GW28 Rising Stars: The Non-Template Picks with Elite Form (and the Numbers to Back It)
FPL Admin
FPL Elite Analyst
Introduction
Gameweek 28 is where FPL seasons swing: the template tightens, differentials dry up, and the best way to climb is to spot high-form players before they become obvious. Below are 10 “Rising Stars” — players delivering right now with low-to-mid ownership, backed by underlying data like xGI and ICT Index.
We’ll focus on why they’re succeeding, what the numbers suggest, and whether they look sustainable long-term.
The GW28 Rising Stars Snapshot
A quick comparison of the key attacking indicators (xGI), overall involvement (ICT), and current form.
| Player | Team | Price | Ownership | Form | Points | xGI | ICT Index | Bonus | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nico O'Reilly | Man City | 5.0 | 9.1% | 8.2 | 117 | 4.61 | 108.0 | 6 | 4.5 |
| James Hill | Bournemouth | 4.1 | 6.1% | 7.2 | 65 | 1.05 | 46.1 | 2 | 3.6 |
| Dango Ouattara | Brentford | 5.9 | 2.3% | 5.8 | 89 | 7.30 | 94.5 | 10 | 4.2 |
| Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha | Bournemouth | 5.6 | 2.4% | 5.5 | 22 | 1.61 | 26.5 | 2 | 5.5 |
| Ibrahima Konaté | Liverpool | 5.4 | 4.0% | 6.8 | 108 | 1.92 | 83.1 | 8 | 4.2 |
| Raúl Jiménez Rodríguez | Fulham | 6.1 | 2.4% | 5.8 | 94 | 10.40 | 133.4 | 7 | 3.6 |
| Viktor Gyökeres | Arsenal | 8.8 | 12.2% | 7.0 | 91 | 9.89 | 113.9 | 11 | 3.5 |
| Benjamin Sesko | Man Utd | 7.2 | 4.1% | 5.8 | 79 | 6.47 | 103.8 | 15 | 3.6 |
| Diogo Dalot Teixeira | Man Utd | 4.5 | 4.9% | 5.5 | 93 | 3.41 | 93.4 | 9 | 3.7 |
| Alex Scott | Bournemouth | 5.0 | 1.2% | 6.0 | 95 | 3.89 | 88.6 | 6 | 3.5 |
What jumps out for GW28:
- •Elite xGI leaders: Raúl (10.40), Gyökeres (9.89), Ouattara (7.30), Sesko (6.47)
- •Best form: O’Reilly (8.2), Hill (7.2), Gyökeres (7.0), Konaté (6.8)
- •True differentials by ownership: Alex Scott (1.2%), Ouattara (2.3%), Raúl (2.4%), Rayan (2.4%)
The Headliners (High Ceiling, Still Not Template)
Raúl Jiménez Rodríguez (Fulham) — The xGI Monster Nobody Owns
Raúl is the standout “how is this not template?” name in this list.
Why he’s succeeding (data-led):
- •xGI: 10.40 (best of all Rising Stars)
- •ICT Index: 133.4 (best of all Rising Stars)
- •Despite only 2.4% ownership, he’s producing the kind of underlying output you normally associate with premium forwards.
Sustainability check:
- •The combination of elite xGI + elite ICT is exactly what you want for long-term viability.
- •The only caution from this dataset: his PPG is 3.6, which suggests returns may have been a bit streaky relative to the underlying numbers.
GW28 takeaway: If you want a forward differential with the strongest statistical case, Raúl is the headline pick.
Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal) — The Near-Template Differential
At 12.2% ownership, Gyökeres is the closest to “mainstream” here — but he’s not fully template, and the numbers are premium.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •Form: 7.0 (top tier)
- •xGI: 9.89 (second only to Raúl)
- •ICT: 113.9 (strong all-round involvement)
- •Bonus: 11 indicates he’s not just scoring — he’s influencing games.
Sustainability check:
- •Strong xGI + strong form is a classic “keep buying until the price/ownership catches up” profile.
- •His PPG (3.5) is modest for the underlying output, so there’s room for either improvement (good) or continued underperformance (risk).
GW28 takeaway: A high-upside forward who can still function as a differential in many mini-leagues.
Dango Ouattara (Brentford) — The Low-Owned xGI Bet
Ouattara is the kind of pick that wins you a gameweek when it hits.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •xGI: 7.30 is elite for a 2.3% owned player
- •ICT: 94.5 supports that he’s involved in dangerous moments
- •Bonus: 10 suggests his returns often come with extra points.
Sustainability check:
- •The underlying output is strong enough to justify continued investment.
- •His form (5.8) is good rather than explosive — so he’s more “steady differential” than “must-buy now.”
GW28 takeaway: If you’re chasing rank, Ouattara is a high-upside, low-ownership play with real statistical backing.
Mid-Price Movers (Great Form, Still Under the Radar)
Nico O'Reilly (Man City) — Form King at a Bargain Price
O’Reilly is the best “value + form” blend in the entire list.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •Form: 8.2 (best of all Rising Stars)
- •Price: 5.0 makes him easy to fit
- •xGI: 4.61 and ICT: 108.0 show genuine involvement, not just random points
- •Massive market momentum: 509,018 transfers in
Sustainability check:
- •The underlying numbers are strong enough to support continued returns.
- •The big warning sign is structural rather than statistical: once a player is pulling that many transfers in, they can stop being a “Rising Star” and start becoming a bandwagon — meaning you may lose differential value quickly.
GW28 takeaway: If you want the in-form mid-price pick before he becomes unavoidable, GW28 is the window.
Alex Scott (Bournemouth) — The 1.2% Owned Enabler with Real Output
Scott is the purest differential in the dataset.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •Ownership: 1.2% (lowest here)
- •Form: 6.0 is strong
- •xGI: 3.89 and ICT: 88.6 suggest he’s not just getting lucky
Sustainability check:
- •The xGI is solid for a 5.0-priced player.
- •His PPG (3.5) is fine, but not explosive — think “quietly good” rather than “captainable.”
GW28 takeaway: A smart pick if you need a differential midfielder without spending big.
Defensive & Bonus Angles (Points Without Needing Goals)
Ibrahima Konaté (Liverpool) — Form + Bonus from a Low-Owned Defender
Konaté offers a different route to points: defensive returns plus bonus.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •Form: 6.8 (elite for a defender)
- •Points: 108 with only 4.0% ownership
- •Bonus: 8 indicates he’s often among the top performers when Liverpool do well
- •xGI: 1.92 adds a small attacking layer
Sustainability check:
- •Defenders with strong form and bonus potential can be sustainable, especially when they don’t rely on attacking returns.
- •His profile is less “explosive” than the forwards, but more stable.
GW28 takeaway: A strong non-template defensive pick if you want steady points and bonus potential.
Diogo Dalot Teixeira (Man Utd) — Attacking Defender Profile
Dalot’s appeal is that his underlying numbers look more like a midfielder’s than a defender’s.
Why he’s succeeding:
- •xGI: 3.41 is excellent for a 4.5 defender
- •Expected assists: 2.04 is the standout component
- •ICT: 93.4 supports consistent involvement
- •Bonus: 9 adds upside when returns land
Sustainability check:
- •Assist-driven defenders can be sustainable if involvement stays high.
- •His form (5.5) is solid, suggesting he’s not just riding one big haul.
GW28 takeaway: A strong pick if you want a defender with attacking routes + bonus at a budget-friendly price.
The Bournemouth Cluster (Cheap, In-Form, But Know What You’re Buying)
Bournemouth feature heavily here: Hill, Rayan, Scott. That can be a gift (value concentration) or a trap (overexposure). The key is understanding each profile.
James Hill (Bournemouth) — Budget Form with Modest Underlyings
- •Form: 7.2 is excellent
- •Price: 4.1 is pure squad value
- •But xGI: 1.05 and ICT: 46.1 are relatively low
Sustainability check:
- •This looks more like a points run than a guaranteed long-term attacking/bonus profile.
Rayan Vitor Simplício Rocha (Bournemouth) — High PPG, Small Sample Warning
- •PPG: 5.5 is the best in the list
- •But only 22 points total suggests limited data volume
- •xGI: 1.61 and ICT: 26.5 are low
Sustainability check:
- •The PPG is eye-catching, but the underlying indicators suggest caution: this could cool quickly.
Bonus Magnet Watch (Sneaky Edge in Tight Gameweeks)
When margins are thin, bonus can separate good picks from great ones.
Top bonus earners in this Rising Stars group:
- •Benjamin Sesko (15)
- •Viktor Gyökeres (11)
- •Dango Ouattara (10)
- •Diogo Dalot (9)
Benjamin Sesko (Man Utd) — Bonus-Driven Forward Upside
Sesko’s profile is built for hauls when he hits.
- •xGI: 6.47 and ICT: 103.8 are strong
- •Bonus: 15 is the best in the dataset
- •Ownership: 4.1% keeps him firmly non-template
Sustainability check:
- •Strong xGI + elite bonus suggests his returns aren’t purely random.
- •Form (5.8) is solid, not scorching — but the bonus profile is a real differentiator.
GW28 Recommendations (By FPL Need)
- •Best overall differential (stats-first): Raúl Jiménez (xGI 10.40, ICT 133.4, 2.4% owned)
- •Best in-form value pick: Nico O’Reilly (Form 8.2, £5.0)
- •Best “near-template but still leverage” forward: Gyökeres (xGI 9.89, Form 7.0)
- •Best high-upside low-owned attacker: Ouattara (xGI 7.30, 2.3% owned)
- •Best attacking defender value: Dalot (xGI 3.41, xA 2.04, £4.5)
- •Best steady defensive option: Konaté (Form 6.8, 108 points, 4.0% owned)
- •Deep differential midfielder: Alex Scott (1.2% owned, xGI 3.89)
Conclusion
GW28 is a perfect time to pivot from safe picks into Rising Stars — players with real form and underlying numbers who haven’t yet become automatic selections. If you want the most data-backed bets, Raúl and Gyökeres lead the xGI race, O’Reilly is the form standout at a bargain price, and Ouattara/Sesko offer genuine differential upside with strong supporting metrics.
The edge now is simple: buy the performance before it becomes consensus — and let GW28 be the week you move first.