Differential picks can be hit and miss — but Gameweek 8's Top 5 delivered some big wins. Budget defender Mukiele hauled 17 points, while Thiago rewarded owners with a goal. Can this week’s picks go even better?
With so many FPL managers sticking to the same template, now’s the perfect time to uncover a hidden gem who can give your team a real edge.
We’ve picked out five standout differentials — all under 10% owned — who combine strong data, good form, and favourable fixtures to help you climb the ranks in Gameweek 9.
Our strategy balances attacking potential with defensive coverage:
⚽ 3 attacking player – midfielders or forwards
🛡️ 2 defensive players – defenders or goalkeepers
This ensures coverage across the pitch while prioritising FPL points, essential for Gameweek success.
Trossard remains one of Arsenal’s most overlooked assets.
He’s started four consecutive matches, and according to the Predicted Lineups tool, has a 91% chance of starting again versus Crystal Palace in Gameweek 9. During the four Gameweek run, he’s produced one goal, one assist and 21 FPL points.
His xG of 1.44 ranks second among Arsenal players in that period, behind only Gyökeres (2.41), while his eight shots inside the box trail just Eze (10) and Gyökeres (15).
With many FPL managers priced out of Saka (£10.0m) and growing frustrated by Gyökeres’ inconsistency, Trossard could be the best-value route into Arsenal’s attack.
The Gunners now begin a favourable run — Crystal Palace (H), Burnley (A), Sunderland (A) and then a North London Derby against Spurs (H) — placing them fifth for attacking difficulty in the Fixture Difficulty Rating tool.
Brighton’s fixtures are about to turn for the better — they sit top of the Fixture Difficulty Rating for attacking fixtures between Gameweeks 10 and 15 — but Minteh could already be worth the investment.
The Seagulls face a Manchester United side in Gameweek 9 that have kept just one clean sheet in eight matches, conceding 12 goals, with only five teams letting in more.
Minteh has quietly been Brighton’s standout performer, producing one goal, two assists, three bonus points and 33 FPL points in eight appearances.
As shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox, he’s Brighton’s top FPL points scorer, underpinned by impressive underlying numbers. He’s registered an xG of 1.39, taken 12 shots in the box, created three 'big chances', and supplied 13 attempted assists, resulting in an xA of 2.20. It’s fair to say the 21-year-old has been slightly unlucky not to have more attacking returns so far.
His combination of goal threat and creativity gives him multiple routes to points, while his DEFCON score of 62, the third-highest among Brighton players, reflects another possible option to pick up FPL points.
Facing a leaky United defence at Old Trafford, there’s clear potential for immediate returns — but if you’re not buying this week, make sure Minteh is firmly on your watchlist.
West Ham have quickly become a team to target. They’ve conceded a league-high 18 goals and kept just one clean sheet all season — against Forest, before Nuno’s dismissal. Any hope of a new-manager bounce has already faded, with the Hammers suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Brentford last time out.
After we tipped Calvert-Lewin last week, Longstaff now gets his chance to shine as a strong budget midfield option, ideal for managers looking to free up funds for premium assets such as Saka (£10.0m).
As shown in the Match Centre feature, the summer signing from Newcastle ranks highly for both goal threat and creativity. No Leeds player has attempted more assists (16), and only Aaronson (2) has provided more actual FPL assists. He also sits in Leeds’ top five for goals, xG and shots on target.
That balance of creativity and attacking potential makes him one of the best sub-£5.0m midfielders available. And with just 0.9% ownership, he’s a low-risk differential who could offer real upside in the coming Gameweeks.
Chelsea’s defence has quietly been one of the most reliable in the league, with Trevoh Chalobah at the heart of it.
The Blues have kept three clean sheets, with only four teams managing more, as shown in the Opta Stats Sandbox tool. They’ve conceded just nine goals — an impressive record given they’ve had three red cards already this season.
Across seven appearances, Chalobah has delivered two goals, one assist, and three clean sheets, totalling 41 FPL points. That makes him the joint-top scoring defender for goals (alongside Jurrien Timber) and ranks him 10th overall among defenders, despite missing a game.
According to the Predicted Points & Stats tool, Chelsea sit second only to Arsenal (2.0) for projected clean sheets between now and Gameweek 12, with 1.7 expected.
With a home fixture against Sunderland up next, Chalobah looks one of the standout defensive differentials for Gameweek 9.
With Branthwaite sidelined again, Michael Keane looks set for a sustained run in the Everton backline.
Positive news from Branthwaite. 🙌
— Everton (@Everton) October 21, 2025
We can't wait to see you back out there, Jarrad! pic.twitter.com/nomW0DTkAR
The Toffees centre-half has already produced one goal, two clean sheets, and 36 FPL points across eight matches.
He’s not just a defensive asset — Keane also offers a genuine goal threat. He’s registered six shots in the box (4th most for Everton), two big chances (2nd most), and an xG of 0.85 (also 4th most), underlining his aerial danger from set pieces.
His DEFCON score of 78 ranks 8th among defenders, averaging 9.75 per game, just below the threshold for FPL bonus points.
Even with a difficult fixture against Spurs in Gameweek 9, Keane’s combination of attacking potential and defensive solidity makes him a strong budget option — especially with a favourable run of fixtures to follow.
All five of these players come in under 10% ownership and offer strong potential for FPL managers looking to break from the template in Gameweek 9:
Each combines strong data, form and fixtures — ideal differentials to help you gain ground in Gameweek 9.
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