The Hard Tackle lists the five best differentials to consider to bring into your team heading into FPL Gameweek 23 of the 2025/26 season.
Gameweek 23 in the Premier League brings some tasty matchups where smart FPL managers can grab an edge with low-owned players. These differentials are not the usual suspects like Erling Haaland or Bruno Fernandes that everyone captains. Instead, they are guys flying under the radar, facing weak opponents and poised for big hauls.
FPL punters love chasing those unique picks that could turn a mid-table rank into a top 10k leap. With the season hitting its stride in January 2026, ownership percentages matter more than ever. Template teams dominate, but slipping in a 0.3% owned defender or a 2.8% midfielder can deliver captaincy-level returns without the herd.
The beauty of these Gameweek 23 options lies in the fixtures. Wolves struggle to score, Bournemouth cannot fire blanks up top, Nottingham Forest leak goals, Leeds United have backline woes, and West Ham United mix solid spells with meltdowns. Pair that with players stepping up due to injuries or form, and you’ve got transfers screaming to be made before the deadline.
Managers need to act fast because blanks and doubles loom later. These five stand out as short-term punts to boost your points without wrecking the budget. Let’s break them down one by one, seeing why each could be your GW23 hero.
Abdukodir Khusanov: City Rock at the Back
Manchester City’s Abdukodir Khusanov looks primed for a breakout in Gameweek 23 against Wolves. The young Uzbek defender steps into a defence hit hard by injuries to Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. With those big names out, Khusanov gets minutes and a clean sheet chance against a Wolves side that has been all over the place in attack.
Wolves have huffed and puffed without much firepower this season, ranking low in expected threat and goals from central areas. Their diagonal passes often go astray, leading to turnovers that City can punish. Khusanov’s solidity, at just 0.3% ownership, makes him a sneaky FPL differential for bonus points and potential goal-line clearances. Expect him to rack up those easy saves and tackles in a game City should boss.
Jeremie Frimpong: Liverpool’s Attacking Full-Back Fire
Jeremie Frimpong has turned heads at Liverpool this term, and Gameweek 23’s clash with Bournemouth screams FPL points. The Dutch right-back, who joined from Bayer Leverkusen with a reputation for bombing forward, has notched steady returns lately, chipping in with assists in recent outings and clean sheets in tough ties. His improving form aligns perfectly with Bournemouth’s blunt attack.
Bournemouth sit mid-table in expected threat, struggling to create danger with high critical ball losses and poor close-range finishes. They have lost aerial duels and conceded progressive plays easily. Frimpong’s 6.8% ownership keeps him off most radars, but his overlapping runs could yield attacking returns in a fixture Liverpool dominate. Recent hauls make him a no-brainer short-term purchase.
Kevin Schade: Brentford’s FPL Demon
Kevin Schade has been Brentford’s spark plug in midfield this 2025/26 campaign, and facing Nottingham Forest in FPL GW23 feels like robbery. The German speedster has terrorised defences with solo goals and dribbles past markers. His recent form shows consistent 6+ hauls, including goal involvements against top sides.
Nottingham Forest’s backline has been a sieve, shipping goals from counters and set-pieces amid their mid-table scrap. Schade thrives in transition, exploiting spaces their defenders vacate. Owned by only 2.8% of the managers, he is the ultimate differential, offering low risk for high reward if Brentford hit them on the break. Pair his exploits with Forest’s woes, and you’re looking at double-digit potential.
Iliman Ndiaye: Everton’s FPL Wizard
Iliman Ndiaye brings flair to Everton’s midfield, and the home game against Leeds United in Gameweek 23 could unlock his best. The Senegalese ace, grabbed from Marseille for under £17 million, influences games with clever runs and key passes in the danger zone. Leeds United’s defence has leaked like a sieve, struggling with high lines and turnovers.
Ndiaye’s low 3.2% ownership hides his threat, especially with the player high on confidence after his exploits at the Africa Cup of Nations. Leeds rank poorly in restricting advances, letting opponents build expected threat freely. Everton’s counter-style suits Ndiaye perfectly here, turning the away side’s issues into his hauls.
Brian Brobbey: Sunderland’s Goal Machine Up Top
Brian Brobbey has been a revelation for Sunderland this season, banging in goals and assists at a clip. Gameweek 23’s game against West Ham United plays right into his hands, with the Hammers’ defence flipping between stout and sloppy. The Dutch forward’s recent streak shows he is in the zone.
West Ham’s inconsistencies mean they concede from set-pieces and wide areas, where Brobbey bullies markers. His 0.6% ownership is criminal for a striker hitting 2.0+ xG per match lately. Sunderland need his firepower in their push, and this fixture screams captaincy vibes for the ultra-low owned forward. Recent hauls against Crystal Palace and Tottenham prove he is no flash in the pan.
FPL Differential Transfer Recommendations at a Glance
| Player | Club | Opponent | Main Appeal | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdukodir Khusanov | Manchester City | Wolves (H) | Injury cover, clean sheet vs weak attack, 0.3% owned | Low |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Liverpool | Bournemouth (A) | Attacking returns, improving form, 6.8% owned | Medium |
| Kevin Schade | Brentford | Nottingham Forest (H) | Speed vs leaky defense, recent hauls, 2.8% owned | Low |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Everton | Leeds United (H) | Final third magic vs poor backline, 3.2% owned | Medium |
| Brian Brobbey | Sunderland | West Ham United (A) | Goals/assists form, ultra-low 0.6% owned | Low |
Honourable Mentions
A few other differentials worth eyeing include Joachim Andersen for his Fulham clean sheet potential, Jan Paul van Hecke anchoring Brighton’s backline, Antony Gordon’s Newcastle United runs, Amad Diallo sparking Manchester United, Raul Jimenez sniffing goals at Fulham, and Yoane Wissa chipping in for Newcastle United. Keep tabs as fixtures evolve.