Spot the Differential
23 January 2026 214 comments
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It’s time to look at some more differentials as Gameweek 23 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) comes swiftly into view.

We’re only concentrating on FPL picks with an ownership of 5% or less at the time of writing.

This time, we’ve selected low-owned players at Brentford, Everton and Sunderland who we think could have an impact.


KEVIN SCHADE

FPL Gameweek 18: Saturday’s goals, assists, bonus + ‘DefCon’ points

  • FPL ownership: 2.8%
  • Price: £7.1m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: NFO | avl | new | ARS | BHA

Found in just 2.8% of Fantasy squads, Brentford’s Kevin Schade (£7.1m) is an in-form differential.

Since Gameweek 18, the German winger has produced as many attacking returns as starts (five). The tally could have been higher, too, having spurned the best two opportunities for Keith Andrews’ side at Stamford Bridge last week.

Schade has racked up 13 shots and four chances created over the same five-match spell.

He is also top of all FPL midfielders for expected goals (xG) in 2025/26:

Schade has been particularly prolific at the Gtech Community Stadium this season, with six goals and two assists in 10 matches.

Brentford entertain Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest on Sunday, colliding with a Forest rearguard that has conceded eight times in their last four away games.  

And the Bees will be looking to build on a very decent home goal tally, which is only bettered by Manchester City and Arsenal.

Above: Teams sorted by goals (home matches only) in 2025/26

With tricky fixtures against Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Arsenal to follow, Gameweek 27 may serve as the ideal entry point for Schade; however, he has already found the net against Newcastle this term. He also returned against Forest and Villa in the 2024/25 campaign.

As a result, Schade looks a very tempting option given his recent form, long-term fixture outlook and his tiny ownership.


ILIMAN NDIAYE

FPL notes: Many routes to points for van de Ven 1

  • FPL ownership: 3.3%
  • Price: £6.2m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: LEE | bha | ful | BOU | MUN

A home match against a Leeds United team that has managed only one away clean sheet all season prompts us to consider Iliman Ndiaye (£6.2m).

Having recently triumphed in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Senegal, the 25-year-old looks poised to start for Everton in Gameweek 23.

Before leaving for AFCON, Ndiaye had recorded four goals and two assists in 16 matches, mostly playing as a right winger in David Moyes’ 4-2-3-1 formation.

However, with Jack Grealish (£6.4m) potentially out for “months” with a foot stress fracture, Ndiaye should pick up more minutes off the left, where he can cut inside onto his stronger right foot, which should theoretically enhance his goal threat.

Ndiaye is third only to Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£4.9m) for expected assists (xA) among Everton players, with 2.7.

Combined with penalty duties, as well as defensive contribution (DefCon) potential, Ndiaye could be a real difference maker.

Everton entertain Leeds on Monday, who could be without Jaka Bijol (£3.9m) and Gabriel Gudmundsson (£3.8m) due to injury.

And with the fixture list kind for some time to come (they also host Burnley in Gameweek 29), the 3.3% owned midfielder looks worthy of consideration.


BRIAN BROBBEY

FPL notes: Sunderland’s home form + Brobbey “getting better game after game”

  • FPL ownership: 0.7%
  • Price: £5.5m
  • GW23-27 fixtures: whu | BUR | ars | LIV | FUL

Sunderland’s Brian Brobbey (£5.5m) has emerged as a fresh budget forward option after some fine recent displays.

The Dutchman has found the net in two of his last three Premier League matches, claiming the maximum bonus on each occasion.

Benefitting from a sustained run in the starting XI, Brobbey now faces West Ham United and Burnley.

“Brian is getting better game after game; you can feel it. His teammates are really comfortable playing through him when he is in the box. When he is in the box, he is a massive threat, and he has built some strong understanding with them. Now we are seeing the best version of Brian.” – Regis Le Bris on Brian Brobbey

Notably, all 16 of Brobbey’s shots this season have arrived inside the penalty box:

Given that upcoming opponents, West Ham and Burnley, have combined for only four clean sheets this season, and are ranked 19th and 20th respectively for shots in the box conceded, Brobbey will surely get opportunities to add to his goal tally.

Priced kindly, and owned by only 0.7% of Fantasy managers, Brobbey can provide a nice solution for those in need of a forward enabler.


214 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. TanN
    • 4 Years
    12 hours, 14 mins ago

    Verbruggen (Dubravka)
    Van de Ven Mukiele Gabriel (Dalot Keane)
    Rice Foden Rogers Enzo Bruno G
    Haaland Thiago Ekitike

    Who to bench :
    1) Rogers
    2) Enzo
    3) Bruno G
    4) Ekitike

  2. cescpistols1
    • 10 Years
    12 hours, 13 mins ago

    That O'Reilly price fall threw a real spanner in my plans. Was thinking Woltemade -> Thiago (-4) this week & O'Reilly to Chalobah with 0.4 ITB next week.

    What move would you make now?
    A. Stick to Woltemade -> Thiago (-4) this week and then figure something out next week
    B. Woltemade -> Joao Pedro (-4) & O'Reilly to Chalobah next week
    C. Hold, enjoy Woltemade's 1 pointer and take a decision next week

    Raya
    Gabriel O'Reilly Thiaw Mukiele
    Palmer Rogers Wilson
    Haaland Ekitike WOLTEMADE

    Dubravka Cunha Gudmundsson King

  3. Deulofail
    • 10 Years
    12 hours, 13 mins ago

    A) Good to go
    B) O'Reilly > Collins (c)

    Pickford
    Gabriel(v) Virgil Chalobah Tarkowski O'Reilly
    Saka Rice Fernandes
    Ekitike(c) Bowen

    Dubravka | Welbeck, Rogers, Mbeumo

  4. Jokesy87
    • 11 Years
    12 hours, 12 mins ago

    Bottomed!

    A) O'reilly and Saka -> Semenyo and Gabriel?
    B) O'reilly, Saka, Keane -> Semenyo, Gabriel, Dorgu
    C) O'reilly, Saka, Keane, Foden -> Semenyo, Gabriel, Dorgu, Bruno
    D) Hold

    I have 4 FT so no points impact for any of the above

    Current team:
    Raya
    Mukiele VDV O'Reilly
    Foden Saka Rice Wilson
    Haaland Ekitike Pedro
    Subs: Andersen, Xhaka, Keane, Dubravka

    Chasing in my cash league - so looking to make some help!

    1. golfboy
      • 8 Years
      12 hours, 8 mins ago

      A looks decent. Wouldn't be racing to get the Man U players in this week, Bruno F for Foden next week?

    2. Deulofail
      • 10 Years
      12 hours, 6 mins ago

      Dorgu seems like a risk, so I wouldn't be getting him while using all my transfers. If you like him, maybe consider buying him for O'Reilly and saving the rest of your transfers. Then pick your route to Fernandes next week. Or O'Reilly + Foden > Dorgu + Semenyo. Personally, not a fan of buying Dorgu or Semenyo this week, but if you are, I think these two options might be better, so you have more FTs to spare in the future.

      1. Deulofail
        • 10 Years
        12 hours, 2 mins ago

        Or Keane > Dorgu, of course. Or option A, which is probably better than any option with Dorgu this week.

  5. Amartey Partey
    • 6 Years
    12 hours, 12 mins ago

    Is Stach back for Leeds?

  6. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 11 Years
    12 hours, 3 mins ago

    If I do Bruno g to Ndiaye this will be my team
    Pope (dub )
    Gab chalobah alderete (dorgu hall)
    Saka rice foden Ndiaye (Potts)
    Haaland Thiago Bowen
    1.9 itb

    Would you WC this team?

    I am asking because if the answer is no then I might get Enzo or Rogers instead of Bruno G and think long term.

    Cheers and gl

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      12 hours, 2 mins ago

      I mean WC gw24.

  7. sandman58
    • 7 Years
    12 hours, 1 min ago

    On a wildcard
    A) Pickford Chalobah & Le Fée
    B) Sanchez Tarkowski & Harry Wilson
    Which is better to go with

    1. sandman58
      • 7 Years
      12 hours ago

      Le Fée or Wilson will be 5th mids

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      12 hours ago

      Would le fee play every week?

      1. sandman58
        • 7 Years
        11 hours, 57 mins ago

        No....both he or Wilson will be 5th mids
        I have Saka Palmer B.Fernandes & Rogers

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 11 Years
          11 hours, 53 mins ago

          A

          1. sandman58
            • 7 Years
            8 hours, 38 mins ago

            Can I ask why u think A?

  8. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 hours ago

    Any chance O'Reilly starts this week?

    1. Kvarken SS
      • 2 Years
      11 hours, 56 mins ago

      Did O'Reilly to Chalobah before price changes yesterday. I got fed up with Pep.

      1. The Big Fella
        • 9 Years
        11 hours, 50 mins ago

        Great move

      2. Weasel Boy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        11 hours, 44 mins ago

        Missed price fall but still want to sell.

        I'd keep if I thought he starts this week.

  9. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    11 hours, 51 mins ago

    Iwobi a punt?

    1. Hooky
      • 10 Years
      10 hours, 25 mins ago

      Yes he is.

  10. Shark_Sandwich
    • 10 Years
    10 hours, 48 mins ago

    Love the differentials! - here's mine

    Ballard (again) 3.1%
    Marmoush 2.7%
    Solanke 0.9%

    1. Letsgo!
      • 9 Years
      10 hours, 29 mins ago

      Iwobi!

  11. Joyce1998
    • 10 Years
    10 hours, 21 mins ago

    Think I'm settled on this wc draft
    Thoughts?

    Sanchez
    Gabriel, Timber, Guehi, Dorgu, Reinildo
    Palmer, Bruno F, Semenyo, Rice, Enzo
    Haaland, Thiago, Mane

    1. Vazza
      • 5 Years
      19 mins ago

      Very similar to mine.

      These are the main differences.

      Guehi, Dorgu, Semenyo, Enzo
      =>
      Chalobah, Gudmundson, Wirtz, Mbeumo

  12. Dickiewright
      27 mins ago

      Help…..
      Wild card choice stuck between the following pairing

      1) Pickford or Verbruggen
      2) Van Heckie or Tarkowski

      1. Vazza
        • 5 Years
        23 mins ago

        I’m in wildcard too. Haven’t considered any of the above four players. Would you mind sharing the rest of your team?

        1. Dickiewright
            13 mins ago

            GK Dub / Ver (at the min)
            Def: chalabah, VH, Guehi, Saliba, Reinilho.
            Mid: Sey, Bruno, Rice, Ndye, Enzo.
            Fwd; Haaland, thaigo, Eket