The Hard Tackle lists the best differentials for you to target ahead of Friday night’s FPL deadline for Gameweek 17.
The games are coming thick and fast across Europe ahead of the festive period. The latest round of fixtures in the Premier League has a rare Friday kick-off, meaning FPL managers have less time than usual to finalise their teams for Gameweek 17.
As ever, differentials are the talk of the town for FPL managers, who will look to draft players who can help them get ahead of the competition. In addition, they also need to take care of potential blanks of fixture difficulties in the short and long run.
With that in mind, The Hard Tackle has compiled a list of eight players you should consider for your FPL teams heading into Gameweek 17. We have included two defenders, four midfielders, and two forwards in this shortlist. So, without any further ado, here are the latest tips for Fantasy Premier League.
Diego Carlos (0.4% TSB)
FPL tips for defenders do not usually come with centre-backs. But amid a fixture pile-up, clean-sheet potential trumps possible attacking hauls. So, we have picked Diego Carlos to kick off our shortlist of the best differentials heading into Gameweek 17.
The Brazilian defender was slow off the blocks in the 2023/24 season, hardly racking up minutes in the Premier League. But his stock has risen since Unai Emery changed his system, starting the last four games.
Carlos’s addition to the Aston Villa backline has fortified the team’s defensive acumen. They have kept a clean sheet in their last two games, with the 30-year-old making his mark. So, at a price of just £4.4m, he is a low-cost solution to owning an Aston Villa defender, with only 0.4% of the FPL managers having him in their teams.
Marcos Senesi (2.2%)
Like Diego Carlos, our second and final defensive pick is also a centre-back. But this player has an even greater case for inclusion in your FPL teams, considering what he brings to the table. In addition, he also has a cheap price tag, setting you back by just £4.4m.
Senesi features in only 2.2% of the FPL teams, making him an attractive target for managers. The 26-year-old has found the back of the net in his last two appearances, including against Manchester United last weekend. Those outings have fetched 29 points, making him an eye-catching acquisition.
Bournemouth’s next three fixtures are appealing, with all three having a Fixture Difficulty Rating (FDR) of just 2 in the official FPL app. Luton Town and Nottingham Forest will come with a clean-sheet potential, thus making him a worthy short-term punt, considering his goal threat.
Marcus Tavernier (0.8%)
We will continue with the Bournemouth theme, although this player does not go by the name of Dominic Solanke. We are talking about Marcus Tavernier, who has played an integral role in the Cherries’ recent five-game unbeaten run.
Cut that period down to four games, and he has contributed to four goals, finding the back of the net twice and providing two assists. His latest exploits came against Manchester United, as he set up Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi.
Meanwhile, Tavernier’s underlying numbers are also attractive, as he has been Bournemouth’s top creator, producing 11 key passes. In addition, he ranked in the top two for total shots, shots on target, and shots inside the box. Considering he costs only £5.4m, there is no reason you should not target Tavernier as a low-cost midfield solution.
Richarlison (1.4%)
The latest pick might surprise a few readers, considering this player’s struggles and tendency to blow hot and cold. Nonetheless, our second midfield pick of the list is resurgent Tottenham star Richarlison.
The Brazilian international started the season as an attractive bet for FPL managers after Tottenham chose not to sign a replacement for Harry Kane. His price tag of £7.0m, coupled with the potential of playing as a striker, made him an appealing target. But he flattered to deceive before a groin injury struck him.
Meanwhile, recent reports have linked Richarlison with a move away from Tottenham. But he remains focused on the job at hand. But he will have hoped to turn his fortunes around after finding the back of the net twice against Newcastle United last weekend. The Magpies are not easy to score against, adding weight to his haul. So, taking a punt on the 26-year-old might be worth your time.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (1.9%)
Our next two midfield picks can be low-cost solutions for FPL managers. We begin with Everton midfield powerhouse Abdoulaye Doucoure, who has been instrumental in the Toffees’ excellent run of form.
Sean Dyche’s men have been on a hot streak since the FA handed them a ten-point punishment for breaching Financial Fair Play regulations, making a mockery of the sanction. Doucoure has been one of the reasons for Everton’s brilliant run, and he is in the top five for most points in the last five matchdays, amassing 34 points.
The 30-year-old is Everton’s top scorer in the Premier League this season, finding the back of the net six times. The next best is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, with three strikes. Doucoure has a free role in the final third, and his late runs often end with goals. So, at a price of just £5.6m, there is no reason he should not be in your teams.
Leon Bailey (2.3%)
Our final midfield pick also falls in the sub-£6.0m category. Like Doucoure, this player has gone under the radar. But unlike the Everton midfielder, he carries a greater threat due to his position. We are talking about Leon Bailey.
The Jamaican international has taken some time to get going at Villa Park, as he blew hot and cold after arriving from Bayer Leverkusen. But Bailey has finally risen to the occasion in the 2023/24 season, amassing five goals and four assists in FPL.
The 26-year-old has an affordable price tag of just £5.5m, with only 2.3% of the managers having him in their teams. Meanwhile, Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures are appealing, and you can keep the club’s assets in your squads until April unless there is a sharp drop in form.
Callum Wilson (3.4%)
We round off our list with two forwards whose ownership figures should rise in the upcoming weeks. The first of these two strikers is Callum Wilson, who has regained his fitness and should feature prominently for Newcastle United.
The Englishman’s ownership numbers fell sharply in his absence, and he features in only 3.4% of the teams. With Newcastle United in the doldrums amid the agonising injury crisis, Wilson’s return will have relieved Eddie Howe.
The Magpies’ next three fixtures have an FDR of 2, giving Wilson the chance to rack up the numbers. So, now is the best time to draft the experienced striker in your FPL teams, especially with Erling Haaland’s injury, giving you the opportunity to drop him.
Raul Jimenez (2.3%)
Our list ends with one of the most in-form strikers in the Premier League. And with Fulham scoring goals for fun, it will be foolhardy to overlook the striker leading the charge for them. We are talking about Raul Jimenez.
Featuring in only 2.3% of the FPL teams, Jimenez can be a monstrous differential for you. The Mexican international has found the back of the net four times in his last five outings. Considering those are his only strikes in the Premier League this season, you should capitalise on his excellent form. In addition, a price tag of £5.3m makes him an attractive prospect.