DiffeRANCHals: 2025 Round 6

 

 

 

 

 

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 5 Results: 

Matt:

• Nathan Byrne – Bust (3 points)
• Jaylen Nelson – Average (5 points)
• Corey Baird – Bust (1 point)

Ranch:

• Brayan Vera – Bust (2 points)
• Ahmed Qasem – DNP
• Luis Muriel – GREAT! (11 points)

Matt Results: 3 Good, 5 Average, 6 Bust

Ranch Results: 1 Great, 5 Good, 3 Average, 5 Bust

2025 Full Season Results: 1 Great, 8 Good, 8 Average, 11 Busts (61%)

The international break is over, which means players should be back with their teams by the weekend, and most sides will have their preferred XI on the pitch. While this may sound boring for differential hunting, the fun, flashy names will catch more attention, allowing some hidden gems to fly under the radar. Let’s get into it!

Ranch: Finn Surman, $5.2m (Defender – Portland)

Looking through matchups this week, finding a good defender is going to be few and far between. Now that I say that, I fully expect at least 5 clean sheets this weekend. With that all being said, I personally see Portland as having a good chance at a one of those clean sheets. Yes, you heard that right, the team that has allowed 7 goals in 5 games has the best chance at a clean sheet. When looking for a defender from Portland, I happened to land on Finn Surman. Mostly because I like his name. Additionally, picking a player like Surman over Fory works better for the floor play. Surman is more reliable for his passing bps. The difficult part with this pick, however, is that Portland is literally the last game of the week, so it will be an emergency play. Keep that in mind when building your team for the week!

Matt: Brandon Bye, $6.0m (Defender – New England)

This week seems tough for CS hunting, which means if you can find a good CS shout that no one else sees you should take it and run. For how awful they have been in attack, New England has been putting up some sneaky good numbers defensively. They have the 7th best npxGA/90 at 0.93 and their opponent, NYRB, have been known to go quiet in attack at moments, especially with Lewis Morgan out. Brandon Bye specifically loves to get forward from the fullback spot and, if NER can figure their attack out, can easily pop up with a goal contribution.

Matt: Marco Pašalić, $8.8m (Midfielder – Orlando)

Martin Ojeda has rightfully been the main target for FMLS players when looking at Orlando’s attack. Pasalic, though, is Orlando’s leading goalscorer and has proven to be a lethal winger against struggling defenses. It is no secret that the Galaxy, Orlando’s opponents this week, cannot keep the ball out of their own net. Pasalic would be a great differential to target not just to have alone, but potentially pair with Ojeda or Muriel (more on that below). It is also important to note that LAG is hosting Tigres midweek in CCC, so while they don’t have to travel, they are going to want to focus on that matchup more than a league match against Orlando.

Ranch: Quinn Sullivan, $7.9m (Midfielder – Philadelphia)

Honestly, picking a differential mid this week was difficult for me. I landed on Quinn Sullivan simply because he has been a key playmaker for Philly, regardless of Gazdag’s addition or absence from the roster. In his 5 games this season, Sullivan has 31 key passes and 2 assists. With Philly traveling to Miami this week (who may be missing Messi), I think there is a chance that he racks up more bonus points. We can also hope for a goal contribution from the young lad.

Ranch: Luis Muriel, $m (Forward – Orlando)

Repeat everything that I said last week, except add another goal to his tally. Muriel is the metronome that Orlando was missing for the first few games of the season. In his 3 starts this season he has 22 key passes, 14 shots, and 3 goal contributions. Being on the road this week to another team that concedes a lot of goals gives me hope that Muriel’s streak continues. RUN IT BACK!

Matt: Brian White, $7.9m (Forward – Vancouver Whitecaps)

Even if they got crushed over the international break, the Vancouver Whitecaps are still flying high. With the exception of an injured Gauld, they should have their best XI ready to go against a Toronto team that continues to struggle. Even with their midweek match against Pumas, I expect Vancouver to go out in full in Toronto and White should get some solid looks at goal. White is also a great way to take advantage of one of the early games, setting yourself up well to work through a switcharoo later in the matchday.

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Contributors: 
Tyler Norman, @Ranchinator on Discord
Matt Nelson, @Tinkerman on Discord