The Hard Tackle lists the best differentials for you to consider in FPL, with the Saturday cut-off point fast approaching.
Gameweek 7 of the 2023/24 Premier League season is nearly upon us, with the coaches finalising their plans for the latest round of fixtures. Meanwhile, the Fantasy Premier League deadline is also fast approaching, with the FPL managers looking to get their transfers in shape.
The new campaign has been a rollercoaster ride thus far, with stability nowhere to be seen. While a few usual suspects have excelled, rotation risk, injuries, and form playing spoilsport. The latest concerns surround players like Aaron Ramsdale, Ben Chilwell, James Maddison, Bukayo Saka, and Odsonne Edouard.
With Gameweek 7 likely being the moving week in the early stages of the 2023/24 season, FPL managers will be eager to get their teams in shape. And it goes without saying that they will target some differentials to get ahead of the curve and take a punt with a few players in their squads.
While we are still in the early days, which means some differentials can be risky, there are still some players who are nearly nailed on at their clubs. With that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists five differentials you should target for your teams.
David Raya (£4.8 — 2.9% TSB)
"it's not a matter of who is right or wrong, Mikel Arteta is the coach."
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry weighs in on the decision to start David Raya. pic.twitter.com/FbU5hAxYej
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 20, 2023
Arsenal’s goalkeeping situation has come under the spotlight in the last few days. Mikel Arteta’s decision to prefer David Raya ahead of Aaron Ramsdale has produced all sorts of reactions from pundits and fans.
But despite Arteta’s comments about his goalkeeping choices, Raya is seemingly the first-choice shot-stopper right now. So, with his price dropping to £4.8, the Spanish international should be an attractive option for FPL managers.
The 28-year-old is only in 2.9% of the teams in the game. And with Arsenal having reasonably attractive fixtures (apart from the Manchester City game next week), Raya is an option you should consider for clean-sheet points.
Levi Colwill (£4.5 — 3.9% TSB)
Levi Colwill vs Brighton (h) pic.twitter.com/uAcuiE2DTs
— N (@Nino12x) September 28, 2023
Many defenders are viable differential targets heading into Gameweek 7. These include the Manchester United pair of Diogo Dalot and Sergio Reguilon. But as bizarre as it may sound, going with a candidate from Chelsea might be the way to go.
The Blues have had a disastrous 2023/24 campaign thus far, dropping excruciatingly close to the drop zone. But while relegation might not be on the cards, they desperately need goals to climb through the Premier League table.
But their defensive unit has been solid for the most part this term. The Blues have only looked consistently vulnerable at the back in the game against West Ham United. Meanwhile, small margins robbed them of clean sheets in the Nottingham Forests and Aston Villa matches. So, Levi Colwill is an option worth considering at just 3.9% TSB. That said, he should be a short-term option for your teams till you play your wildcards.
Anthony Gordon (£5.6 — 4.5% TSB)
Anthony Gordon has been brilliant this season and was Newcastle's best player today: 1 goal, 1 assist, 4 key passes, 3 big chances created, 2/2 dribbles and 3/3 tackles off the bench.
Will be interesting to see if Southgate calls him up in October. pic.twitter.com/pIfzL6YkTE
— Alice Abrahams (@AliceTalksFooty) September 24, 2023
We now move into the midfield options, and Anthony Gordon is the first candidate for you to consider. Newcastle United’s fixtures have turned for the better, and they have a run of games where they can rack up wins.
The Magpies have already shown what they are capable of, hammering Sheffield United 8-0 last weekend. So, it is surprising that their assets have such a low TSB, with Anthony Gordon (4.5%), in particular, being an attractive target for FPL managers.
The Englishman amassed 12 points in GW6 as Newcastle United cruised to a comfortable victory. And while he is walking the suspension tightrope after picking up four yellow cards, you can still get ahead of the curve by investing the £5.6-priced Gordon.
Mohammed Kudus (£6.5 — 0.3% TSB)
Mohammed Kudus is no fluke — he completed the most dribbles in West Ham’s Europa League win.🔥 pic.twitter.com/dJQAAKt8ut
— Thierry Nyann 🇬🇭 (@nyannthierry) September 23, 2023
The next pick might appear left of centre, considering he has barely featured for his team thus far this season. But we have still gone ahead with Mohammed Kudus, who has shown promising signs in his cameos for West Ham United this season.
The Ghanaian international arrived at the London Stadium with a proven pedigree at Ajax. And he has already found the back of the net as a West Ham player, scoring in the UEFA Europa League clash against Backa Topola last week.
While he is still waiting for his start in the Premier League, it seems around the corner. So, considering Kudus is in just 0.3% of the teams, he can help your ranking skyrocket in the coming weeks. In addition, £6.5 is hardly a hole-burning price for your budget.
Rasmus Hojlund (£7.1 — 4.1% TSB)
Early signs suggest Rasmus Hojlund will be making the penalty box his home. Instinctive finishing… 🎯
Makes the run, takes a touch, places it into the goal. A promising start from Rasmus at #MUFC. 🌟🔥 pic.twitter.com/u5RQX4f6nJ
— United Peoples TV (@UnitedPeoplesTV) September 21, 2023
We end our list with a forward, where the differential options are few and far between, considering the usual suspects have done reasonably well. So, while Cody Gakpo was a candidate to appear on the list, the rotation risk surrounding him has compelled us to go ahead with Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United might be turning a corner after an impressive performance in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace. In addition, their fixtures are improving, with only a few tricky games left in the first half of the 2023/24 Premier League season.
So, Rasmus Hojlund is an intriguing target for managers, considering he is in only 4.1% of the FPL teams. The Danish international might not have scored his first goal yet for Manchester United. But he has shown promising signs in every outing thus far. So, with that strike on the horizon, having him in your team should pay off handsomely.