Fantasy Premier League

GW28 Lessons: Beat the drop with big differentials

By The Scout 2 Mar 2020

The Scout says FPL managers can climb their mini-leagues by bringing in overlooked players in the relegation battle

Managers in Fantasy Premier League often look to the top teams to provide the biggest source of points in their squads.

But players at clubs in the battle to avoid relegation can also be as beneficial, as witnessed in Watford's 3-0 victory over Liverpool.

While owners of Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) and Sadio Mane (£12.4m) were left empty-handed, Ismaila Sarr (£6.2m) claimed 19 points as the Hornets ended the leaders' unbeaten run.

Owned by fewer than one per cent of managers prior to Gameweek 28, the winger scored twice and supplied an assist.

Troy Deeney (£6.2m) was also a huge success, earning 11 points thanks to a goal and an assist.

Since Nigel Pearson was appointed head coach in Gameweek 17, Deeney's total of six goals has been bettered by only four other players in FPL.

Yet he sits in only 1.8 per cent of squads.

⚽ Two goals.
🅰️ One assist.
🅿️ Nineteen points.

Who had Ismaïla Sarr in their @OfficialFPL this weekend? pic.twitter.com/S5KXKaHzhf
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) March 2, 2020

Norwich City full-backs Jamal Lewis (£4.4m) and Max Aarons (£4.3m) set the tone for Gameweek 28 against Leicester City on Friday evening.

Lewis scored the Canaries' decisive goal in the 1-0 win, with Aarons providing the assist.

They produced 15 and 11 points respectively, their highest hauls of the season.

West Ham differentials

West Ham United, meanwhile, appear to have found their attacking form under David Moyes.

After scoring twice in a narrow Gameweek 27 loss to Liverpool, the Hammers claimed a crucial 3-1 home win over Southampton.

Michail Antonio's (£6.9m) goal and an assist helped him to 11 points against Saints, his highest return of the campaign.

Pablo Fornals (£6.0m) and Jarrod Bowen (£6.5m) also impressed, recording nine points apiece.

Like Norwich's Lewis and Aarons, all three West Ham players sit in less than one per cent of squads.

As FPL managers seek an edge over their mini-league rivals in the final three months of the season, looking to the battle for safety can bring in big rewards.