Unearthing Fantasy Premier League Differentials: Ait-Nouri, Bailey, and Højlund
In the dynamic world of Fantasy Premier League (FPL), finding those under-the-radar players who can offer something different is crucial for managers looking to climb the ranks. With ownership under 10%, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Leon Bailey, and Rasmus Højlund present themselves as intriguing differential options. Each player brings unique qualities to the table, and their low ownership means they could be the key to gaining an edge over your competitors. Let's dive into what makes these players potential game-changers in your FPL team.
Ait-Nouri has been a consistent presence, when available, in the Wolves backline this season, amassing 1,458 minutes across the campaign. Despite the team's struggles, he has managed to secure 2 clean sheets and tally up 35 FPL points. When compared to other defenders, his contribution might seem modest, but it's his potential for attacking returns that catches the eye, especially considering Wolves' clean sheet projection (40% chance) in the upcoming fixture against Sheffield United at home.
Rayan's recent form has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in his ability to contribute to Wolves' attacking phases. Although not prolific in terms of goals or assists, his forward runs and forward passes have been a silver lining in a challenging season for Wolves. In the last five games he has made the most successful final third passes (51) for Wolves, joint with Neto. He's also taken the second most touches in the oppositions box (13) with only Neto (22) having more.
Ait-Nouri's touches, as shown in the Opta Player Heatmaps tool, demonstrates the advanced positions the defender has got in to in the last five games.
As a differential pick, Ait-Nouri offers the potential for both defensive solidity and attacking returns this gameweek against Sheffield United, making him a compelling choice for managers looking for a budget-friendly defender with upside.
Leon Bailey has been a revelation for Aston Villa this season, featuring in 23 matches and accumulating an impressive 95 FPL points. With 7 goals to his name, Bailey has significantly outperformed his expected goals (xG) of 3.63, showcasing his efficiency in front of goal. Additionally, his 7 assists surpass his expected assists (xA) of 5.11, further highlighting his contribution to Villa's attacking prowess. His ability to create 7 big chances has been instrumental in his team's offensive output.
Bailey is Villa's joint top goalscoring midfielder (7) with Douglas Luiz, but has played 893 minutes less as shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox feature.
Bailey's recent form has been nothing short of spectacular, with his pace and dribbling causing nightmares for defenders. His knack for being in the right place at the right time, coupled with his clinical finishing, makes him a standout midfielder in FPL. With Aston Villa hosting Nottingham Forest next, Bailey's attacking returns and the potential for more points make him an attractive option for FPL managers seeking a midfielder with a high ceiling.
Rasmus Højlund has been a key figure for Man Utd this season, playing 1,473 minutes over 20 games and racking up 78 FPL points. His tally of 7 goals is impressive, especially when considering his expected goals (xG) of 7.18, indicating he's performing as expected. Interestingly, the 7 goals have come in his last 6 games, showing an unbelievable upturn in form for the Danish forward. Højlund's 2 assists, however, suggest he's slightly overperforming against his expected assists (xA) of 1.3. His involvement in creating chances and taking shots, both inside and outside the box, underscores his importance to United's attack.
Manchester United's player statistics from the last 5 games - as shown in the Match Stats tool - really highlights Højlund's significance to their attack.
Højlund's recent performances have been marked by his physical presence and ability to hold up play, allowing his teammates to get into dangerous positions. Despite not always being on the scoresheet, his work rate and involvement in the build-up play have been commendable. With Man Utd hosting Fulham next, Højlund offers FPL managers a forward with the potential to score and assist, making him a valuable asset in the quest for points in the upcoming gameweeks.
In conclusion, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Leon Bailey, and Rasmus Højlund represent intriguing differential picks for FPL managers looking to gain an edge. Their relatively low ownership, combined with their potential for points in both defensive and attacking phases, makes them worthy of consideration for any FPL team looking to climb the ranks.
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