We’re now right into the midst of the madness during Winter Premier League. Lots of games, lots of rotation, lots of drama! To make matters worse, the Spurs vs Brighton game was called off due to the COVID outbreak, causing huge chaos amongst FPL managers that owned their popular assets. It is highly advised to keep players that get minutes on the bench to combat the heavy rotation. As usual, we’ve compiled a list of 5 differential players with low ownership. These assets are risky, but highly rewarding, with each of their returns contributing greatly to your ranks. Here is a list of FPL Gameweek 17 Differentials 2021/22 that can bolster your squads ahead of gameweek 17.
FPL Gameweek 17 Differentials 2021/22
1. Jose Sa (Goalkeeper) – 5.1 million
Wolves have conceded just 3 goals in the last 5 games, despite having played against Manchester City, Liverpool, and West Ham in that period. Fans will have their star man between the sticks, Jose Sa, to thank. Sa has averaged a huge 6.2 points per game in that period, the most of any other goalkeeper in the game, despite being owned by just 3.5% of FPL managers.
In addition, Sa has kept up a consistent 3.38 saves per game since the start of the season, virtually guaranteeing a save point every gameweek. Even though he is priced at a pretty hefty 5.1 million, Sa is still one of the best value keepers in all of FPL, ranking 2nd out of all his competition for points per million.
A visit to Brighton is set for Wolves in Gameweek 17, which could very well be a good day for the away side if they can hold their strong defensive work from recent weeks. Brighton has struggled in front of the net, averaging just 0.5 goals in the last 5 games, which is a tally worsened by only the Wolves themselves. They also rank 17th for expected goals in that period as well.
2. Raheem Sterling (Midfielder) – 10.6 million
There were initially doubts about Sterling’s abilities earlier this season, however, his recent performances have shown that he still has it in him. The 26-year-old last dropped a 2-pointer back in GW11 and since then, he has averaged a huge 6.8 points per game over the 5 gameweeks. Sterling’s 8 shots on target in that period is a joint-highest tally of all FPL players, and his 16 key passes are also a lone leading number.
Not only that, Sterling’s underlying stats include some strong ranks over his teammates as well. He has the most total shots (14), shots in the box (10), big chances (5), and big chances created (3) of all other Manchester City players. To add the cherry on top, Sterling is on penalties as well! Despite being one of the best performers in the Manchester City squad, Sterling is only owned by 1.5% of FPL managers.
City faces Leeds, Newcastle, Leicester, and Brentford in the next 4 gameweeks. All 4 of these sides rank in the bottom half for expected goals conceded per game over the last 5 gameweeks. In addition, City’s GW17 fixture against Leeds at home should be an especially comfortable one as well, as Leeds rank in the bottom half of teams for the most shots conceded and the biggest chances conceded whilst playing away from home. However, one thing to be aware of before jumping on any Manchester City assets is Pep’s preferences towards rotation. It is advised to have a strong playing bench as a backup if Sterling is someone you’re after.
3. Jack Grealish (Midfielder) – 7.6 million
Grealish made one of the big money moves last Summer, after the 100 million switch from Villa to City. However, the English man has failed to live up to the high expectations this season, recording just 1 goal and 2 assists in the league. However, whilst he isn’t making the biggest impact on the g/a terms, his underlying numbers have surprisingly been quite good.
Grealish’s 83 touches in the box this campaign is only bettered by Salah and Mane all season, even though Grealish playing for almost 600 minutes less. Furthermore, the 26-year-old ranks 4th of all players for the most key passes (29) this season, again despite having much less playing time. His expected points value of 59.2 is almost 50% more than his actual value of 41, suggesting that Grealish is hugely underperforming.
Whilst the fixture list looks fine for City, it’s more the risk of actually playing in those fixtures which defines the quality of their assets. The infamous Pep Roulette has made Grealish a very risky pick this season, starting just 11 games out of 16, and being subbed off for 7 of those. All in all, though, Grealish is a very capable winger and has proved his worth already in the Premier League – a very risky selection, but could be incredibly satisfying if it pays off.
4. Che Adams (Forward) – 6.8 million
Adams’ has had an on-and-off season so far, with injuries and rotation preventing him from establishing a certain place in the starting XI. However, despite ranking 10th for minutes this season, Adams has the leading goals/assists tally among all his teammates, with 5 goal contributions matched by only Adam Armstrong. Over the last 5 gameweeks, only James Maddison (8) has beaten his tally of 7 shots on target, which is on the level with Cristiano Ronaldo and also better than that of Salah, who has 6. All 11 of Adams’ shots in that period have come from inside the box, and no other Southampton player has done better in that field.
An injury meant that Adams was side-lined in the GW16 fixture against Arsenal, however, there is a chance he makes his return in GW17. Southampton will visit Crystal Palace away next, who have no doubt been a strong team all season, though they have experienced a slight dip in form recently. They have managed just one draw out of their last 4 games (not accounting for GW16), and haven’t kept a clean sheet since GW11.
Note: Che Adams missed Southampton’s last fixture against Arsenal due to a strange hamstring injury. So keep an eye for Ralph Hasenhuttl‘s press conferences before their match in the midweek.
5. Ollie Watkins (Forward) – 7.5 million
Watkins hasn’t had the flashiest of seasons so far with Villa, though he still ranks as the side’s top scorer with 3 goals. With the appointment of Steven Gerrard as the new manager, Watkins has seen himself pick up some form, averaging 4.4 points per game of the last 5 fixtures. His 7 shots in the box and 2 big chances are both leading numbers amongst his teammates. His 8 chances created in that period are also a leading number at Aston Villa. Out of all forwards, Watkins has returned the 4th most points in the last five weeks, with his tally of 24 beaten by just Ronaldo, Pukki, and Dennis.
Villa is one of the teams to target because of their upcoming fixture schedule, as they play Norwich, Burnley, Leeds, and Brentford in the next 5 gameweeks, a great opportunity for the side to pick up some form. The GW17 fixture against Norwich is especially comforting for Villa fans and is a chance for Watkins to bring home some points for the 5.8% of managers that own him.
The Canaries have conceded 2 goals per game on average all season and rank in the bottom 3 for clean sheets as well (3 out of 16 games). They’ve also conceded the most shots on target per game (5.38) out of all teams and rank 4th for the biggest chances conceded per game (2.19) and shots in the box per game (9.38) as well.
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