Looking for a transfer that could give you an edge over your mini-league rivals? Our top five FPL Gameweek 9 differentials combine promising fixtures, encouraging underlying numbers and budget-friendly prices.
Every selection is currently under 10% owned, although Evanilson’s growing appeal as a João Pedro replacement means he might not qualify for much longer.
The selection rules are simple:
Ownership: 9.1% | Predicted GW9 points: 4.1 | Fixture: Leeds United (H)
Evanilson only just makes the cut, and we would not expect him to remain a differential for long.
With FPL managers searching for João Pedro replacements, Bournemouth’s forward offers an appealing combination of recent returns, affordability and favourable fixtures.
Our João Pedro replacements guide explores why he deserves a place on your shortlist.
The Match Centre numbers show a striker finding his rhythm.
Across Bournemouth’s last five matches, Evanilson has scored three goals and supplied two FPL assists, sharing the team lead for goals with Marcus Tavernier while topping their assists chart. His 2.3 expected goals (xG) and five shots on target over that period provide further encouragement: he is getting opportunities as well as helping team-mates score.
His season-long figures strengthen the case. Evanilson has accumulated 43 FPL points, with three goals and four assists across eight appearances. Of his 21 shots, 17 have come inside the box, while seven big chances and 3.96 xG suggest there is scope for more goals.
Leeds at home is followed by Ipswich away and Nottingham Forest at home. For managers replacing João Pedro, this looks like a transfer with appeal beyond a single Gameweek.
Ownership: 9.7% | Predicted GW9 points: 4.9
At just £5.2m, Mohamed Belloumi is making a strong case to be one of FPL’s best-value midfielders.
The 24-year-old Algerian has collected 43 points, making him the joint-fourth highest-scoring FPL midfielder as shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox, level with Bryan Mbeumo. Only Groß, Tavernier and Cherki sit above him — all at higher prices.
Three goals and two assists in 600 minutes explain much of that appeal. Matching Mbeumo’s points total while costing £2.7m less gives managers considerable flexibility to strengthen elsewhere.
Belloumi is also showing a willingness to shoot. He has attempted 22 efforts, including 10 inside the box and six on target. His 2.10 xG and 0.89 xA are below his actual attacking returns, so expecting him to maintain precisely this rate would be optimistic. Nevertheless, the volume of attempts is encouraging for such an inexpensive midfielder.
Belloumi leads our five selections with 4.9 predicted points for Gameweek 9 as Hull host Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys have conceded a league-high 11 goals in four away matches and are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, making this an inviting fixture.
However, with his ownership already at 9.7%, Belloumi may not remain a differential for much longer.
Ownership: 1.9% | Predicted GW9 points: 4.6 | Fixture: Leeds United (H)
If your forward slots are already sorted, Rayan offers an alternative route into Bournemouth’s attack without needing to make room for Evanilson.
The 20-year-old Brazil international is owned by just 1.9% of managers, making him a much less popular option than Tavernier. Yet the underlying numbers suggest that gap in attention could be worth exploiting.
Bournemouth sit third for attacking fixture favourability over the next three Gameweeks in the Fixture Planner. They host Leeds in Gameweek 9, visit Ipswich in Gameweek 10 and welcome Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 11 — an attractive run for an attacker waiting for his finishing to catch up with his chances.
Rayan has taken 26 shots, the most of any Bournemouth player, compared with Tavernier’s 17. He also leads his midfield colleague for shots inside the box, 19 to 11, and narrowly edges him for xG, 3.34 to 3.28, as shown below in the Opta Comparison tool.
The big-chance comparison is particularly interesting: Rayan has received nine, compared with Tavernier’s five. Yet Tavernier has scored five goals to Rayan’s one. That does not guarantee a reversal, but it highlights how differently their opportunities have translated into returns.
Recent performances add to the intrigue. Across the last five matches, Rayan leads Bournemouth for both xG (2.6) and shots on target (seven).
Tavernier has delivered the points so far, but could the more favourable fixtures help Rayan become the better pick?
For managers prepared to back the underlying numbers, he is one of Gameweek 9’s most interesting differentials.
Ownership: 9.3% | Predicted GW9 points: 4.2 | Fixture: Sunderland (H)
There is one significant caveat with Thomas: he is currently flagged, so this is a selection to revisit after the press conferences.
Frank Lampard offered a cautiously optimistic assessment:
“We hope it’s not too serious. I don’t know the extent of the injury.”
The Coventry manager also mentioned sickness and expressed hope that the injury would prove minor. However, managers should wait for further team news before committing to a transfer. His 4.2-point projection needs to be considered alongside that availability concern.
If fit, Thomas is undoubtedly the standout budget defender at £4.0m. He has returned 32 FPL points in 678 minutes, despite registering neither a goal nor an assist.
Defensive contributions are central to his appeal. His 88 defensive contributions rank third among defenders, and he has already earned 10 DEFCON points. Those additional returns make him useful even when Coventry fail to keep a clean sheet.
The schedule offers further encouragement. Coventry rank second for defensive fixture favourability over the next four Gameweeks in the Fixture Planner. They face Sunderland at home, Everton away, Crystal Palace at home and Leeds away.
There is some minor attacking involvement too. Thomas has attempted 14 shots, including 12 inside the box, and created three chances. But managers should treat any goal as a bonus rather than the main reason to buy.
At this price, the combination of defensive contribution points, regular minutes and a favourable schedule is difficult to beat. The next injury update is the deciding factor.
Ownership: 1.1% | Predicted GW9 points: 4.5 | Fixture: Leeds United (H)
António Silva is the lowest-owned player in our selection, with just 1.1% of FPL managers backing the Bournemouth defender.
The Portugal international has played all 720 available minutes, offering a reassuring foundation for managers looking for a regular starter. His appeal extends beyond clean sheets, too.
Silva has registered 84 defensive contributions, the seventh-highest total among defenders, and collected 12 DEFCON points. That is more defensive contribution points than Thomas despite a slightly lower overall contribution total, underlining the value of consistently reaching the threshold in individual matches.
There is also potential for an attacking return. All six of his shots have come inside the box, with two on target, three big chances and 1.50 xG. He is yet to score, but those opportunities suggest he can offer more than his current 29 FPL points might imply.
How many clean sheets do Bournemouth keep for this run of games? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eKvKIE9jYw
— Fantasy Football Fix (@FantasyFootyFix) October 28, 2026
Bournemouth's schedule takes in Leeds at home, Ipswich away, Nottingham Forest at home and Fulham away.
With 4.5 predicted points for Gameweek 9, Silva offers a different way to benefit from Bournemouth’s fixtures. For managers seeking a defender with regular minutes, DEFCON returns and some goal threat, he deserves consideration.
Prices, ownership and predicted points are correct at the time of writing. Check the latest team news before confirming transfers.
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