shots in United’s midweek Champions League tie against Valencia, with only the woodwork denying him his second goal in less than a week. If he starts, he could punish a Newcastle side without a league win this season and in very poor form.

Best of luck all.

Written by FPL Forum (@FPLForum)

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