This article is part of our Fantasy Premier League Tips series.
FPL Gameweek 23 Differentials: Best Low-Owned Players to Target
Identifying the right differentials is one of the fastest ways to make up ground in Fantasy Premier League, especially in Gameweek 23 when fixtures and minutes security matter as much as raw form. This week's shortlist focuses on low-owned players (under 5%) who are either locked for minutes, trending into better roles or set up well by the upcoming matchups.
Below are the best FPL Gameweek 23 differentials, grouped by position, with quick rationale based on fixtures, team direction and likely involvement.
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Best FPL Differentials for Gameweek 23
Defenders
Dan Ballard - 3.0% (Sunderland)
Daniel Ballard keeps his place in this article from last week despite only scoring four points in Gameweek 22. While Sunderland allowed an early goal, Ballard still managed 13 defensive contributions, more than anyone else on their back line. The Black Cats face a struggling West Ham team this weekend.
Back in Gameweek 1, when Sunderland played West Ham, Ballard scored a goal, kept a clean sheet,and picked up defensive contribution points en route to a ridiculous 17-point haul.
I still think he's is the best differential defender to buy this week as Sunderland have another favorable matchup in Gameweek 24 against Burnley.
Vitalii Mykolenko - 0.8% (Everton)
Everton are starting to look a bit more solid defensively under David Moyes, having kept three clean sheets in their last five Premier League games. In Gameweek 23, they host Leeds, who have been much worse on the road this season.
None of the Everton defenders offer much attacking threat, but Mykolenko is probably the pick of the bunch in that regard.
At just £4.9m, the Ukrainian international could prove a nice differential for the coming Gameweeks.
Midfielders
Iliman Ndiaye - 3.2% (Everton)
Iliman Ndiaye has been away at the African Cup of Nations in recent weeks but expects to be back after winning the final against Morocco on Sunday. It'll be worth monitoring training this week to make sure he's available, but given the latest Jack Grealish injury news, Everton will want everyone available.
At the beginning of the season, Ndiaye was a highly sought-after midfield option due to his open-play threat and penalty-taking duties. Throw in points for DEFCON, which he's hit four times this season, and he has multiple routes to points.
The Senegalese international will likely regain popularity and potentially rise in value, so it's worth bringing him in at a discounted price before everyone else does.
Kevin Schade - 2.7% (Brentford)
Kevin Schade often finds himself in these articles due to Brentford's attack-first approach this season. Only five players took more shots than the German in Gameweek 22, and he was unlucky not to come away from the Chelsea game with a goal.
Despite keeping a clean sheet, Brentford's Gameweek 23 opponents, Nottingham Forest, allowed 14 shots in the box and a total of 2.1 xG against Arsenal. Forest have looked better under Sean Dyche, but their numbers away from home aren't nearly as pretty with a minus-eight goal differential in 11 matches.
I expect Brentford to find some joy going forward this weekend, and Kevin Schade is likely to be involved.
Forwards
Brian Brobbey - 0.5% (Sunderland)
Brian Brobbey found the back of the net once again at the weekend for Sunderland, scoring his fourth Premier League goal of the season. In Gameweek 23, Sunderland face West Ham, who have conceded 12 goals in their last six games which includes zero clean sheets.
Sunderland aren't the most impressive attack in the league, but if there is ever a time to back them, it's against this struggling West Ham defence.
Igor Jesus - 1.0% (Nottingham Forest)
In Chris Wood's absence, Igor Jesus has been the starting striker for Nottingham Forest this season. Admittedly, the Garibaldis haven't been scoring too many goals, but that could change this week.
Nottingham Forest travel to London to face Brentford this week. It's not the easiest spot, but Brentford have been in some high-scoring games this season and Forest have managed to score in their last two trips to Aston Villa and West Ham.
I expect goals from this game, meaning that Igor Jesus could be worth a punt at just £5.8m.
Final Thoughts: FPL Gameweek 23 Differentials
With ownership concentrated around a small core of template picks, Gameweek 23 is a strong week to attack with low-owned starters, especially where fixtures align with minutes security. Ballard and Mykolenko offer budget defensive routes to points, while Ndiaye, Schade and Brobbey provide upside if their roles and starts are confirmed.
Prioritise confirmed minutes via team news and predicted lineups before the deadline, and treat the forward punts as ceiling plays rather than "safe" picks.
