NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Burnley at City Ground on April 19, 2026 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) | Getty Images As the season enters its decisive phase, finding the right differentials could be the key to climbing ranks in Fantasy Premier League. With many managers sticking to template picks, these under-the-radar options offer the potential to deliver big returns and provide a crucial edge. Form, fixtures, and momentum all play a major role at this stage, and each of these players ticks at least one of those boxes.
Whether you’re chasing mini-league rivals or aiming for an overall rank boost, these picks are worth serious consideration. Here are some standout differential options for the upcoming gameweek.Xavi Simons (£6.5m, Wolves v Spurs)Simons delivered a moment of brilliance with a stunning goal and an assist in Tottenham Hotspur’s draw against Brighton & Hove Albion. Despite the result leaving Spurs in a difficult position, his individual quality stood out.With a crucial fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Simons’ ability to produce something out of nothing makes him a high-upside differential.
In tight games, players with creativity and unpredictability often make the difference, and Simons fits that profile perfectly.Valentín Castellanos (£5.5m, West Ham v Everton)Castellanos played a decisive role in West Ham United’s emphatic win over Wolves, scoring twice to help lift his side out of the relegation zone. While it was only his fourth goal of the campaign, the timing could not be more important.With West Ham fighting for survival, he is likely to see consistent minutes and increased responsibility in attack. That combination of opportunity and momentum makes him an intriguing low-ownership forward option.Morgan Gibbs-White (£7.4m, Sunderland v Nottingham Forest)Gibbs-White produced one of the standout performances of the gameweek with a hat-trick for Nottingham Forest in a crucial win over Burnley.
His second-half display underlined his importance to Forest’s attacking play.As the team continues to battle relegation, Gibbs-White will remain central to everything they do going forward. If Forest are to secure safety, he is almost certain to be heavily involved — making him a strong midfield differential.Matheus Cunha (£8.0m, Man United v Brentford)Cunha has quietly become an important contributor for Manchester United, registering two goals and two assists in his last six matches. His growing understanding with Bruno Fernandes has added a new dimension to United’s attack.With the Red Devils pushing for a Champions League spot, Cunha’s involvement in attacking moves continues to increase.
His relatively low ownership makes him a smart pick for managers looking to move away from more popular options.Ollie Watkins (£8.6m, Fulham v Aston Villa)Watkins returned to form in style, scoring twice and adding an assist in Aston Villa’s thrilling win over Sunderland. That performance means he now has three goals and one assist in his last three matches.Known for his streaky nature, Watkins tends to produce points in bursts once he finds rhythm. With confidence back on his side, he could be set for a strong finish to the season, making him a valuable differential in the final stretch.