The Importance of Differentials
As you are reading this we are pretty sure that you put at least a little thought into your fantasy football team every week. But it constantly surprises us how many supposedly serious fantasy managers don’t take into consideration how important differentials are.
These are the kind of players that feature on the best sports betting sites but won’t always make the headlines. Whether you are just playing against your friends in mini-leagues for fun, or you have some money riding on the outcome each week, differentials are key to fantasy football. Here’s why we think they are so important.
What is a Differential?
Just in case you are a complete newcomer, differentials are the players that are owned by a small minority of the players in a league – or even game-wide. Some sites consider anyone with under 20% ownership to fall into this category. But we would say that a player with below 5% is a true differential.
The best differentials are not even playing in the best teams either. With well-informed timing, a differential player can give you a real boost when all your competitors are concentrating on just the big players. You need both, of course, but a key differential can make all the difference.
Why are Differentials Necessary?
The basic advantage of a differential is like any other player – they will provide you with a lot of fantasy points to help you climb your mini-league. But these are players that are not owned by most of the people that you are competing against. That means that a positive and points-providing differential is working on two levels for you.
There is the basic level of adding to your points tally. But the main thing is that you are picking up points that no one else is getting. It is a double-whammy of points that will have your competitors wishing that they had the insight and knowledge to gamble on a player owned by only a few.
Balancing Strategies
There are, of course, pitfalls to navigate when it comes to including differentials in your team. You have to be careful, as there is a reason why not a lot of people have your differential in their teams. Erling Haaland is never going to be a differential – but Brennan Johnson is.
One of those players is consistently going to earn you points, whereas the other can give you a boost when others are concentrating on other players. Don’t go crazy on showing off your knowledge of differential players, as you could find out very quickly why so few people own the players in question. Balance up your starting eleven with proven point-getters as well as the odd differential to help you stand out.
Plan Ahead
Once you get a few months into a fantasy football season, you will know which players are earning the big points every week. Your main priority should be trying to work out how you can fit as many of them into your squad as possible. Once those almost guaranteed points are coming in you can bulk up your team with the differentials. This is where you need to be checking the fixtures and timing your transfers to perfection.
There will be some players, like James Ward-Prowse, that could provide you with a good points haul on a regular basis but will not be chosen by many managers due to the team he plays for. But, if he continues to do well, he will stop being a differential in the first place.
By looking at fixtures each week you will be able to pinpoint the players who are not so fancied by the masses but have the capability of bringing in some points. The positive to already having the big players in your team is that you only need to work off that base. The differentials are like the cherry on top. If you strike gold with one you will be able to blow any other team out of the water.
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