This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 9:30 am: Mönchengladbach vs. Bayer Leverkusen
- 9:30 am: SC Freiburg vs. Werder Bremen
- 9:30 am: SC Paderborn vs. 1899 Hoffenheim
- 9:30 am: VfL Wolfsburg vs. Borussia Dortmund
- 12:30 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Robert Lewandowski, MUN v. FRAN ($22): This slate is about one match: you'll either have multiple pieces from Bayern Munich or you'll fade them and hope it's another ho-hum 2-0 result. For those who have played English Premier League DFS, this isn't the same situation. Bayern run Bundesliga and always have five goals in them no matter the opponent. Their implied goal total is almost one more than any other team on the slate and the matchup is another boost. Eintracht Frankfurt gave up three goals last weekend, and there have been at least four goals scored in five of the last six meetings between the clubs. Everything starts with Lewandowski, and I think he's a worthy bet at +150 to score multiple goals. Of course, the important part may be who you combine with him, as Serge Gnabry ($20), Thomas Muller ($18), Joshua Kimmich ($17) and whoever else starts in the attack (maybe Kingsley Coman, $14) will be relevant. Gnabry is the best upside play because, similar to Lewandowski, once he gets going a brace or hat-trick are always possible (he had 100 fantasy points against Tottenham earlier this season). Otherwise, you're banking on assists from Muller or Kimmich, and that's likely not worth it. Some will be turned off by Gnabry because of last weekend's outing (10.2 FP), but I wouldn't worry about it.
Vincenzo Grifo, FREI v. WER ($16): The odds don't show it, but I think Freiburg should be the second-biggest favorite on the slate. They're playing well and just drew with RB Leipzig, while Werder Bremen have lost six of their last seven league matches. I think Freiburg will score a couple goals, however, they don't have easy players to back. Nils Petersen ($14) is the perfect GPP play because he has the best odds to score on the team and also bagged a brace when these teams last met. Grifo is more of a cash play because you know you'll get at least 10 fantasy points from him through corners and maybe a shot on goal. If you can, it makes sense to stack them in GPP in hopes of a Grifo assist and Petersen goal. There are plenty more in the conversation, like Jonathan Schmid ($12), Roland Sallai ($12) and Lucas Holer ($11), but they're mostly shots in the dark without floors. Schmid may be the best bet because he's least likely to be subbed off early.
Erling Haaland, DOR at WOLF ($22): If you aren't using Lewandowski, you're probably going Haaland. While he's not my favorite play, I'm not betting against him given how automatic he is. The downside is that while he has 10 goals in nine league appearances, seven came in his first three appearances against bad defenses. Wolfsburg have one of the better defenses in the league, so I'd be wary about stacking Haaland with other Dortmund players in cash games. Also, the possible inclusion of Jadon Sancho ($20) will take away value from guys like Thorgan Hazard ($17), and there's almost no chance Raphael Guerreiro ($18) scores two goals again. I probably wouldn't use both Bayern and Dortmund players because to win any GPP you'll need to go all in on one side. For Dortmund to be the better value, last weekend's results would need to repeat and that's not something I think will happen.
Andrej Kramaric, HOF at PAD ($17): The most important stat at FanDuel is goals, and that's what Kramaric provides. He's not guaranteed to start because he's dealing with an ankle injury, but he returned to training this week and is Hoffenheim's best option to score with seven goals and two assists in 14 appearances this season. Ihlas Bebou ($15) started last weekend and made it just 45 minutes due to ineffectiveness. Hoffenheim need someone to score, and that's what Kramaric does. If Kramaric doesn't start, it wouldn't be surprising if he came on in the second half and scored, the definition of a high-risk GPP play. If you're uncomfortable with that, Christoph Baumgartner ($15) is Hoffenheim's next-best choice, averaging 1.44 shots on goal per 90 minutes. On the other side of the field, Kai Proger ($16) is more of a cash play, but he should rack up set pieces against Hoffenheim. If you want to stay away from mediocre teams, Kai Havertz ($17) comes at a decent rate even in a difficult matchup.
DEFENDERS
Edmond Tapsoba, LEV at MGL ($6): Tapsoba will probably be over-owned because he's the cheapest projected starting defender, but there are no faults in using him, especially in a league where consistent defensive stats are a rarity. At the least, Tapsoba has hit double-digit fantasy points in four of his six Bundesliga starts, and he should get plenty of work against Monchengladbach. That's not much of a difference from any of the top defenders, especially since Tapsoba allows you to stack Lewandowski, Gnabry and possibly another top forward. There's little reason to spend up on defender unless you can project goals and assists. Even if you're looking at Wolfsburg defenders, Dortmund don't force a ton of defensive action, so the likes of Kevin Mbabu ($14) and Paulo Otavio ($13) may not be worth it.
David Abraham, FRAN at MUN ($8): The Eintracht Frankfurt center-backs oddly did nothing in their last match and may be the least consistent at accruing defensive stats in the league. However, Bayern force the most clearances, third-most interceptions and sixth-most tackles. That's reason enough to back them, especially since Abraham is one of the cheaper options. On the downside, Abraham was subbed early last match and may not start Saturday. If you have money, Martin Hinteregger ($13) is the safer center-back, but he costs more. If Abraham doesn't start, Makoto Hasebe ($10) will likely get the call. Otherwise, I'd look to Monchengladbach, who racked up 43 clearances in the first meeting against Leverkusen. While that means Nico Elvedi ($12) and Matthias Ginter ($14), they're both considerably more expensive than the players I highlighted.
GOALKEEPER
Manuel Neuer, MUN v. FRAN ($15): I rarely pick the most-expensive goalkeeper, but Neuer is almost guaranteed a win and has eight clean sheets in his last 11 starts in all competitions. Eintracht Frankfurt scored five goals in the first meeting because of a ninth-minute red card to Bayern's Jerome Boateng, but there's a decent chance this match goes the opposite way. If you want to fully fade Dortmund, this is a perfect spot for Koen Casteels ($8) to rack up saves. The problem is that he's facing a Dortmund team that are playing well and home-field advantage isn't the same without fans. My other favorites are Oliver Baumann ($12) and Alexander Schwolow ($11), two goalkeepers I expect to win.
