Who are the best under-the-radar players to add to your Fantasy Premier League team for Gameweek 26 of 2025-26? We assess the Opta data to reveal our top picks.
It’s a midweek gameweek in the Premier League. There’s not much time for players to recover, and even less time for you to make transfers on your Fantasy Premier League team. Ten clubs have their next two league matches at home, so is it worth prioritising their players for your squad?
We’ve crunched the Opta data to identify five players you should consider transferring in, despite them currently being picked by fewer than 10% of FPL managers.
GK – Dean Henderson | 5.0m | 7.3% Ownership
Only one team have been on a worse run in the Premier League than Crystal Palace of late. The good news for Eagles fans is that they face them on Wednesday.
Palace had won none of their last nine league matches entering their derby with Brighton. Having claimed a 1-0 victory on the south coast on Sunday, they can approach their forthcoming matches with renewed enthusiasm.
Oliver Glasner’s men host Burnley this week, with the Clarets winless in 16 league games. They failed to score in the previous two and haven’t netted more than once on the road in their last six. Despite Palace’s poor run, only two clubs have more clean sheets in the Premier League this season. Their goalkeeper Dean Henderson kept one at Brighton and could be set for another in midweek.
No keeper who is in under 10% of FPL teams has earned as many points this season. There are seven goalkeepers in more teams but only four of them have been more productive in Fantasy Premier League.
With Wolves visiting Selhurst Park after Burnley, that latter number could easily shrink in Henderson’s favour over the next two matchdays.
DEF – Neco Williams | 4.7m | 2.9% Ownership
Another team who should benefit from a home game against the basement boys are Nottingham Forest. They need a win too, with West Ham picking up form. Wolves’ trip to the City Ground on Wednesday is – on paper, at least – Forest’s easiest remaining fixture.
Their cause should be boosted by the return of Neco Williams. He had started every Premier League match this season before being sent off for handball on the goal line against Crystal Palace. He missed the 3-1 loss at Leeds on Friday as a result but will be available in midweek.
The Welshman is Forest’s top-scoring defender in FPL this season, with 71 points. Only Elliot Anderson (108) and Morgan Gibbs-White (100) have been more productive for them in any position.
Williams provides good value by offering a threat going forward while being solid at the back. He is the club’s second-best player for expected assists (xA) in open play (2.2), third top for creating chances (19) of that type.
After Wolves, Forest will host Liverpool. The Reds have failed to score in their previous two meetings against Sean Dyche sides, losing 3-0 at Anfield earlier this season. Williams picked up an assist in that match and will hope to haunt his former side once again.
MID – Yéremy Pino | 5.8m | 0.2% Ownership
Yéremy Pino’s contribution to Crystal Palace’s derby win at Brighton was relatively minimal. He was substituted in the 56th minute having failed to take a shot or create a chance.
To make matters worse for perspective on his performance, Evann Guessand replaced Pino, then assisted the only goal of the game five minutes later. The on-loan Aston Villa man made a solid impression in his debut for the Eagles.
Pino has been playing well enough generally to think he should retain his place, though. The Spaniard is Palace’s top player this season for expected assists, both in total (4.7) and in open play (3.6) alone. He is also their leading chance creator (35).
Being the most incisive passer for a lower mid-table side is one thing. There are only five players ahead of Pino for xA at any club, though, all of whom play for one of the traditional ‘big six’.
As with Henderson, Pino should be able to take advantage of some kind fixtures in the next two gameweeks. Perhaps his teammates can bring his assist tally (one) a bit closer to his xA to help out.
MID – Bernardo Silva | 6.2m | 0.5% Ownership
The Premier League title race was all but over with seven minutes to go at Anfield on Sunday. Having had just two shots in the second half, neither of which was in the box, Manchester City were staring defeat in the face.
Thankfully for them, Bernardo Silva popped up with an equaliser before Erling Haaland won the match from the penalty spot. It continued a strong run of form for the Portuguese midfielder, who has made a goal contribution in each of the previous three matchdays. Silva has also set up three Opta-defined big chances in the last two, showing he is in strong creative form.
City host Fulham on Wednesday. Their last meeting ended 5-4 in December, so any scoreline feels possible. City have won the previous 17 clashes in all competitions too.
Their following league game is also at the Etihad, against Newcastle. As two of their six victories in 2026 have been against the Magpies, Pep Guardiola’s men will enter that match in confident mood. Few will have a greater spring in their step than Silva though.
FWD – Liam Delap | 6.2m | 1.0% Ownership
Liam Rosenior is making Premier League management look like a piece of cake. His Chelsea side have won all four matches they have played in the competition.
With their next two league matches being at home against Leeds and Burnley, Rosenior’s winning streak could well continue. Those visiting sides are two of the worst three in the division for goals conceded on the road, which is excellent news for Chelsea’s attacking players.
It’s likely João Pedro will start up front for at least one of those games, but possibly not both. Even if he does, Liam Delap should come on for the Brazilian at some point. That has occurred in the three league games the former Ipswich man has been on the bench since Rosenior arrived.
Delap has done reasonably well in light of his relatively limited opportunities for Chelsea’s latest manager. He has provided a pair of fantasy assists, and, although he hasn’t scored, he has amassed 0.97 expected goals. That suggests the 23-year-old should score again in the league soon.
There are 11 forwards who are in under 10% of FPL teams who’ve amassed more FPL points than Delap in the Rosenior era. They’ve all made at least two more starts though. With weaker opposition offering rotation opportunities, it could be Delap’s time to shine.
*FPL player values and ownership data accurate as of 9 February 2026
Premier League Stats Opta
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