Top 5 FPL Differentials for Gameweek 10

Differential picks can be unpredictable — but last Gameweek’s under-the-radar options once again delivered. Budget midfielder Longstaff found another attacking return, while Minteh impressed for Brighton and now embarks on a very favourable run of fixtures.

With so many FPL managers sticking to the template, this is the perfect time to uncover a hidden gem who can give your team a real edge.

We’ve picked out five standout differentials — all under 10% ownership — who combine strong data, good form, and favourable fixtures to help you climb the ranks in Gameweek 10.

How We Picked These FPL Differentials

Our strategy balances attacking potential with defensive coverage:

⚽ 3 attacking player – midfielders or forwards

🛡️ 2 defensive players – defenders or goalkeepers

This ensures coverage across the pitch while prioritising FPL points, essential for Gameweek success.

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Danny Welbeck: The in-form João Pedro replacement

• Position: Forward
  
• Cost: £6.4m
  
• Ownership: 5.3%
  
• Predicted Points (GW10): 4.6
  
• Fixture: Brighton vs Leeds (H)
  

Welbeck could be the ideal replacement for the underwhelming João Pedro — currently the most sold player with over 600k transfers out ahead of Gameweek 10.

The Brighton striker has been a picture of consistency in recent weeks. As shown in the Match Centre feature, over the last five games he ranks top for goals (5), expected goals (1.8) and shots on target (6) among Brighton players.

His return of five goals from those underlying numbers suggests he may be slightly overperforming, but the upcoming fixture offers further potential.

Leeds have surprised some this season, yet their away record tells a different story — conceding an average of 2.25 goals per game and failing to keep a single clean sheet, according to the Opta Stats Sandbox.

Ismaïla Sarr: Palace’s attacking spark with great fixtures

• Position: Midfielder
  
• Cost: £6.5m
  
• Ownership: 8.6%
  
• Predicted Points (GW10): 4.5
  
• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Brentford (H)
  

Crystal Palace sit top of the Fixture Difficulty Rating tool for attacking fixtures, making their assets highly appealing over the coming weeks.

Crystal Palace face a promising run of fixtures — Brentford (H), Brighton (H), Wolves (A), Man Utd (H) and Burnley (A) — offering plenty of potential for attacking returns. With many managers flocking to Mateta, who is currently the second most transferred-in player with over 360k new owners, opting for Sarr could be the smart differential to help you climb your mini-leagues.

Sarr has picked up where Eze left off as Palace’s main attacking outlet, registering 3 goals and 1 assist in just 7 appearances. He’s averaging 7 FPL points per home game, the highest of any Palace player this season. His underlying numbers underline his threat too — an xG of 2.82 and 5 big chances, both second only to Mateta among Palace players.

According to the Predicted Points & Stats tool, Sarr is projected to return over 26 FPL points across the next five Gameweeks — the sixth-highest among midfielders, and notably, he’s both the cheapest and lowest-owned of that group.

With Palace combining strong form and excellent fixtures, Sarr looks well-placed to deliver again against a Brentford side conceding an average of two goals per game away from home. For those looking to go against the template, he’s the standout midfield option to target.

Thiago: The Brentford forward flying under the radar

• Position: Forward
  
• Cost: £6.2m
  
• Ownership: 6.6%
  
• Predicted Points (GW10): 3.6
  
• Fixture: Crystal Palace (A)
  

Another possible João Pedro replacement, and one who featured in our recent article Time to Sell João Pedro! 4 FPL Forwards You Should Target, Thiago has quietly gone about building an impressive record this season.

He’s scored 6 goals in 9 matches, with only Haaland (11) finding the net more often, and his 45 FPL points make him the second-highest scoring forward in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the position overall.

Thiago’s underlying numbers underline his consistency — he’s taken 22 shots, a tally bettered only by Haaland (37) and Mateta (29) among forwards, while his 11 big chances rank third behind the same two players. That volume of chances highlights how regularly he finds himself in prime goal-scoring positions and shows just how much value he offers at £6.2m.

Although Palace are strong defensively, Thiago’s penalty duties and ability to exploit space make him a very tempting differential for managers looking to replace João Pedro — while also freeing up funds to strengthen elsewhere.

Van Hecke: Budget Brighton route with solid returns

• Position: Defender
  
• Cost: £4.4m
  
• Ownership: 1.2%
  
• Predicted Points (GW10): 4.3
  
• Fixture: Brighton vs Leeds (H)
  

Brighton rank second in the Fixture Difficulty Rating tool for defensive fixtures, with a strong upcoming run of Leeds (H), Crystal Palace (A), Brentford (H), Nottingham Forest (A), Aston Villa (H) and West Ham (H).

For managers concerned about Joachim Andersen, who is currently flagged ahead of Fulham’s fixture against Wolves, the Brighton defender could provide excellent cover.

According to the AI Rotation Planner, Brighton and Fulham rotate well defensively over the next six Gameweeks — offering reliable clean-sheet potential when alternated.

For those seeking a cheap, rotation-safe defender, Van Hecke is a standout pick. The Brighton centre-back has been ever-present this season, playing 810 minutes across 9 matches, contributing 1 goal, 2 clean sheets, and 28 FPL points so far.

Lacroix: The reliable Palace defender with elite DEFCON

• Position: Defender
  
• Cost: £5.0m
  
• Ownership: 3.7%
  
• Predicted Points (GW10): 4.4
  
• Fixture: Crystal Palace vs Brentford (H)
  

At just 3.7% ownership, Lacroix remains one of the most overlooked defenders in FPL, despite combining solid defensive numbers with real bonus-point potential.

His DEFCON score of 102 — the third-highest among defenders, averaging 11.33 per game — underlines his consistent defensive contribution, with Palace conceding just nine goals and keeping three clean sheets so far.

He’s also averaging 6.89 baseline BPS, the highest of any Palace player, which explains why he’s already picked up two bonus points this season.

With Brentford (H) up next, Lacroix looks like a strong option for managers targeting a clean sheet — and even if that doesn’t come, his steady DEFCON returns could still deliver valuable points.

FPL Gameweek 10 Differentials: Conclusion

All five of these differentials combine good form, low ownership, and appealing fixtures heading into Gameweek 10. Whether you’re chasing rank or simply looking for an edge over the template, they’re all worth consideration:

• Welbeck – top Brighton forward and João Pedro alternative.
  
• Sarr – Palace’s most dangerous attacker in a favourable fixture run.
  
• Thiago – Brentford’s clinical finisher and penalty threat.
  
• Lacroix – DEFCON machine with great clean sheet potential.
  
• Van Hecke – cheap, reliable route into Brighton’s defence.
  

Now’s the time to get ahead of the curve before these picks go mainstream.

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