See Part 1 of this series here .
When building a fantasy soccer squad, the most logical approach is by position, so we’ll start with goalkeepers.
Incidentally, the scoring baseline assumes DraftKings, although unless you use some unusual rules point accumulation is quite standard across soccer leagues.
Goalkeepers: The real imperative in roster building is to field players who will start the game from the first minute and play then on out. Due to potential injury, field presence is not the perennial concern for goalkeepers as for other positions. Still, though the injury risk is small, there is a caveat: It is wise to avoid a goalkeeper the weekend before a tough International match. This is particularly true if the local competition is weak, as starters are often rested.
The key point scoring category to consider when selecting a goalkeeper is a “Win.” Predicting a “Clean Sheet” is difficult, and getting points from “Stopping a penalty kick” is like winning a lottery. There is also a “Saves” category, but there is problem with selecting a goalkeeper based upon “Save” potential. A strong team will not allow a goalie to be forced to block many shots. OTOH, a weak team will, but weak teams also concede goals, a category that subtracts points.
Defenders: Sadly, defenders cannot be avoided. Not only are defenders the least productive, they draw fouls and are known to concede yellow or red cards, which subtract points. The best strategy for defenders is to go with left or right backs. These specific defenders tend to gallop along the sideline and cross towards the penalty area, which can end up as an assist and count for fantasy points. Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta, who has 6 assists this campaign, is a good example of a favorite right back. If players like Azpilicueta are unavailable or cannot be fit under the salary cap, go for potential bargains.
Midfielders: Midfield is the critical fantasy roster spot, so money should not be spared. Midfielders get involved in most scoring categories, from goals to winning tackles. Good midfielders can produce as many fantasy points as top strikers, as these stats show:
Sergio Aguero was one of the most expensive players prior the start of the season. Here are the most recent stats for Aguero: 13 goals X 10 points/goal + 4 assists X 6 points/assist + 7 tackles X 1 point/tackle = 161 fantasy points.
Kevin De Bruyne current totals: 6 goals X 10 points/goal + 9 assists X 6 points/assist + 41 tackles X 1 point/tackle = 155 fantasy points.
Though the difference in fantasy points is negligible, the weekly consistency of fantasy production by a midfielder is priceless.
Forwards: What is the most frustrating thing in any kind of fantasy game, let alone soccer? How about roster time spent on the bench? As in, does your blood boil when that expensive striker who you placed on your roster has been kept sitting?
Sometimes that situation could be notched to bad luck or insufficient homework. Let’s say that a team scores an early goal thanks to a header from a defenseman who connects with a corner kick. I find it utterly frustrating when, following that, the team decides to play tiki-taka, maintain possession in midfield and work towards a 1-0 final score. My pricey forward is indeed on the pitch but he is now impersonating a defensive sweeper.
The bottom line is predicting who is going to score is never easy, and the high salary most forwards command offers the chance for disaster.
A roster with one or two forwards, even up to five, is best if such a roster can be fielded, using the midfielders to occupy the remaining slots.
Specifically, center-forward is the preferred striker position as players in this role provide flank passes which can result in assists, in addition to scoring goals .
So, pick your goalkeeper from a top team likely to win, your defenders, left or right back, spend the dough midfielders, and choose a centerfielder as your utility player.
Follow Pasko on Twitter @varnica123. His essays about sports in ancient Roman times can be found at SportsInAntiquity
