Bundesliga News

Fantasy Bundesliga:
Must-haves and differentials for Matchday 18

By Christian Andrick

Ahead of Matchday 18, we have highlighted a must-have player (M) and a differential pick (D) from each game that you should consider for your Fantasy Bundesliga team.
Koen Casteels.
Koen Casteels.Photo: Werner100359, CC BY-SA 4.0
RB Leipzig v. VfB Stuttgart:


M: André Silva, Forward (RBL, 13.9M, 8%) - Silva and Leipzig had a great match against Schalke midweek, putting six goals past them, two of them from the man himself. He has now scored double digit Fantasy points in two of his last three games.

D: Xaver Schlager, Midfielder (RBL, 11.2M, 1%) - Schlager is slated to be in the starting lineup and with the Red Bulls on a roll, this could end badly for Stuttgart. He did record a goal and double digit Fantasy points two games ago so it is not out of the question for him to be in the scoring mix.

Sport-Club Freiburg v. FC Augsburg:

M: Ritsu Dōan, Midfielder (SCF, 9.9M, 9%) - Dōan has been very active in front of goal since the break, taking five shots in the last two matches. Something he hasn't done since the beginning of November. As Freiburg try and work their way back to the top of the table, Dōan should have a large hand in the outcome.

D: Lucas Höler, Forward (SCF, 9.4M, 0%) - Freiburg are in desperate need to reverse their fortunes as of late. Two losses and a draw in their last five have seen them almost drop out of European qualification. Höler has a good chance to suit up as an attacking midfielder and they are in a must win situation.


1. FSV Mainz 05 v. VfL Bochum 1848:

M: Manuel Riemann, Keeper (BOC, 8.5M, 9%) - One of the best shot stoppers in the league, Riemann has an opportunity for a clean sheet this weekend. Mainz are in a free fall at the moment and are one of the lowest goal scoring teams in the league as well.

D: Aymen Barkok, Midfielder (M05, 3.3M, 0%) - A technically gifted player, Barkok has started the last two matches, his only of the season so far. Expected to make a run out again, he has shown flashes of what could be in store for the Mainz faithful. Four shots with one on goal in these last two could be a sign of good things to come.

TSG Hoffenheim v. Borussia Mönchengladbach:

M: Marcus Thuram, Forward (BMG, 13.6M, 21%) - Before winter break, Thuram was one of the best players in the Bundesliga. He missed the first game back but did put in a full 90 minutes in the midweek match and had two attempts on goal with one of those on target. As long as he stays healthy, he will continue to be a top striker in both league and Fantasy play.

D: Ihlas Bebou, Forward (TSG, 8.8M, 0%) - After being out for months due to a knee injury, Bebou has been a welcome return to a Hoffenehim squad itching for more goals. In his two games back, he already has one goal on six shots.

Hertha BSC v. 1. FC Union Berlin:

M: Niko Gießelmann, Defender (FCU, 8.3M, 4%) - Union and Hertha are going in two different directions, spelling trouble for Hertha in another derby. Gießelmann has achieved double digit Fantasy points in two of his last four games, narrowly missing out on a third. The stars are aligning for a fifth consecutive derby win for the East Berliners.

D: Kevin Behrens, Forward (FCU, 4.8M, 0%) - Behrens has seen the green light up front ahead of Pefok and is starting to make the best out of the opportunity. With the goal he grabbed last matchday against Bremen, Behrens has now scored twice in the last four games while also starting three of those.

SV Werder Bremen v. VfL Wolfsburg:

M: Koen Casteels, Keeper (WOB, 11.7M, 8%) - The best team since the break, Wolfsburg has an absurd 11 goals scored in the last two games while also keeping two clean sheets. Casteels has also emerged as the clear #1 keeper in the Fantasy game, scoring double digit points in three of the last four games.

D: Mattias Svanberg, Midfielder (WOB, 10.8M, 0%) - With the way Wolfsburg are playing at the moment, you can’t go wrong with many of the starters. Svanberg had a ridiculous game last matchday, scoring a goal with two assists while ending up with 24 Fantasy points. He’ll get a chance to do that again this weekend.

FC Bayern München v. Eintracht Frankfurt:

M: Randal Kolo Muani, Forward (SGE, 12M, 29%) - Kolo Muani has been in great form, scoring double digit Fantasy points in three of his last four games. He is also on sale from his normal 13.3.M at a time when Bayern’s backline has not been completely solid.

D: Kingsley Coman, Forward (FCB, 14.3M, 1%) – Expected to be in the starting lineup, Coman is one of the few differentials in a popular Bayern side. He is always going to be active down the wing and is due a goal or an assist as he has not recorded either since October.

FC Schalke 04 v. 1. FC Köln:

M: Marvin Schwäbe, Keeper (KOE, 6M, 3%) - Schwäbe has a great chance to pull off a clean sheet this weekend. He has low ownership and is on the cheaper side as well.

D: Davie Selke, Forward (KOE, 4.8M, 0%) - Selke has come off the bench the last two matches for his new club but looks to start in this match against bottom dwellers Schalke. He will want to make an immediate impact and increase his one goal tally so far for the season.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen v. Borussia Dortmund:

M: Florian Wirtz, Midfielder (B04, 12.8M, 15%) - Wirtz got his first start in ages and certainly made the most of it. He grabbed an assist and ended up in double digit Fantasy points. He took a couple shots too so it shouldn’t be long until he is back to his old self.

D: Donyell Malen, Forward (BVB, 12.2M, 0%) - Malen continues to man the left wing for Dortmund but hasn't produced as much as one would hope. He will continue to take his chances so hope will remain that there will be an end product surely after such time.

Looking for other Fantasy Bundesliga articles ahead of Matchday 18? Check out all of our Fantasy Bundesliga tips and information here.



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