We might have seen empty stadiums, spaced-out subs and socially distanced celebrations but it’s back. The Bundesliga got back this weekend. Finally, football is back! Then, very quickly, the same names dominate the headlines. So, what do you do if you want to add a sprinkling of under-the-radar stars to your fantasy team?
That’s right, you check out this list of players that won’t be lining up for Bayern, Dortmund or any other of the top six sides but may still bring you some much desired points.
Number 5. Kai Proger, Paderborn
On the surface of it, selecting a player from the club bottom of the league and 10 points from safety might sound like the move of someone who has lost the plot during the coronavirus lockdown. Bear with us though.
Paderborn might be struggling but Proger is having a terrific campaign – particularly given it’s his first year playing in the Bundesliga. In 24 appearances, 1,824 minutes to be precise, Proger has been involved in nine goals – scoring two and laying on a further seven. That means he’s had a hand in 30% of the team’s overall goals.
“A more than tidy contribution.”
Number 4. Robin Koch, Freiburg
Koch is the man closest to that top six we’re not delving into, with Freiburg currently sitting in seventh. He’s having a tremendous year too albeit without attracting the same headlines as the forward players get. Koch predominantly plays as a centre back where he dominates everything that comes into his zone but a recent transition into the deep lying midfield position has allowed him to show off his ball playing skills as well.
Whilst he’s not one to chip in with goals or assists on a regular basis he is one of the first names on the team sheet having missed just one game this season when suffering from illness.
“A steady name to have in your ranks.”
Number 3. Robert Skov, Hoffenheim
Last year, Skov was a goal scoring machine for Copenhagen in the Danish Superligaen with 32 goals and 10 assists in a total of 48 appearances. He’s settled into German football pretty well too. Okay, so Hoffenheim have switched him from right wing to left back, which obviously has an impact on his statistical output.
A goal involvement of just over one in three games (three goals and four assists) isn’t too shabby for a defender though. Hoffenheim do have the worst goals against column in the top half meaning you won’t be getting many clean sheets but, at the other end, give them a free kick and there is a decent chance that Skov picks out the top corner.
“A defender that is a dead ball specialist.”
Number 2. Sebastiaan Bornauw, Koln
Like with Skov, Bornauw isn’t likely to see to many shut outs recorded with Koln having shipped 47 goals so far this season. What Bornauw does bring though is a genuine defensive goal threat and five goals from centre half is impressive by anybody’s standards. This is his first year in the Bundesliga after joining for a £5m fee from Belgian club Anderlecht but he’s taken to it like a duck takes to water. He’s been a pretty consistent figure in the backline too with just a couple of fixtures missed through suspension and injury.
“A goal scoring defender.”
Number 1. Robin Quaison, Mainz
Everyone has heard of Robert Lewandowski, Timo Werner and Jadon Sancho. What about Robin Quaison? He’s not quite the household name – yet. Give it time though because he’s currently fourth in the goal scoring charts behind the trio listed.
The numbers backing that up, read as 12 goals (and two assists) in 25 games – all whilst in a team that’s teetering dangerously above the drop zone too. Next up is RB Leipzig, which is a tough fixture but then comes four winnable games where Quaison could add to his already impressive tally.
“An eye for goal and a kind set of fixtures.”
There you have it, five less than obvious Bundesliga players to boost your fantasy team. And if you fancy betting on Bundesliga games, click here to check out TonyBet Sport odds on the German topflight.