FPL GW9 Differentials: Best Players to Beat the Template
Gameweek 8 brought mixed fortunes for Fantasy Premier League managers, with big names blanking and unexpected budget players delivering. As we move into Gameweek 9, finding the right differentials is key to climbing mini-leagues and beating the template. Here are the top under-the-radar players who could deliver big points this week.
Check out RotoWire's updated FPL rankings, FPL tips and cheat sheets to fine-tune your squad.
Reece James - 5.6% - Risk vs. Reward
The mere mention of Reece James strikes fear into any FPL manager who has been playing the game for the last four or five years.
Due to injuries, he's historically been a frustrating player to own. Whenever fit, he looks incredibly promising with a role on set pieces, so we bring him into our teams. He then proceeded to pick up an injury, most likely related to his hamstrings which he battled for multiple seasons.
By no means am I suggesting that it isn't possible once again, but right now, ahead of Gameweek 9 in the 2025/26 season, he is a fantastic option.
He grabbed a goal, an assist, and an 18-pointer in Gameweek 8, and he's played 90 minutes in all of the last four Premier League games. With Malo Gusto suspended in GW9, it'd be a major surprise if James didn't make the XI.
Chelsea have some nice fixtures in the next few weeks, so if you're feeling brave, James could prove a worthy investment.
Kieran Trippier - 2.7% - Reliable Route to Clean Sheets with Set Pieces
Last week, I mentioned Malick Thiaw as a differential option given how strong Newcastle's defence has been this season. Unfortunately, they failed to keep a clean sheet against Brighton at the weekend, but that doesn't take away from how impressive they've been.
Newcastle have three clean sheets in the last four games in all competitions, and with decent upcoming fixtures, they should continue to be solid at the back.
Trippier isn't the same marauding full back that was a steal in FPL a couple of seasons ago, but Valentino Livramento remains out, so Trippier should be the first-choice right-back for at least the next month and possibly beyond.
Pedro Neto - 4.5% - Chelsea's Emerging Midfield Option
Another Chelsea player who came away with points in Gameweek 8 was Neto, as he picked up a goal and an assist against Nottingham Forest.
These were only his second and third attacking returns of the season, so it'd be unwise to expect double-digit hauls on a weekly basis, but the Portuguese winger is a safe pick for the next few weeks.
As mentioned earlier, Chelsea have some nice fixtures, with Sunderland this week, then Wolves and Burnley within the next four. Despite inevitable rotation by Enzo Maresca with midweek Champions League, Neto seems like one of the only constants in the Chelsea XI almost every match.
One of the more encouraging elements of Neto's performance at the weekend was that he was taking some free kicks along with Reece James, which increases his chances of future returns.
Anthony Gordon - 2.9% - European Form to Hopefully Translate
Gordon has been frustrating for those who have rostered him since he came back from his suspension in Gameweek 6. He doesn't have any attacking returns in the Premier League, but he's managed three goals and one assist in his last two Champions League games.
It's only a matter of time before these European returns translate to Premier League ones, and a home fixture against a Fulham side that is likely to be without Joachim Andersen could be the catalyst for this.
The assumption also remains that he's on penalty kicks over Nick Woltemade.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 1.7% - Strong Fixture for Bounce Back
Calvert-Lewin keeps his place as a differential to target despite blanking in Gameweek 8. It was a similar story once again for Leeds United against Burnley, as they created plenty of chances, but failed to finish them.
This fixture couldn't be any better for the promoted side this weekend as they face a West Ham team that is struggling defensively.
West Ham are seemingly playing at their low. In Gameweek 8, they managed to make an average Brentford side look like a very dangerous attack, so Calvert-Lewin could find some joy against the Hammers.
Eli Kroupi - 2.4% - Budget Forward Worth Punt
Kroupi was handed his first Premier League start of the season in Gameweek 8 and took his chance well as he bagged a brace against Crystal Palace.
The fixture this week is another enticing one as Bournemouth host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Sean Dyche, who is notorious for his defence-first style, has now taken over from Ange Postecoglou as the Forest manager, but I think this game will come too soon for Dyche to make his mark on the team.
Kroupi's starting place does rely on Evanilson missing this game, but if he looks to be fit, then he is also a great differential option, as he is in only 2.3% of teams.
Don't forget to use our Predicted Lineups page which is updated throughout the week before confirmed team news 75 minutes ahead of kickoff.
