As the Fantasy Premier League season reaches a crucial stage, making the right differential picks can be the difference between a green arrow and another frustrating week.
With fixtures tightening and form becoming clearer, low-owned players with strong upside are increasingly valuable.
Below are four differentials worth considering ahead of Gameweek 17, each capable of delivering significant returns if you’re willing to take the risk.
Rayan Cherki (£6.5m, 4.9% owned) – Manchester City vs. West Ham United (H)
Owned by just 4.9% of managers and priced at only £6.5m, Cherki
has proven to be a real force in Pep Guardiola’s midfield.
He has recorded eight attacking returns in 16 Premier League appearances, totalling 49 FPL points over that stretch.
As a key attacking presence, he has picked up 30 points in his last five league matches, an impressive return for a midfielder.
In GW 17, City host West Ham at the Etihad, a fixture that looks favorable on paper given their current form. Despite his low ownership, Cherki could reward managers who take the punt on him.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.6m, 3.5% owned) – Leeds United vs Crystal Palace (H)
Calvert-Lewin is currently in outstanding form. Since joining Leeds in the summer, he has featured in 14 league matches and scored five goals.
Notably, he has found the net in each of his last four consecutive league appearances, bringing his total attacking returns to six. He has also collected 10 bonus points, taking his overall FPL tally to 57.
Crystal Palace travel to Elland Road this weekend following a heavy home defeat to Manchester City. Leeds will be looking to extend their three-match unbeaten run, and Calvert-Lewin is the player to watch.
Ryan Gravenberch (£5.6m, 4.4% owned) – Tottenham vs Liverpool (A)
Gravenberch has been a key figure in Liverpool’s midfield since Arne Slot arrived at the start of last season. Week after week, he has shown his quality and reliability, which makes his 4.4% ownership even more surprising.
While Liverpool have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, Gravenberch has continued to deliver strong performances.
Heading into Gameweek 17, he is a player worth considering. He has amassed 71 FPL points from 14 appearances, with involvement in five goals during that period.
Daniel Ballard (£4.6m, 3.2% owned) – Brighton & Hove Albion vs Sunderland (A)
Despite playing for newly promoted Sunderland, Ballard has firmly caught the attention of Premier League fans.
With 31 points in his last seven league appearances and 66 points overall, along with three goal involvements, he has been a consistent and reliable option at the back.
He is a solid budget defender if you’re looking for returns from your defense.
Sunderland travel to Brighton in Gameweek 17, and the Black Cats will look to build on the momentum from their 1–0 victory over arch-rivals Newcastle in Gameweek 16.
Will you back any of them this week, or do you have another under-the-radar pick in mind?
