Matching Engine - Player Opportunities
Updated: May 26, 2020
Over the last few weeks, we have seen many Bundesliga players rise in price, a few Ligue 1 players drop and many Serie A, La Liga and Premier League players remain fairly stagnant.
Bundesliga
The focus in the market has understandably been on the Bundesliga as this has been the only league where games have resumed.
Therefore, it has been the only area of the market where players have temporarily had access to earning match day dividends, leading to more opportunities in the short term and more volatility in these player's prices.
Players from the German leagues that have been highlighted on the site this month have already risen an average of 6% and many have increased to much higher peak prices since being highlighted too.
It looks likely that the clear demand and focus on Bundesliga players could slightly shift with the introduction of the Matching Engine increasing liquidity throughout the market and also due to us getting closer to the return of other leagues.
There are two areas of the market that we can currently look to exploit:
Value players who have been listed in recent months (Take advantage of lower prices via the Matching Engine)
Value players who could rise in anticipation of the return of the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A
Matching Engine
The introduction of the Matching Engine creates a great opportunity to buy potentially valuable players at lower prices.
Where to look?
One place to find players who may currently be undervalued is in players who have dropped in price since the huge spreads were put in place as such players are likely to have been listed to the market with many sellers. Therefore, we may be able to 'match' with sellers at attractive prices.
Returning Leagues
As we edge closer to the likely return of the Premier League, Serie A and La Liga, it could be wise to start planning in advance for potential risers in players in these leagues.
We have already seen a number of players from these leagues be highlighted on the site over the last 4 weeks and although many have remained fairly stagnant so far, there is a reasonably strong chance many will start to rise as they get closer to being back in action.
*As you can see most of the above players are from Serie A as it was expected that Serie A would return next, La Liga is now expected to return around the same time as Serie A.
Players
Below are a range of players who could be good value at their current prices for a range of reasons explained below. *Click into the players name for their full player profile.
The Suggest Bid Price is an estimate of what you could buy the player for. All players are highlighted as they appear value at their current market price, but of course if you wish to buy a player below and can buy them for a lower price - that's even better!
Ferran Torres
Market Price: £2.78
Suggested Bid Price: £2.50 - £2.70
Team: Valencia
Age: 20
Position: Midfielder (Winger)
Country: Spain
Top 5 PB Scores: 190, 153, 148, 136, 134
Pros:
Improved PB scores this season
Young
Price has dropped in recent weeks as transfer links have faded
Transfer this summer is likely - Torres has reportedly rejected various contract offers at Valencia
Cons:
High Price
Price has increased considerably in recent months
Price built up on a favourable transfer (Some teams he has been linked with are less favourable)
Oscar Rodriguez
Market Price: £1.36
Suggest Bid Price: £1.25 - £1.36
Team: Leganes
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder (Attacking)
Country: Spain
Top 5 PB Scores: 233, 208, 168, 151, 150
Pros:
Young
Fairly high PB scores for a very weak side
PB scores likely to improve at a stronger side
On loan from Real Madrid
Transfer this summer is likely
7 goals from midfield this season
2 goals and an assist in his last 2 games
Ability to score free-kicks/long shots
Cons:
Price has increased considerably in recent months
Tenuous transfer links to Norwich City yesterday
Ross Barkley
Market Price: £1.29
Suggested Bid Price: £1.20 - £1.25
Team: Chelsea
Age: 26
Position: Midfielder (Attacking)
Country: England
Top 5 PB Scores: 256, 250, 201, 158, 153
Pros:
PB score of 256 in his last game
1 goal and 4 assists in the last 5 games he started in
High PB scores
Chelsea are still in the Champions League (Though are 3-0 down to Bayern Munich)
England International
Cons:
Competition for central midfield in both the Chelsea and England side
Lack of regular game time
Gedson Gernandes
Market Price: £1.30
Suggested Bid Price: £1.15 - £1.25
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Age: 21
Position: Midfielder (Central)
Country: Portugal
Top 5 PB Scores: 48, 32, 30, 18, 16
Pros:
Young
Price appears to have bottomed out (Down 32.2% from peak price in 2020)
Portugal Youth International
Cons:
Lack of game time
Very low PB scores so far
James Justin
Market Price: £1.30
Suggested Bid Price: £1.20 - £1.30
Team: Leicester City
Age: 22
Position: Defender (Right back)
Country: England
Top 5 PB Scores: 143, 86, 72, 32, 18
Pros:
Young
High potential (Attacking, English full back that is strong at contributing towards goals)
If the Premier League returns, he is likely to get game time due to Ricardo Pereira's injury
Cons:
Lack of game time
Price could drop once Pereira returns from injury
Ante Rebic
Market Price: £0.97
Suggested Bid Price: £0.90 - £0.95
Team: AC Milan
Age: 26
Position: Forward (Center / Winger)
Country: Croatia
Top 5 PB Scores: 201, 171, 133, 109, 96
Pros:
7 goals in his last 9 games
Performances for AC Milan have dramatically improved this year
Performances have improved since being deployed on the left wing, instead of as a center forward
Price has dropped 21.6% from peak price in 2020
Cons:
Lack of regular game time
On loan from Eintracht Frankfurt
Oliver Torres
Market Price: £0.74
Suggested Bid Price: £0.67 - £0.72
Team: Sevilla
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder (Center)
Country: Spain
Top 5 PB Scores: 223, 215, 203, 153, 137
Pros:
2 assists in his last game
3 PB scores over 200 this season
Game time and performances could improve further next season due to the departure of Ever Banega
Low price
Europa League with Sevilla
Cons:
Lack of regular game time
Seko Fofana
Market Price: £0.49
Suggest Bid Price: £0.40 - £0.46
Team: Udinese
Age: 25
Position: Midfielder (Center)
Country: Ivory Coast
Top 5 PB Scores: 247, 186, 136, 129, 116
Pros:
Low price
High peak PB score
Udinese director confirmed that Fofana may be sold this summer
Cons:
Lack of regular game time
Low chance of earning match day dividends whilst at Udinese
Possible lack of liquidity in lower priced players