By Christian Andrick

Fantasy Bundesliga: Must-haves and differentials for Matchday 17

Ahead of Matchday 17, 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.
FC Bayern München v. TSG Hoffenheim:

M: Jamal Musiala, Midfielder (FCB, 16.5M, 20%) - Musiala started the last two league games before the break after missing the previous three. He was looking like his old self in the last game against Wolfsburg, grabbing a goal for the first time since October 28th.

D: Ihlas Bebou, Forward (TSG, 11.3, 0%) - Bebou had a fantastic last game against Darmstadt, scoring twice to secure them a draw. If he can carry on that form into the new year, Hoffenheim can continue to push for European qualification.

RB Leipzig v. Eintracht Frankfurt:

M: Benjamin Henrichs, Defender (RBL, 11.8M, 32%) - Henrichs has been the fourth highest scoring defender in the Fantasy game so far, only behind his teammate Raum and the Leverkusen duo. His added bonus this week is he is on a very favorable price slash of 11.8M. Significantly cheaper than most of his counterparts.

D: Christoph Baumgartner, Midfielder (RBL, 14.8M, 1%) - Baumgartner hasn't been quite as prolific yet as his Hoffenheim days, but the signs are pointing to a change. He has averaged almost nine Fantasy points per game over his last four and most can only imagine that will begin to rise.

Sport-Club Freiburg v. 1. FC Union Berlin:

M: Vincenzo Grifo, Midfielder (SCF, 16.8M, 9%) - Union still has a lot to prove that they’ve put their demons behind them. Grifo is still one of the top Fantasy producers even though he has had a subpar first half compared to previous seasons.

D: Kevin Volland, Forward (FCU, 11.1M, 0%) - Volland has scored double digit Fantasy points in three of his last five games, including his incredible 18 point haul during Union’s win against FC Köln. If Union are to turn things around, Volland will have to keep this going.

1. FSV Mainz 05 v. VfL Wolfsburg:

M: Joakim Maehle, Defender (WOB, 7.7M, 2%) - Maehle has been a great addition to Wolfsburg this season after joining from many years at Atalanta. He grabbed his first assist of the campaign against Bayern in the last matchday and looks to only improve going forward.

D: Brajan Gruda, Midfielder (M05, 1.8M, 7%) - Gruda is a proven starter for absolutely nothing in cost. He has also scored 30 Fantasy points over his last four games. He is almost more of a must-have instead of a differential.

1. FC Köln v. 1. FC Heidenheim 1846:

M: Kevin Müller, Keeper (HDH, 6.1M, 22%) - Müller has been the third best keeper in Fantasy so far this season, as well with Heidenheim impressing the whole league in general. He is a very reasonable price so you can not go wrong with his rostering.

D: Jan Thielmann, Midfielder (KOE, 5M, 0%) - Thielmann has started the last five games in a row after missing the first nine of the season. He has yet to score or assist for the season but if he continues to get the minutes, the fans will be rewarded for their patience.

FC Augsburg v. Bayer 04 Leverkusen:

M: Jeremie Frimpong, Defender (B04, 16.5M, 73%) - Almost everyone on Leverkusen is a must-have but Frimpong is on sale at the moment so might as well take advantage of that while you can.

D: Exequiel Palacios, Midfielder (B04, 10.7M, 2%) - Palacios is the closest thing to a differential on this Leverkusen team. He should start and is sparsely rostered at only 2%.

SV Darmstadt 98 v. Borussia Dortmund:

M: Julian Brandt, Midfielder (BVB, 18.2M, 29%) - Brandt has been immense for Dortmund this season, arguably their man of the year so far. He has scored double digit Fantasy points in two of the last three games and should be fully fit after the winter break.

D: Donyell Malen, Forward (BVB, 15.6M, 1%) - Malen should start on the wing and with Darmstadt the worst team in the league at the moment, this could get out of hand for the Lilies.

VfL Bochum 1848 v. SV Werder Bremen:

M: Kevin Stöger, Midfielder (BOC, 10.9M, 17%) - Stöger has been the fifth highest scoring Fantasy midfielder so far on the year, almost eclipsing his total haul of points last year already. Bochum still has a lot to do to avoid the drop zone so they will be heavily relying on Stoger to make that happen.

D: Marvin Ducksch, Forward (SVW, 12.3M, 0%) - Ducksch has been great so far, scoring in two of the last three games for a total of seven on the season already. With four assists as well, he is one of the more prolific forwards in the game right now.

Borussia Mönchengladbach v. VfB Stuttgart:

M: Deniz Undav, Forward (VFB, 10.7M, 11%) - Undav will continue to cover for Guirassy and has done admirably. He has scored double digit Fantasy points in five of the last six games, making him the eighth highest scoring Forward in the game at the moment.

D: Jamie Leweling, Forward (VFB, 5.5M, 0%) - Leweling will be filling in as the second striker and has a great opportunity to get on the board for the first time this season. Gladbach were leaking goals before the break, giving up eight in four games in December.

Looking for other Fantasy Bundesliga articles ahead of Matchday 17? Check out all of our Fantasy Bundesliga tips and information here.

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