By Opta Analyst | Created at 2026-08-26 13:32:03 | Updated at 2026-09-18 22:22:37
3 weeks ago
Looking for the best FPL picks for GW2? Using Opta data, we highlight five Fantasy Premier League differentials owned by fewer than 10% of managers who could provide a valuable edge in Gameweek 2.
With the opening weekend of the Premier League out of the way, Fantasy Football managers may already be starting to make a few knee-jerk reactions.
Even if you’re not completely ripping apart your squad after just one round, we’ve picked out another five gems to consider making an early move for in Gameweek 2.
Using Opta data, this quintet of selections – all going under the radar and picked by less than 10% of Fantasy Premier League managers – could really steal the show.
GK – Robin Roefs | 5.0m | 4.2% Ownership
Despite Sunderland losing 2-1 away to Ipswich Town last Saturday, investing in Régis Le Bris’ backline may be sensible considering Fulham are their first visitors to the Stadium of Light.
Fulham scored just 17 goals on the road in the competition last season, with relegated Wolves (8) the only side to manage fewer away from home.
Sunderland also kept seven clean sheets at home last campaign, a tally bettered by only the top two, Arsenal (11) and Manchester City (9).
However, there is some uncertainty as to who starts here in Sunderland’s defence. Defender Trai Hume operated in a more advanced right-wing position against Ipswich, with new signing Thomas Meunier behind him at right-back.
Le Bris could also welcome back Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete to his starting XI, raising doubts as to whether he will stick with Dan Ballard and Luke O’Nien at centre-back again.
Therefore, the safest option from Sunderland’s backline may be Robin Roefs. His 136 points last season was the third most of any goalkeeper, behind Caoimhín Kelleher (143) and David Raya (162), but Roefs is still only picked by 4.2% of managers.
DEF – Adrien Truffert | 5.5m | 4.3% Ownership
Despite Marco Rose still finding his feet after replacing Andoni Iraola on the south coast, investing in the Bournemouth defence could be a smart move for their next home clash with Everton.
Only Arsenal (11) and Man City (14) conceded fewer goals at home than Bournemouth’s 20 in the 2025-26 Premier League. Just four teams could better their six clean sheets at the Vitality Stadium, too.
But who to pick from the Bournemouth defence? James Hill is a reliable option due to defensive contributions, while Djordje Petrovic could be one to consider, albeit he takes up one of two goalkeeper slots.
However, Adrien Truffert is the standout selection. His 165 points made him the sixth-highest-scoring defender overall last season, returning 28 more than Bournemouth’s second-best player (Marcus Tavernier, 137).
Truffert also racked up seven defensive contributions – three short of the points-scoring threshold for his position – in Bournemouth’s 2-1 opening defeat at Man City. Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye should keep him on his toes again here, adding potential to score DEFCON points.
But Truffert’s primary appeal comes at the other end of the pitch. He scored once and managed five assists in the competition last campaign, so you’d expect him to be flying forward once more against David Moyes’ side.
MID – Cody Gakpo | 7.0m | 4.9% Ownership
Considering Liverpool host Nottingham Forest next, before visiting Ipswich and welcoming Fulham to Anfield, it would be sensible to cash in early on their seemingly favourable run of fixtures.
However, point-scoring machine Mohamed Salah left for Trabzonspor, and Dominik Szoboszlai, Virgil van Dijk, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak are all in more than 10% of teams already.
But one route into Liverpool’s assets could be Cody Gakpo, who is currently selected by just 4.9% of managers worldwide.
Gakpo’s 12 goal involvements ranked him fourth among Liverpool players last term, though Szoboszlai (13) looks to be playing a deeper role for Iraola, Salah (14) has gone and Hugo Ekitiké (15) remains out with a long-term Achilles issue.
The Dutchman isn’t shy of trying his luck either. No Liverpool player managed anywhere near his 87 shots in the previous campaign – free-kick taker Szoboszlai was the next best on 71.
Plus, Gakpo comes into this one on the back of a 12-point haul against Newcastle United after scoring a lovely equaliser, hitting the defensive contributions threshold and claiming maximum bonus points.
Only four midfielders returned more points than him on Gameweek 1. Keep an eye on some reports that suggest Gakpo could still leave Anfield before the end of this transfer window, but he could be a great differential if he stays in England.
MID – Mamadou Sangaré | 5.5m | 5.9% Ownership
Talking of high-scoring midfielders from the first round of fixtures, Mamadou Sangaré immediately proved his worth on debut as Brentford’s club-record signing.
The former Lens man claimed two fantasy assists, managed 13 defensive contributions and claimed all three bonus points available in his 14-point return in Brentford’s 3-0 victory over Tottenham.
His attacking output shouldn’t be too heavily relied on, however. He only managed three goals and four assists in 32 Ligue 1 starts for Lens last season.
His defensive-contribution potential is through the roof, though. Sangaré would have earned the additional two points for 12 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions and tackles in 19 of his 32 starts for Lens, nearing an outstanding 60% success rate.
Indeed, Sangaré averaged a remarkable 14.2 defensive contributions per 90 last campaign, a tally that placed him top of all Ligue 1 players. He would have bettered any Premier League midfielder for that metric as well in 2025-26.
Although a trip to Leeds United on Sunday may appear daunting, Sangaré’s potential for defensive contributions makes him a trusty set-and-forget player in your XI before his ownership climbs even further. It won’t stay this low for long.
FWD – Yoane Wissa | 6.0m | 2.5% Ownership
Yoane Wissa may not have scored in the opener against Liverpool, but his role in a 2-2 draw for Newcastle should encourage potential fantasy suitors.
The DR Congo striker had four shots – two more than any other Newcastle player – and assisted Joe Willock’s breakaway finish in the thrilling contest at St. James’ Park.
His yellow card brought his return down to just four points, but Wissa could easily have recorded a double-digit haul if not for squandering two great chances.
In fact, Wissa’s opportunities accounted for 1.0 of Newcastle’s total 1.6 expected goals (xG), and Matthias Jaissle will surely rely heavily on the former Brentford striker in the coming weeks.
Although Newcastle travel to Tottenham on Saturday, you’d expect more counter-attacking chances to come against a new-look Spurs defence. They conceded 3.09 xG from non-penalty shots in their chastening defeat at Brentford.
Wissa could also be a decent long-term pick outside of just Gameweek 2. Home fixtures against Bournemouth and Hull City follow the Spurs visit, along with trips to Leeds and Coventry City, as he looks to form a fearsome partnership with Will Osula. He is one of six players we’ve tipped to have a “bounce-back campaign” this season.
*FPL player values and ownership data accurate as of 26 August 2026
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