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The midfield battleground can have some really interesting implications for DFS soccer line ups. There are so many different types of soccer midfielders out there – from the artistry of the creative playmaker, to the more pragmatic work of the tough tackling defensive shield. Getting the right balance, and within the salary cap in your DFS draft is essential.
The points scoring system dictates that all midfielders have their place. Of course, the more attacking options are the better option, generally. They have the opportunity to return higher totals, with goals and assists being the most valued currency in DFS soccer.
But the addition of points for interceptions, tackles and crosses means that the kinds of player that are usually overlooked by fantasy managers are suddenly of interest.
Here is a quick guide to the loose labels we can apply to midfield players, and what they can bring to your team:
The job of ‘the spotter’ is to break up opposition attacks with interceptions and well-timed tackles. Their key attributes include strong positioning, tackling and movement, and the ability to make simple passes to more creative players in order to build attacks.
Former Leicester City and now Chelsea star, N’Golo Kante, is a prime example. He averaged 4.5 interceptions per match in 2015/16 (4-5 daily fantasy points) and 5.1 tackles (5pts). The French ace doesn’t offer much in an attacking sense, but he does average approximately 10pts per match – you’d need an alternative to score every game to make up that tally.
So Kante is a great example of why it pays to open your mind when selecting midfield players for DFS Soccer line up.
You know about the quarterback in American Football, right? They are the one that receives the ball in the first phase of play. It is up to them to then deliver a pass in such a way that their team can build a substantial attack.
This role has become more prominent in ‘soccer’ as the deep-lying playmaker has taken on added significance. This position is tasked with creating attacking moves by receiving the ball from the defence and recycling possession, so assists are possible in teams which play a more direct style of passing. Also, the deeper lying nature of the role means that defensive duties such as winning tackles and making interceptions, are also key.
Let’s use Cesc Fabregas as an example. He assisted six goals last season, scored four himself, averaged 2.8 tackles won per match and 0.6 interceptions. When you consider all of the avenues for point scoring that players like Fabregas offer, they are clearly a sound daily fantasy option.
This is quite an old-fashioned role now, and in truth perhaps doesn’t exist in the Premier League in its original form.
But clearly the principles of contributing to both attacking and defensive plays still exists in the lies of Aaron Ramsey and Dele Alli, who are just as likely to find the net themselves as creating for a teammate. When their opponents are in possession, you will find the box-to-box merchants tracking back and making tackles too.
Goals, assists, shots, tackles, interceptions….this type of player has the potential to earn points across the board.
These players are beloved by fantasy daily sports managers simply because they are consistent point scorers. Mesut Özil, for example, assisted 19 Arsenal goals last season – that’s 114 DFS points straight off the bat!
The Creator usually operates in an advanced central role, which means that they are in prime position to get their passes away. They can also take shots and contribute with goals of their own. They generally won’t pick up points for ‘bread and butter’ defensive duties, but that is of no concern.
Creators are generally set piece takers too; another exciting angle for point scoring.
More often than not, out-and-out wingers are classed as midfielders in daily fantasy and this is very handy as they deliver a wonderful cocktail of goals, assists and crosses.
There are two types of Wide Boy, generally speaking: the traditional and the contemporary. The traditional winger will play on their ‘correct’ flank. Right footer on the right, and their job is to take on their marker and deliver crosses into the box. Jesus Navas and Theo Walcott are two such examples.
Then there is the other type; the wrong footer, so a left-footed player occupying the right wing and vice versa. The objective here is for the winger to cut inside on their stronger foot and get their shots away. The vast majority of Riyad Mahrez’s 17 goals for Leicester last season came in this fashion.
The contemporary winger is, often, the higher point scoring option of the two.
If you also want learn how to pick the best defenders and strikers for your DFS lineup, check out the following guides: