FPL 2025/26: Palmer and Cash among five players you need ahead of GW21

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

Bukayo Saka (10.2m)

His gameweek 20 benching was frustrating for FPL managers, but Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is still one of the most dependable players in the game. Since Gameweek 10, he’s blanked just once, quietly racking up returns while others fluctuate. His underlying numbers back it up too – an XGI per 90 of 0.64 speaks to constant involvement. He may not be firing double-digit hauls weekly, but his reliability makes him a steady, captaincy-safe pick. In a season full of chaos and rotation, consistency is gold – and Saka delivers it week after week. Liverpool at home might not scream “buy”, but they’ve been vulnerable to chances from the right-wing channel, which suits Saka perfectly. If others avoid him because of the fixture, that only strengthens his appeal as a quiet upside pick. 

Matty Cash (4.8m)

While everyone else is loading up on Aston Villa’s attackers such as Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, Matty Cash offers something different. He’s already delivered three goals and two assists this season and loves to bomb forward. Villa’s defence might not be watertight, but when they do keep a clean sheet, Cash’s attacking potential adds icing on the cake. With most managers targeting defences like Arsenal and Newcastle, a gamble on Cash could easily pay off in Gameweek 21 as a differential. If you like bold moves, this is one worth backing.

Cole Palmer (10.4m)

Most managers plan to jump on Chelsea assets later, but going early on Cole Palmer could be a clever 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 going forward. Penalties, set-pieces, creativity – he’s the main man regardless of managerial uncertainty. With Chelsea’s fixture swing approaching, early adopters could get ahead of the curve and bank a return before the crowd catches on.

Malick Thiaw (5.1m)

No – this isn’t point-chasing – it’s simply acknowledging form and value. We’ve been highlighting Malick Thiaw for weeks, and anyone who acted early was rewarded with a huge 17-pointer this week. Newcastle’s defence continues to fly under the radar, but their upcoming fixtures give them a great chance to build momentum with Leeds at home and then Wolves away. Thiaw combines steady DEFCON potential with genuine attacking threat from set pieces. If you’re not already invested, now’s the time. Whether you prefer him or Lewis Hall, one of these Magpies defenders deserves a place in your XI.

Jack Grealish (6.5m)

The differential of the week. Jack Grealish looked vintage last weekend – sharp, creative, and full of confidence. Two assists and a 10-pointer against Brentford reminded everyone what he’s capable of when he’s on song. Wolves at home looks tailor-made for him, especially with their defensive vulnerabilities down his flank. When Grealish hits form, he tends to stay there, and with Leeds up in Gameweek 23, there’s even more upside on the horizon. Yes, there’s some risk with his consistency, but sometimes in FPL, fortune really does favour the bold.