Best FPL differentials: Nico O'Reilly is a buy for now, Benjamin Sesko's form can no longer be ignored, while Dango Ouattara is the best midfield pick

As we prepare for another massive Premier League weekend, here are three players you need in your FPL team. Manchester City could face a blank in Gameweek 31 but Nico O'Reilly's form simply cannot be ignored before a trip to Leeds. Super-sub Benjamin Sesko is the league's most prolific striker in 2026 and is worth being considered with Manchester United hosting Crystal Palace at Old Trafford.

As the Premier League season hurtles towards its business end, the same can be said about the Fantasy Premier League campaign.

This is when chip strategy is crucial but, while Double Gameweeks and Blank Gameweeks lie ahead, there are still at least three straight regular 10-game rounds scheduled over the next month that must be successfully navigated to retain and boost your overall rank.

Now is not the time to panic. We’ve got you covered and here are three players that could be a huge help in obtaining that much coveted green arrow.

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The categories are:

• Player 1: Max 10% ownership
• Player 2: Max 5% ownership
• Player 3: Max 2% ownership

And before we start, the deadline for your team submission is 18:30 UK time on Friday, February 27 with Wolves hosting Aston Villa at Molineux that night.

1. Nico O'Reilly, £5.0m (Defender, Man City, 8%)

FPL managers would appear to have faced a dilemma this week in deciding whether to select Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk or the red-hot Nico O'Reilly.

In the past two gameweeks, the pair have both enjoyed back-to-back double-digit hauls. But while City look set to not have a fixture in Gameweek 31, there remains a strong case to move now for Pep Guardiola's Mr Versatile.

If you are hesitating over bringing in a £5.0m defender masquerading as a centre forward at a club chasing down Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, this game may not be for you. It is a gift you shouldn't pass up.

‘Left-back position is wide open’ – Why O'Reilly can start for England at World Cup

Video credit: TNT Sports

Against Newcastle, O'Reilly could easily have had himself a hat-trick, playing as the more advanced of Guardiola's two No. 8s in his current preferred system. Previously we have seen O'Reilly cast as the provider for Erling Haaland but the roles were reversed for City's winning goal.

A recent tactical shift into midfield at City has dramatically altered O’Reilly's trajectory - and, with it, his appeal to Fantasy managers. He has delivered an extraordinary return of three goals in the past two Gameweeks, a haul more commonly associated with attacking players.

More than 363,000 managers have moved to secure his services, a surge in ownership that dwarfs nearly every other player in the market - more than double that of anyone except Van Dijk. In a game defined by marginal gains, O’Reilly’s positional advantage and newfound attacking licence have quickly made him one of the most coveted assets.

2. Benjamin Sesko, £7.2m (Forward, Man Utd, 3.9%)

Sesko has arrived in the Premier League. Since the turn of the year and the departure of Ruben Amorim, the Slovenian has thrived in the chilly conditions.

It was considered the 22-year-old's aerial ability would add an extra element to Manchester United's attack this season but under both Daren Fletcher and now Michael Carrick, Sesko's full body of work has been on show.

'No issue' - Carrick insists he has 'no problem' with Man Utd forward Sesko

Video credit: SNTV

Brushing aside defenders to score twice at Burnley in January has proven to be no flash in pan, with Sesko having now scored six goals in seven games in all competitions.

The question remains: will he start at home to Crystal Palace?

While Carrick has used the £66.3 million summer signing predominantly off the bench, that shouldn't dissuade managers from favouring him as a possible Joao Pedro replacement, now that Chelsea's fixtures are taking a turn for the worse.

Statistically, the former RB Leipzig man is the best striker in the Premier League this calendar year in terms of goals per minute - averaging one every 55 minutes this year among those to have scored at least twice.

'That's what he does' - Carrick hails 'unbelievable' Man Utd saviour Sesko for late equaliser

Video credit: SNTV

3. Dango Ouattara, £5.9m (Midfielder, Brentford, 1.8%)

One of the big discussions in the FPL community this week has circulated around who is the best Enzo Fernandez replacement. Chelsea assets are all on the chopping block after last weekend's disappointing 1-1 draw with Burnley.

It means Liam Rosenior's side have failed to beat any of the promoted sides at Stamford Bridge this season and The Blues now face trips to Arsenal and Aston Villa at the start of a wretched run of fixtures.

There has been plenty of interest in Bournemouth's Rayan, with the Brazilian tipped for inclusion in this column last week, but the return to fitness of Marcus Tavernier and the short turnaround to the midweek fixtures means the teenager's minutes could be compromised.

Dango Ouattara has shown he is capable of shouldering the burden with Igor Thiago at Brentford

Image credit: Getty Images

Harry Wilson's high ownership means turning to the Fulham midfielder is unlikely to gain you much ground in spite of an enticing run of games which include a home match against Burnley in GW31.

With all those factors considered, it is surprising to learn that Brentford's Dango Ouattara is still less than 2% owned heading into an away trip to Scott Parker's Clarets this weekend.

It is a great entry point, but Ouattara has three great fixtures in his next four games. His minutes over the past three games have been secure, while his underlying data suggests he is capable of more handsome returns, having enjoyed four double-digit hauls already this term.

Interest waned after the winger left to play at the Africa Cup of Nations for Burkina Faso but Ouattara now looks fully back to his best having recently scored the winning goal at Aston Villa and Newcastle.

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