FPL managers hit Gameweek 24 with squads stretched thin from blanks, rotations, and those nagging injuries that never seem to heal. It is crunch time in the 2025/26 season, where every transfer counts toward climbing those mini-league tables or snagging a top rank finish. The beauty of this gameweek lies in the fixtures that scream opportunity; some teams face leaky defenses, others boast setups perfect for clean sheets and bonus points.
Differentials are your secret weapon here. We are talking players owned by just a handful of teams, ready to explode and haul you past rivals glued to the popular picks like Erling Haaland and Antoine Semenyo. Ownership under 10% means minimal captaincy competition and those glorious rank jumps when they deliver. But it is not blind faith; these shouts come from form, matchups, and underlying stats that do not lie.
Gameweek 24’s slate dishes out gems like Sunderland hosting Burnley and Nottingham Forest eyeing Crystal Palace. Managers need short-term punts that pay off big before the next double gameweek teases everyone. Forget the bandwagons; dive into these under-the-radar gems who could turn your chip strategy upside down.
These are not template fillers. They are calculated risks backed by recent trends, opponent flaws, and that low ownership spark. Let’s break down why hauling in these five could be your smartest move yet.
Neco Williams patrols the right flank for Nottingham Forest, and with Bournemouth rolling into town in Gameweek 24, he is primed for a points party in FPL. Crystal Palace have been sub-par up front lately, producing misfiring shots and zero creativity, with goals being as rare as a winter sun in England.
The Eagles have barely troubled scoreboards, handing Nottingham Forest’s backline clean sheet after clean sheet. The Welsh international thrives in these setups, bombing forward with crosses and shots that rack up attacking returns.
At just 3.2% owned (though some top managers are piling in quietly), he is a true differential bomb. Recent metrics show him outpacing teammates in defensive wins and forward thrusts, perfect for bonus points in a home win scenario. Forest’s early-season fortress mentality means Williams is not just parking the bus but joining the attack. Snap him up for a one-week wonder before FPL ownership spikes.
Omar Alderete: Sunderland’s rock-solid rear guard
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Omar Alderete has been Sunderland’s defensive daddy, anchoring the backline as they welcome Burnley to the Stadium of Light this weekend. The Clarets have been toothless in attack all season, as their xG charts flatter to deceive with under 1.0 per game, and actual goals? Forget it.
Scott Parker’s men have huffed and puffed without blowing doors down, letting Sunderland rack up shutouts like it is their job. Alderete’s no-nonsense tackling and aerial wins make him the wall Burnley couldn’t crack.
Dig into his recent haul: 79 FPL points from 18 games, averaging 4.5 per match with 6 clean sheets and a goal and five bonus points. That is ice-cold consistency. At 6.5% owned, he is flying under most radars despite the stats screaming value. Burnley’s away blues could extend his streak; expect minutes, clearances, and those sweet bonus hauls.
Pedro Neto: Chelsea’s speed demon delight
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Pedro Neto has been terrorising Premier League defences for Chelsea, and West Ham’s sieve-like backline is next on the menu in Gameweek 24. The Hammers have shipped goals like confetti this term, especially against pacey wingers who exploit their slow center-halves. Neto’s direct running and crossing have West Ham managers sweating, and his dribbles turn into chances faster than you can say “set-piece chaos.”
Neto has 94 points already, packing nine attacking returns. While recent outings have produced more blanks than not, the game against West Ham United makes him an eye-catching option. Owned by only 6.3%, he is the midfielder differential that could catapult your rank. Chelsea’s high line feeds his counters perfectly; get him in for FPL explosion potential.
Matheus Cunha: Manchester United’s bench-to-star spark
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Matheus Cunha lurks for Manchester United, facing Fulham whose defence has more holes than a golf course. The Cottagers crumble under pressure, leaking from crosses and set pieces, making it prime Cunha territory.
The Brazilian international been electric off the bench lately, threading passes and poaching goals in cameos that leave managers drooling. With [Patrick Dorgu’s hamstring sidelining him for ten weeks](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7001203/2026/01/27/manchester-uniteds-patrick-dorgu-set-to-miss-around-10-weeks-with-hamstring-injury/), Cunha’s starting gig is locked, pushing him from sub to starter overnight.
Fulham’s woes amplify his influence, as Cunha’s deeper drops create overloads, and his shot volume screams returns. Recent bench magic hints at starter hauls now. At 7.7% owned, he has differentiated enough to surprise. Manchester United’s attack clicks with him taking on defenders, and he is a captaincy contender if his form holds.
Thierno Barry: Everton’s box predator
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Thierno Barry will lead the line for Everton against Brighton & Hove Albion, whose back four has been wobbly; think conceding from crosses and set plays amid inconsistent marking. The former Villarreal striker’s recent exploits shine: goals, assists, and aerial mastery, thriving on long balls into the mixer. Brighton’s flux hands him space to bully, turning half-chances into gold.
Stats do not lie, as he has four goals in his last five outings, with 1.8 shots per game and top aerial wins. Everton’s direct style fits like a glove. Additionally, Barry’s ultra-low 0.9% ownership makes him a rank rocket in FPL. Recent points streak positions him for a monster GW24, meaning he should be a bench fodder no more.
FPL Differential Transfer Recommendations at a Glance
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Player
Club
Opponent
Main Appeal
Risk Level
Neco Williams
Nottingham Forest
Crystal Palace (H)
Low ownership, Palace attack flops, attacking returns
Low
Omar Alderete
Sunderland
Burnley (H)
Recent 77 pts, Burnley goal drought, clean sheet king
Low
Pedro Neto
Chelsea
West Ham United (H)
68 pts haul, Hammers defence leaks, GW8 explosion
Medium
Matheus Cunha
Manchester United
Fulham (H)
Bench wizard to starter, Dorgu out, Fulham soft centre
Medium
Thierno Barry
Everton
Brighton & Hove Albion (A)
Aerial beast, recent goals/assists, Brighton shaky
Medium
Honourable Mentions
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Keep an eye on these near-misses too: Jeremie Frimpong for his rampaging runs, Jan Paul van Hecke’s set-piece threat, Dominik Szoboszlai’s midfield magic, Amad Diallo’s flair bursts, Mateus Mane’s pace, and Brian Brobbey’s target-man hold-up. They could sneak into your squad if chips align.