Who are the best differentials in FPL this season? Let’s look at low-ownership players who are flying under the radar for many people so far. Since a lot of FPL teams are not finalised, the “Teams Selected By %” statistic isn’t very representative, so these top differentials have been selected by a general lack of online discussion about them as well as low current ownership (at ~5% or below).
The 5 Best FPL Differentials
Below, we’ve listed our current favourite low ownership players in FPL. We will ensure we keep this up to date through pre-season, refreshing the article with new FPL differentials should any emerge, and removing any players should they drastically rise in ownership.
1. Ismaïla Sarr (CRY)
With only ~2% ownership, Sarr seems to be one of the least popular picks at the important £6.5m price mark. This may be because Sarr was frustrating to own last season due to his ability to receive and create great chances, but his inability to convert them into goals.
He underperformed his expected goals and assists, although he still managed approximately one FPL return every two games. However, historically, Sarr’s data for expected goals and assists is roughly in line with his actual goals and assists, suggesting that last season he was just unlucky, rather than him being a poor finisher.
As a result, it is sensible to expect more FPL returns from Sarr this season if Crystal Palace can continue with their stellar performances.
Last season, Sarr had 0.64 expected goal involvements (expected goals + expected assists) per 90 minutes, equal to Omar Marmoush, Luis Diaz, and Yoanne Wissa (albeit these players’ goal involvements are more weighted towards goals than assists). If his actual returns align with his expected stats, he will be a real bargain.
Crystal Palace’s medium-term fixtures are decent, facing Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, and West Ham in their opening five games. This makes Sarr a great medium- or long-term hold.
Last season, Sarr was one of the best budget midfielders in FPL. This season, he could be one of the best Fantasy Premier League differentials.
2. James Tarkowski (EVE)
Everton conceded the 4th fewest expected goals last season, according to FBref. You might think this is just a result of Sean Dyche’s trademark defensive tactics, but since David Moyes took over in January, Everton conceded the third-fewest expected goals in the Premier League, according to Understat. All of this points to Everton continuing their surprisingly solid defence into the new season.
Furthermore, Tarkowski would have gained an additional 44 points if the all-new Defensive Contributions were in effect last season—the most of any player in the game. This is because Tarkowski averages one of the highest combined totals of clearances, blocks, interceptions, and tackles. We may regularly see Tarkowski on the receiving end of those additional 2 points.
In addition, Tarkowski’s 0.13 expected goal involvements are equal to those of Gabriel and Fabian Schar, meaning he’s likely to pick up a few goals and assists throughout the season. With a current ownership of only ~5%, Tarkowski’s price tag seems to have deterred many FPL managers, but he might be worth the premium price.
Everton also start the season with reasonable fixtures, as outlined in our Best Opening FPL Fixtures article.
3. Evanilson (BOU)
Some FPL managers seem to be struggling to choose forwards they are confident in for the start of the season. That is where Evanilson, who is owned by only ~3% of managers, may prove to be a top differential.
Last season, Evanilson was operating at 0.45 non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes. This is higher than Solanke, Mateta, Joao Pedro, Bowen, Wood, Welbeck, and Strand-Larsen—all of whom are currently owned by more managers than Evanilson is. It is unlikely that Evanilson will be on penalties, since these are usually reserved for Justin Kluivert, but Evanilson may still outscore a lot of more popular picks due to his superior numbers in open play.
After their difficult GW1 trip away to Liverpool, Bournemouth have a pretty nice opening run of fixtures for an attacker. In particular, Wolves, Spurs, and Brighton all finished in the bottom seven teams for goals conceded last season. Bournemouth also play the newly-promoted Leeds in GW6. For a similar reason, Antoine Semenyo (5.9% ownership) and Justin Kluivert (5.6% ownership) might both be slipping under the radar, priced at £7.0m.
However, it remains to be seen whether Bournemouth will continue with last season’s performances after selling centre-back Dean Huijsen and left-back Milos Kerkez.
4. Kaoru Mitoma (BHA)
After a slightly scattered season, Brighton still managed to finish in an impressive 8th place in the Premier League. They ended the season with 4 wins and 1 draw in the final 5 games. If they can continue this form into the 2025/26 season, Brighton players will be bargain differentials.
The problem with Brighton’s attack is that it’s difficult to predict which players are nailed to start every game. This is what makes Mitoma the stand-out pick. It’s worth mentioning that Mitoma didn’t start the final 7 games of last season’s Premier League, but this was due to a minor injury. Before this, Mitoma was benched only 3 times in 31 Premier League games, starting all the other games.
In terms of his individual stats, Mitoma boasted an impressive 0.48 non-penalty expected goal involvements per game. This is more than Bruno Fernandes, João Pedro, Antoine Semenyo, Jarrod Bowen, Chris Wood, and Bryan Mbeumo. With only ~5% current ownership, Mitoma could be one of the best low-ownership players in FPL.
5. Adrien Truffert (BOU)
After selling Milos Kerkez, Bournemouth have bought left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes in the French league. With an ownership of only ~2%, Truffert slotting into Kerkez’s role would make him one of the best differentials amongst defenders in the Fantasy Premier League.
At Rennes, Truffert has contributed to 21 goals (i.e., scored or assisted) over the last three seasons in all competitions. That’s an average of one goal contribution every 5.5 games. On top of this, Truffert recently scored two goals against Bristol City in Bournemouth’s preseason friendly. At only £4.5m, Truffert also made it onto our best budget FPL defenders list.
You can rotate Truffert with another defender, benching him for the defensively tricky games against Liverpool and Spurs, and capitalising on Bournemouth’s favourable home games and a trip away to Leeds.
Last season, Bournemouth conceded the sixth fewest goals in the league. Can they continue this defensive solidity without Dean Huijsen, and will Truffert fill the big shoes of Milos Kerkez?
Thanks for reading our article about the best differentials in FPL for 25/26.
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