04 Apr, 2025
Game Week 31: BigManBakar’s Best Differentials
Ahead of the big Wildcard 31, nailing those differential spots in your line ups is absolutely key. These will likely be the difference between catching the leaders of you’re mini-leagues or indeed holding off the losers! Luckily BigManBakar has got you covered.
- Make sure to check out the Transfer Wizard for customised suggestions within your budget!
- Also check out the FPL Rankings page to see all the best FPL players ranked by position.
Best differentials to own for Gameweek 31
For our purposes, a differential refers to a player owned by around 20% or less of FPL managers.
1) Bukayo Saka (Ownership: 17.1%, Price: £10.3m)
This is probably the only one to two week window left in the season where I can classify Saka as differential. Having been eased into action against Fulham, I’d expect him to start against Everton. If you’re on a Wildcard, picking him now helps save a transfer ahead of Arsenal’s double Gameweek in Gameweek 33. With a double in Gameweek 33, he could even be a Triple Captaincy option for those who have the chip available. The next two fixtures preceding the double are strong as well – so enjoy the differential points while you can!
2) Ismaila Sarr (Ownership: 10.0%, Price: £5.7m) + 3) Eberechi Eze (Ownership: 10.5%, Price: £6.8m)
At least two Palace attackers feel like a must at the moment —Eze and Sarr are my preferred picks for their value and expected minutes. The midweek fixture v Southampton did show us that they are better than Mateta when it comes to minutes as well which makes me even more confident in their selection. Palace won the reverse fixture 3-1 as well so I’d expect them to be solid options this week.
4) Tino Livramento (Ownership: 4.5%, Price: £4.5m)
Leicester have not scored a goal in the previous seven Premier League fixtures, so having at least one Newcastle defender in the differentials selection feels like an absolute must. Unsurprisingly, Newcastle are second only to Arsenal for clean sheet probability according to the bookmakers this week. Livramento is my defender of choice – he comes in at a very affordable price. Burn’s disciplinary record pushed me toward picking Livramento instead.
5) Jacob Murphy (Ownership: 7.4%, Price: £5.0m)
Murphy is the final differential of choice. With a price tag of £5.0m, he’s been a consistent starter in Newcastle’s last 16 Premier League fixtures. Being budget-friendly, Murphy helps free up funds for big names like Salah and Palmer/Saka. The fixture this week can’t be any better either – the less said about the Leicester defence, the better. With game-time assured, he can be a solid budget enabler not only for this week but also for Newcastle’s Gameweek 32 double.
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By: BigManBakar
Last Updated: 04/04
