A monthly feature that does what it says on the tin – a playing XI of guys with ownership below 10% for you to consider. This team considers everything we’ve seen so far as we plan for the season ahead. For this edition ownership levels are accurate as of the 23rd October 2022 and are based on 8-team leagues.
We’ll keep the hidden gem XIs coming throughout the season, but you can always tune into the Draft FC Podcast for a weekly discussion of all my waiver tips for that gameweek.
In many of our articles (including this one) you will notice that we are able to show the % ownership (or rostered % for the yanks) across all the FPL draft leagues – this data isn’t a secret! You can have access to all of this and more by signing up to access the Draft FC Global Dashboard. If you haven’t signed up already you can easily take a peak with our 7-day free trial.
GK: Leno [FUL]
Verdict – Not many GK options for this – Fulham are playing very well at the moment though, goals aren’t a problem and I’m sure they’ll want to tighten things up at the back. The way the season is going 18pts is half-way to safety which they’ll be delighted with.
DEF: Aurier [NFO]
Verdict – A most hidden-gem worthy player with 0.01% ownership and a cracking performance in the last game against Liverpool. It was solid, unflinching and focussed – all very uncharacteristic for the Ivoirian full-back but it’s always been in there if he can maintain consistency and concentration.
DEF: Faes [LEI]
Verdict – 4 clean sheets in 6 since Wout Faes came into the side – this stat will likely take a hit in GW14 against MCI but they a relatively nice set of fixtures before and after the World Cup.
DEF: Kehrer [WHU]
Verdict – Similar run of fixtures to LEI but WHU are still searching for some defensive rhythm with just 2 clean sheets so far. If you want a part of the WHU line-up I like Kehrer because he has attributes the other defenders don’t and is versatile on the right side.
DEF: Tomiyasu [ARS]
Verdict – Started the last 3 games at left-back as Zinchenko remains out and Tierney continues to be overlooked. Tomiyasu was a regular face on draft day and obviously ownership has fallen with White holding down the right-back spot, but he is very solid and I think Arteta will continue to try and get him in the starting XI.
MID: Iwobi [EVE]
Verdict – One of the surprises of the season so far has been the emergence of Iwobi as a top-class box-to-box midfielder and he’s now got 5 assists to his name. The return of Calvert-Lewin to the starting line-up can only improve his chances of further attacking returns and with a very nice upcoming set of fixtures you’ll need to grab him now before it’s too late.
MID: Olise [CRY]
Verdict – It took a few games but Olise should now be considered a starter. Palace need to start scoring more goals and as he gets more minutes under his belt I’m sure he’ll help to make that happen. Out of the all the midfielders on this list though he’s one I’m probably the least keen on.
MID: Carvalho [LIV]
Verdict – With Luis Diaz injured for a while Carvalho is now the only out-and-out left-sided attacker for Liverpool. Whether you particularly want a Liverpool attacker at the moment is a different matter though. There are still combinations which see him start on the bench but he should get more minutes than not until the World Cup.
MID: Bailey [AVL]
Verdict – I’d already pencilled Bailey in here and it pains me to write this having just waivered him out my own draft team only for him to score and assist against Brentford. AVL looked like a different side without Gerrard at the helm and stocks for all their attackers will be on the rise.
FWD: Broja [CHE]
Verdict – Striker options in the hidden gems are less than ideal but with promising signs that Potter is going to give Broja a chance he’s worth having in larger leagues.
FWD: Diego Costa [WOL]
Verdict – As above, at least Diego Costa seems to be being given a chance to show he’s still got it, but so far the gamble of signing him has not paid off.