Soccer Fantasy Picks: Best Starts, Sits & Value Plays — 2026-08-05

Soccer Fantasy Overview — This Week's Landscape

The recent goal-fests across Europe have set a thrilling stage for DFS managers. Villarreal’s 5-1 demolition of Atlético Madrid, Nice’s 4-1 thrashing of St Etienne, and West Ham’s clinical 3-0 over Leeds underscore a key trend: attacking prowess is being rewarded. Defenses, even those with solid reputations, are showing vulnerabilities, making striker and attacking midfielder picks crucial. Keep an eye on teams with lighter schedules or those coming off dominant wins, as momentum plays a significant role. Injury concerns are relatively low across the major leagues, but always double-check lineups closer to kick-off, especially for teams involved in midweek European fixtures. The landscape favors aggressive stacking and targeting matchups against permeable backlines.

Must-Start Plays — Top 3 Starters

Read all Fantasy Picks coverage on SportsPulse →