DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 15

 

 

 

 

Every week, we’ll go over our suggestions from last week, and determine if they were a good or bad pick based on position and points. To describe in detail the ranking system, here is the metric: bust = 3 or fewer points (or did not play), average = 4-5 points, good = 6-8 points, great = 9+ points. Double gameweeks (DGWs) are scored as follows: bust = 6 or fewer points (or not starting/on the bench), average = 7-9 points, good = 10-12 points and great = 13+ points. Players not available for selection are disregarded and not counted as either a positive or a negative in the article.

Week 14 Results: 

Matt:

• Aaron Herrera – Bust (2 points) 
• Maxi Moralez – Bust (3 points) 
• Ola Brynhildsen – Bust (2 points) 

Ranch:

• Griffin Dorsey- Great! (10 points) 
• Brian Gutierrez- Bust (-2 points) 
• Luis Muriel – Bust (3 points) 

Meg:

• Mamadou Fofana – Bust (1 point) 
• Theo Corbeanu – Bust (2 points)
• Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi – Bust (3 points) 

Matt Results: 4 Great, 8 Good, 8 Average, 19 Bust

Ranch Results: 6 Great, 14 Good, 5 Average, 15 Bust

Meg Results: 1 Great, 3 Good, 2 Average, 6 Busts

2025 Full Season Results: 11 Great, 25 Good, 15 Average, 40 Busts (56%)

 

Welcome back to diffeRANCHals! After a very rough last week, it’s a good thing we are going into a DGW. There are so many differential options this week it is a little bit of a headache trying to sort through them all! I’m sure that anyone reading this can reasonably pick just about any differential in any position this week. Here are some players that we think that you should keep an eye on. Let’s get into it!

Ranch: Griffin Dorsey, $9.0m (Defender – Houston)

Dorsey was the player to watch for the last 2 weeks. He had an outstanding DGW 2 weeks ago, putting up 25 total points, then put up another 10 points last week. This DGW he travels to NYCFC then hosts SKC. Both of these teams have weak defenses, which ironically enough, is what Dorsey is good against. Houston also is sneakily good at defending ever since signing Jonathan Bond as their goal keeper.

Matt: Jordi Alba, $7.2m (Defender –Miami)

Defensively, Miami has been a wreck. Well, Miami has been a wreck in general. But coming off that 3-3 comeback against Philly, I think Miami might find their spark again. And what better way to buy low on Miami than Alba playing on the wing? He has created the second most SCAs on Miami and has been collecting KPs for fun the past few games. If he hits is passing BP and Miami doesn’t concede more than 3 goals, Alba seems to have a 4-5 point floor. Not only that, but Miami has two home games, hosting a maybe revitalized but struggling Montreal team and a Columbus team who is lightyears away from their strong defensive selves. I think this is the perfect time to make a fun DGW move.

Meg: Daniel Lovitz, $8.2m (Defender –Nashville)

Andy Najar has made his name known in the article a few times this season and he is a fantastic shout but last DGW, Nashville rotated him the second game. It’s a risk but he could still be a fun pick to take, however, I feel that Daniel Lovitz is most safe for minutes in both matches (now that I said that, things might flip the opposite…because…MLS.) Lovitz is a player who seems to find ways to be involved not to mention is a goal threat as well. Zimmerman is looking to be back in the starting lineup which instantly makes this defense more solid. They are a one home and one on the road team this week; drawing Columbus first on the road and NYCFC second at home. 

Ranch: Lucho Acosta, $7.9m (Midfielder – Dallas)

I know what everyone is thinking, “Lucho is not the play this season!” I agree with that statement. However, I also think that this is the week where he can turn around. It is going to start on Wednesday as Dallas travels to Cincinnati, Lucho’s old team. Although Cincy is playing well offensively, they are still leaking goals occasionally. Then when Dallas arrives back home they get to play against an SKC side that has allowed 5 goals in their last 3 games. With Lucho having just rested last week due to suspension, he should be good to go for a full 180 this DGW. 

Meg: Marco Reus, $9.3m (Midfielder –LA Galaxy)

Double home with suspicious road defenses (San Jose and RSL) might very well unlock all of the power of LAG attack and I am almost certain that Marco Reus will be involved. His scores over the past few weeks reflect that he has found form, and having Pec as well as Paintsil back…well that just makes him an even better pick. Now if he is stretching your budget just a little too thin in order to get the defensive players that you like best; I would also suggest taking a punt on Diego Fagundez. He has been starting further up in formation and has the skills to aid the attack. Whichever attacker you choose, I hope you get a great return in the process. 

Matt: Diego Luna, $11m (Midfielder – Salt Lake)

It is no secret that Luna has been the only bright spot in a struggling RSL team. He has been a chalk pick here and there, but I really love his matchups this week, even if RSL is away from home twice. Austin has shown to struggle defensively, even after their hot start, and we all know targeting the Galaxy right now is a great way to farm some easy points. The only concern here is that Luna is on Yellow Card Watch so if he gets a yellow midweek, he’ll be out on the weekend. I wouldn’t do anything but a bench play here.

Meg: Thomas Chancalay, $6.2m (Forward–New England)

Oh the dilemma of wanting a piece of the attackers against weak DGW defenses and just not enough spots to take them all. Maybe you are debating on what to do for that last mid spot and just keep wagering Carles Gil but still would rather have Mukthar or Forsberg etc. If you are anything like me, I found this week to be difficult for forwards and truly would love to run more midfielders if that was an option, so why not take a punt on Thomas Chancalay? This would give you a piece of New England attack without having to give up a mid spot if you truly do not want to. Chancalay is returning from injury and last week got his first start in which he snagged a goal and walked away with 9 point score. Chancalay and Gil have a great rapport and usually work well together to take advantage of holes in the defenses. Yes he is a double away player, but if you are running an autoroo (strongly advised) then he is a great player to throw on the bench to see what happens. 

Ranch: Eric Choupo-Moting, $9.3m (Forward – NYRB)

Is this the week for ECM to take the penalty kicks? It may be! Forsberg has been playing really well lately, so he does not need the confidence boost. ECM, however, may need that boost, so I am counting on him to get the penalty kick for the week. On top of that, NYRB has 2 home games this week. Although the matchups are a little bit challenging, I do still favor ECM to at least notch one goal over these two games.

Matt: Sam Surridge, $11m (Forward – Nashville)

Surridge has shown up in ways we didn’t think were possible after a tough season and a half in Nashville. It seems like him and Mukhtar have really caught their stride and can work well together. Other forwards are chalk for a reason this week, but if you want to fade one I think Surridge is the perfect person to sneak in as a differential. Away at Columbus has been historically a hard fixture but their backline has been leaky recently and NYC can also concede a goal or two.

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Contributors: 
Tyler Norman, @Ranchinator on Discord
Matt Nelson, @Tinkerman on Discord
Megan Lee Turner, @Meg on Discord