If you are the sort of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) manager who enjoys going against the grain – or takes satisfaction from finding hidden gems before the crowd – then lowly selected players (differentials) can often provide value and offer a source of points which won’t be shared by many other managers. As long as the player picks are justifiable, differentials can give you an edge over your mini-league rivals.

In this article we look ahead to Gameweek 29 and find players from each position who are currently selected by less than 10% of managers, but could reward their owners in the upcoming Gameweeks.

DEF: Kurt Zouma

• Cost: £4.4m
• Selected by: 1.0%
• Next Fixture: SOU (h) + NEW (h)

West Ham is ranked top for defensive fixture difficulty - click here for the Fixture Planner

If you fancy taking a chance on a low-owned defender, then perhaps take a moment to consider Kurt Zouma (£4.4m).

West Ham are having an awful season but, according to Opta Stats Sandbox, their defensive assets have been doing reasonably well over the last six Gameweeks and are placed mid-table for most defensive statistics including being ranked 9th best for Expected Goals Conceded with 7.3.*

*This data is somewhat skewed by the fact teams have played different numbers of fixtures in that period due to blank and double Gameweeks.

According to the Fixture Planner, West Ham has the best run of fixtures from a defensive difficulty perspective – including two home games in double Gameweek 29 – and Zouma is clearly first-choice centre back for the Hammers now that he has returned from injury.

Furthermore, West Ham do not blank in Gameweek 32 so for those who do not have/are not using their Free Hit, he offers some squad depth to cover the blank.

MID: Bruno Fernandes

• Cost: £9.6m
• Selected by: 7.7%
• Next Fixture: NEW (a) + BRE (h)

Arguably one of the best longer-term transfer targets, irrespective of ownership, Bruno Fernandes (£9.6m) is making convincing arguments to nestle his way into more squads.

While Manchester United may not have the best double, with reasonably difficult fixtures in Gameweek 29, they have excellent fixtures beyond, including a home game against Everton, followed by a trip to Nottingham Forest, and a really generous double in Gameweek 34.

The only real fly in the ointment is that Manchester United have no fixture in Gameweek 32, although this will not matter for those managers who intend to use the Free Hit chip to navigate this blank Gameweek.

Fernandes' points per game has soared in the latter half of the season - click here for Opta Player Heatmaps

Ignoring the last three Gameweeks – United blanked in Gameweek 28, spent most of their Gameweek 27 fixture with 10 men, and the random 7-0 thumping in Gameweek 26 – then Bruno has only blanked 3 times in his last 11 appearances, averaging 6.5 points per game in that time period. A bit of digging using the Opta Player Heatmaps tool indicates that Bruno is improving as the season progresses.

FWD: Alexander Isak

• Cost: £6.7m
• Selected by: 3.7%
• Next Fixture: MUN (h) + WHU (a)

No player has had more shots in the box per 90 (since GW23) than Isak - click here for Opta Stats Sandbox

If you want to go against the crowd with your forward pick, then Alexander Isak (£6.7m) could be in for some big returns.

While many will be put off by his fluctuating game time, Isak has proved time and time again that he does not need that many minutes on the pitch to return points.

In fact, in the last six Gameweeks no player has more shots in the box per 90 (3.45) than Isak and only Marcus Rashford (£7.3m) can beat the Swede for goals per 90 (0.80) – stats from Opta Stats Sandbox.

Newcastle have average fixtures in Gameweek 29, where they face Manchester United at home followed by a trip to West Ham but, thereafter, they face Brentford, Aston Villa, Everton and Southampton.

Crucially, Newcastle do not blank in Gameweek 32, instead they face Spurs at St. James’ Park, so Isak is a great option for those not using the Free Hit.

By Matt Whelan