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Rising Stars 2026-02-09

GW26 Rising Stars: 10 High-Form Differentials Before They Become Template

FPL Admin

FPL Elite Analyst

Introduction

Gameweek 26 is where mini-leagues start to split: the template protects rank, but Rising Stars win it. Below are the standout FPL options with exceptional form and low-to-mid ownership, backed by the numbers we have: form, xGI (xG + xA), ICT Index, points per game, and transfer trends.

The GW26 Rising Stars Shortlist (High Form, Not Yet Template)

1) Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) — the ultimate form differential

  • •Form: 9.0 | Ownership: 2.0% | Price: 5.6
  • •xGI: 4.41 (xG 3.39 + xA 1.02) | ICT: 88.6 | Bonus: 7
  • •Why it’s working: Summerville is pairing elite recent output (best form in this list) with strong underlying threat for a mid-price midfielder.
  • •Sustainability check: The xGI profile is healthy for the price bracket, and the low ownership means even a single return can swing GW26. If the form holds, he’s the kind of pick that becomes “obvious” a few weeks too late.

GW26 verdict: A high-upside punt with real data support—exactly what a Rising Star should be.

2) Cole Palmer (Chelsea) — premium form without premium ownership

  • •Form: 7.8 | Ownership: 13.4% | Price: 10.5
  • •xGI: 6.42 (xG 5.98 + xA 0.44) | PPG: 4.8 | Bonus: 4
  • •Why it’s working: Palmer’s output is being driven by goal threat (xG 5.98 is the headline). He’s producing like a finisher-first FPL asset.
  • •Sustainability check: The assist numbers are low (xA 0.44), so his value is more dependent on goals. That can be volatile—but the xG suggests the chances are there.

GW26 verdict: If you want a high-ceiling attacker who isn’t fully template, Palmer’s profile screams “keep buying until ownership catches up.”

3) Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) — elite all-round underlying numbers

  • •Form: 6.5 | Ownership: 14.0% | Price: 8.4
  • •xGI: 9.01 (xG 5.02 + xA 4.00) | ICT: 153.1 | Bonus: 16
  • •Why it’s working: Wirtz has the most complete attacking data set here: top-tier ICT and a huge xGI split across both goals and assists.
  • •Sustainability check: This is the kind of profile that tends to persist because it isn’t reliant on one route to points. Add strong bonus (16) and you’ve got repeatable returns.

GW26 verdict: A “nearly-template” pick—still early enough to gain ground, especially if he keeps hoovering bonus.

4) Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) — proven points with differential ownership

  • •Form: 6.2 | Ownership: 9.1% | Price: 7.7
  • •Points: 115 | xGI: 7.67 | ICT: 148.9 | Bonus: 21
  • •Why it’s working: Bowen combines real points (115) with strong underlying output and elite bonus accumulation.
  • •Sustainability check: Bonus (21) is a major signal—players who consistently land in bonus tend to keep ticking even when they don’t haul. The xGI supports continued returns.

GW26 verdict: If you want a “safe differential,” Bowen is the archetype: strong data, strong points, still not template.

5) Matheus Cunha (Man Utd) — high ICT, high xGI, oddly ignored

  • •Form: 6.2 | Ownership: 8.9% | Price: 8.1
  • •xGI: 7.42 (xG 5.13 + xA 2.29) | ICT: 129.3 | Bonus: 10
  • •Why it’s working: Cunha’s numbers show a forward contributing in multiple ways—goals and assists—with a strong ICT base.
  • •Sustainability check: The underlying output is robust, and the bonus count (10) suggests he’s involved in the actions that FPL rewards.

GW26 verdict: A classic GW26 buy if you’re chasing—his ownership doesn’t match his data.

Budget Enablers & Under-the-Radar Glue Picks

These aren’t always the headline haulers, but they can unlock structure and still deliver.

6) Martín Zubimendi (Arsenal) — the low-owned points machine

  • •Form: 6.0 | Ownership: 4.1% | Price: 5.2
  • •Points: 101 | xGI: 4.08 | ICT: 101.9 | Bonus: 9 | PPG: 4.0
  • •Why it’s working: Zubimendi is quietly stacking points (101) with respectable xGI for his price.
  • •Sustainability check: This looks more like a steady accumulator than a hauler. The appeal is reliability at low ownership.

GW26 verdict: A strong “set-and-forget” style differential if you want consistent returns without paying a premium.

7) William Saliba (Arsenal) — steady defensive value with modest ownership

  • •Form: 5.5 | Ownership: 13.8% | Price: 6.1
  • •Points: 83 | xGI: 0.97 | PPG: 4.0
  • •Why it’s working: Saliba’s value is primarily points stability rather than attacking output (xGI under 1.0).
  • •Sustainability check: If you’re buying, you’re betting on continued defensive returns rather than attacking spikes.

GW26 verdict: Not flashy, but a dependable way to gain if your rivals are ignoring Arsenal defence.

8) Alex Scott (Bournemouth) — ultra-low ownership, decent underlying output

  • •Form: 6.0 | Ownership: 0.7% | Price: 5.0
  • •xGI: 3.65 | ICT: 79.0 | Bonus: 6
  • •Why it’s working: Scott offers a rare combo: good form, playmaking + goal threat, and almost no ownership.
  • •Sustainability check: The xGI is solid for the price, but he’s more likely to deliver steady returns than explosive hauls.

GW26 verdict: A true differential for managers who want uniqueness without going completely off-grid.

The Ultra-Cheap Defensive Differentials (High Risk, High Leverage)

If you’re restructuring for GW26 and need a bench defender who can actually score points, these names stand out.

9) James Justin (Leeds) — attacking threat from a 3.9 defender

  • •Form: 6.2 | Ownership: 0.8% | Price: 3.9
  • •xGI: 1.65 (xG 0.88 + xA 0.77) | Bonus: 6
  • •Why it’s working: For a basement price, Justin’s xGI is eye-catching—he’s offering more than just clean-sheet hope.
  • •Sustainability check: Cheap defenders can be volatile, but the attacking contribution gives him extra routes to points.

GW26 verdict: A strong enabler with upside—ideal if you’re funding a premium move elsewhere.

10) James Hill (Bournemouth) — the 3.9m minutes-and-hope play

  • •Form: 5.5 | Ownership: 1.9% | Price: 3.9
  • •xGI: 0.76 | PPG: 3.1 | Bonus: 0
  • •Why it’s working: Hill’s appeal is mostly structural: low cost, decent form, and a path to points.
  • •Sustainability check: With low xGI and no bonus, he’s less explosive—more of a budget stabiliser than a difference-maker.

GW26 verdict: Fine as a bench option, but Justin looks like the higher-upside 3.9 route.

Transfer Momentum Watch (GW26 Market Signals)

A quick look at who the crowd is starting to notice:

  • •Zubimendi: 191,739 transfers in (massive interest) — still only 4.1% owned.
  • •Palmer: 151,624 transfers in — form chasing is underway.
  • •Saliba: 97,832 transfers in — steady rise.
  • •Summerville: 69,555 transfers in — the differential wave is building.

Momentum doesn’t guarantee points, but it often signals that a player is about to stop being a secret.

Conclusion

For Gameweek 26, the best Rising Stars are the ones combining form with underlying support—and ideally a low ownership edge. If you want maximum upside, Summerville is the standout differential. If you want sustainable, repeatable output, Wirtz and Bowen have the strongest blend of xGI, ICT, and bonus. And if you’re rebuilding your squad structure, Justin is the kind of 3.9m defender who can quietly win you a week.

Pick your risk level—then move before these names become the template.