THT FPL Top Differential Recommendations: Gameweek 17

The Hard Tackle lists the five best differentials to consider to bring into your team heading into FPL Gameweek 17 of the 2025/26 season.

For Gameweek 17, Matheus Nunes, Marcus Tavernier, Rayan Cherki, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Kenny Tete all tick that sweet FPL box: good fixtures, promising underlying form and, crucially, very low ownership that can rocket a rank if things break right.

Each brings a slightly different route to points, but together they offer managers a rare chance to attack a matchweek where many rivals will simply roll a transfer or double down on the same template picks.​

Setting the Gameweek 17 stage in FPL

Gameweek 17 sits at that tricky point in the season where the table has taken shape but FPL mini-leagues remain fluid, and most engaged managers already share a large chunk of the same core players.

Erling Haaland is everywhere, a couple of Arsenal or Liverpool assets are almost non‑negotiable, and even the popular mid-price bandwagons have been well and truly jumped on. If a manager wants to make meaningful ground now, it usually comes not from matching template returns but from hitting on one or two differentials with a strong combination of form and fixture.​

This is also the time when fixture swings and accumulated fatigue begin to expose weak spots in certain teams, both in attack and defence. Some sides have cooled off after hot starts; others are quietly struggling at both ends of the pitch despite pre-season optimism.

Reading those trends correctly, and then backing the right low-owned players against vulnerable opponents, is often what separates those who climb over December from those who watch a solid season drift into “also‑ran” territory.​ The five names under the microscope here do not scream safety; they are not the premium captains or the obvious mid-price midfielders FPL social media talks about every hour.

Instead, they sit in that under‑owned bracket where one haul can transform a gameweek, and even a steady stream of sixes and sevens can quietly move a manager up the ranks while everyone else sweats the same template failures. The key is understanding why the specific Gameweek 17 matchups suit them, and whether the recent numbers support the eye test.​

With that in mind, each section below looks at an FPL‑relevant angle: how the opponent has been performing in the relevant phase (attacking or defending), how the player’s recent output stacks up, and how ownership turns them into potential rank weapons rather than just nice‑to‑have picks. The final table will pull everything together, giving a snapshot of the main appeal and risk level for each recommended transfer.​

Matheus Nunes: exploiting West Ham’s blunt edge

At first glance, targeting a midfielder listed as a Manchester City “defender” in some fantasy formats for a fixture against West Ham United might look overly cute, but the underlying numbers make this more than a vanity punt.

West Ham’s attacking output this season has been mediocre at best; they are sitting on 19 league goals with a goals‑per‑90 figure around 1.19, supported by a shot volume that suggests sterile pressure more often than truly dangerous attacking play. The Hammers have taken 159 shots but converted at a rate that places them in the low‑scoring bracket, and with only three wins and nine defeats, they are not consistently turning possession into threat against better sides.​

That blunt edge is particularly relevant when facing a Manchester City side that typically dominates territory and forces opponents to attack with limited numbers and from poor areas. West Ham’s tendency to rely on moments rather than sustained quality means their forwards often end up isolated, and their attacking patterns break down before they reach truly high‑value chances.

For a Manchester City asset, that increases the odds of both clean-sheet potential and high‑turnover situations, which can translate into attacking returns if Nunes is allowed to step into the half‑spaces and drive at a stretched defence.​ From an FPL perspective, the real hook is ownership.

Sitting at around 1.7%, Nunes offers the kind of differential profile that can flip a mini‑league storyline in a single weekend. If Manchester City manage a routine win and he is involved in even one goal, on top of appearance and potential DEFCON points, managers who backed him will be collecting returns that almost nobody else in their leagues will share. Given the combination of City’s dominance, West Ham’s misfiring attack and Nunes’s upward curve, this is exactly the kind of calculated risk that can pay off in Gameweek 17.​

Marcus Tavernier: punishing Burnley’s soft underbelly

Burnley’s story over the last couple of seasons has been defined by a curious split between defensive organisation and their struggles when stretched at Premier League level. Under Scott Parker, they arrived with a reputation for a safety‑first structure, but even a carefully drilled system can creak when the overall talent level is lower and the step up in attacking quality is sharp.

Current numbers show a side that still spends plenty of time without the ball and relies heavily on blocking lanes and last‑ditch interventions rather than dominating duels higher up the pitch. Against opponents willing to run at them and switch play quickly, cracks appear, and when the dam breaks, it tends to do so in bunches rather than isolated incidents.​

In raw terms, Burnley’s defensive record this season is far from elite. They are conceding frequently, with their goals‑against column and shots‑conceded tally reflecting a team that spends long stretches under pressure and cannot always keep the box clean.

That is exactly the kind of defensive profile that invites a pick like Marcus Tavernier into the conversation, especially when Bournemouth are at their best when they can transition quickly and attack space. Burnley’s conservative approach can actually work against them here: once they are pulled side to side, arriving runners like Tavernier often find pockets around the edge of the area to shoot or slip team‑mates in.​

Tavernier’s season has quietly built momentum. He has chipped in with goals and assists across recent gameweeks, and his points log reflects that: a mix of steady two‑ and three‑point outings punctuated by bigger returns when Bournemouth find their attacking rhythm.

His set‑piece involvement adds another dimension, with corners and indirect free‑kicks giving him extra paths to fantasy points even if he does not score from open play. From a stylistic standpoint, his constant energy and willingness to take on defenders make him a natural threat against a side that prefers to sit rather than press aggressively.​

With ownership hovering around the 2.0% mark, Tavernier is another genuine differential. Many FPL managers gravitate towards better‑known mid‑price midfielders at more fashionable clubs, leaving players like Tavernier under the radar despite strong fixtures.

In a home match against a Burnley side that has looked vulnerable when dragged into open exchanges, backing him is not a wild swing but a reasoned punt with multiple paths to double‑digit returns, and almost no downside in terms of ownership risk.​

Rayan Cherki: Manchester City’s wildcard vs West Ham’s leaky backline

If Matheus Nunes offers a blend of control and under‑the‑radar output, Rayan Cherki brings box‑office flair wrapped in differential potential. The Frenchman’s Manchester City spell so far has been defined by flashes of brilliance interrupted by injuries, rotation, and the usual adaptation period under a demanding tactical structure.

When he does play, however, the talent is obvious: he drifts into pockets between the lines, carries the ball with purpose and has the vision to find runners in behind. That profile is exactly what can hurt a West Ham United defence that has been conceding far too often this season.​

Defensively, West Ham’s numbers are worrying. They have already shipped 32 goals, conceding at a rate of 2 per 90 minutes, which places them among the worst back lines in the division by raw goals‑against. The volume of shots they allow, coupled with the quality of chances conceded, tells the story of a unit that struggles to maintain concentration and structure for 90 minutes, especially when pinned back for long periods.

Against a possession‑heavy side like Manchester City, that is a dangerous mix: long spells of defending, late tracking of runners, and gaps between full‑backs and centre‑backs are exactly the situations where a player like Cherki thrives.​ Cherki’s recent fantasy points haul reflects his stop‑start season but also hints at upside.

From an ownership perspective, the picture is enticing. At around 5.5%, Cherki is low‑owned enough to act as a clear differential but popular enough that there is some recognition of his potential.

That balance is useful: the pick is bold but not entirely out on a limb, and if he hits against a porous West Ham defence, managers who backed him will see an immediate boost over those who stayed rigidly with safer but less explosive midfield options. For those willing to bet on talent and fixture rather than guaranteed 90‑minute security, Cherki looks tailor‑made for an aggressive Gameweek 17 move.​

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Crystal Palace’s pain, Leeds United’s gain

Crystal Palace have lurched between solid and shaky all season, struggling to string together convincing defensive performances. Their backline has looked particularly vulnerable when faced with powerful central forwards who can pin centre‑backs, contest aerial balls and bring runners into play.

That dynamic plays directly into Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s hands at Leeds United, where his role as the focal point of the attack remains clear: lead the line, occupy defenders and attack deliveries into the box. Palace’s inconsistency suggests this is the sort of matchup where a classic number nine can thrive.​

Leeds United’s attacking structure has increasingly revolved around getting quality service into the final third, and Calvert‑Lewin’s presence gives them a natural target for both crosses and through balls. Even in games where Leeds struggle for control, set pieces and second‑phase situations keep him involved, which in FPL terms translates into regular touches in the penalty area and decent shot volume.

The summer arrival’s recent points history shows this: a mixture of blanks in tougher fixtures but also a series of games with returns when Leeds United manage to pin back opponents and play closer to the box. The underlying pattern is of a forward who is heavily involved whenever his team has a foothold in the game.​

Ownership around the 4.0% mark keeps Calvert‑Lewin firmly in differential territory. Many managers distrust him because of past injury issues or simply prefer forwards from more glamorous attacks, which depresses his selection rate even when underlying numbers and fixtures are decent.

That creates an opportunity in Gameweek 17: a starting striker with penalty‑box pedigree against a Crystal Palace side that has not convinced defensively is precisely the sort of calculated gamble that can separate an active manager from more passive rivals. If Leeds generate a handful of good chances, there is a strong probability that Calvert‑Lewin will be on the end of at least one of them.​

Kenny Tete: quietly reliable, quietly explosive

Fulham’s 2025/26 campaign has been steady rather than spectacular, but within that stability, Kenny Tete has quietly built a strong case as a value defender. Operating on the right side, he offers more than just standard full‑back duties: overlapping runs, decent delivery and a willingness to step into midfield when the system allows.

In FPL terms, that translates into clean‑sheet potential plus the occasional attacking return, especially in home fixtures or matches where Fulham are able to push their full‑backs higher. The season so far has brought a mix of solid defensive outings and the odd assist or chance creation that hints at more to come.​

Gameweek 17 pitches Fulham against a Nottingham Forest side that has found consistency hard to grasp. Forest’s broader story now includes the extra weight of European football, and the squad has been stretched by having to juggle multiple competitions. That has fed into patchy league form, with statistical profiles highlighting a team that still leans heavily on counter‑attacks and often struggles to control games over 90 minutes.

The result is an attack that can be dangerous in bursts but rarely dominates, and a pattern of matches where Nottingham Forest go missing for long spells, favourable conditions for a well‑structured defence like Fulham’s to bank a clean sheet.​

Tete’s recent points log reflects this blend of solidity and upside. There have been standard two‑point appearances in tougher fixtures, but also clean sheets and the occasional attacking involvement in kinder match-ups, producing returns that look very attractive for his price bracket.

Crucially, he has been involved enough in the final third to suggest that assists are not a fluke but part of his regular contribution when Fulham are on the front foot.​ Differential status is almost an understatement here.

With ownership sitting at around 0.9%, Tete is essentially invisible in most FPL squads. That means any clean sheet, let alone a clean sheet plus attacking return, will deliver a huge relative gain for the few managers who have backed him. Against an inconsistent Nottingham Forest juggling European commitments and domestic pressures, Tete looks like one of the most under‑the‑radar defensive picks for Gameweek 17.​

FPL differential picks at a glance

Honourable mentions for the brave

Beyond the core five, there are several other names who merit at least a quick scan before the Gameweek 17 deadline. Neco Williams offers attacking thrust from full‑back when Nottingham Forest click going forward, even if their overall inconsistency makes him a risk‑reward play. Malo Gusto brings crossing volume and occasional assists potential in a Chelsea side that can pile pressure on weaker opponents when things click, though rotation always lurks.​

Further upfield, Elliot Anderson has flashed creativity and energy when handed minutes, making him a budget midfield punt for those looking to free up funds. Mikel Merino, with his box‑to‑box profile, offers both late‑run goal threat and set‑piece involvement that can translate nicely into fantasy points when fixtures align.

Finally, in the forward line, Callum Wilson and Igor Jesus stand out as classic high‑upside gambles: Wilson’s finishing record speaks for itself when he is fit, while Igor Jesus brings a more unknown quantity but enough raw talent to tempt managers looking for a very bold move. For those prepared to embrace a little chaos, these names could provide the extra push that turns a good Gameweek 17 into a memorable one.