FPL Gameweek 26 Differentials: Low-Owned Players to Consider
Identifying the right differentials is one of the fastest ways to make up ground in Fantasy Premier League, especially in Gameweek 26, when fixtures, rotation and minutes security matter as much as raw form. This week's shortlist focuses on low-owned players (under 5%) who are either locked for minutes, trending into better roles, or well set up by the upcoming matchups.
Below are the best FPL Gameweek 26 differentials, grouped by position, with quick rationale based on fixtures, team direction and likely involvement.
Check out RotoWire's updated GW26 FPL rankings and FPL tips to improve your squad.
Our FPL GW26 cheat sheets include predicted lineups, team odds, goalscorer odds, set-piece stats, player stats and more.
Best FPL Differentials for Gameweek 26
Defenders
Milos Kerkez - 2.9% (Liverpool)
Liverpool's summer signing struggled to make an impact at the start of the season. However, in recent weeks, he's looked a lot more settled. Liverpool face a Sunderland team that has struggled in front of goal this season, as only four teams have scored fewer goals than them.
Kerkez has been dropped for recent Cup and UCL matches, but he's started the last six Premier League games.
After Gameweek 26, Liverpool also have some nice fixtures against Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Wolves, so the Hungarian could be due for some big points.
Matheus Nunes - 3.2% (Manchester City)
Matheus Nunes has impressed everybody this season with his solid performances out of position at right-back for Manchester City. Though, you could argue that he's no longer playing out of position since it's been his only position the past year.
The Portuguese international missed the Manchester derby earlier this month, but since then, he has picked up 16 points in just three matches.
City have two home fixtures next as they welcome Fulham and Newcastle to the Etihad, who have both struggled to score goals recently. Matheus Nunes could provide value at £5.4m as an often-underlooked defender.
Midfielders
Martin Zubimendi - 3.8% (Arsenal)
Martin Zubimendi has found his goalscoring boots in recent weeks, bagging in both of his last two league games against Leeds and Sunderland.
It's been back-to-back 10-pointers for the Spaniard, who has a double Gameweek this week as Arsenal take on Brentford and Wolves, both away from home.
Double gameweeks typically come with minutes concerns due to the nature of fixtures being played in quick succession. However, Arsenal have a six-day gap between the fixtures, during which they play Wigan in the FA Cup, where you'd imagine most of the first-team regulars would be rested, making Zubimendi a great option at just £5.2m.
Ismaila Sarr - 2.7% (Crystal Palace)
Ismaila Sarr has returned from the African Cup of Nations at the perfect time for Crystal Palace, who were struggling for goals without him. Jean-Philippe Mateta hit a poor run of form that eventually has led to an injury absence, and nobody was picking up the slack.
The Senegalese international has found the back of the net in both of his last two Premier League games, and Crystal Palace face Burnley and Wolves in their next two fixtures.
Sarr should definitely be looked at if you're in the market for a midfielder this week after seemingly being forgotten while at AFCON.
Forwards
Jorgen Strand Larsen - 1.1% (Crystal Palace)
Jorgen Strand Larsen is also worth considering this week for the same reasons as Sarr.
The Norwegian started his first game for Crystal Palace at the weekend, and though he didn't score, he did perform well and went the full 90.
It looks like he will be the main man in Mateta's absence, so he's also worth considering at £6.1m.
Kai Havertz - 0.7% (Arsenal)
Kai Havertz keeps his place in this article from last week after his assist against Sunderland.
Since the German has returned from injury, he has managed two goals and two assists in four appearances in all competitions. He has clearly gained the trust of his manager as he finds himself starting over Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Gameweek 26 is a double gameweek for Arsenal, and Havertz is likely to get more minutes than most of their other forwards, so he's well worth considering.
Final Thoughts: FPL Gameweek 26 Differentials
With ownership concentrated around a small core of template picks, Gameweek 26 is a strong week to attack with low-owned starters, especially where fixtures align with minutes security. Kerkez and Nunes offer budget defensive routes to points, while Sarr, Zubimendi and Havertz provide upside if their roles and starts are confirmed.
Prioritise confirmed minutes via team news and predicted lineups before the deadline, and treat the forward punts as ceiling plays rather than "safe" picks.
