FPL GW8 Differentials: Best Players to Beat the Template
After a long international break, Fantasy Premier League managers are ready to refresh their squads for Gameweek 8. If you need to close the gap in mini-leagues, you must find the best differentials to beat the template. These picks could separate you from millions of managers stuck on the same players.
Check out our updated FPL rankings, FPL tips and cheat sheets to fine-tune your squad.
Nordi Mukiele - 2.2% - Top Budget Defender Differential
Mukiele finds himself in this article for the third week running, having scored at least three FPL points in every start this season.
Not only is he averaging 11.8 defensive contributions per game, behind only Marcos Senesi, but he also has a great fixture in Gameweek 8.
Wolves are ranked 19th for expected goals, only ahead of Burnley, so there's a reasonable chance of a clean sheet on top of defensive contribution points for Mukiele. Per the RW FPL Cheat Sheet, Leeds have the third-best odds for a clean sheet in GW8.
All of this suggests that he's the perfect budget defender at just £4.0m.
Malick Thiaw - 0.2% - Risky But Rewarding Option
Thiaw is an uber-differential, as he's on only 0.2% of teams, and because of that, some risks are attached.
The main risk is his minutes. Whilst Thiaw has started the last three Premier League games for Newcastle, and the last five in all competitions, he's not absolutely nailed to play every single game. Newcastle have four very good centre-backs who could all get minutes, especially now that Fabian Schar is back from a concussion.
Sven Botman and Thiaw have performed well together in Schar's absence, and the injuries to Lewis Hall and Valentino Livramento have forced Dan Burn out to left-back.
However, there's always a chance that Eddie Howe decides to line up with Botman and Schar at centre-back now that the Swiss international has returned. Then again, Schar's return to the XI may be delayed until the next Champions League game.
Thiaw has performed very well, and Newcastle's defence has been solid, so it's probably more likely that he keeps his place in GW8, making him a great differential option.
Granit Xhaka - 4.0% - Sunderland Midfielder Pick
One of the more surprising summer transfers was Xhaka's move from Bayer Leverkusen to Sunderland. He's come in and hit the ground running as the new captain of The Black Cats.
He's great for defensive contributions and is taking some set pieces, something Sunderland have looked dangerous from.
Whilst you can't expect regular hauls from a Sunderland midfielder, at just £5.0m, Xhaka will tick along and pick up a reasonable amount of points over the season.
Estevao - 1.9% - Chelsea's Explosive Prospect
Estevao has shown glimpses of incredible quality in the minutes that he's played for Chelsea this season. After struggling for fitness out of the last international break, he ended Gameweek 7 with a massive goal against Liverpool.
With Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho failing to impress in their starts, the Brazilian could be in line for a start in Gameweek 8.
The matchup is perfect for Chelsea this week, as well. Ange Postecoglou's Nottingham Forest side has failed to win a game under his management and there's already talks of him being replaced. They've conceded in every game, so Chelsea should find joy in the attacking areas.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 1.4% - Forward Worth Backing
Leeds United have had a mixed start to the season, as they've looked impressive in most of their games but have only managed to pick up two wins.
They now have a very nice run of fixtures, which includes Burnley, West Ham and Nottingham Forest in their next four.
Since Gameweek 4 when Dominic Calvert-Lewin became a regular starter, only six players have higher non-penalty expected goals.
Of course, the problem that Calvert-Lewin faces, and has faced for a couple of years now, is a severe finishing problem, consistently underperforming his xG.
Yet, the fixtures and price are right. If the former England international can find his finishing boots again, he could provide great value at just £5.5m.
Jorgen Strand Larsen - 1.4% - Fixture-Based Forward Punt
Strand Larsen was in last week's differential article and he keeps his place this week.
Despite registering no attacking returns this season, Strand Larsen has looked dangerous in the games that he's played.
It's no secret that Wolves are struggling, having yet to win in the league, but they do have some nice fixtures coming up.
Sunderland and Burnley are next, and if they are to find any joy in these games, then it will likely come through the Norwegian striker.
Don't forget to use our Predicted Lineups page which is updated throughout the week before confirmed team news 75 minutes ahead of kickoff.
