Fantasy Bundesliga: Must-haves and differentials for Matchday 8
Ahead of Matchday 8, 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. SV Werder Bremen:
M: Lucas Hernández, Defender (FCB, 12M, 9%) - Hernández has played the full 90 in three of Bayern’s last four games. During that time, he has notched a goal and an assist on two shots and 14 crosses. He is still pretty affordable as well at only 12M, and you can expect him to keep on playing in the near future with Davies’ injury uncertainties.
D: Javi Martinez, Defender (FCB, 11M, 0%) - More than likely to take over Kimmich’s vacated spot in the midfield, Martinez should be a top differential pick if you want to get a sparsely owned Bayern player.
Borussia M’gladbach v. FC Augsburg:
M: Lars Stindl, Midfielder (BMG, 13M, 2%) - In just his last two games, against Leverkusen and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, Stindl has three goals and an assist on eight shots. At this point, he is the third highest scoring Fantasy midfielder in the game and the Gladbach captain will continue to guide his team forward as they push to be in the top five.
D: Breel Embolo, Forward (BMG, 11.1M, 1%) - After scoring eight and assisting five last campaign, it has been a slow and forgetful start so far for Embolo. He has started the last two games for Gladbach and will be hoping to get off the mark this weekend.
TSG Hoffenheim v. VfB Stuttgart:
M: Gonzalo Castro, Midfielder (VFB, 4.9M, 8%) - Affectionately known to his teammates as “Abuelo” (grandfather in Spanish), Castro is turning back the clock this season with Stuttgart. Scoring 50 points so far in Fantasy, on par with Jadon Sancho, Castro is extremely valuable at only 4.9M. The next closest player to that price that has scored over 50 points is Reyna at 7.9M.
D: Florian Grillitsch, Midfielder (TSG, 7.7M, 1%) - Grillitsch has some pretty good stats so far this year, including two goals on eight shots, eight chances created and three crosses. The problem is most of that is in the Europa League. If he can translate some of that to league play, Hoffenheim could become even more of a tricky side to handle.
FC Schalke 04 v. VfL Wolfsburg:
M: Josip Brekalo, Midfielder (VFL, 10M, 4%) - Brekalo has been getting plenty of minutes for Wolfsburg but hasn’t quite hit the ground running yet. With only one goal to his name, he does have some impressive attacking stats including 16 shots and 21 crosses attempted so far in six starts. It should only be a matter of time before Brekalo starts reaping the rewards of his efforts.
D: Mark Uth, Forward (S04, 11.2M, 0%) - We haven't seen much of it so far this season, but when Uth decides to play his game, he can be one of the most influential players on the field, as seen in the last match against Mainz. Including his set piece ability with Schalke possibly on the upswing, this could be an open match from the get go.
DSC Arminia Bielefeld v. Bayer 04 Leverkusen:
M: Florian Wirtz, Midfielder (B04, 6.7M, 11%) - Another extremely affordable player who is playing a lot of minutes, Wirtz is finally starting to come into his own in the last couple of matches. The 17 year old has certainly settled into a starting spot for Leverkusen and should only rise in play and value like his former teammate Havertz.
D: Ritsu Dōan, Midfielder (DSC, 7.5m, 0%) - The one thing Leverkusen do have trouble doing is keeping a clean sheet. Dōan is easily Bielefeld’s most intriguing attacking option.
Eintracht Frankfurt v. RB Leipzig:
M: Yussuf Poulsen, Forward (RBL, 11.5M, 4%) - In one of the more enticing matchups of the weekend, one should stay away from the Leipzig defense as Frankfurt have shown to be a formidable attacking side. Poulsen has also proven he has more than enough tools to handle the starting striker role, especially against a fragile Frankfurt defense that hasn't kept a clean sheet yet this season.
D: Filip Kostić, Midfielder (SGE, 14.7M, 3%) - After his injury, his ownership took an expected drop. If he is back and starts, he would be a great differential as he is still barely owned and can always break out with a huge match.
Hertha BSC v. Borussia Dortmund:
M: Marco Reus, Forward (BVB, 16.6M, 3%) - Playing arguably his best game of the season so far last matchday against Bayern, Reus may be expected to carry even more of the burden to push Dortmund forward.
D: Krzysztof Piątek, Forward (BSC, 11M, 1%) - With Jhon Cordoba’s latest injury, Piątek could be the Berliner that benefits the most. He finally got a league goal last matchday against Augsburg and will hope to continue scoring with the opportunity he has been given.
Sport-Club Freiburg v. 1. FSV Mainz 05:
M: Jean-Philippe Mateta, Forward (M05, 10.9M, 0%) - Mateta has been one of the few bright spots for Mainz so far this season. His forward play has been very good, scoring three in his last four games, causing all sorts of problems for opposing defenders with his towering frame. Freiburg, as well, has yet to keep a clean sheet this season.
D: Everyone (<6%) - In a game full of differentials where the highest owned player between both teams is Freiburg keeper Müller at only 6%, anyone you pick from this game is a differential.
1. FC Union Berlin v. 1. FC Köln:
M: Christopher Lenz, Defender (FCU, 10.2M, 7%) - Lenz is quietly having one of the best Fantasy seasons for a defender, sitting in the top four with 63 points so far. He is always very active on the attacking end and Union are coming off an emphatic 5-0 demolition of Bielefeld. Confidence is high in East Berlin.
D: Ondrej Duda, Midfielder (KOE, 7.3M, 1%) - Duda’s most recent performances show that he is starting to settle down in Cologne and his Fantasy value should only increase in time as well. He has yet to record an assist so far this year, but as the primary corner taker, it shouldn't be long before that changes.
Looking for other Fantasy Bundesliga articles ahead of Matchday 8? Check out our general Fantasy Bundesliga tips here.