Ahead of Gameweek 36, with all 20 teams in action this weekend and so many options for managers, nailing those differential spots could pay huge dividends. These could be the difference between winning those mini-leagues and a strong finish to the season, or total disappointment! Luckily BigManBakar has got you covered!
In Fantasy Premier League (FPL), a differential is typically defined as a player owned by around 15% or fewer managers. Here are five standout differentials to consider ahead of Gameweek 36:
Amid all the recent FPL buzz around Mbeumo and Wissa, Schade has quietly gone unnoticed. Having scored three goals in his last two appearances, he’s likely to retain his spot on the left of Brentford’s front three—particularly with Thiago unlikely to start again this season. Brentford have a favourable run ahead, with matches against Ipswich, Fulham, and Wolves providing plenty of chances for attacking returns. Given Mbeumo’s high ownership, adding a second or even third Brentford attacker could be a smart play for rank chasers.
A differential with elite upside? Kevin De Bruyne fits the bill. He’s not been an option for large parts this season but has recently looked back to his brilliant best—perhaps fuelled by a desire to leave on a high this summer. City face Southampton next — the league’s leakiest defense — making it the perfect fixture for a City attacker to go big. De Bruyne’s class is undeniable—and he might just be the difference-maker you need to win your mini-league this season!
Cunha stands out as the best differential forward to own this week. Cunha’s recent form has been excellent, but his ownership is still low enough to consider him a differential. He appears to be playing with purpose—likely aiming for a move away in the summer—and his bonus point potential further boosts his appeal.
For managers looking to bring in a defender this week, Neco Williams stands out as a top pick. With a favourable home fixture against a struggling Leicester side, Forest are backed by the bookmakers as the most likely to keep a clean sheet this week. Forest haven’t been at their best at the back, but with Leicester bottom for xG, they should still hold their own defensively. Neco Williams is my pick as he offers a budget-friendly entry into that defence with the bonus of attacking threat.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve consistently been highlighting the merits of Ruben Dias, and once again, he earns a spot in my selection. Despite his strong recent returns, his ownership still falls comfortably below the differential threshold. Manchester City have a decent shot at a clean sheet this week — bookmakers currently give them a 45% chance of shutting out Southampton, which puts them just slightly behind Forest in clean sheet probability.
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