Spot the Differential
23 October 2026 525 comments
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Names from Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford feature in our Gameweek 8 differentials column.

As always, to qualify, the player must have a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership of 5% or lower.

DANIEL MUNOZ

FPL Gameweek 8 differentials: 3 low-owned picks to consider 1

  • FPL ownership: 4.8%
  • Price: £5.3m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: ips | bre | MCI | bou | CHE

Daniel Munoz (£5.3m) has failed to score or supply an assist since he arrived at Nottingham Forest in the summer.

However, an away clash at Ipswich Town has brought the Colombian wing-back into our thinking.

Munoz, who is owned by only 4.8% of managers, has started each of Forest’s last four matches.

In that time, he has recorded five shots, all of which came from inside the penalty area. He’s also created seven chances for his teammates, the third-most of any FPL defender.

So, given that attacking threat, and the fact Oliver Glasner’s men rank fourth for expected goals conceded (xGC) in 2026/27 so far, Munoz looks to have plenty of upside ahead of Friday’s clash.

Ipswich suffered a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City last time out, and are still without a clean sheet.

Furthermore, they have conceded 28 key passes from their left flank this season, the joint-second-most of any team.

Above: Teams sorted by key passes conceded from their left flank (KP con L) in 2026/27 so far

There could be space in behind the advanced Leif Davis (£4.0m) to exploit, then.

Forest’s upcoming fixtures beyond Ipswich may put off potential suitors, but for those Fantasy managers with free transfers banked, Munoz could be the perfect Gameweek 8 option.

BRADLEY BARCOLA

  • FPL ownership: 3.3%
  • Price: £8.0m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: BHA | ARS | cry | MUN | eve

One midfielder whose performances have picked up recently is Liverpool’s Bradley Barcola (£8.0m).

The winger scored a fine hat-trick away at LASK in the Champions League earlier this month, and followed it up with an assist against Brentford last week.

In that same period, Barcola has racked up nine shots and three chances created.

Yes, he’s often wasteful, but the fact the Frenchman consistently gets into dangerous areas is undoubtedly positive, which Andoni Iraola touched on after the 2-1 away win at Brentford.

“Bradley, I think he has missed clear chances. On another day he scores three. But I love that he’s having so many chances and being in those situations.” – Andoni Iraola

Benched in midweek, Barcola reportedly missed training on Thursday, instead taking part in an individual recovery session, but his absence is not understood to be injury-related.

Liverpool host high-flying Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.

The Seagulls have kept five clean sheets and only let in five goals so far this season, but at present, they are mid-table for xGC, with 10.16.

Above: Teams sorted by expected goals conceded (xGC) – delta in 2026/27 so far

Given the front-foot approaches of both managers, it could create an open end-to-end match at Anfield, potentially favouring Barcola and co.

Liverpool also face Crystal Palace and Manchester United over the next four Gameweeks, fixtures that appear favourable, particularly from an attacking perspective.

So, with his ownership in FPL currently just 3.3%, Barcola could be a decent differential pick for those managers looking to replace Bukayo Saka (£9.6m), Antoine Semenyo (£8.3m) or Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.8m).

JAIDON ANTHONY

  • FPL ownership: 0.3%
  • Price: £5.9m
  • GW8-12 fixtures: hul | NFO | bha | EVE | mun

With one goal and an assist in his last three matches, Jaidon Anthony (£5.9m) could be set to profit once more on Sunday.

The former Burnley winger has had seven shots, all from inside the box (just!), over that period.

He also carries a bit of assist potential, having created eight chances for his teammates in 2026/27 so far.

Opponents Hull City, who are winless in five matches, have conceded the second-highest number of big chances over the last four Gameweeks (15), and have failed to keep a clean sheet since Gameweek 3.

They’ve let in exactly two goals in three of their last four games, too.

Also, with Nobel Mendy (£4.1m) injured, the Tigers succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Fulham last week, described by Sergej Jakirovic as “men against boys”.

Brentford have enjoyed plenty of success on the road this season, with three decent draws and five goals scored against Leeds United, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

Anthony, who also supplied three assists against Birmingham City in the EFL Cup, could be a viable differential option, then, given the opposition on Sunday.


525 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Toplad
    31 mins ago

    Which one shall I play:

    A) De Cuyper
    B) Justin

    Thanks in advance !

    1. DRIZ ✅
      just now

      A

  2. Brosstan
    30 mins ago

    Why would Kroupi, who was not nailed last season, be a threat to tavernier who was pretty much nailed last season?

    1. x.jim.x
      28 mins ago

      Why would Foden, who was not nailed last season, be a threat to Cherki who was pretty much nailed last season?

      1. Brosstan
        17 mins ago

        Cherki with his 19 starts was hardly nailed. And even if he was it would be a stupid comparison

        1. x.jim.x
          16 mins ago

          “Things change” is the main point

          1. Brosstan
            1 min ago

            What a useless point. You can say that to literally any question and it never helpful

            1. x.jim.x
              just now

              Was a useless question tbf

    2. TheBiffas
      27 mins ago

      Kroupi was nailed for most of last season and was Bournemouth's best attacker by a mile

    3. DRIZ ✅
      25 mins ago

      Lots of games with Bou in Europa now

  3. tuturututu
    30 mins ago

    start 2:

    A) Gvardiol
    B) Thomas
    C) De Cuyper
    D) Cunha

    1. DRIZ ✅
      2 mins ago

      A D but close B

  4. GCM0803
    29 mins ago

    Which one to bench?
    De Cuyper
    Ajer
    Bogle

    1. DRIZ ✅
      2 mins ago

      B

  5. Gazwaz80
    29 mins ago

    Tough captain choice this week, probably most will captain Haaland but if you’ve got Three Chelsea, who do you choose?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      2 mins ago

      Pedro?

    2. RICICLE
      2 mins ago

      i've decided to go Palmer, he has to pop off against someone soon

    3. x.jim.x
      1 min ago

      Pedro

  6. Skout
    28 mins ago

    Don’t want to burn a transfer but not sure what to do, Wissa to Evanilson?
    5 FTs, 2.7itb

    Verb
    Cala Konsa DeCuyper
    Palmer Rogers Ode Cherki Gross
    Haaland JPedro

    Bentley Wissa Ajayi Egan

  7. boroie
    26 mins ago

    Szobo & Saka
    ->
    Mbeumo & MGW

    Yes or No?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      3 mins ago

      I would

      1. boroie
        just now

        Thanks

        Any other alternatives worth considering?

    2. RICICLE
      1 min ago

      yes to MGW but not Mbuemo

      1. boroie
        just now

        Why not Mbeumo?

  8. Drogba Legend
    26 mins ago

    4FT, .2ITB.

    Raya
    Cala - Gvardiol - Konsa
    Gross - Palmer - Rogers - Szo*
    Haaland (C) - Wissa - JP

    4.0 - Hall - De Cuyper - Sangare

    A) Szo > Downgrade
    B) Szo + Gvardiol & Hall > Mbuemo/MGW + 2 of Thomas/Van Hecke/Muharemovic/Silva
    C) Some other combination
    D) Roll to 5FT

  9. boroie
    25 mins ago

    Bench
    A - Cuyper (liv)
    B - Hall (cry)

    * have Verbruggen starting too

  10. Who is DCL in the Scout Picks, I thought he was an injury doubt?

    1. RICICLE
      just now

      must have picked him before the injury

  11. Stap
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    25 mins ago

    Saka + Gonzalo to

    A Isak & Mizambi
    B Just Saka > MGW
    C Palmer & Solanke
    D Roll, bench Saka play Gonzalo

    I fancy a punt on A. Would you start Manzambi or just bench?

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      1 min ago

      C with DCL I Think

  12. FC Hakkebøf
    24 mins ago

    Play one

    A) Affengruber
    B) De Cuyper

    1. Scotty Dog
      just now

      B

  13. Scotty Dog
    22 mins ago

    Palmer or pedro cap?

    1. RICICLE
      just now

      Both excellent options, Palmer for me personally

  14. LarkyTown
    22 mins ago

    I remember one gameweek, jeez, must have been 15 years or so ago, and every game, apaet from.the Everton game somehow, was cancelled, and if you had Baines, and Cahill captain, as I did, man it was gold

    1. djman102
      1 min ago

      Another year there was a snowpocalypse that had cleared when Man City played on Monday. Tevez captainers cleaned up that week (not me, unfortunately).

      1. Ja. I remember. I had Teveez (c) .

  15. hariv
    21 mins ago

    The best replacement for Semenyo?

    A) Cherki (avl)
    B) Tavernier (mun)
    C) Schade (hul)
    D) Foden (avl)
    E) Odegaard (EVE)

    I already have: Rogers, Gibbs-White, Gross, Dewsbury-Hall

    1. hariv
      2 mins ago

      9.2 ITB

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      just now

      B or C for safety of minutes. Long term Maybe Foden

  16. ReMane
    21 mins ago

    Cancel BB because of weather?

    1. djman102
      3 mins ago

      See below! I also have DCL, so I'm seriously considering postponing it.

  17. djman102
    19 mins ago

    Just logged in. Looks like I picked the wrong week to plan a Bench Boost...

  18. Bobbyg1
    18 mins ago

    King to Tav?

    Yay or Nay

    1. RICICLE
      3 mins ago

      I would, a yay from me

      1. Bobbyg1
        2 mins ago

        Thanks

  19. ididnt
    18 mins ago

    Bench one of:

    A. DCL
    B. Manzambi
    C. Tarkowski

  20. lekalatch
    18 mins ago

    Saka —> Doku and bench King/Groß? Or roll FT?

  21. Skout
    17 mins ago

    Best Wissa replacement? Got Pedro and Haaland

  22. noissimbus
    16 mins ago

    Hall or Bogle to play?

  23. Ribus
    16 mins ago

    Bench one:
    A) Gonzalo (ips)
    B) Gross (liv)
    C) Tavernier (mun)
    D) Barnes (cry)

    Thanks

    1. Stap
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      just now

      D

  24. Stap
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    14 mins ago

    who to play: cuyper, affengruber or hall

    1. Royal5
      3 mins ago

      Cuyper plays every week

  25. Pompel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    13 mins ago

    Cherki owners keeping faith? With a number of possibly injured players, can’t afford another no show

    1. GoonerSteve
      just now

      Im thinking of buying him this week.

  26. RealMadrid4Ever
    13 mins ago

    Doku to
    a. Tavernier
    b. Schade
    c. Foden

    1. RealMadrid4Ever
      12 mins ago

      Sorry Cherki to

      1. GoonerSteve
        2 mins ago

        Why sell Cherki?

        1. RealMadrid4Ever
          1 min ago

          Minutes

  27. FDMS All Starz
    12 mins ago

    Start Gross or De Cuyper?

    I’m starting to think there’s more chance Brighton keep a CS rather than score 2+ goals this game given Liverpools defence and attack

    1. i’m starting both

  28. Start Thomas over Gvardiol/O’Shea?

  29. boroie
    10 mins ago

    Final decision…

    Bench one…
    A - Cuyper (liv)
    B - Hall (cry)

    * have Verbruggen starting too

  30. djman102
    7 mins ago

    Damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead with Bench Boost and let the chip fall where it may!