Gameweek 5 is here, and while most Fantasy Premier League managers will be focused on the obvious names, there are plenty of lower-owned players who could make a serious difference this weekend.
The early-season FPL template is beginning to take shape, with players such as João Pedro, Morgan Rogers, Pascal Groß and Maxim De Cuyper attracting significant ownership. But that also creates opportunities. If you want to climb the rankings, sometimes you need to find the player your rivals don’t have.
With
that in mind, here are 10 FPL differentials for Gameweek 5 who have the potential to deliver a haul:
1. Mohamed Belloumi — Hull City | Midfielder | £5.1m
- Ownership: Around 3%
Belloumi is one of the more intriguing budget differentials heading into Gameweek 5. The Hull midfielder has already produced 27 FPL points, while his current form rating sits around 6.8. More importantly, he’s still owned by only a small percentage of managers.
The immediate fixture isn’t perfect, though. Hull travel to Newcastle, so this isn’t a straightforward fixture-based pick.
The appeal is what comes afterwards. Hull face Everton and Fulham in the next two gameweeks, allowing Belloumi to become a useful medium-term differential rather than a one-week punt. At £5.1m, he also provides managers with a cheap route into a player capable of contributing attacking returns.
- GW5 fixture: Newcastle (A)
2. Alex Scott — Bournemouth | Midfielder | £6.1m
- Ownership: Around 6%
Scott is flying under the radar despite putting together an impressive start to the season. His current form rating is around 7.0, making him one of the more interesting midfield differentials in this price bracket.
The problem is the Gameweek 5 fixture. Bournemouth host Liverpool, which isn’t exactly the matchup that immediately screams “buy this player.”
But Scott’s appeal goes beyond one fixture. Bournemouth have attacking players capable of creating chances, and a midfielder at this price point doesn’t need a huge number of returns to become a valuable FPL asset.
He’s one for managers willing to play the long game.
- GW5 fixture: Liverpool (H)
3. Marcus Tavernier — Bournemouth | Midfielder | £6.1m
- Ownership: Around 5%
If you’re looking for a slightly more aggressive Bournemouth differential, Tavernier deserves attention. He’s currently among the highest-rated low-owned midfielders according to current FPL differential data, with a form rating above 7.0 and ownership below 6%.
The concern is obvious: Liverpool are the opponent. But that’s precisely why Tavernier remains a differential. A good performance from Bournemouth could easily produce a major rank swing because relatively few managers are likely to have the midfielder.
He’s not a player I’d buy purely for Gameweek 5, but if you already own him, there’s enough attacking potential to justify giving him another week.
- GW5 fixture: Liverpool (H)
4. Jayden Bogle — Leeds United | Defender | £4.5m
- Ownership: Around 3%
Bogle has been one of the early-season surprises. The Leeds defender currently sits at the top of the overall FPL points standings with 37 points, while his ownership remains only around 3%. That combination is extremely difficult to ignore.
At £4.5m, Bogle is also the type of player who can free up money for premium attackers elsewhere in your squad.
Leeds host Crystal Palace in Gameweek 5, giving him a reasonable opportunity for another return. The biggest attraction isn’t necessarily expecting another massive haul. It’s the fact that Bogle has already demonstrated that he can produce points at a price where most managers are simply looking for a playable defender.
- GW5 fixture: Crystal Palace (H)
5. Vitalii Mykolenko — Everton | Defender | £4.5m
- Ownership: Around 3%
Mykolenko is a classic FPL differential. He’s cheap, has very low ownership and plays for an Everton side that could offer defensive value over the next few weeks.
The immediate fixture is particularly appealing. Everton host Ipswich in Gameweek 5, making this one of the more attractive defensive matchups for managers searching outside the template.
Mykolenko doesn’t need to score to be useful. A clean sheet, appearance points and a few bonus points can make him a strong return on a £4.5m investment. And if he adds attacking involvement, the upside becomes even greater.
- GW5 fixture: Ipswich (H)
6. Timothy Castagne — Fulham | Defender | £4.5m
- Ownership: Below 1%
Castagne is one of the lowest-owned players on this list, with current data putting his ownership below 1%. That’s obviously a warning sign as much as it is an opportunity.
Fulham face Manchester United in Gameweek 5, so this isn’t an easy fixture. But for managers looking beyond the immediate gameweek, Castagne could offer value as a budget defender.
At this ownership level, even a clean sheet or attacking return could create a significant difference in overall rank.
He’s a high-risk, high-reward option rather than a player I’d recommend as a must-have.
- GW5 fixture: Manchester United (H)
7. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall — Everton | Midfielder | £6.5m
- Ownership: Around 5%
Dewsbury-Hall is an interesting option because he sits right in the middle of the differential conversation. At roughly 5% ownership, he’s not completely unknown, but he’s still owned by a small enough percentage of managers to provide meaningful upside.
Everton host Ipswich in Gameweek 5, and Dewsbury-Hall’s price makes him an interesting alternative to some of the more popular midfielders. He’s also established himself as an important part of Everton’s midfield following his move from Chelsea.
Current FPL data has him around 5% owned, with a Gameweek 5 projection in the five-point range. He’s not the safest differential on this list, but the fixture against Ipswich makes him worth monitoring.
- GW5 fixture: Ipswich (H)
8. Thierno Barry — Everton | Forward | £5.6m
- Ownership: Around 6%
Budget forwards are becoming increasingly important as FPL managers spend heavily on premium midfielders and forwards. Barry offers an interesting route into the Everton attack without requiring a major restructuring of your squad.
The biggest selling point is the matchup. Everton host Ipswich, and that gives Barry an opportunity to become a very useful third forward for managers looking to differentiate their teams.
He’s not likely to command the same attention as the premium forwards, which is exactly what makes him interesting from a differential perspective. If he finds the net, his ownership level could make the return particularly valuable.
He is a cheap forward with a favorable home fixture.
- GW5 fixture: Ipswich (H)
9. Igor Jesus — Nottingham Forest | Forward | £5.8m
- Ownership: Around 2%
Igor Jesus is another budget forward worth considering. He scored in Forest’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Gameweek 4, combining with fellow new arrival Liam Delap to help Forest secure their first Premier League win under Oliver Glasner.
The timing is interesting because Forest now face Coventry at home. That is the kind of fixture where a budget forward can suddenly become a very attractive FPL option.
At around 2.6% ownership, however, he certainly qualifies as a genuine differential.
- GW5 fixture: Coventry (H)
10. Maxim De Cuyper — Brighton | Defender | £4.8m
- Ownership: Around 20%+
He’s no longer a true low-owned differential after attracting significant attention, but he’s still worth mentioning because his ownership remains well below some of the biggest FPL names.
De Cuyper has been one of the standout defenders of the early season. He’s already produced 32 points, with three assists, one goal and two clean sheets from his opening four matches. His current form is around 8.0.
The Gameweek 5 fixture is difficult, with Arsenal visiting Brighton. But his attacking role gives him a chance of returning even when a clean sheet looks unlikely. At £4.8m, that’s particularly attractive.
- GW5 fixture: Arsenal (H)
- READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 5 Top Transfers: The Best Players to Buy
