Simple fact: a good differential pick is the difference between winning a crucial Fantrax matchup 99% of the time. It’s all very well (and also, essential) having a core of top players. However, that low ownership gem that no one thought of can, more often than not, be the difference between a narrow loss and a convincing win which leaves your rivals in awe of your football knowledge.
Each week on Fantasy Football 92, we pick a full eleven consisting of low ownership players which you can help yourselves to in your league in order to (hopefully) grab yourself the win. All of our differentials are 60% owned or lower.
Here is the Differential Potential XI for Gameweek 4!
Goalkeeper
Martin Dubravka | Newcastle United | 31% owned
To everyone’s shock, Newcastle looked like the Rafa Benitez Newcastle of last season at Tottenham last week.
Spurs were left frustrated by an organised, dogged toon outfit and Martin Dubravka escaped the Lane with a relatively comfortable clean sheet.
Watford have had a woeful start to the season and visit without talisman Troy Deeney, meaning the Toon will be confident of another shut out.
Defenders
Arthur Masuaku | West Ham United | 10% owned
We all love a defender with attacking potential. Arthur Masuaku is exactly that.
Facing up to free flowing Norwich City, a clean sheet is far from guaranteed but the flying full back should get plenty of opportunity to fly forward down the left flank.
Bjorn Engels | Aston Villa | 4% owned
This really is a differential XI. Aston Villa have had a mixed start to the season but one man who seems to have settled in nicely is Bjorn Engels.
Villa claimed their first clean sheet of the season last week against Everton. Early signs suggest that Engels should contribute well defensively, making 15 clearances and winning 15 aerials over three matches. He should get plenty of chances to improve on that assuming Christian Benteke starts for opponents Crystal Palace in GW4.
Ashley Young | Manchester United | 38% owned
Bear with us on this one. Luke Shawn’s extended absence in the Manchester United team will most likely mean the return of the much maligned Ashley Young at left back.
During his substitute appearance in GW3, Young managed to score 11.5 points, including five key passes. He could be a great fantasy asset and so a great differential in the coming weeks.
Midfielders
Sofiane Boufal | Southampton | 1% owned
Let’s get straight into the midfield with another very low ownership differential!
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Sofiane Boufal, with little justification. Boufal is in the Adel Taarabt school of criminally under fulfilled potential but looks like he may have been brought in from the cold by Ralph Hassenhuttl. With Nathan Redmond out injured, these could be Boufal’s latest chance to shine.
Don’t forget, last season he completed the most dribbles in La Liga, a league that contains Lionel Messi. The boy can play!
Oliver Norwood | Sheffield United | 52% owned
Still under owned so I’m still going to pick him. Oliver Norwood is a valuable midfield asset, consistently filling up his stat sheet.
Despite being yet to provide an attacking return, Norwood has averaged 10.83 points over his first three matches. Quite simply, if yes available in your league, get him in.
Christian Atsu | Newcastle United | 6% owned
Christian Atsu made quite the impact coming off the bench against Tottenham in GW3, delicately supplying the only goal of the game in a 17 point haul.
The visit of Watford signals an easier game on paper, one that Atsu should now start due to injuries to Allan Saint Maximin and Matt Ritchie.
Jonjo Shelvey | Newcastle United | 15% owned
Sticking with the Newcastle theme… In a game where the Toon are expected to attack, I’d be surprised if Jonjo Shelvey doesn’t earn a recall.
If Ritchie is, indeed, absent then Shelvey will take over all set piece duty and should, as always, be at th heath of most good stuff Newcastle do.
Jota | Aston Villa | 20% owned
We have already spoken about Jota in our Waiver Wire article earlier this week and he also makes it into our differential XI for the first time!
One of many Villa new boys, Jota made his mark in GW3 by laying on the opening goal for Wesley and he should now be looking at nailing down a starting place. If he does, his ownership should rocket.
Forwards
Andriy Yarmolenko | West Ham United | 29% owned
Andriy Yarmolenko had a debut season to forget at West Ham last season, falling foul to a serious injury at the start of the campaign.
Fully fit and looking sharp, “Yarmo” is bidding to be one part of a lethal Hammers front four. He scored 11 points without a goal or assist last week and will be looking to back that up in a favourable fixture against Norwich.
Che Adams | Southampton | 32% owned
Yeah, Che Adams, why not? With Redmond ruled out, it’ll be up to Adams to spearhead the Saints attack and I fancy him to get off the mark against a less than watertight Manchester United defence.
Adams has the pace to worry Harry Maguire and is lethal in front of goal. If he gets off the mark here, it could easily signal the start of a purple patch for Southampton’s new hit man.
Fantasy Football 92 