The early template in FPL is proving strong.
Mo Salah, Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer are among the most selected picks, sitting in over half of Gameweek 1 drafts.
So, to gain an early edge on your rivals, who are top 10 FPL differential picks by predicted points going into the opening four gameweeks of the season?
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10. Nikola Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest)
- Teams selected by: 7.7%
- Predicted points: 18.6
Nottingham Forest’s Nikola Milenkovic is the only defender to make this list of differentials. He was the third highest-scoring defender in FPL last season, where the introduction of defensive contribution points would have boosted him to first. Nottingham Forest have an excellent run of opening fixtures, including home games against Brentford and West Ham United in their first three. They ranked second for clean sheets last campaign, on 13.
9. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
- Teams selected by: 3.3%
- Predicted points: 19.1
Last season was a disappointing one for Martin Odegaard in terms of goal involvements. He was directly involved in 11 goals, having registered 19 and 23 in his two previous seasons. Some key arrivals in the summer transfer window for the Gunners could bolster the Arsenal captain’s output. But arguably there may be better options at the £8.0 million midfielder price point. They face away trips to Manchester United and Liverpool in their first three.
8. Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
- Teams selected by: 2.0%
- Predicted points: 19.6
Crystal Palace assets are going under the radar, with none of their attackers above 10% in ownership, despite being in red-hot form during pre-season. Midfielder Ismaila Sarr bagged 15 goal involvements last campaign from 30 starts and he remains excellent value at £6.5 million. The Eagles’ early fixtures are a concern, with trips to Chelsea and Aston Villa in their first three gameweeks, plus a home game against Nottingham Forest.
7. Raul Jimenez (Fulham)
- Teams selected by: 2.3%
- Predicted points: 19.9
Fulham are another side being slept on in terms of early season ownership, with striker Raul Jimenez in just 2.3% of sides. The AI predictions rank him seventh among forwards, presenting fantastic value at his £6.5 million price point. He managed 15 goal involvements in 30 starts last season, plus he is on penalties. The only downside is that Rodrigo Muniz is constantly vying for minutes in that No.9 role.
6. Jean-Philippe Mateta (Crystal Palace)
- Teams selected by: 5.9%
- Predicted points: 20.1
Jean-Philippe Mateta looks to have begun pre-season in the same vein of form he ended the 2024-25 season, returning four goals and two assists to date. He’s averaging 15 goals a season at Crystal Palace and has some assist threat too, but doesn’t take penalties. The Eagles have a demanding start to the season, including midweek Uefa Conference League qualifying fixtures, which could disrupt their early form.
5. Matheus Cunha (Man Utd)
- Teams selected by: 11.5%
- Predicted points: 20.2
Manchester United midfielders are hot property to start the season with. Nut the early momentum is for Bryan Mbeumo (in 17.7% of teams), leaving Matheus Cunha in differential territory at the same £8.0 million price point. He chalked up 15 goals and seven assists last season and has been reclassified as a midfielder for this campaign, where he’s expected to take a left-wing role in Ruben Amorim’s side. But he may have to compete for minutes.
4. Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
- Teams selected by: 5.3%
- Predicted points: 20.4
Key departures in the summer transfer window have seen Bournemouth assets out of favour with FPL managers, with winger Antoine Semenyo the most-owned at the time of writing. He’s risen in price by £1.5 million, reflecting the 18 goal involvements he achieved last season. It’s a stiff opener for the Cherries with a trip to Anfield for the opening game of the season. But they do face Wolverhampton Wanderers and Brighton and Hove Albion at home in their first four gameweeks.
3. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
- Teams selected by: 11.8%
- Predicted points: 12.6
Aston Villa have some of the best opening fixtures to start the season, with their favourable run extending over the first eight gameweeks. Striker Ollie Watkins may well be the best route into their attack, having consistently chalked up a minimum of 20 goal involvements in three consecutive seasons. There’s a chance that he might be on penalties this season, adding a further route to points.
2. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
- Teams selected by: 7.4%
- Predicted points: 22.2
Declan Rice looks set to benefit from the addition of defensive contributions to the scoring matrix, which would have netted him an additional 18 points over the entirety of last season. He provides a budget-friendly route into the Arsenal attack, with a key involvement in their corners and free kicks. Rice has managed 27 goal involvements in two seasons at Arsenal, and could be a key pick in Gameweek 2 when the Gunners entertain Leeds United.
1. Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
- Teams selected by: 11.5%
- Predicted points: 22.6
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes leads the way among the differential picks, as he looks set for a big season. He was the most creative player in the league last season, with 91 key passes netting him 12 assists. He also scored eight goals and is Man Utd’s penalty taker, while he would have also chalked up 22 defensive contribution points, showing how versatile he is as a fantasy asset.
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