Best XI Predictions – Round 26

Did you ever wonder what you could do with a team if you used a Wild Card every week?  In Best XI at $120m, we will explore the options available to brand new players as well as those using a Wild Card as we predict the rounds Dream Team. Along with the best players by round matchup, players with the best upcoming schedules will take precedence over similarly priced players.

Starters

Goalkeeper – Blake $4.9 PHI: In the absence of Rowe, Blake is one of the best keepers available at the price.

Defender – Steres $5.5 LA:The consensus must own defender at this time.  No byes, an upcoming DGW, and the right price.

Defender – Sjoberg $6.1 COL: He’s back from the bye and should be a mainstay for any roster.  Set him and forget him.

Defender – Glad $4.9 RSL: A toss up here between Glad and Campbell.  Glad gets the nod on this list just to point out the DGW on the horizon.

Midfielder – Kljestan $12.7 NYRB: With Piatti and Montreal slipping and Valeri’s new position, Kljestan is now top 2 for midfielders.  Find a way to bring him in.

Midfielder – Lodeiro $11.9 SEA: A gamble with international duty with Paraguay coming up quickly.  Watch the news or have a backup; he’s worth the risk.

Midfielder – Gerrard $10.7 LA: He sat in Round 25 so he will be ready for Round 26.  A game in 27 and two in 28 make him worth keeping.

Midfielder –  Pontius $7.7 PHI: No byes still producing despite limited minutes.  In a five midfielder lineup, he’s one of the premier value options.

Midfielder – Davis $6.3 NYRB: Our resident budget gap player.  This is the upgrade spot for those with more than $120m and can easily be upgraded to a $10-11m player like Diaz.  For his value he’s s worth the shot or a switcheroo with Campbell.

Forward – Giovinco $13.9 TFC: Making something out of nothing seems to be the norm for Giovinco.  As long as he’s playing, he must be in the lineup.

Forward – Villa $12.4 NYC: After a midweek bye, Villa should be ready to continue his golden boot leading campaign.  He gets the nod over a hot Dempsey who has a bye in 27.

Subtotal: $97.0

Subs

Goalkeeper – Gleeson $4.7 POR

Defender – Campbell $5.1 CHI

Defender – Gullien $4.0 DAL

Forward – Badji $4.5 COL

Forward – Herbers $4.7 PHI

Subtotal: $23.0

This might be one of the easiest weeks to pick a wildcard eleven.  The big names are well defined and simple picks.  You’ve got more than enough round 27 players and three transfers to adjust. Since it’s so straightforward, expect lots of surprises.

Total $120

Captain

Giovinco or Kljestan are the obvious choices.  Seba can make magic happen even without goals but Kljestan is playing a NE team that is leaking goals like a sieve.  BWP or Villa could be solid differential pickups.