This article is part of our Fantrax Waiver Wire series.
It took three weeks for Teemu Pukki to become the most owned forward at the official fantasy Premier League game. Surprisingly, the second-leading forward, Ashley Barnes, is still on fewer than 10 percent of teams despite scoring in every match. Maybe that won't continue, but I'd rather take on the less-popular Barnes, who has a better upcoming fixture list with a home match against Norwich, as well as trips to Brighton and Aston Villa. And that's what this column is about. Taking the route no one else is because if you have Pukki now, you may gain some value, but he won't help you jump to the top of the leaderboard.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
There are a few other forwards who may be just as intriguing as Barnes. Tammy Abraham possibly won a more stable spot in Chelsea's starting XI with a brace last match, and he has a chance to add another goal at home against Sheffield. Sebastien Haller also looked the part and bagged a brace over the weekend. The Hammers host Norwich and then travel to Aston Villa following the international break. I'd still have my eye on Moise Kean and swoop him up once he makes the starting squad for Everton. They are struggling to score as a team, and it's only a matter of time before he gets the call. I also think Joelinton can't be completely ignored even though he plays for Newcastle. He showed his strength battling Tottenham's centerbacks last match, and it's
It took three weeks for Teemu Pukki to become the most owned forward at the official fantasy Premier League game. Surprisingly, the second-leading forward, Ashley Barnes, is still on fewer than 10 percent of teams despite scoring in every match. Maybe that won't continue, but I'd rather take on the less-popular Barnes, who has a better upcoming fixture list with a home match against Norwich, as well as trips to Brighton and Aston Villa. And that's what this column is about. Taking the route no one else is because if you have Pukki now, you may gain some value, but he won't help you jump to the top of the leaderboard.
FPL DIFFERENTIALS
There are a few other forwards who may be just as intriguing as Barnes. Tammy Abraham possibly won a more stable spot in Chelsea's starting XI with a brace last match, and he has a chance to add another goal at home against Sheffield. Sebastien Haller also looked the part and bagged a brace over the weekend. The Hammers host Norwich and then travel to Aston Villa following the international break. I'd still have my eye on Moise Kean and swoop him up once he makes the starting squad for Everton. They are struggling to score as a team, and it's only a matter of time before he gets the call. I also think Joelinton can't be completely ignored even though he plays for Newcastle. He showed his strength battling Tottenham's centerbacks last match, and it's not like Newcastle's front man won't get opportunities after Salomon Rondon produced 11 goals and seven assists last season.
Most of the top midfield differentials from the first few weeks are no longer differentials, but there are still ways to get an advantage. If you want to get rid of Bernardo Silva or Paul Pogba, Nicolas Pepe has yet to make the scoresheet, but he broke through numerous times in his first start and should be a dangerous option for the Gunners going forward. Son Heung-Min should also be on radars since he was on 2.5 percent of teams as of writing. If you want to make a double move for a couple Hammers, Felipe Anderson is a reasonable player to match with Haller. In his first start against a non-Man City team, he had four shots and three chances created. If you must have a piece of Norwich, Emiliano Buendia is barely owned and should be involved in a bigger percentage of goals, having played a full 90 in every match.
In terms of defenders, it's best to look for favorable upcoming schedules. Outside of the big six, Bournemouth, Everton and West Ham have the best chances to capitalize. The Toffees are much easier to trust if you're looking for clean sheets- and they have a trio of under owned consistent starters in Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and Seamus Coleman. If you want someone cheaper, Arthur Masuaku and Angelo Ogbonna have started the last two for West Ham while Ryan Fredericks hasn't missed a minute. I'm not saying they'll secure clean sheets, but good matchups don't hurt. At goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale is still two percent lower owned than Asmir Begovic.
FANTRAX FINDS
For draft leagues, the cupboard is a bit bare for attacking options, though there are possibilities. Andre Gray went a full 90 in the first match without Troy Deeney, and that will likely be the case until Deeney returns. Jordan Ayew isn't on many teams, but he has started two of three matches for Palace. He's not an exciting option, but I like him more than Sheffield's David McGoldrick and Callum Robinson, who aren't producing much.
Newcastle are dealing with some injuries, and I wouldn't be surprised if Yoshinori Muto got a start against a bad Watford back line. I don't think he's on anyone else's radar, so maybe I'm crazy. Teammate Jonjo Shelvey is also in the mix after not seeing the field against Spurs. It's not that I believe in Newcastle, it's more about the matchup and numerous starters dealing with injuries. Mark Noble didn't do much outside of converting a penalty last match, but he's another guy who could be set for a full 90 in a good spot against Norwich. If none of those players are available, surely Hamza Choudhury or Ben Godfrey are. Choudhury went the full 90 last match, and that may happen whenever Leicester are winning, which could easily be the case against Bournemouth.
Ashley Young is likely getting some attention after he came on for Luke Shaw, and if he starts against Southampton, he should be in plenty of favorable situations. Otherwise, West Ham defenders are available in most leagues and Emil Krafth has started the last two for Newcastle, playing as a wing back on the other side of Matt Ritchie.
CAPTAIN DEEP DIVES
I could give Muto as my deepest of all dives as my top captain this week, but I won't go off the rails. If Mason Mount was healthy, he'd probably be one of my favorite differentials against Sheffield, though Abraham isn't a bad choice, either. However, I usually like backing players who are probable to play the entire match, something Abraham has yet to do. Instead, my favorite players for Gameweek 4 are fairly straightforward, as they play against two of the worst back lines in the league. James Maddison had four shots on target and eight chances created in two matches against Bournemouth last season and it'd be a surprise if he didn't have similar numbers given his early start. Haller is also in the conversation because Norwich are almost guaranteed to allow a goal (if not more) and West Ham's forward will be the one waiting to pounce in front of net.
