Spot the Differential puts the spotlight on three players who all have an ownership of 5% or less in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
This time, we’ve selected low-owned picks at Tottenham Hotspur, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, who we think have the potential to make an impact.
PAPE MATAR SARR
- FPL ownership: 2.8%
- Price: £5.0m
- GW3-7 fixtures: BOU | whu | bha | WOL | lee
Pape Matar Sarr (£5.0m) looks like a player reborn under new Tottenham Hotspur boss, Thomas Frank.
Currently sitting in just 2.8% of FPL squads, he’s the only central midfielder to have started all three of Spurs’ competitive games this season.
In last weekend’s 2-0 win at the Etihad Stadium, Sarr pushed up right alongside centre-forward Richarlison (£6.7m), as you can see in the image below:
Prior to that, from a deeper role, he provided the assist for Brennan Johnson’s (£7.1m) strike against Burnley.
Sarr’s position and the extent of attacking freedom afforded to him will vary based on the opponent, but his capacity to make late runs into the box will remain.
It’s also worth noting Sarr has nearly reached the defensive contributions (DefCon) threshold in both matches this season, with 10 (BUR) and nine (mci).
While it’s Johnson and Mohammed Kudus (£6.6m) who are understandably dominating most FPL managers’ thoughts when assessing Tottenham’s midfield options this week, there is certainly value to be found elsewhere, particularly in the case of Sarr.
It suggests he could be the perfect differential enabler, with Spurs facing very favourable fixtures beyond Saturday’s home clash with Bournemouth.
DAN NDOYE
- FPL ownership: 2.6%
- Price: £6.0m
- GW3-7 fixtures: WHU | ars | bur | SUN | new
Arriving from Bologna in a deal worth £34m this summer, Dan Ndoye (£6.0m) appears to be the perfect winger for Nottingham Forest.
The Swiss international has the ability to provide quality crosses into target man Chris Wood (£7.7m), while he also possesses reasonable goal threat, having scored eight times in 30 Serie A appearances in 2024/25.
Ndoye, who provided the assist for Callum Hudson-Odoi’s (£6.0m) equaliser last week, should be presented with further opportunities to get amongst the points against a West Ham United side that allowed seven big chances in their 5-1 defeat to Chelsea, the most of any team in a single match this season.
Looking further ahead, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face newly-promoted Burnley and Sunderland in Gameweeks 5 and 6:
For a team not known for its attacking play, Forest have totalled a very respectable six big chances across their first two matches (see image below), with Ndoye playing a direct role in two of these clear-cut opportunities.
It suggests a punt on the overlooked winger, who undoubtedly has the fixtures to excel, could pay off.
Above: Team sorted by big chances (BCT) in 2025/26
MATTHIJS DE LIGT
- FPL ownership: 3.2%
- Price: £5.0m
- GW3-7 fixtures: BUR | mci | CHE | bre | SUN
Although Patrick Dorgu (£4.5m) has attracted the majority of transfer interest this season, his Manchester United teammate Matthijs de Ligt (£5.0m) is a viable alternative.
The Dutchman has banked DefCon points in both matches of the 2025/26 season:
He’s yet to record any attacking points; however, he did take three shots against Arsenal in Gameweek 1 and poses a significant threat from set plays.
Additionally, de Ligt secured three bonus points in the recent match against Fulham, thanks in part to six clearances, including one off the line.
The United centre-back is currently sitting in just 3.2% of FPL squads, but with clean sheet potential in three of the next five Gameweeks (BUR, bre, SUN), along with the capacity to accumulate DefCons in the other two (mci, CHE), he could prove to be a valuable differential asset.
United players admittedly won’t appeal to everyone following their unexpected midweek defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup; however, in regard to de Ligt, there is at least rationale behind the selection.
