Blank Gameweek 34 isn’t quite done and dusted yet — we’ve still got Nottingham Forest v Brentford on Thursday — but it’s already time to look ahead.
With Gameweek 35 fast approaching and the end of the season in sight, this is a great opportunity to go against the grain.
In this article, we spotlight five low-owned players who could give your rank a real lift — perfect for those looking to gain ground without leaning on the usual suspects.
But before we reveal the names, here’s a quick look at the criteria we’ve used to select them:
Ready to discover the hidden gems that could transform your team’s fortunes? Let’s get started!
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Kevin De Bruyne’s absence from Manchester City’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest could work in the favour of FPL managers. The Belgian playmaker is likely to be fully rested and ready for a full 90 minutes against Wolves in Gameweek 35.
Despite an injury-hit season limiting him to just 1,455 minutes, De Bruyne has still produced 3 goals and 9 assists. According to the Opta Stats Sandbox, his 51 attempted assists, 14 big chances created, and expected assists (xA) of 7.99 are all the highest among Man City players — suggesting he’s been unfortunate not to deliver even more returns.
With a projected 6.0 points this Gameweek, De Bruyne stands out as a differential captain option. Elite XI: Team Reveal manager Mark Mansfield, who boasts seven top 10k finishes, has even hinted at handing him the armband in his recent Manager Mindset notes.
Jarrod Bowen has been in outstanding form, delivering four attacking returns in his last four matches. His consistency has earned him a spot in a recent AI-generated Wildcard squad, highlighted by our FPL Algorithm.
Despite West Ham’s patchy form, Bowen has been a dependable FPL asset this season, racking up 154 points through 9 goals and 10 assists.
Transfer Analytics data shows that among the top 10 most common midfielder transfer combinations, Mbeumo appears in nine, with Bowen making up the rest. This indicates Mbeumo is becoming the default pick — but choosing Bowen instead could be a savvy differential move for managers looking to gain ground (and are brave enough).
With a home tie against Tottenham in Gameweek 35 and a trip to Manchester United in 36 — both sides now distracted by European competitions — Bowen has a real chance to extend his purple patch.
Iliman Ndiaye might surprise some FPL managers, but his appeal is largely fixture-based. Everton face Ipswich (H) and Southampton (A) in their next three, both among the worst defensive sides in the league.
While Everton have struggled in attack — scoring just 34 goals all season, the fourth lowest in the league — recent data offers a glimmer of promise. In their last five games, Ndiaye is joint-top for goals (1), and leads the way for expected goals (xG) with 1.5, and shots on target (4), according to the Match Centre.
His overall stats are fine, if unspectacular: 7 goals from an xG of 6.27, averaging 0.24 goals per game. But at just 0.9% ownership, he represents a true differential pick — especially with upcoming matches against Ipswich and Southampton, who are conceding 2.18 and 2.35 goals per game respectively.
Priced at just £5.2m, Ndiaye could free up valuable funds to invest in premium assets like De Bruyne — making him an ideal budget enabler with short-term upside.
As mentioned in relation to Everton’s favourable fixtures, Vitaliy Mykolenko stands out as a reliable pick in their defence. He’s been a consistent performer all season, racking up 9 clean sheets and 2 assists.
While his attacking output is limited — with 20 attempted assists, 4 big chances created, and an xA total of 2.05 — the upcoming fixtures against Ipswich and Southampton offer his best chance yet to add to that tally.
The real appeal, however, lies in Everton’s clean sheet potential. Predicted Points & Stats ranks them top over the next three Gameweeks, with 1.3 expected clean sheets — strong enough that the algorithm recommended a defensive double-up in the AI-generated Wildcard squad.
With a modest £4.3m price tag and just 5.4% ownership, Mykolenko is a shrewd differential for managers looking to strengthen their back line without breaking the bank.
Nathan Collins has quietly emerged as an attacking threat from the back, surprising many with 2 goals and 6 assists this season. That tally puts him joint-fifth among all defenders for assists — though he’s been overperforming, with just 1.36 xA.
Brentford rank fourth for defensive ease in the Fixture Difficulty Rating tool over the remaining Gameweeks. With favourable fixtures against a distracted Manchester United and struggling Ipswich, Collins has the chance to add both attacking returns and clean sheets.
The Bees struggled defensively early in the season, but have since tightened up — conceding only 18 goals in the second half of the campaign, the fourth fewest in the league, according to the Opta Stats Sandbox.
Priced at just £4.5m and owned by only 2.9% of managers, Collins could be a strong differential option for those looking to take a calculated risk in defence.
These five players offer exciting differential options for Gameweek 35 and beyond. From De Bruyne's world-class creativity to Ndiaye's budget-friendly goal threat, there's something for every FPL strategy.
Remember, differentials can be high-risk, high-reward picks, so consider your overall team structure and strategy when making transfers.
As we enter the final stages of the FPL 2024/25 season, these under-the-radar picks could be the key to climbing the ranks and finishing strong.
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