Mario Götze could be a very handy Fantasy option for the final Bundesliga Matchday of 2016.
Mario Götze could be a very handy Fantasy option for the final Bundesliga Matchday of 2016.

The Scout: My tips to sign off for the year with a bang

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Picture the look on Matt 'The Expert' Howarth and James 'The Coach' Thorogood's faces when a vast bouquet of flowers was delivered to me here at the bundesliga.com offices on Monday morning. A single word was written on the note that came with it: Latza.

I very much hope the majority of you snapped up the 1. FSV Mainz 05 midfielder after reading my recent piece on overlooked Fantasy Bundesliga stars. He is without a doubt one of the better recommendations I have made in the first half of the 2016/17 season. 

- © imago / Jan Huebner

Captain more important than ever

The midweek Matchday 16 schedule has its advantages and disadvantages, but I'm here to help you score as many points as possible from the final round of fixtures before the Official Fantasy Bundesliga takes to its winter slumber.

Let's get the bad news out of the way first: you only have two chances to pick your captain. Given the staggered kick-off times on a 'normal' Matchday, you can give the captain's armband to as many as five players. Now, however, you need to choose very carefully who you want your skipper to be. 

On the other hand, you will know the starting line-ups of eight teams before the transfer window closes. Therefore I strongly recommend that you wait until that news is announced on Tuesday before finalising your changes – which brings me to my player recommendations for the midweek fixtures.

- © DFL DEUTSCHE FUSSBALL LIGA

Options aplenty at Dortmund

For me it'll be interesting to see who starts for Borussia Dortmund against FC Augsburg. Is attacker Ousmane Dembele fit again after his sensational display against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim? If so, then his 12.7m price tag would be a wise investment. Mario Götze is another good option. Not only did he score his first goal of the season against Hoffenheim, he also won an impressive 14 one-on-one challenges. And last but not least, Andre Schürrle looks likely to replace the suspended Marco Reus. The nimble-footed winger has played the full 90 minutes twice this season, earning a combined total of 21 points in those two games.

Mainz's Danny Latza (7.15m) would be a good choice again this week, while team-mate Alexander Hack (3.7m) and in-form Hamburger SV attacker Nicolai Müller (12.75m) are also good bets. Bargain hunters could also be in for a treat if Eintracht Frankfurt's Ante Rebic (3.2m) is in the Eagles' starting XI. The striker wins more than his fair share of challenges and is due a goal soon. Who knows, maybe his will be the name on the note that comes with my next bouquet of flowers.

Scout's honour, 

Flo