The new season is here…and we are back with our trademark Differential XI!
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 are your picks for Gameweek 2…
David Raya – Brentford – Goalkeeper
Crystal Palace (away)
Friday’s opening Premier League fixture saw Brentford and David Raya get off to the perfect start with a win and clean sheet against a woeful Arsenal. Last week we thought that Watford’s Daniel Bachmann may be this season’s Sam Johnstone but Raya has gave that added bonus of a clean sheet on top of a decent number of saves. The way that The Bees held Arsenal at arm’s length all evening suggests that Raya will see a fair few shut outs this campaign! They take on Crystal Palace in GW2 who looked toothless at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
Japhet Tanganga – Tottenham – Defender
Wolves (away)
Many thought that teacher’s pet Matt Doherty would be Nuno Espirito Santo’s first choice right back at Tottenham this season. However, Japhet Tanganga unexpectedly got the nod against champions Manchester City and a man of the match performance should ensure he keeps the position long term. Tanganga didn’t score a tonne of ghost points despite a solid performance in GW1 but a kinder matchup this time round at Wolves should see the young full back take more chances to venture forward. Could be an easy way into a more solid looking Spurs defence that is yet to add the highly thought of Christian Romero.
Joel Matip – Liverpool – Defender
Burnley (home)
All eyes were on the returning Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence last week but his partner in crime Joel Matip looked eqaully as solid as The Reds kept a fairly comfortable clean sheet against Norwich. They’ll be looking for the same again against Burnley this weekend and their opposition’s tendency to enjoy an aerial scrap should see Matip get more chances to score more ghost points through aerials won.
Shane Duffy – Brighton – Defender
Watford (home)
Gameweek One felt like a blast from the Togga past with Marcos Alonso getting on the scoresheet for Chelsea and Shane Duffy starting and scoring a massive 18.5 points without a goal, assist or clean sheet. Duffy was a Togga scoring beast back in the day but has found himself out of favour at the Amex under Graham Potter. However, Ben White’s departure along with a minor defensive injury crisis saw Duffy get given the nod on GW1 and he took advantage, playing well in a Brighton win. Having picked him up ahead of kick off in every league, I am hoping he gets to keep his place again this week!
Frank Onyeka – Brentford – Midfielder
Crystal Palace (away)
The likes of Ethan Pinnock and Sergi Canos scooped the Fantrax plaudits for Brentford against Arsenal but new midfielder Frank Onyeka was absolutely everywhere! His all action style saw him break up play effectively as well as bomb forward, translating to a solid 8.5 points. I can see Onyeka being the latest N’golo Kante/Wilfred Ndidi type Fantrax scorer and would be that ideal MID5 with the potential of getting involved in the goalscoring actions.
Jacob Murphy – Newcastle United – Midfielder
Aston Villa (away)
I took a punt on Jacob Murphy in the penultimate game of the gameweek with Ryan Fraser not starting for Newcastle and he performed way above my expectations, scoring a massive 22 points from right wing back! The Toon man has a wicked cross on him and is known to shoot from distance, leading to a decent number of ghost points. It was his goal that impressed me most however as he broke late into the box and planted a header past Lukasz Fabianski to give Newcastle a deserved lead at the time. After such an encouraging performance, I wouldn’t be against picking up and holding Murphy to see how his performances progress. A low risk punt!
Mateo Kovacic – Chelsea – Midfielder
Arsenal (away)
Despite the star studded talent at Chelsea (new and old), Mateo Kovacic has arguably been their best player at the start of the new campaign. After being the best player on the park in the Super Cup, Kovacic performed well again against Crystal Palace and could be a handy pick up going forward with the sever lack of depth at midfield in Fantrax this season.
Matt Ritchie – Newcastle United – Midfielder
Aston Villa (away)
From one Newcastle full back to the other! Murphy’s assister was old Togga favourite Matt Ritchie who has found yet another new lease of life on the left flank. He placed the ball straight on his fellow wing back’s head and his delivery proved to be a nuisance throughout. Ritchie’s dominance of set pieces along with his combination of defensive and attacking counting stats should make him a solid pick for the majority of this season!
Sergi Canos – Brentford – Forward
Crystal Palace (away)
Sergi Canos secured his place in football trivia history on Friday by scoring the first Premier League goal of 2021/22 as well as the first Premier League goal in Brentford’s history. A forward playing at wing back isn’t normally appealing in fantasy football terms but Canos may be an exception. He was adequate defensively while testing Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney with his skilful dribbling and pace. Throw in the set pieces and he’s definitely one to watch. One that we proudly tipped in our pre-season sleepers article!
Emmanuel Dennis – Watford – Forward
Brighton (away)
As a well loved member of the community would say, we don’t know if Emmanuel Dennis is “fantasy fake” or “fantasy for real” just yet. However, the early signs are very good. The goal and assist are encouraging but the 11.5 ghost points to go with them are what catches my eye. Looks lively, definitely worth the punt!
Adam Armstrong – Southampton – Forward
Manchester United (home)
There will always be eyes on how the championship goalscoring machines cut it in the top flight. While Ivan Toney and Teemu Pukki failed to register, Adam Armstrong wasted no time in filling the considerable boots that Danny Ings left, scoring with a sharp finish on his debut. He doesn’t look likely to fill up on counting stats but I’m certain he will got double figures on the score sheet.
Fantasy Football 92 