Fantasy Premier League managers have spent the summer agonising over whether to splash on Erling Haaland or Bruno Fernandes. But the teams that finish at the top of their mini-leagues are rarely separated by the obvious picks — they are separated by the differentials. Here are eight players worth considering before the season kicks off, drawn from the analysis of BBC Sport's FPL experts.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool — £7.5m (MID)

Around 14% ownership puts Wirtz firmly in differential territory. With nearly half the game already on Dominik Szoboszlai, backing the German instead creates genuine rank upside. New Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has spoken openly about wanting Wirtz operating as a proper number 10, close to striker Alexander Isak, and pre-season friendlies have reflected that intent. Playing higher up the pitch should translate into more touches in the final third. A second Premier League season, with a manager actively building a system around him, makes the outlook considerably brighter than last year's promising-but-underwhelming debut.

Pascal Gross, Brighton — £5.5m (MID)

Fewer than 11% of managers own Gross, which is hard to justify given what he offers at this price. With Danny Welbeck having departed for Chelsea, Gross is now Brighton's primary penalty taker — he converted a spot-kick in pre-season against Strasbourg and added a free-kick assist in the same match. Corner involvement and other set-piece duties give him multiple routes to returns that very few £5.5m midfielders can match. Brighton under Fabian Hurzeler continue to generate chances in volume, and Gross is trusted for the minutes when fit. For managers building squads around expensive premiums, he is a practical budget enabler.

Antonin Kinsky, Tottenham — £4.5m (GK)

Kinsky is arguably the standout budget goalkeeper option of the summer. The Czech stopper started every match under Roberto De Zerbi during Spurs' run-in last season, keeping his place even after Guglielmo Vicario returned to fitness — a clear signal of how highly he is rated. At £4.5m, the bar is low: a combination of clean sheet potential, save points and a price that barely dents your budget makes him an easy pick if he retains the starting jersey.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool — £7m (MID)

Szoboszlai was Liverpool's second-highest FPL scorer last season with 160 points (only Virgil van Dijk's 175 bettered it). He scored 13 goals across all competitions, including four direct free-kicks, and contributed defensive-contribution points through his pressing work. Liverpool's opening five gameweeks — Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham and Bournemouth — look inviting. There are questions about his exact role under Iraola given Wirtz's presence at number 10, but his versatility may actually protect his minutes rather than threaten them.

What links them?

Three themes run through these recommendations:

  • Set-piece involvement — Gross and Szoboszlai both offer multiple dead-ball routes to points, which the data consistently shows as one of the most reliable FPL scoring mechanisms.
  • Low ownership — Wirtz and Gross are both below 15% ownership, meaning a good gameweek from either moves you up the overall rankings rather than simply keeping pace with the field.
  • New systems — Iraola at Liverpool and De Zerbi at Spurs bring tactical approaches that could unlock more attacking output from players who underperformed relative to their quality last season.

The budget angle

Kinsky at £4.5m and Gross at £5.5m together cost £10m — roughly what it takes to upgrade from a mid-tier premium to Haaland. If both deliver on their roles, that saving in budget can be recycled into a second or third premium outfield pick. That is the structural case for targeting both, rather than just one, in the same squad.

The market will shift as the season progresses and ownership figures will change sharply after the first couple of gameweeks. The window to pick up Wirtz and Gross at low ownership may close quickly if either starts with a bang.

Frequently asked

Is Florian Wirtz worth picking in FPL this season?
At £7.5m and around 14% ownership, Wirtz looks like a useful differential. His new manager Andoni Iraola has indicated he will play Wirtz as a central number 10 close to Alexander Isak, which should increase his involvement in Liverpool's attack compared to last season.
Who takes Brighton's penalties in FPL 2025-26?
Pascal Gross is expected to be Brighton's primary penalty taker this season following Danny Welbeck's departure to Chelsea. Gross converted a spot-kick in pre-season and also takes corners and free-kicks, giving him several routes to FPL returns at just £5.5m.
Should I pick Kinsky or Vicario as the Spurs goalkeeper in FPL?
The evidence points to Antonin Kinsky as Roberto De Zerbi's first choice. De Zerbi kept Kinsky in goal even after Vicario returned from injury during last season's run-in. At £4.5m, Kinsky is also significantly cheaper, making him a strong budget option if he retains the starting spot.