This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Hertha Berlin v. Union Berlin Single Game Cheat Sheet
This may not be the most exciting match of the weekend, but it is a derby so tensions will be high between Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin. The odds are slightly in Hertha's favor playing at home (30-minute drive from Union's home) after winning 3-0 last weekend at Hoffenheim. While home-field advantage doesn't mean as much these days, they have +135 odds to win at FanDuel Sportsbook, while Union are at +200 with the draw at +230. Even in what is expected to be a low-scoring match, over 2.5 goals is -120 to hit compared to -102 for under 2.5 goals.
Hertha Berlin have one of the worst home goal differentials in the league at minus-14 (14 scored, 28 allowed). One spot behind in the table, Union Berlin have scored 14 goals and allowed 25 in 13 away matches.
You'll need at least one goal scorer to win a GPP, and possibly any cash games, so that's the best place to start. Surprisingly, Union's Sebastian Andersson ($13) has the highest implied odds to score of the projected starters even on the underdog (Krzysztof Piatek, $12, has the best odds to score but isn't projected to start). Without much of a floor, he's only usable if you plan on stacking him with his teammates. Despite scoring 11 goals this season, he has three in his last 11 starts and
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Hertha Berlin v. Union Berlin Single Game Cheat Sheet
This may not be the most exciting match of the weekend, but it is a derby so tensions will be high between Hertha Berlin and Union Berlin. The odds are slightly in Hertha's favor playing at home (30-minute drive from Union's home) after winning 3-0 last weekend at Hoffenheim. While home-field advantage doesn't mean as much these days, they have +135 odds to win at FanDuel Sportsbook, while Union are at +200 with the draw at +230. Even in what is expected to be a low-scoring match, over 2.5 goals is -120 to hit compared to -102 for under 2.5 goals.
Hertha Berlin have one of the worst home goal differentials in the league at minus-14 (14 scored, 28 allowed). One spot behind in the table, Union Berlin have scored 14 goals and allowed 25 in 13 away matches.
You'll need at least one goal scorer to win a GPP, and possibly any cash games, so that's the best place to start. Surprisingly, Union's Sebastian Andersson ($13) has the highest implied odds to score of the projected starters even on the underdog (Krzysztof Piatek, $12, has the best odds to score but isn't projected to start). Without much of a floor, he's only usable if you plan on stacking him with his teammates. Despite scoring 11 goals this season, he has three in his last 11 starts and is unlikely to go a full 90 after coming off the bench because of a knee issue last match. Then again, if you had to captain someone from Union, Andersson is probably the guy.
You almost have to use defender Christopher Trimmel ($9) in any lineup in which you have Andersson because he's the team's main corner taker. Trimmel averages more than eight crosses per match and should be one of the more popular defenders given that he has one of the higher floors on the slate. Unlike Hertha stacks, you'll be able to use Trimmel with almost anyone from Union given their low prices.
As for the Union attack, it's a mostly mixed bag of unenthusiastic options. Robert Andrich ($6) has no upside as a central midfielder, while Marius Bulter ($12) has one shot on goal and one chance created in his last four starts. If anything, Bulter can be used in GPPs, but his lack of a floor will keep him unusable in cash games. It's a similar situation for Marcus Ingvartsen ($8), who started last weekend for the first time since Jan. 25. If Christian Gentner ($7) returns to the XI, he may be the best choice in cash because of his defensive stats. Otherwise, it's a slew of boring options for a team that is barely scoring one goal per away match.
Fortunately, there is at least some excitement for Hertha Berlin. On one end, they were somewhat outplayed in their 3-0 win at Hoffenheim last weekend, but new manager Bruno Labbadia brings some excitement and is undefeated through one match. The Hertha stack is a little more straight-forward because in addition to being favored and having higher floors, their best players are easier to trust, to an extent.
Matheus Cunha ($15) has scored in each of his last three starts, producing seven shots on goal and three chances created in that period. Even if he doesn't score, he may still finish with the highest floor of the attacking options given how many opportunities he's getting, making him the best captain choice. Compare that with Andersson, who rarely has multiple shots on goal, and it's clear why Cunha is the safer play. However, as the most expensive player, he'll likely be the most popular captain.
Vedad Ibisevic ($14) is the Sebastian Andersson of Hertha Berlin. He's simply there to score goals, something he's struggled to do this season under a variety of managers. He started last weekend and scored, but he also doesn't have a floor, averaging fewer than one shot on goal per 90 minutes to go with minimal other stats as a lone striker. While Cunha is cash viable, Ibisevic is better left for GPPs.
The other choice for captain, at least in cash games, is Vladimir Darida ($9), who splits set pieces and is back from suspension. He should be an option to go the full 90 despite not playing last match and usually adds defensive stats to help his floor. Unfortunately, his upside is limited with three goals and three assists in 17 starts, and the only way you'd win with him in a GPP is if the match finished scoreless.
As for Dodi Lukebakio ($11), Marko Grujic ($8) or Per Skjelbred ($6), they are long shots with almost no floor. Unfortunately, since there is a lack of options, you may have to use one of these guys to fill out your roster.
The problem with this match is that you can only use one defender even though a lot of them will have higher floors than many attacking players. Trimmel will be a popular stacking piece with Union, while Maximilian Mittelstadt ($10) plays that role for Hertha. He's played in the midfield the last two matches, and even when he's in a defensive role, he gets forward and supplies consistent numbers, scoring at least 12 fantasy points in each of his last seven starts. If he starts in an attacking role again, he could be a popular defender, though his price may keep that from happening.
Marvin Plattenhardt ($8) will be the next option for those who need to save money. The left-back doesn't have as much upside as Mittelstadt, but he's an option to take corners and is averaging almost five crosses per 90 minutes, boosting his floor above most other defenders.
If you need a cheaper defender, any of them can be used in what will be a tight match. Union force slightly more defensive action, so it makes more sense to go with Dedryck Boyata ($5) or Peter Pekarik ($6), both of whom could hit 10 fantasy points from defensive stats in addition to a possible clean sheet. Hertha are favored ,so it's viable to use a Union center-back, and that likely means the cheapest of the bunch, Marvin Friedrich ($4), who returns from suspension.
This isn't a pretty slate and it wouldn't be surprising if a random bench player scored in a 1-0 result, making all of these projections meaningless. At least you know what you're in for.