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 12…
Karl Darlow – Newcastle United – Goalkeeper
I could fill this article with Newcastle differentials for one week thanks to a “new manager bounce” combined with a favorable fixture this week, starting with goalkeeper Karl Darlow. A clean sheet is highly possible against a goal shy Brentford for a Toon side looking to turn their season round as soon as possible.
Charlie Taylor – Burnley – Defender
Charlie Taylor is one of my differential favorites this season. This week’s fixture at home to an in form Crystal Palace is certainly no gimme for Burnley but Taylor will still look to fly forward and supply those crosses for the powerful Chris Wood. Even though a clean sheet probably isn’t on the cards, that shouldn’t prevent the left back from posting another good score.
Kostas Tsimikas – Liverpool – Defender
If you’re in an active Fantrax league then you’ve already probably missed the boat on Kostas Tsimikas as his rostered percentage rocketed following Andy Robertson’s injury. The Scotland captain limped off with a potential hamstring injury, meaning it’s highly likely that Tsimikas will take his place against Arsenal on Saturday.
The Greek full back has huge upside himself and will fill the void competently while Robbo sits out. If you’ve managed to steal in and get him you’ve got yourself a bargain!
Craig Dawson – West Ham United – Defender
Angelo Ogbonna’s unfortunate long term injury will give one of our favorites of last year another run in this in form side. Craig Dawson came on as the Italian’s replacement against Liverpool and scored well with 9 points in 67 minutes with two goal concessions.
The Hammers are on fire and Dawson regularly scores well, particularly against sides that give up lots of aerials and is also always a threat in the opposition penalty area. Time to get him in ahead of some nice fixtures!
Tyrick Mitchell – Crystal Palace – Defender
Tyrick Mitchell has made the Crystal Palace left back spot his own this season and is now a crucial part of a solid back line. Patrick Vieira’s side are unbeaten in six, have kept back-to-back clean sheets and will be confident of keeping both runs going when they visit Burnley this week.
If Mitchell is already rostered, Cheikhou Kouyate (registered as a defender starting in midfield) is a very sneaky pick.
Cristian Romero – Tottenham Hotspur – Defender
Mathias Antonsen Normann – Norwich City – Midfielder
Another differential XI and another appearance for Mathias Antonsen Normann. We love him as a differential this year and will keep recommending him until we can’t! Another “new manager bounce” beneficiary?
Vitaly Janelt – Brentford – Midfielder
Vitaly Janelt cemented himself as an early season Fantrax favorite until injury struck. Brentford’s nose dive in form shows that they have clearly missed him so his return from injury most likely means a return to the starting eleven for their trip to Newcastle.
Ryan Fraser – Newcastle United – Midfielder
Our first really speculative one…could Eddie Howe’s appointment mean a Ryan Fraser revival?
Yes I know, they fell out at Bournemouth. Big time. But Fraser’s form under Howe with The Cherries saw him linked with clubs at the sharp end of the Premier League and if they’ve resolved their differences (as they reportedly have) then maybe the manager can bring out the best in the diminutive winger once more.
Stuart Armstrong – Southampton – Midfielder
Staying Scottish...Stuart Armstrong got more minutes under his belt prior to the international break and demonstrated that he is still an important part of that Saints squad. He will expect to start once again against bottom club Norwich this week and is well worth a punt while his ownership is low.
Adam Armstrong – Southampton – Forward
And staying with Armstrongs…and Southampton! Stuart’s namesake, Adam Armstrong, won’t have wanted the international break to come having broken his goalscoring duck against Aston Villa. He will be hoping that it’s the start of a purple patch which allows him to prove that he is the direct replacement for Danny Ings that many hoped he would be.
Teemu Pukki – Norwich City – Forward
If Norwich City are to pull off the great escape under new manager Dean Smith then Teemu Pukki will surely be the one to score the goals. The Finnish marksman has already shown that he can perform at the top level but his start to this season hasn’t mirrored that of two years ago. Norwich’s fixtures are looking a little kinder of the new few weeks so if Pukki is to kickstart his season this season, it will most likely come in that time. Worth the punt if you’ve got the space/need a guaranteed starter!
Fantasy Football 92 