With the November international break almost over, it’s time for an early edition of our Spot the Differential column for Gameweek 12.
At the time of writing, these three players all have 5.0% ownership or less in Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
MATHEUS CUNHA
- FPL Ownership: 4.4%
- Price: £7.9 million
- GW12-16 fixtures: EVA | cry | WHU | wool | BOU
While most Fantasy managers opt for Bruno Fernandes (£8.9 million) and Bryan Mbeumo (£8.5m) in their bid to cover 4.4% ownership of Manchester United Matheus Cunha (£7.9 million) represents a departure from the masses.
Despite claiming inferior form, the Brazilian found the net against Brighton and Hove Albion in his most recent home appearance, which bodes well for Everton as they prepare to visit Old Trafford in Gameweek 12.
Looking at his underlying stats, only six FPL midfielders have collected more shots than Cunha in the last six gameweeks (14), albeit with only five of those attempts coming from inside the penalty area.
He also ranks second in casual involvement – behind only Fernandes – among teammates over the same period:
Cunha will certainly be looking to make the most of his opportunities in Gameweek 12 against an Everton backline that has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their five away games this season.
Furthermore, David Moyes’ side have failed to exert any control when playing on the road, as they rank 14th for minutes per expected goal (xGC, 62.3), with just 39.1% possession, which is the lowest of all the top teams.
It suggests United will spend the majority of Monday’s match in the Everton half, with plenty of time spent exploring in and around the opposition penalty area, with Cunha’s craft and creativity a potentially crucial weapon in such situations.
Matches against West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers (x2) and Bournemouth before the end of the year further highlight Cunha’s appeal, especially with Mbeumo and Amad Diallo (£6.3m) goes to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next month.
KEVIN DAMAGE
- FPL Ownership: 0.8%
- Price: £7.0 million
- GW12-16 fixtures: became | BUR | said | to | LEE
Behind Igor Thiago (£6.3 million), Kevin Damage (£7.0m) was Brentford’s most impressive FPL performer this season.
Just eleven gameweeks later, the German has three goals and two assists to his name, having produced three of those attacking goals in the last four gameweeks.
In that time frame (Gameweeks 8-11), Schade has combined eight shots into the box and created seven chances, yielding a non-penalty expected goal involvement (NPxGI) of 1.78, the most of any Brentford player.
Next up for Keith Andrews’ side is an away game to Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 12. The Seagulls have kept clean sheets in each of their last two games against Crystal Palace and Leeds United, but have scored four goals at Old Trafford before that.
Furthermore, Schade – who has scored points in four of his five home games this season – will be encouraged by Brentford next entertaining Burnley, who have conceded the second-most headed attempts in 2025/26 (43).
Damage was tied for fifth in the division last season due to head shots (22).
Furthermore, both Brighton and Burnley are among the four worst teams for key passes from their right flank, increasing the left winger’s assist potential:
Clashes against Leeds United (h), Wolverhampton Wanderers (a) and Bournemouth (a) before the end of the year strengthen Schade’s position as a midfielder to consider.
IBRAHIMA KONATE
- FPL Ownership: 2.7%
- Price: £5.4 million
- GW12-16 fixtures: NFO | wha| SUN | lazy | THERE WERE
Liverpool may have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of their last seven league matches, but they are now about to embark on a fine run of games.
Before the turn of the year, Arne Slot’s team will face Nottingham Forest, West Ham United, Sunderland, Leeds United (x2), Brighton and Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers, five of which will be at home.
As for Konate, the Frenchman ranks second in clearances (66), blocks (seven) and tackles (17) among Liverpool teammates in 2025/26.
He also ranks third in total defensive contributions (DefCon), trailing only Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.6 million) and Virgil van Dijk (£5.9 million), after reaching the DefCon threshold in 45.5% of his appearances.
Moreover, Konate has even registered more headed attempts than Van Dijk in the first eleven gameweeks, with a total of five instead of four.
That could also be important, as upcoming opponents Forest and West Ham have by far the worst record for goals conceded from set pieces in 2025/26.
Admittedly, Liverpool and Konate have performed well below their best results this season, but with ownership of just 2.7%, early adopters of Konate may be giving themselves the chance to grab a useful difference.
In five home games this season, Liverpool have kept two clean sheets, conceded just five goals and allowed the third-fewest shots on target (13). Considering the aforementioned match, early indications are that Konate could be working his way back into our affections.
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