Top 10 dark horses to consider in FPL 2023-24

These players could turn out to be the game changers in FPL

The new season of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is about to begin in line with the new Premier League campaign. Millions of users across the globe play the highly popular fantasy football game. Even though the start of the season is a few days away, FPL managers are busy making early templates from the available players.

As the managers attempt to create the ideal FPL squad from a £100 million budget, it will be important to identify key players who will be vital differentials. Choosing players that can be dark horses can make a massive difference in the performances.

These players help the users climb the ranks as they are not popular picks and have the potential to score big points. With that in mind, here is a look at the top 10 dark horses to consider in Fantasy Premier League 2023–24:

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - £8.0m

Ollie Watkins has a knack for scoring goals and is a vital FPL asset. Having said that, the Aston Villa striker has only 14.7% total ownership. With 15 goals and eight assists last term, Watkins managed 175 points, his best performance yet.  

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton) - £6.5m

Kaoru Mitoma had a breakthrough season during the 2022-23 season of the Premier League. The winger scored seven goals and made nine assists in 24 starts. He comes cheap for regular starters in the Premier League and is a good bet as a differential.

Raul Jimenez (Fulham) - £5.5m

Raul Jimenez has signed for Fulham ahead of the upcoming season. The London-based club will hope that the Mexican international can regain his goalscoring form. He has a 0.6% ownership rate, which makes him a brilliant differential. At £5.5 million, he is not heavy on the wallet either.

Lucas Digne (Aston Villa) - £4.5m

Aston Villa ended the previous campaign strongly to secure seventh place in the table. That momentum is likely to carry over into the new season, and Lucas Digne will likely play a major role for the club. He can be a decent dark horse due to his duties on corners and willingness to take free kicks.

Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) - £7.0m

Jarrod Bowen has only 5.8% ownership in the FPL 2023-24 despite scoring 145 points last season thanks to six goals and nine assists. He is a regular starter at West Ham, and that makes him a good bet for a differential. His price tag of £7.0m makes the midfielder an exciting option.

Luis Diaz (Liverpool) - £7.5m

Luis Diaz was excellent for Liverpool despite suffering from a long-term injury last season. The winger, a regular starter in the LFC squad, has an ownership of 6.0%, making him an interesting choice as a differential.

Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United) - £6.0m

Bruno Guimaraes is the main creative outlet at Newcastle United. The midfielder is affordable with a price tag of £6.0m and a dark horse considering his 3.7% ownership. He scored four times and provided five assists last season for NUFC.

Antony (Manchester United) - £7.0m

Antony may not be the first-choice player for most FPL managers at Manchester United, who may prefer to opt for Marcus Rashford. However, the right-winger will play his second season in the PL and may deliver better attacking returns given his starting place in the lineup. At £7.0m (cheaper than Rashford) and ownership of 1.7%, he is a desirable option.

Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) - £8.0m

Callum Wilson is unlikely to be picked before popular figures such as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane or Gabriel Jesus. However, the NUFC striker may end up as a dark horse in the FPL. The striker scored 18 goals and made six assists in just 21 starts. He has an ownership percentage of only 9.8%.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton) - £6.0m

If fit, then Dominic Calvert-Lewin presents himself as a very affordable forward option in FPL 2023–24 with a £6.0 million price tag. The majority of the FPL managers may overlook him and go for safer options, which makes him a key differential. Only 2.9% of the managers in the fantasy game have faith in him.