Fantasy Liga MX: Saturday Picks

MATCHES (EDT)

6:00 p.m: Queretaro v. Veracruz
8:00 p.m: Monterrey v. Puebla
8:00 p.m: Atlas v. Toluca
8:06 p.m: Pachuca v. Leon
10:00 p.m: Club America v. Chiapas
10:00 p.m: Necaxa v. Cruz Azul

ODDS REPORT

EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS:

Queretaro: Yerson Candelo
Veracruz: George Corral
Atlas: Candido Ramirez, Rodrigo Salinas
Toluca: Carlos Esquivel
Monterrey: Dorlan Pabon
Puebla: Damian Escudero
Pachuca: Urreta
Leon: Elias Hernandez, Hernan Burbano
America: Rubens Sambueza
Chiapas: Could be anyone at this point, would highly recommend avoiding Chiapas players until the roster stabilizes
Necaxa: Xavier Baez
Cruz Azul: Joao Rojas, Ariel Rojas

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Prices listed are for DraftKings contests

GOALKEEPER

Pedro Gallese, VER at QUE ($3,200): Gallese should be advertised in one of those used car commercials with the giant "These prices can't stay this low forever!" banner in the background. Seriously, unless some news has been released that I have yet to see, the expectations for the signing of Gallese is to take control of the incredibly shaky situation in net. Veracruz are not a bad club and I think many people will sleep on them this year, but the Peruvian netminder will still be a welcome and much-needed addition to their defensive efforts. Gallese stole the show in Peru's win over Brazil at the Copa America Centenario, and he comes into Liga MX as one of the top goalkeeping options. The fact that Vegas favors the under in spite of the fact that Queretaro ended last tournament with three straight over 2.5 goal performances should say everything you need to know about Gallese.

DEFENDER

Paul Aguilar, AMR vs. CHI ($6,300): Spending up on defenders is one of my favorite ways to differentiate a tournament lineup, and this is a great week to be picky as there are a ton of high priced options that all seem like traps. Aguilar, however, checks all the boxes for a stud defender who should meet value. Chiapas are the easiest matchup in Liga MX on paper, so the clean sheet bonus is in play as well as the goal-scoring ceiling that Aguilar possesses. Any time you can find a physical defender who will pile up defensive stats as well as become a target on set pieces, you buy in.

Leobardo Lopez, VER at QUE ($4,500): My ringing endorsement of Gallese is not the only reason I am interested in Veracruz this week, as Lopez is one of my favorite real-life Liga MX defenders. I think Veracruz is going to bounce back, and all their nice offseason work only benefits this center back in his ability to keep clean sheets. Regardless of the bonus, Lopez stacks up defensive stats and will oft go overlooked due to a lack of offensive ability. He is a great option in all formats, and as evidenced by his double-digit ceiling, doesn't even need to leave his own half of the field in order to win cash games.

Raul Lopez, PCH vs. LEO ($3,200): Again, the beauty of understanding the transfer market is where the value is going to lie in the first few weeks of any season. Lopez should have no problem cracking the lineup and if so, his role will be much increased from his time at Chivas. This is a very smart signing, and even game log watchers will notice the potential that lies beneath.

MIDFIELDER

Elias Hernandez, LEO vs. PCH ($12,400): Holy price jumps, Batman. I struggle to justify paying more than $12K for players not named Sebastian Giovinco, but the beauty of all of the value that we have uncovered in the transfer market is that we can (subtly) overpay for Hernandez. The first matches of the year are inherent gambles, and we have no idea if our transfer values will gel with their new squads, or worse, crack the lineup. It makes perfect sense to include a double-digit floor midfielder that is a known quantity, understands how to score in this league and carries legitimate 40-point upside.

Cándido Ramírez, ATL vs. TOL ($4,000): Atlas have long been the whipping boys of Liga MX in terms of avoiding relegation, never really building a team that can consistently challenge for league titles in the modern era. I am more optimistic than usual for Atlas this tournament and think the acquisition of Ramirez is a great addition. Ramirez did not get much opportunity in Monterrey but was impressive in limited action (double-digit fantasy points in both matches where he reached 65 minutes). His fantasy ceiling is directly tied to the ability of Atlas' sluggish forward group to finish chances, but the floor from crosses, shots and fouls drawn is only going to increase with added time on the pitch.

Edson Puch, NEC vs. CRZ ($4,000): Frankly, if Puch were playing for any other team I believe his salary may be doubled, but because he is suiting up for recently-promoted Necaxa there are certain doubts to be had. I don't believe in any of those, however, and I think not only will Necaxa be one of the most impressive recently-promoted teams in a very long time, Puch is one of their best additions. Yes, his massive performance against Mexico in the Copa America Centenario is still on everyone's mind, but he was brought in to control the midfield and to focus on the net. Necaxa will need to start strongly to avoid relegation and I think Puch factors in heavily.

FORWARD

Dorlan Pabon, MNT vs. PUE ($10,600): Yes, this goes against most of what I usually preach about spending up for midfielders, but Pabon is everything we look for in a top-choice forward. Floor is everything in the forward sport, and Pabon is one of the only Liga MX eligible forwards that can reliably give you 15-20 points a game with 35+ point upside. In addition, I have Puebla pegged as being one of the weakest Liga MX clubs this tournament. Their effort in the last Clausura may have people shying away from picking on them, but don't buy it; Puebla have not won away from their home stadium since March, while Monterrey bring back almost the same exact squad that dominated the Clausura regular season. Pabon should explode here.

Silvio Romero, AMR vs. CHI ($5,300): It is mind boggling that America fans are actually disappointed in acquiring Romero, but when names like Zlatan Ibrahimovic are being thrown around there are tough shoes to fill. Nevermind that, Romero is going to be a key piece for America if they hope to challenge for a title, and being freed from the shackles of Chiapas' sinking ship is only going to increase Romero's production (which already sits at a healthy 0.5 goals per game). Starting the season off with a matchup against Chiapas is a nice bonus, as America are the largest favorites on the board and should not be troubled by the sideshow that their opponent has become.