This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 9:30 am: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Bayern Munich
- 9:30 am: Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FSV Mainz 05
- 9:30 am: Fortuna Düsseldorf vs. 1899 Hoffenheim
- 9:30 am: RB Leipzig vs. SC Paderborn
- 12:30 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Hertha BSC Berlin
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Timo Werner, RBL v. PAD ($23): There are a lot of ways to go Saturday with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig all on the slate. That doesn't include Bayer Leverkusen's Kai Havertz ($16), who is always in play for a goal, even against Bayern. I'm sticking with Werner, the most-expensive player on the slate with the highest implied goal odds. Yes, Werner has better odds to score than Robert Lewandowski ($22). This is the spot Werner tends to thrive in, having made the score-sheet twice against Paderborn in their matchup earlier this season. He has 12 shots on goal and 10 chances created in his last five starts in all competitions and Paderborn aren't going to slow him down. They were playing well and then ran into Dortmund last match, allowing 11 shots on goal and 15 chances. Leipzig should be set for at least three goals, which means you can stack Werner with Patrik Schick ($17) or Christopher Nkunku ($16). You could throw any of their starters into the mix like Marcel Sabitzer ($14) or Dani Olmo ($11), but Nkunku is the best floor option because of his role on set pieces
Serge Gnabry, MUN at LEV ($18): Leverkusen have won the last two meetings, but I'm not sure you want to put too much into that because Bayern scored at least three goals in each of the prior four matchups. I know everyone will be on Lewandowski because of his goal odds, but Gnabry is in a perfect spot to break open the slate for GPPs. He'll be under owned having struggled following the shutdown, never surpassing 15 fantasy points in four starts. Given his price, not many will be able to fit him in with the other expensive options. I've probably suggested Gnabry on every possible slate and will continue to do so even if he flops again. He has the second-highest upside on the team, and if Bayern score three goals, it wouldn't be surprising if he was involved in all of them. Thomas Muller ($19) has a higher floor, but as less of a goal scorer, he doesn't have the same upside. The same goes for Joshua Kimmich ($17), who is taking part in more goals now than at any other point in the season. I'll take Gnabry's upside on a slate where he could be on fewer than 10 percent of rosters.
Jadon Sancho, DOR v. HB ($20): Dortmund are the second-biggest favorite on the slate, but I'd rather be all in on them or all out. Hertha Berlin have found something under their new manager, and that came to fruition in their recent draw against Leipzig when they had one more shot than Leipzig and Werner failed to take a shot. Already a team with limited floors, don't expect a repeat of the last match when Dortmund scored six goals in the second half. Sancho is pure boom-or-bust after supplying 2.8 floor points in that win despite scoring a hat trick. It's unknown how healthy Erling Haaland ($19) is, so I'd rather go with Sancho up front. You can stack them together or take a chance on Thorgan Hazard ($17) or Raphael Guerreiro ($15), but their limited floors can't be overlooked. Even in a six-goal performance, Guerreiro had just 6.5 fantasy points last match. Either way, I'd definitely avoid Dortmund in cash games.
Filip Kostic, FRAN v. MAI ($14): On a different slate without teams like Bayern and Leipzig, Kostic would be a must. The only reason he's not Saturday is because he doesn't have a ton of upside, managing two shots on goal in his last five starts. Maybe he'll rack up 15 crosses, but that'll only lead to a floor of around 15 fantasy points and that won't be enough in GPPs. Then again, it's a favorable matchup and that could easily lead to an assist or two. If you want to go heavy on Frankfurt, Andre Silva ($18) comes at a decent rate and is in position for his fifth goal in six appearances. There are other players in this range who didn't have a midweek match and have better odds to score like Kenan Karaman ($15), Christoph Baumgartner ($15), Kingsley Coman ($14) and Sabitzer. Even guys like Kevin Kampl ($10) are cheaper than most, though he's coming off an injury. Kostic has a nice floor, but for GPPs, you may be better off stacking one of your stud forwards.
DEFENDERS
Daniel Brosinski, MAI at FRAN ($5): After days of research, I've come to the conclusion that Brosinki will likely start for the suspended Ridle Baku. The expected right-back took six corners in 45 minutes off the bench last match and could have a floor of at least 10 fantasy points from just attacking stats. He's cheap, takes set pieces and plays a team that loves to attack, which is a nice recipe for fantasy production. Similar to last week, you're playing with fire if you spend up on a defender. Sure, Alphonso Davies ($16), Robert Skov ($16) and Angelino ($13) are all potent weapons, but paying up for one of them limits your chances of getting two or three goals from one of your forwards. Having seen recent hat tricks from Werner and Sancho, it'll be tough to not grab at least two of the top forwards and punt at defender.
Edmond Tapsoba, LEV at MUN ($7): It feels like I write about Tapsoba every week and he rarely disappoints, except when he doesn't start. He should return to the starting XI against Bayern Munich, who force the most clearances, most blocks, second-most interceptions and fifth-most tackles in the league. Tapsoba has at least 9.1 fantasy points in each of his last seven league starts and could come close to a floor of 15 points because of his matchup. It's unclear why he hasn't moved up in price when teammate Sven Bender ($12) plays the same position and has a similar floor. If you have a few more bucks, Stefan Posch ($10) has had a surprising floor for a full-back and other than that, it's hit-or-miss. Angelino and Pavel Kaderabek ($13) are probably the cheapest defenders who have decent upside, and again, they'll be tough to spend on.
GOALKEEPER
Oliver Baumann, HOF at DUS ($11): If Brosinski starts, there could be some wiggle room at goalkeeper, but it may not be needed. I'm writing about Baumann because he's favored, but Florian Kastenmeier ($7) is just as useful on the other side of the field. The Hoffenheim-Dusseldorf match is expected to be the closest on the slate and also has the lowest implied goal total. That being the case, I'll likely find my way into Baumann and then Dusseldorf will win 1-0. Elsewhere, Kevin Trapp ($11) may be the only other reasonable play not on a major favorite. The Frankfurt back line has looked better the last two matches, though they also played midweek. If, for some reason, you have extra cash, I'd aim for Peter Gulacsi ($13) against a middling Paderborn attack.
