This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 9:30 am: 1899 Hoffenheim vs. Hertha BSC Berlin
- 9:30 am: Borussia Dortmund vs. FC Schalke 04
- 9:30 am: FC Augsburg vs. VfL Wolfsburg
- 9:30 am: Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. SC Paderborn
- 9:30 am: RB Leipzig vs. SC Freiburg
- 12:30 pm: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Mönchengladbach
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
It almost felt like we were never going to get back to this point. Yet, we're here, once again, compiling a DFS soccer roster. A lot of people are unfamiliar with the Bundesliga, but all you have to do is follow the numbers. After some tweaks, FanDuel has added 0.5 points per cross to the equation, though it also removed three points per chance created.
Timo Werner, RBL v. FREI ($22): Werner has the best odds to score on the slate by a decent margin and that's good enough for me. Leipzig have scored multiple goals in seven of their last eight home matches, and there's no doubt Werner will be involved in some way with 21 goals and seven assists this season. Even without much of a floor, I'd be comfortable with him in a cash squad, and a stack of Leipzig is a viable strategy no matter the contest. While Marcel Sabitzer ($18) is the next-most expensive player, he's more goal-or-bust than Werner. At least with Christopher Nkunku ($16) you get set pieces, and he's usually involved in the attack with four goals and 12 assists. If you really want every Leipzig goal, Patrik Schick ($17) is in the same mold as Sabitzer, as in he doesn't have much of a floor but averages 0.70 goals per 90 minutes.
Kai Proger, PAD at DUS ($16): In a relegation battle, Proger doesn't care about matchup, averaging 8.24 crosses and 1.75 tackles per 90 minutes. He doesn't have huge upside, but he adds a touch of scoring, averaging 2.11 shots and 1.96 chances created per 90 minutes. There's no telling what will happen between two teams in a relegation fight with two months of rust, but one has to think Proger will hit at least 10 fantasy points, having done so in nine of his last 11 starts. If you want to go against last-place Paderborn, Erik Thommy ($14) and Kevin Stoger ($13) are fairly cheap considering the matchup and they split set pieces for Dusseldorf. Stoger returned to the squad in February from a torn ACL suffered last season. He's played a full 90 the last five matches and kind of runs the show in the midfield, accruing defensive stats to go with set pieces.
Erling Haaland, DOR v. S04 ($21): I'm not suggesting you back both Werner and Haaland, but you need to have at least one. No matter who you pick in GPP, it may help to put all of your eggs into that basket because if either one doesn't score, you're likely losing no matter what. It only makes sense to go all-in on Dortmund if you back Haaland, who is as goal-or-bust as it gets. There have been multiple matches for Haaland in which he scores and does nothing else in terms of fantasy. The best strategy may be to stack Haaland and Jadon Sancho ($20), assuming both start. If Sancho doesn't start, there's a chance Thorgan Hazard ($17) returns to set pieces, possibly pushing his floor above 10 points. Either way, I wouldn't randomly throw a cheaper Dortmund player into your roster if you don't have Haaland up front. None of them have overwhelming floors, and there's no point in guessing who produces the most in case they score a few. That said, Thomas Delaney ($10) could be a useful defensive midfielder, if that's your sort of thing.
Matheus Cunha, HB at HOF ($16): I'm kind of dying on the Hertha-Berlin hill this weekend, but so be it. Cunha was on an unexpected tear just before lockdown, scoring in back-to-back matches, producing 13 shots, including five on target. The former Leipzig player figured some things out and I think this is another matchup he can capitalize in. For some reason, Hoffenheim's back line has been wretched at home, allowing four goals to Augsburg and five to Mainz, among others. I think these teams are going to run at each other all match, with four or five goals possible even though Hoffenheim are lacking options up front. I'm hoping Cunha is one of the players who benefits and builds off the form he found a couple months ago. You could also look at Krzysztof Piatek ($19) or Dodi Lukebakio ($18), who are both overpriced. While Ihlas Bebou ($17) could start for Hoffenheim, there's a good chance he doesn't go a full 90 given his lack of playing time this season. If anyone, I'd look to Sebastian Rudy ($15) or Christoph Baumgartner ($14). There will be a lot of talk about Filip Kostic ($16), and while he could be a viable option for Eintracht Frankfurt, I'm not sure it's the best matchup, even at home. Then again, I could be wrong because he already had more than 40 fantasy points against Leipzig earlier this season.
DEFENDERS
Salif Sane, S04 at DOR ($12): It's nice to have Sane back (assuming he starts) after not playing since November because of a knee injury. He gives an immediate boost to the back line, not only in a fantasy sense. In addition to accruing a variety of defensive stats, he gets forward on set pieces, producing two goals and one assist in eight early starts. Dortmund have forced the third-most tackles in the league, and all signs point to them having decent control in the derby. When these teams met in October, Sane had a floor of 16.5 fantasy points. If he doesn't start or you don't have the money, Matija Nastasic ($11) and Jean-Clair Todibo ($8) are nice pivots and defensive stacking pieces. There's little reason to spend up on any of the defenders, even someone like Robert Skov ($15), who takes set pieces. You want to use your money on guys who can score or reach a floor of 20 fantasy points from defensive stats, and none of the expensive options present that possibility.
Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, AUG v. WOL ($12): Some may flock to Freiburg defenders because they're the biggest underdog, but Leipzig surprisingly aren't in the top half of the league in forcing tackles or clearances. As for Wolfsburg, they've forced the third-most clearances and fourth-most tackles. If you don't go Schalke, it should be a viable strategy to stack Gouweleeuw and fellow center-back Tin Jedvaj ($13). Gouweleeuw is cheaper and has a slightly better floor, averaging 4.97 clearances and 2.06 interceptions per 90 minutes. While a lot of people will turn to the cheapest defenders and hope they can provide, I'd rather spend a few extra bucks to get ones who could at least reach 20 points. Most of the cheap options have floors below 10 points.
GOALKEEPER
Leopold Zingerle, PAD at DUS ($7): Picking the goalkeeper from the worst team in the league away from home probably isn't a sound strategy. However, there are no fans and it's not like Dusseldorf are good, barely averaging one goal per match. Zingerle held Dusseldorf scoreless in the first meeting and averages more than three saves per match. If you want to spend money on your attacking players, Zingerle is a fine choice. I'd also consider Tomas Koubek ($9) at home or Florian Kastenmeier ($11) on the opposite end of Zingerle. If you want an almost guaranteed win, Peter Gulacsi ($14) is your guy, but keep in mind one of his top defenders, Dayot Upamecano, is out.
