Differentials matter even more in GW36 because rank swings are now driven by leverage, not just raw points. If your core looks similar to everyone around you, the quickest way to move is to back low-owned players with real projection behind them. This week, the standout names are heavily concentrated around Manchester City v Crystal Palace, and the numbers make that impossible to ignore.
Top 5 differentials for GW36
1. Bernardo Silva
Bernardo is the headline differential. He leads all sub-10 percent owned players for GW36 with 6.47 expected points, costs just £6.2m, and is owned by only 0.7%. The fixture is also ideal, home v CRY. His recent form of 3.0 is not explosive, but that is exactly why he works as a differential, the upside is tied to the fixture and City’s attacking environment, not public momentum.
2. James Trafford
Trafford sits second among all differentials on 6.15 xP at only £4.5m and 0.9% ownership. A goalkeeper with that projection is immediately relevant, especially when the match is at home to Crystal Palace. The obvious caveat is minutes uncertainty, and that applies to some of the names in this pool, but if you are chasing, few keepers offer this blend of price, upside, and ownership.
3. Khusanov
For managers wanting a more realistic route into the City defence, Khusanov is one of the best options on the board. He is priced at £5.4m, owned by only 0.7%, and carries 5.70 xP with a strong form of 6.0. That combination is excellent for GW36. A City defender at home in a high-projection fixture is exactly the kind of profile that can deliver both clean sheet points and bonus potential.
4. Nico Gonzalez
N.Gonzalez is another City route that will barely dent your budget or your ownership profile. He comes in at £5.9m, is selected by just 0.1%, and projects for 5.42 xP. The form of 1.0 is modest, so this is more about team context and fixture than current output, but that is often where late-season differentials are found before the crowd reacts.
5. Adam Wharton
If you want to step away from the obvious side of this fixture, Wharton is a viable contrarian pick. He has 5.27 xP, costs £5.0m, and is owned by just 0.7%. The matchup is difficult, away v MCI, but his projection still holds up against most low-owned midfielders this week. He is not the safest pick, but he offers a route to points without needing a goal-heavy role.
Risky punts
- Strand Larsen, £5.9m, 5.29 xP, 1.5% owned. Away to City is clearly uncomfortable, but any forward with that projection and that ownership deserves a mention for aggressive managers.
- Canvot, £4.5m, 5.27 xP, 0.5% owned. A defender with form of 4.2 and almost no ownership is the kind of punt that can flip mini-leagues if the match goes off script.
Verdict
Bernardo is the best all-round GW36 differential, the numbers are simply too strong to ignore. Khusanov looks the best defensive pick for managers wanting a lower-risk route. If you are chasing hard, Trafford and N.Gonzalez offer huge leverage. This is a week to attack low ownership with confidence, especially around City’s home fixture.