3 low-end options to consider

With the November international break drawing to a close, it’s time for an early edition of our Discover the Differential column for Matchweek 12.

At the time this article was written, these three players had ownership of 5.0% or less in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL).

MATTHEW CUNHA

• FPL Ownership: 4.4%
• Price: £7.9 million
• GW12-16 match schedule: NIGHT | crying | WHU | wool | BU

While most Fantasy managers chose him Bruno Fernandes (£8.9 million) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.5m) in pursuit of coverage of Manchester United, in which it owns a 4.4% stake Matheus Cunha (£7.9m) represents a departure from the crowd.

Despite his admitted poor form, the Brazilian scored against Brighton and Hove Albion in his latest home appearance, which bodes well for Everton who are set to visit Old Trafford in Matchday 12.

Digging into his basic stats, only six FPL midfielders have amassed more shots than Cunha over the last six Matchweeks (14), despite just five attempts from inside the box.

He also ranks second in terms of chances of involvement – ​​behind only Fernandes – among team-mates over the same period:

Cunha will certainly make the most of his opportunity in Gameweek 12 against an Everton backline who have yet to keep a clean sheet in their five away games this season.

Additionally, David Moyes’ side failed to exercise any control away from home, as they rank 14th in minutes per expected goal conceded (xGC, 62.3), with just 39.1% possession, which is the lowest among all top-flight teams.

This suggests that United will spend much of Monday’s game in Everton’s half, with much time spent probing in and around the opposition penalty box, with Cunha’s skill and creativity from such situations being a potential weapon.

Matches against West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers (x2) and Bournemouth before the end of the year further highlighted Cunha’s appeal, especially with Mbeumo and Amad Diallo (£6.3m) leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next month.

KEVIN’S DAMAGE

• FPL Ownership: 0.8%
• Price: £7.0 million
• GW12-16 match schedule: is | NOT | said | total | LEE

Behind Igor Thiago (£6.3 million), Kevin Damage (£7.0m) has been Brentford’s most impressive FPL performer this season.

In just 11 Matchweeks, the German has scored three goals and provided two assists, having produced three counter-attacks in the last four Matchweeks.

In that time frame (Matchweeks 8-11), Schade has combined for eight shots inside the box and seven chances created, resulting in 1.78 non-penalty expected goal involvements (NPxGI), the most of any Brentford player.

Next up for Keith Andrews’ side is a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 12. The Seagulls have kept clean sheets in their last two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United, but before that, conceded four goals at Old Trafford.

Additionally, Schade – who has produced points in four of his five home games this season – will be encouraged by the fact that Brentford then host Burnley, who have surrendered the second-most headed attempts in the 2025/26 season (43).

Schade ranked fifth in the division last season for headed shots (22).

Additionally, Brighton and Burnley are among the four worst teams to concede key passes from the right wing, thereby increasing the assist potential of left wingers:

Clashes against Leeds United (h), Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) and Bournemouth (a) before the end of the year further strengthen Schade’s case as a mid-range midfielder worth considering.

IBRAHIMA KONATE

• FPL Ownership: 2.7%
• Price: £5.4 million
• GW12-16 match schedule: NFO | what| SUN | see | THERE IS

Liverpool may have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven league games, but they are now looking to embark on a fine run of fixtures.

Arne Slot’s men face Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, Sunderland, Leeds United (x2), Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers before the turn of the year, with five meetings at home.

As for Konate, the Frenchman ranks second in terms of clearances (66), blocks (seven) and tackles (17) among his Liverpool teammates in the 2025/26 season.

He also ranked third for total defensive contribution (DefCon), behind only Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6 million) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.9m), having reached the DefCon threshold in 45.5% of his appearances.

What’s more, Konate has actually recorded more header attempts than van Dijk in the first 11 Matchweeks, with the number of header attempts being five to four.

It could also be important, as their next opponents, Forest and West Ham, have by far the worst records of conceding goals from set pieces in the 2025/26 season.

It’s true, Liverpool and Konate have been well below their best this season, but with just 2.7% ownership, Konate’s early adopters might give themselves a chance to gain some useful differentiation.

In fact, in five home league games this season, Liverpool have kept two clean sheets, conceded just five goals and conceded the third fewest shots on target (13). Given the series of matches mentioned above, early indications are that Konate could catch our attention again.