Naby Keita has been one of the season's most consistent Fantasy players at the heart of the RB Leipzig midfield. - © © gettyimages
Naby Keita has been one of the season's most consistent Fantasy players at the heart of the RB Leipzig midfield. - © © gettyimages

The Coach: Three favourable fixtures on Matchday 23

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It was back to business as usual on Matchday 22 and, while I was probably one of the few Official Fantasy Bundesliga players who didn't give Robert Lewandowski the captain’s armband, I still had seven players who hit double digits!

Augsburg vs Leipzig

Click here to tweak your Official Fantasy Bundesliga team ahead of Matchday 23!

In hindsight, taking a risk on Thiago was a long shot, but that's just how I play this game. Those are the types of risks that, if they pay off, will help me close the gap on Flo 'The Scout', and I've got a few tricks up my sleeve that I'm hoping will help me do just that!

Since Manuel Baum took over as head coach, Augsburg have only picked up two points fewer than Leipzig, but their home form (W3 D3 L5) still leaves a lot to be desired. Visiting this weekend are a Leipzig side who have bounced back from successive defeats by picking up impressive victories over Gladbach and Cologne. Only Dortmund (24) have scored more often on foreign soil than Leipzig (19), so drafting in a forward would be a shrewd move.

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Player recommendations

Naby Keita (MF, 171pts, 14.75M): Considering he's only collected fewer than eight points in one of his last six appearances, Keita's consistency means he's a must-have in midfield.

Timo Werner (FW, 171pts, 12.65M): A switch to a 4-3-3 formation against Cologne really suited Werner, who has had a hand in 17 goals and racked up 52 points in his last five starts.

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Hoffenheim vs Ingolstadt

With two wins, a draw and two losses from their last five games, Hoffenheim have been going through one of their patchiest periods of form this season. Nevertheless, they have to still be considered favourites at home to Ingolstadt, against whom they have never lost in six competitive meetings. Die Schanzer pose their greatest threat from set-pieces, but Hoffenheim are more than equipped to deal with any danger from dead-balls.

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Player recommendations

Benjamin Hübner (DF, 135pts, 11.8M): Hübner averages almost 12 challenges won a game and has hit double digits in eight of his 16 appearances in the current campaign.

Kerem Demirbay (FW, 126pts, 3.6M): Demirbay has amassed 61 points in the nine games since he last scored, but did find the net against Ingolstadt on Matchday 6.

Werder Bremen vs Darmstadt

I backed Bremen's game against Wolfsburg to throw up a surprise or two last week and wasn't disappointed. This week, given that they're on a two-game winning streak heading into another relegation six-pointer, Werder's players are well worth consideration, as few will force you to break the bank. Darmstadt have picked up just four points from the last 42 available and I can't see that changing against a Bremen outfit with momentum on their side.

Player recommendations

Fin Bartels (MF, 89pts, 11.05M): With Thomas Delaney unlikely to return, Bartels is worth consideration given that he's averaged just under eight points per game in his last nine starts.

Max Kruse (FW, 80pts, 10.6M): Considering he missed the first 10 games of the season and has scored just four times, Kruse's 80-point haul is incredibly impressive. A hidden gem?

Don't overlook Mainz's players this weekend, but be wary of Wolfsburg's new head coach upswing. Good luck, and try not to get caught out by any of the sides in Europe rotating their starting line-ups!

Never tactics bored,

JT

Watch: The Top 5 Fantasy strikers on Matchday 22: