Best differentials for GAFFR

The Championship is under a week away from its start which means the fantasy game is too. Because of this we take a look at some of the best differentials for GAFFR with the help of expert manager @TomP_FF.

Looking at the best differentials for GAFFR could be extremely useful to Championship Fantasy managers. Differentials are lowly owned players who can be key for climbing rank and gaining an edge over our mini-league rivals.

Bali Mumba (£5.5m – defender)

Mumba signed permanently from Norwich after impressing on loan at Plymouth. His attacking potential, combined with fans predicting he starts at LW in a 4-3-3 system adopted by Schumacher make him an enticing pick, especially for GW1. The GW2 and 3 fixtures aren’t great, but he’s easily rotatable with the 5th mid/3rd forward in your squads.

Luke Ayling (£6m – defender)

The focus seems to be on other defensive options at Leeds, which makes Ayling a great differential. With Drameh supposedly injured/on the move, Ayling seems more appealing. He grabbed a goal in Leeds pre- season friendly against Hearts, and arguably is a better option than Ampadu looking at the stats as well as the general consensus from Leeds fans.

Cyrus Christie (£5.5m – defender)

Christie picked up three goals in 24 starts last season, and averaged one shot and 0.8 key passes a game. With Hull strengthening defensively, Christie will hopefully have that half CS baseline. Their GW1 fixture isn’t great but their first home two are great, and you can potentially rotate him with Mumba/Davis. He is an ideal first sub in GW1.

Gabriel Sara (£7.5m – midfielder)

Norwich’ talisman seems to be going under the radar. He’s already scored a free kick in pre-season, and is on the majority of set pieces. He has great stats baselines for bonus points, a good shot volume for someone of his position and over a key pass a game. He is highly rated by Norwich fans and hopefully that translates into GAFFR points, especially with the good GW1 fixture.

Matheus Martins (£6.5m – midfielder)

Watford start the season with two plumb home games, with five out of their first eight at home. It seems he will start on the right wing, and is £0.5m cheaper than popular pick Louza. He averaged 1.8 key passes in only four starts last year, obviously a small sample size but still promising. I like him as a viable alternative to other Watford assets, and he’s at a nice price point.

Christian Fassnacht (£7m – midfielder)

Norwich’s new signing averaged 2.3 shots a game and a key pass over in Switzerland. 12 contributions in 26 starts and already a goal in pre-season for Norwich tempts me at that mid priced midfield price point. GW2’s fixture isn’t great but he’s easily bench-able, with some of the cheaper picks who’ll likely be on your bench having favourable games.

Ellis Simms (£8.5m – forward)

Simms is Coventry’s Gyokeres replacement and he’s a good Championship player. Both him and Godden have linked up well in pre-season, and Simms has been firing in the goals. When he played for Sunderland last season he got seven in 14 starts, averaging 1.9 shots and 0.9 key passes. After GW1, Coventry have a nice run, Middlesbrough are struggling with defensive injuries so that fixture doesn’t looks ok. He is one to consider.

Conor Chaplin (£6.5m – forward)

Chaplin was template pre-season but seems to have fallen off the radar lately. His stats in League 1 were ridiculously good, 26 goals in 41 starts. He averaged 3.6 shots and 1.5 key passes a game, and will be on pens if Broadhead is out, which seems more likely than not at the time of writing. Great value at £6.5m.

Jerry Yates (£7.5m – forward)

Yates will play off Piroe who appears to be staying at the Swans. He scored goals in a poor Blackpool side last year, and chipped in with four assists. With him playing off Piroe he should link up well, which brings key passes etc into his game. A tidy pick up if you want a Swansea forward but can’t stretch to Piroe.