With pre-season almost over, we Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers have most of the information we will need to lock in our Gameweek 1 squads. As the template begins to solidify, we take a look at some differential picks (defined for these purposes as players owned by less than 15% of managers) who could go big this season.

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#1 Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m)

• Fixtures: bur/NEW/shu/FUL/whu/NFO
• Projected Points: 33.3
• Ownership: 13.8%

The problem with ‘no Salah’ drafts is that they leave a bit too much budget floating around. You could use the surplus to strengthen your bench, or you could sit on the cash. Either way, it feels like the money isn’t being well utilised.

On the other hand, drafts with Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) feel a little squeezed, with uncomfortable sacrifices needing to be made elsewhere. Perhaps the perfect answer to this problem is Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m).

Priced between the upper-mid-range of other midfield options, and The Egyptian King, De Bruyne ranks third amongst all players in terms of projected points, with the Player Points Projections tool predicting 33.3 points for the Belgian between now and Gameweek 6.

There is a feeling that De Bruyne’s minutes will be managed this season, and these doubts will not have been assuaged by his lack of game time in Manchester City’s loss to Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday. But his omission from most FPL squads could be the gain of those managers willing to take a chance if the doubters are wrong.

For a more detailed analysis of Kevin De Bruyne as an FPL asset, check out our Premium Analysis article here.

#2 Harry Kane (£12.5m)

• Fixtures: bre/MUN/bou/bur/SHU/ars
• Projected Points: 32.2
• Ownership: 13.7%

The ownership of Harry Kane (£12.5m) has rocketed following Tottenham’s 5-1 destruction of Shaktar Donetsk on Monday evening. Last season, Kane managed 30 goals for a Spurs side who were pinned back by a frustratingly negative, defence-minded system. What could be the result of Kane being let off the leash in a team with an attacking philosophy? Well, this last pre-season result hints at the potential.

The problem with Kane of course is the £100+ million elephant in the room. Will he stay at Spurs or will he be a Bayern Munich player before the transfer window closes? As the German club sent their revised offer, our thoughts of Kane ownership dwindled. But, as the negotiations drag on, his four-goal stormer in London is vying for our attention.

#3 Phil Foden (£7.5m)

• Fixtures: bur/NEW/shu/FUL/whu/NFO
• Projected Points: 31.0
• Ownership: 4.7%

The frustration with Pep Guardiola is already mounting and not even a minute of Premier League action has been played. Just last week Phil Foden (£7.5m) was appearing in FPL drafts everywhere. But, following his absence from the starting XI in the Community Shield match on Sunday, his ownership has plummeted to just 10.7%

In the last three seasons, Foden is averaging 1,854 minutes per season. Annoyingly this has gone backwards, with Foden getting around 300 minutes less game time last season than he did in the 2021/22 campaign, yet he bagged 18 goal involvements (3 more than previously, despite his reduced minutes). This suggests that his goal threat is getting more potent.

But let us not forget that Pep does not have such a thing as a 'preferred starting XI'. Just because Foden didn’t start against Arsenal doesn’t mean he won’t start against Burnley. With amazing opening fixtures, those who take a chance of Foden could be well rewarded.

#4 Son Heung-min (£9.0m)

• Fixtures: bre/MAN/bou/bur/SHU/ars
• Projected Points: 28.2
• Ownership: 4.7%

Massively under-owned, despite a dramatic price fall, Son Heung-min (£9.0m) could be an amazing differential this season. 16 goal involvements was not befitting of Son’s £11.5m price tag last season, but it was widely agreed that his amazing ability was stifled under Conte.

We know what Son is capable of. In the 2021/22 season, he scored 23 times and bagged 10 assists. If Ange Postecoglu can get the most out of the South Korean, he will make a mockery of his £9.0m price tag. With less than 5% ownership, those who jump on board from Gameweek 1 could experience a head start to the campaign.

#5 Jack Grealish (£7.0m)

• Fixtures: bur/NEW/shu/FUL/whu/NFO
• Projected Points: 27.4
• Ownership: 7.0%

It seems like nobody is talking about Jack Grealish (£7.0m) but he could be a smart option for managers looking to capitalise on Manchester City’s great opening fixtures. In a team where expected minutes are hard to predict, Grealish was the third most played midfielder in the second half of last season, bagging 1,323 minutes according to Opta Stats Sandbox.

In that period, he had more shots on target (14) than any other City midfielder and racked up 10 goal involvements. If you are looking to save money on a player who potentially has more assured game time, then look no further than Jack.

#6 Gabriel Martinelli (£8.0m)

• Fixtures: NFO/cry/FUL/MUN/eve/TOT
• Projected Points: 25.7
• Ownership: 14.0%

With 15 goals and 9 assists, Gabriel Martinelli (£8.0m) was a key player in Arsenal’s brilliant campaign and was second only to Martin Ødegaard (£8.5m) and Bukayo Saka (£8.5m) in terms of FPL points collected by Arsenal players.

Perhaps it is the prospect of sharing minutes with Leandro Trossard (£7.0m) which is putting managers off investing in Martinelli but he could prove to be a cracking differential, especially in light of Arsenal’s fixtures.

#7 Raheem Sterling (£7.0m)

• Fixtures: LIV/whu/LUT/NFO/bou/AVL
• Projected Points: 25.4
• Ownership: 2.3%

Chelsea’s squad is very much in a transitional phase at the moment and with new signing Christopher Nkunku (£7.5m) looking at being side lined for a lengthy spell, it is hard to predict how their new squad will perform going into the 2023/24 season.

But one FPL asset who could benefit from a hefty price fall is Raheem Sterling (£7.0m). Back in the 2019/20 season, Sterling was a premium player, costing £12.0m. Since then his price has fallen by a staggering £5m. Should Sterling regain his form of old, he could be an absolute bargain, with Chelsea heading into great opening fixtures - ranked top for attack according to the Fixture Planner.

By Matt Whelan

Check out their latest drafts ready for Gameweek 1 HERE!