The new Fantasy Premier League season is almost here, and once again, most managers will find themselves hunting for value and differential picks outside the usual big hitters. Whether you’re a template follower or a risk-taker, there’s a lot to unpack among the mid-table clubs this year. Let’s break down the top assets from Wolves, West Ham, Bournemouth, Manchester United, Everton, and then take a quick look at the ultimate Differentials for those managers brave enough to chase those elusive green arrows.

Wolves: Trust in Strand Larsen – But Who Else?

Wolves rarely dominate FPL conversations, but there’s one player who stands out for 2025/26: Jorgen Strand Larsen (£6.5m). With 14 goals and four assists in just 30 starts last season (despite not being on penalties), Strand Larsen is poised for even bigger things this year now that Cunha has departed. The Norwegian is tipped to take spot kicks, making him the clear focal point of Wolves’ attack. He’s already opened his preseason account, and with winnable fixtures early on, he could offer more consistency than most in his price bracket.

Looking for a budget midfielder? Keep an eye on Jhon Arias (£5.5m). He’s a new arrival with flair, set-piece potential, and a history of creating chances. Arias may not be nailed for 90 minutes just yet, but if he starts strong, the left-sided role could be his to lose. Lastly, for those who love a budget defender, Ki-Jana Hoever (£4.0m) is worth considering as Wolves rebuild their defence. He’s shown attacking promise, but is probably best used in rotation – especially with home games against Everton and Leeds in the early weeks.

West Ham: Bowen’s New Role, Wan-Bissaka’s Bonus Appeal

If you’re after guaranteed returns, Jarrod Bowen (£8.0m) is your man. Reclassified as a forward, Bowen scored 13 and assisted 11 last year, topping 193 FPL points and outshining every other Hammer by a distance. He’s the main attacking threat, and West Ham’s opening fixture against Sunderland looks a good place to start.

Defensively, the introduction of bonus points for defensive actions puts Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) and Max Kilman (£4.5m) firmly on the FPL radar. Wan-Bissaka’s move from Manchester United saw him rack up two goals and six assists, and his interceptions and tackles mean he could pick up extra points under the new rules. Keep an eye on how the signing of Kyle Walker-Peters impacts his minutes. Kilman, meanwhile, is a clearance machine, perfect for picking up those new defender bonuses – and potentially a safe pick if you want a solid, busy centre-back.

Bournemouth: Kluivert’s Penalties and Truffert’s Attacking Promise

Justin Kluivert (£7.0m) offers goals, creativity, and – crucially – penalties. With 12 league goals last season (including a hat-trick of spot kicks at Wolves), Kluivert leads Bournemouth’s attacking options. Manager Andoni Iraola’s attacking setup means Bournemouth are expected to keep scoring, even with a tough run of fixtures to start.

Antoine Semenyo (£7.0m) is another reliable attacking pick, leading the team for shots last year and trailing only Salah and Palmer for attempts league-wide. He’s a safe, ever-present threat in the box, already scoring in pre-season. At the back, Adrien Truffert (£4.5m) stands out. The new French left-back brings attacking upside (already bagging a brace in preseason) and could prove a budget gem, even if he starts on the bench for tough fixtures like Liverpool away.

Manchester United: Fernandes Still the Main Man

Despite United’s rocky season, Bruno Fernandes (£9.0m) remains their best FPL asset. Eight goals and 12 assists last year tell the story, but his all-round play – set pieces, penalties, and a high number of ball recoveries – give him multiple routes to points. The new defensive contributions rule should only boost his appeal.

Patrick Dorgu (£4.5m) is the best defensive option after a lively preseason, with a goal and assist already. He looks nailed for starts and has enough attacking intent to make him worth watching. Amad (£6.5m) is a wildcard pick – he broke out last year with eight goals and eight assists but may play a deeper role due to United’s new signings. Still, his price makes him tempting if you want a mid-priced punt. As for new arrivals Cunha and Mbeumo, consider waiting to see how they settle before investing.

Everton: Value Up Front and at the Back

If you’re looking for a budget forward, Beto (£5.5m) offers strong early-season value. Eight goals in 15 starts last season and on penalties in preseason, he’s the focal point of Everton’s attack. Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m) edged Beto for goals last season and is the usual penalty taker, but his price is a little higher and rotation risk remains.

Defensively, James Tarkowski (£5.5m) could be a game-changer under the new rules. He would’ve been among the top scorers for defensive actions last season, and with Everton boasting strong underlying defensive numbers, there’s reason for optimism. With Pickford’s price up and fullback rotation likely, Tarkowski is the safest Toffee in defence.

The Ultimate Differentials

Want to really break away from the pack? The Ultimate Differentials is all about low ownership and high upside. A few highlights:

• Bart Verbruggen (Brighton, £4.5m) pairs well for rotation and offers clean sheet potential as Brighton improve defensively.
• Murillo and Milenkovic (Nottingham Forest, £5.5m)  both are bonus and goal magnets; early fixtures are strong for defensive returns.

• Muñoz (Crystal Palace, £5.5m) ultra-attacking fullback with serious goal threat.
• Eze (Palace, £7.5m), Gibbs-White (Forest, £7.5m), Kluivert (Bournemouth, £7.0m) each could deliver big points and are owned by under 10% of managers.
• Evanilson (Bournemouth, £7.0m) and Wissa (Brentford, £7.5m) flying under the radar up front despite strong returns last year.

Differentials like these are best used to complement a solid core. Don’t go all in, but having two or three low-owned gems can supercharge your rank if they hit early.

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May your arrows be green. happy managing!

Hugo Ekitiké has been assigned a Fantasy Premier League value of £8.5 million as the 2025/26 season approaches, offering managers an intriguing new forward option. The French striker recently completed his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt to Liverpool, joining compatriot Florian Wirtz and fellow newcomers Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Milos Kerkez on Merseyside.

Ekitiké has already begun pre-season duties in Asia, integrating with his new team ahead of Liverpool’s campaign kickoff. His initial FPL valuation matches that of Florian Wirtz, though it remains to be seen how quickly he will settle into Brendan Rodgers’s attacking setup.

Liverpool’s opening fixture at Anfield against Bournemouth is expected to feature Ekitiké leading the attack. However, the precise offensive formation is yet to be finalized, with options including Wirtz playing either centrally or on the left wing, and the presence of established attackers Cody Gakpo and Luis Díaz—assuming Díaz remains with the club. Pre-season matches against AC Milan, Yokohama F. Marinos, Athletic Club, and the FA Community Shield are likely to provide clarity on the team’s attacking roles.

Ekitiké’s performances in these fixtures, particularly in the Wembley Community Shield against Crystal Palace, will be key in determining his suitability as an FPL asset. Should he impress, he might represent a cost-effective alternative in the forward line. However, Fantasy managers may opt for more proven selections such as Erling Haaland or take a risk on other new arrivals like Viktor Gyökeres.

Additionally, ongoing transfer speculation surrounding Alexander Isak could further influence FPL strategies during the summer window.

For those looking beyond player choices, a selection of creative FPL team names for the season is also available to inspire managers.