Back to Blog Hub
Differentials 2026-02-09

GW26 Differential Gold: 10 Ultra-Low Owned Picks with Elite Form & xGI to Boost Your Rank

FPL Admin

FPL Elite Analyst

Gameweek 26: Differentials that can actually move the needle

If you’re trying to climb in FPL, you don’t need more safe picks—you need smart differentials: low-ownership players with the underlying numbers (xG/xA/xGI) and recent form to deliver points when others don’t own them.

Below are Ultra-Differential Gems (<5% owned) for GW26, using only the data provided—prioritising form, xGI, and value.

The headline GW26 differentials (midfielders with upside)

Crysencio Summerville (West Ham) — 2.0% owned | £5.6 | Form: 9.0

Summerville is the definition of a rank-climber: elite form plus strong underlying output.

  • •Form: 9.0 (best in this list)
  • •xGI: 4.41 (xG 3.39 + xA 1.02)
  • •ICT Index: 88.6
  • •Bonus: 7 | PPG: 3.7
  • •Transfer momentum: 70,382 in vs 8,569 out Why it’s a GW26 play: You’re buying a hot streak backed by xGI—exactly what you want when chasing.

Mateus Gonçalo Espanha Fernandes (West Ham) — 0.4% owned | £5.5 | Form: 7.2

A near-unknown differential with standout influence metrics.

  • •Form: 7.2
  • •ICT Index: 99.9 (top-tier)
  • •xGI: 3.02 (xG 1.16 + xA 1.86)
  • •Bonus: 6 | PPG: 4.0 Why it’s a GW26 play: At 0.4% ownership, even a single return can be a major green arrow.

Alex Scott (Bournemouth) — 0.7% owned | £5.0 | Form: 6.0

A balanced pick: decent form, solid xGI, and a friendly price point.

  • •Form: 6.0
  • •xGI: 3.65 (xG 2.44 + xA 1.21)
  • •ICT Index: 79.0
  • •Bonus: 6 | PPG: 3.4 Why it’s a GW26 play: A £5.0 enabler who still carries real attacking expectation.

Amine Adli (Bournemouth) — 0.2% owned | £5.4 | Form: 5.8

If you want a true punt, Adli’s ownership is microscopic—but the xGI is not.

  • •Form: 5.8
  • •xGI: 3.17 (xG 1.74 + xA 1.43)
  • •ICT Index: 56.4 Why it’s a GW26 play: 0.2% owned with a respectable xGI profile—high risk, high rank-reward.

The “quietly elite” differential (template-proof midfielder)

Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez (Arsenal) — 4.1% owned | £5.2 | Form: 6.0

Not as ultra-rare as the others, but still under 5% and delivering.

  • •Points: 101 (highest in this list)
  • •Form: 6.0
  • •ICT Index: 101.9 (best in this list)
  • •xGI: 4.08 (xG 2.56 + xA 1.52)
  • •Bonus: 9 | PPG: 4.0
  • •Transfer momentum: 194,997 in vs 4,332 out Why it’s a GW26 play: A differential who’s already producing like a premium relative to price—and the market is catching on.

Attacking differentials with big xGI (high-ceiling picks)

Dango Ouattara (Brentford) — 0.4% owned | £5.8 | Form: 5.5

If you’re chasing upside, Ouattara’s underlying numbers jump off the page.

  • •xGI: 6.24 (best in this list)
  • •xG: 4.83 (best in this list)
  • •ICT Index: 85.8
  • •Bonus: 10 (best in this list) | PPG: 4.5 Why it’s a GW26 play: Massive xGI + almost no ownership = the kind of swing that changes your season.

Thierno Barry (Everton) — 1.3% owned | £5.7 | Form: 5.2

A goal-leaning differential: more finisher than creator.

  • •xGI: 4.71 (xG 4.36 + xA 0.35)
  • •ICT Index: 71.5
  • •Bonus: 5 | PPG: 2.5 Why it’s a GW26 play: If you want a low-owned forward with real xG, Barry fits the brief.

Budget defenders: cheap routes to points (and bench flexibility)

James Justin (Leeds) — 0.8% owned | £3.9 | Form: 6.2

A rare combination: dirt-cheap and in strong form.

  • •Price: £3.9
  • •Form: 6.2
  • •xGI: 1.65 (xG 0.88 + xA 0.77)
  • •Bonus: 6 Why it’s a GW26 play: Enables upgrades elsewhere while still offering attacking involvement.

James Hill (Bournemouth) — 1.9% owned | £3.9 | Form: 5.5

Not an xGI monster, but a playable budget option with form.

  • •Price: £3.9
  • •Form: 5.5
  • •PPG: 3.1
  • •Transfer momentum: 49,421 in vs 1,473 out Why it’s a GW26 play: A cheap squad stabiliser that frees funds for explosive differentials.

Jake O'Brien (Everton) — 0.9% owned | £4.9 | Form: 5.2

A low-owned defender with steady output.

  • •Points: 88
  • •Form: 5.2
  • •ICT Index: 74.8
  • •xGI: 1.50 Why it’s a GW26 play: A differential defender who can tick along while your attackers do the damage.

GW26 quick shortlist (if you only pick 3)

  • •Summerville — best form (9.0) + strong xGI (4.41) at 2.0% owned
  • •Ouattara — best xGI (6.24) and xG (4.83) at 0.4% owned
  • •Zubimendi — best ICT (101.9) and total points (101) under 5% owned

Conclusion: Differentials are how you win the mini-league from behind

Gameweek 26 is a perfect time to pivot into low-ownership players with real data backing. Target form + xGI, and you give yourself a chance to gain points and rank simultaneously.

If you’re chasing, don’t just pick differentials—pick differentials with numbers. Summerville and Ouattara bring the ceiling, Zubimendi brings the steady elite output, and the budget defenders help you fund the moves that matter.