FPL Gameweek 5 Differentials: Low-Owned Picks to Boost Your Rank

It’s Wednesday, with midweek European fixtures still to be played, but FPL managers are already turning their focus to Gameweek 5.

With template teams quickly taking shape, finding the right differentials is becoming vital for anyone looking to climb the rankings. These low-owned players could be the ones to give you that extra edge.

Here are five FPL hidden gems, all under 10% ownership, who could deliver in Gameweek 5.

How We Picked These FPL Differentials

Our strategy balances attacking potential with defensive coverage:

⚽ 3 attackers – midfielders or forwards with goal threat

🛡️ 2 defensive players – defenders or goalkeepers with clean sheet upside

This ensures coverage across the pitch while prioritising attacking points, essential for Gameweek success.

• Unlock Premium Plus for £1 until Gameweek 5 🔥
• Track every move from the world’s best FPL managers 📊
• AI-powered FPL advice at your fingertips 🤖
• Stay ahead with FPL guides, tips and analysis 📝

Xavi Simons: Spurs’ Set-Piece Threat

Xavi made his debut in Gameweek 4 against West Ham and immediately caught the eye with an assist.

Crucially, he was also on corners and set pieces — a role previously occupied by Pedro Porro, which could dent the defender's FPL appeal.

Priced at £7.0m and owned by fewer than 10% of managers, Xavi is the very definition of a differential. It’s no surprise that Philman, a 9× top 10k finisher, backed him in his Wildcard squad for Gameweek 4 — and so far, the gamble looks promising.

The immediate fixture at Brighton isn’t ideal, but Spurs follow it with Wolves (H) and Leeds (A). According to the Fixture Planner, they rank third-best for attacking fixtures over the next three Gameweeks.

You may prefer to wait one more week before bringing him in, but Xavi should definitely be on your FPL watchlist.

• Fixture (GW5): Spurs vs Brighton (A)
  
• Cost: £7.0m
  
• Predicted Points (GW5): 3.1
  

Moisés Caicedo: Chelsea’s DEFCON Beast

Caicedo has quietly racked up 29 FPL points — the highest of this week’s top differentials — thanks largely to the DEFCON scoring system. His 59 DEFCON contributions are the most in the league, averaging more than 14 defensive actions per match.

It’s not just defensive output, either. He’s also chipped in with two goals, albeit slightly fortunate given his 0.76 xG. Still, that DEFCON consistency provides a reliable points floor that makes him stand out as a midfield option.

His low ownership may not last much longer. According to the Transfer Analytics tool, Caicedo is already the sixth most transferred-in player ahead of Gameweek 5, with more than 190,000 new managers jumping on board.

• Fixture (GW5): Chelsea vs Man Utd (A)
  
• Cost: £5.6m
  
• Predicted Points (GW5): 4.1
  

Evanilson: Bournemouth’s Low-Owned Striker

Antoine Semenyo has stolen the headlines for Bournemouth this season so far, but with his ownership climbing past 40%, FPL managers seeking a second slice of the Cherries’ attack should consider Evanilson.

The Brazilian forward has returned 16 FPL points from four starts, producing one goal and one assist. Looking ahead, Bournemouth face Newcastle (H), Leeds (A), and Fulham (H) in their next three.

According to the Predicted Points & Stats tool, Evanilson ranks as the fourth-highest forward for projected points (11.5) over this run.

At just 2.7% ownership, he offers genuine short-term differential appeal and could provide a valuable rank boost if Bournemouth maintain their strong early-season form.

• Fixture (GW5): Bournemouth vs Newcastle (A)
  
• Cost: £7.0m
  
• Predicted Points (GW5): 3.7
  

Joachim Andersen: Fulham’s Reliable Starter

Andersen has already collected 19 FPL points this season, underpinned by 41 DEFCON actions — averaging more than 10 per match. That steady stream of defensive contributions makes him a solid budget option under the new scoring system.

While he remains a differential in the wider FPL game, he’s anything but among our Elite XI: Team Reveal managers (with a combined 80 Top 10k finishes). A huge 76.9% of them currently own Andersen, confirming his status as the go-to £4.5m defender for engaged managers.

• Fixture (GW5): Fulham vs Brentford (H)
  
• Cost: £4.5m
  
• Predicted Points (GW5): 4.5
  

Yerson Agbadou: Wolves’ Ultimate Punt

Seeing a Wolves defender on this list may raise eyebrows, but Agbadou is very much a fixture-based gamble. Between now and Gameweek 9, Wolves face all three promoted sides — putting them top of the Fixture Planner for this stretch.

Agbadou has already produced 41 DEFCON contributions this season, underlining his defensive involvement. If he can combine that output with a clean sheet or two, he could return solid hauls over the coming weeks.

At just 0.4% ownership, he’s the most extreme differential in this list — a high-risk, high-reward punt for managers looking to go against the grain.

• Fixture (GW5): Wolves vs Leeds (H)
  
• Cost: £4.5m
  
• Predicted Points (GW5): 4.6
  

The Differential Strategy for GW5

• Safe floor: Caicedo’s DEFCON dominance gives him consistent points potential.
  
• Creative spark: Xavi Simons offers set-piece duties and attacking involvement at low ownership.
  
• Attacking upside: Evanilson provides a cheap route into Bournemouth’s attack with promising fixtures.
  
• Budget defence: Andersen is a reliable £4.5m pick backed by engaged managers, while Agbadou is the ultimate punt with a dream fixture run.
  

Even one of these under-10% owned players delivering in Gameweek 5 could give your FPL rank a significant boost.

Not tried Premium yet? 🤔

You’re missing out – for just £1 you can join the 89% of our members who won their main mini-league last season!