FPL GW4 Differential Picks: Less Popular Gems to Boost Your Rank
Gameweek 4 in Fantasy Premier League is shaping up to be an interesting one after the international break. Injuries to popular players like Ismaila Sarr and Matheus Cunha have forced FPL managers to look beyond the usual template picks. That's where differentials come in.
In this article, I highlight the best FPL differentials for Gameweek 4 who could provide that extra edge.
Joachim Andersen - 2.8%
The Fulham defence was slightly underrated last season, rankings sixth for expected goals conceded but 12th for actual goals conceded.
This underperformance suggests a potential opportunity for FPL managers to get good defenders at a reasonable price.
Fulham's opening schedule has been tough with away fixtures against Chelsea and Brighton, as well as a home game against Man United. The Cottagers have only conceded four goals in these three fixtures, which suggests that their defence is living up to its potential.
With easier fixtures on the horizon, like Leeds at home in Gameweek 4 and Brentford away in Gameweek 5, Joachim Andersen could be a great budget differential at just £4.5m.
Maxence Lacroix - 2.4%
The Crystal Palace defence has been impressive to start this season, as they've kept clean sheets in both of their away games against Chelsea and Aston Villa.
It's even more impressive when you consider that they also kept clean sheets in both of their Europa Conference League Qualification games against Fredrikstad, meaning that they've only conceded one goal in their last five games.
Given that start and their cohesion on the back line from last season, it's surprising that Crystal Palace defenders aren't more popular.
Daniel Munoz gets the bulk of the attention due to his attacking output, but with the introduction of defensive contribution points this year, Lacroix should be more popular than he is.
Despite keeping two clean sheets, Lacroix is ranked fourth amongst all defenders for defensive contributions, which has led to a total of 23 FPL points in the first three Gameweeks.
Palace have a couple nice fixtures up next against Sunderland at home and West Ham away, so Lacroix is likely to become a more popular option going forward.
See where these players rank in RotoWire's Gameweek 4 FPL Rankings
Yeremy Pino - 0.0%
Sticking with Crystal Palace, Eberechi Eze's departure and Sarr's injury have opened up attacking spots behind Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Pino, their new signing from Villarreal, is most likely to fill one of these roles after seamlessly joining the club prior to Gameweek 3 when he played 19 minutes off the bench despite minimal team training.
He's managed at least 10 goal involvements in each of his last three seasons for Villarreal, and he's most likely to fill in for Eze's prior touches.
However, you'll still have to keep close tabs on Oliver Glasner's press conference, as Pino withdrew from the Spain national team squad due to an ankle injury. It's been reported as not serious, but there's been little information on it and Glasner is one of the few managers who is actually helpful in terms of injury news.
Harvey Barnes - 1.1%
It was thought at the beginning of the season that Newcastle might struggle due to Alexander Isak's absence from the team and a lack of any other experienced striker to fill the void. But despite the score lines and a red card to Anthony Gordon, Newcastle impressed as a team in their first two games against Aston Villa and Liverpool.
It was a different story in Gameweek 3, where Eddie Howe decided to change his setup and start the game without Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes. This didn't pay off as the match against Leeds ended goalless and Will Osula finished with just one shot in 90 minutes.
Fresh off the break and a couple new signings (Nick Woltemade, Yoane Wissa), I believe that Howe will return to the setup from the first two games, which involved Elanga and Barnes on either flank.
Check the RotoWire Predicted Lineups page to get updated lineups, as well as confirmed ones 75 minutes before match start.
The Wolves defence has looked weak, as they've conceded eight goals in their first three games, so the Englishman could be in line to profit, especially with new strikers due to make their debuts.
Rodrigo Muniz - 2.3%
Muniz, who played second fiddle to Raul Jimenez last season at Fulham, was heavily linked with a move away from Craven Cottage over the summer. However, following the closure of the transfer window last week, he remains a Fulham player and has started their last two games.
He will likely share minutes with Jimenez as the season moves along, but given his early returns, he has the leg up on the starting XI. Muniz scored in his most recent start and should be in line for another start in Gameweek 4.
Fulham play Leeds and Brentford next, which are both good fixtures for the Brazilian to continue his goalscoring form.
Callum Wilson - 0.4%
Wilson made the move from Newcastle to West Ham over the summer. Whilst it wasn't expected that he would be a regular starter to begin the season, Niclas Fullkrug's poor form and potential injury give Wilson a good chance to start in Gameweek 4.
The Hammers looked much better when Wilson and Crysencio Summerville came off the bench against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 3, though their attack has been pretty bad no matter who is on the pitch.
It's Spurs up next for West Ham, who looked less than impressive last time out against Bournemouth, so Wilson could prove to be good value at just £5.9m.
