Palmer and Cash among five players you need ahead of GW21

Gameweek 21 is where FPL 2025/26 managers can regain control, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. With several teams rediscovering form and some key matches going green, this week has huge potential for differentials to show. Whether you’re chasing mini-league glory or maintaining a slow climb, these five players could be the catalyst your team needs.

Bukayo Saka (10.2 m)

His Week 20 benching was frustrating for FPL managers, but Arsenal Winger Bukayo Saka is still one of the most reliable players in the game. Since Gameweek 10, he has only been shut out once, quietly racking up returns while others fluctuate. His underlying numbers also bear this out: an XGI per 90 of 0.64 demonstrates consistent engagement. He may not put up double-digit carries every week, but his reliability makes him a stable and safe choice for the captaincy. In a season full of chaos and turnover, consistency is golden – and Saka delivers it week in and week out. Liverpool at home may not scream ‘buy’, but they have been vulnerable to opportunities down the right channel, which suits Saka just fine. If others avoid him because of the match, that only strengthens his appeal as a low-key pick.

Matty Cash (4.8 million)

While everyone is filling up Aston Villas against strikers like Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, Matty Cash offers something different. He has three goals and two assists already this season and loves to bomb. Villa’s defense may not be watertight, but when they keep a clean sheet, Cash’s attacking potential adds the icing on the cake. With most managers targeting defenses like Arsenal and Newcastle, a bet on Cash could easily pay off in Gameweek 21 as a differential. If you like bold moves, this one is worth supporting.

Cole Palmer (10.4m)

Most managers plan to lean on Chelsea’s assets later, but going for Cole Palmer early could be a smart differential route. Fulham away in Gameweek 21 isn’t easy, but it’s far from unmanageable, and Palmer remains integral to everything the Blues do in the future. Sanctions, set pieces, creativity: he is the main man, whatever the managerial uncertainties. As Chelsea’s match change approaches, early adopters could get a head start and cash in on a return before the crowd takes notice.

Malick Thiaw (5.1m)

No, it’s not about finding points, it’s just about recognizing shape and value. We’ve been highlighting Malick Thiaw for weeks, and everyone who acted early was rewarded with a whopping 17 points this week. Newcastle’s defense continues to fly under the radar, but their upcoming matches give them a great opportunity to build momentum with Leeds at home and then Wolves away. Thiaw combines stable DEFCON potential with a real attacking threat from set pieces. If you’re not already invested, now is the time. Whether you prefer him or Lewis Hall, one of these Magpies defenders deserves a place in your XI.