FPL Gameweek 22 Differentials: Low-Owned Players to Consider
Identifying the right differentials is one of the most effective ways to gain an edge in Fantasy Premier League, particularly in Gameweek 22, where fixture swings and rotation risk make low-owned starters increasingly valuable. Low-owned players with improving roles, favourable fixtures and secure minutes can provide the swing returns needed to climb mini-league standings.
This article highlights the best FPL differentials for Gameweek 22, focusing on players owned by fewer than five percent of managers who offer genuine upside based on fixture quality, form, and tactical role.
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Best FPL Differentials for Gameweek 22
Dan Ballard - 2.9% (Sunderland)
Sunderland's Daniel Ballard started the season emphatically with a goal and a clean sheet against West Ham. Since then, he's had a couple injuries but is now back fit, and the Sunderland defence has begun to look a lot more solid, especially at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland's next three fixtures are against Crystal Palace, West Ham and Burnley. All of them have struggled in front of goal recently, and two of them (Palace and Burnley) are at home.
Ballard and all other Sunderland defenders are great differentials from Gameweek 22 and beyond. Even when the schedule picks up, they're all in play for defensive contributions (DEFCON), as well.
Antonee Robinson - 0.8% (Fulham)
Antonee Robinson missed the beginning of the season with a nagging knee injury but returned for Fulham in Gameweek 16 against Burnley. He's started the last six league matches, going 90 in five of them.
Last season, he was one of the most attacking full-backs in the league, providing 10 assists from left-back. While he hasn't hit good DEFCON numbers recently as more of a wing-back, he had 23 DEFCON in starts against Burnley and Nottingham Forest as a left-back. If Fulham revert to four defenders once they get players back from injury, that'd boost Robinson's DEFCON chances.
Fulham have some nice fixtures in the coming weeks, including Leeds, Brighton and Everton, so the American could be a tasty differential at just £4.9m.
Marcus Tavernier - 2.4% (Bournemouth)
Antoine Semenyo completed his move to Manchester City after scoring with his final touch for Bournemouth against Spurs. One player who is set to benefit the most from that departure is Marcus Tavernier, as his minutes should now be much more secure.
With Justin Kluivert also out injured until around April, Tavernier could also be on penalty-taking duty, so he could prove a bargain at just £5.5m.
Elsewhere on Bournemouth, Junior Kroupi and David Brooks also stand to benefit since they need someone to take those minutes in the attack.
Xavi Simons - 1.0% (Tottenham Hotspur)
This one is risky as Spurs and Xavi Simons have struggled for most of the season and have won just one of their last six Premier League games. However, with West Ham and Burnley up next, Thomas Frank has the chance to turn the tide.
If Spurs do find some form and maybe some goals, the likes of Xavi Simons will be at the heart of it. The Dutch midfielder was impressive in the second half of Tottenham's FA Cup tie against Aston Villa and will be looking to take this into the West Ham fixture at the weekend.
If you don't count the match in which he was sent off, Simons has two goals and two assists from eight shots and three chances created in his last four league starts.
Liam Delap - 0.9% (Chelsea)
Liam Delap recently came back from a shoulder injury that kept him out for a few games in December. Since, he's started two of four league matches, going at least 87 in each of them.
In the first game under new manager Liam Rosenior, Delap went 90 and scored in the loss against Fulham.
I believe that he's one of the players who will see increased minutes under Rosenior, and Chelsea's next six fixtures are tops in the league with home games against West Ham, Leeds and Burnley in the near future. He could turn into a great differential, currently in just 0.9% of teams.
Junior Kroupi - 4.1% (Bournemouth)
I already mentioned that Marcus Tavernier stands to benefit from Antoine Semenyo leaving Bournemouth, and Junior Kroupi is another player who could see more minutes going forward.
Every time the Frenchman has started or made a cameo from the bench, he's impressed and has usually found the back of the net, already on seven league goals in just 575 minutes.
Evanilson is also having a less-than-impressive season, meaning that Kroupi could see minutes through the middle. At just £4.6m, Kroupi represents great value.
Final Thoughts: FPL Gameweek 22 Differentials
With several teams entering favourable fixture runs and ownership highly concentrated around a small core of players, Gameweek 22 offers a rare opportunity to gain ground through targeted differential picks. Players like Daniel Ballard and Antonee Robinson provide budget defensive upside, while attackers such as Delap and Simons offer value in improving matchups.
As always, monitor team news and predicted lineups before the deadline to maximise returns.
