This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 a.m: Aston Villa vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 a.m: Fulham vs. Southampton
- 12:30 p.m: Arsenal vs. Chelsea
- 3:00 p.m: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United
- 3:00 p.m: Sheffield United vs. Everton
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. NEW ($23): It's a five-match slate, but it's still almost a must to roster De Bruyne in cash games. He had nine chances created and three shots on goal in the last two matches and is always a threat to make the score-sheet. I'd fade him if the situation were different, but Man City are the biggest favorite on the slate by far and have an implied goal total almost one full goal higher than any other team. Even as the later match, it'll be hard to completely fade City, though it won't be easy getting De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling ($22) and Gabriel Jesus ($20) all in the squad. Jesus has the best anytime goal scorer odds of projected starters, but he'll likely be subbed off for Sergio Aguero, while Riyad Mahrez ($18) is at a surprising discount compared to Sterling. However, there's also a chance Ferran Torres ($16), Bernardo Silva ($14) or Phil Foden ($13) start, which could force you to leave money on the table. If you're worried about that, roster a cheap defender from this match and you should be able to figure out a way to use all your salary. No matter, De Bruyne should be in most cash lineups with every other City player an option, though none have reliable enough floors to be guaranteed cash plays.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU at FUL ($15): Outside of City, the other four favorites on the slate have pretty similar implied totals. Southampton are the smallest favorite, but they aren't much different than the other three and face a beatable Fulham team. Prior to playing Man City and Arsenal, Ward-Prowse racked up 20 floor points against Sheffield United and usually hits at least 10 fantasy points from a variety of stats as Southampton's set-piece taker. The main reason he's one of my favorite plays is that he'll be on penalties if Danny Ings misses out as expected. Ward-Prowse isn't a huge goal scorer from open play, but penalties and set pieces give him an advantage over most in this price range, and it doesn't show up in the odds, either. Combine an already solid floor with penalties and a decent matchup, and Ward-Prowse is an easy play in cash games. I think this game could be higher scoring, as well, aided by injuries to both sides. Each team also has a variety of players who have solid floors with upside, whether that's Che Adams ($16) and Theo Walcott ($14) or Ademola Lookman ($17) and whoever starts up front for Fulham. This matchup has the chance of hitting three or four goals and it's not a bad one to stack.
Anwar El Ghazi, AVL v. CRY ($15): The decision between El Ghazi and Jack Grealish ($19) mostly comes down to the rest of your roster unless you plan on stacking them. El Ghazi has been awesome since moving into the starting XI, racking up 16 shots (nine on target) and five chances created while stealing some set pieces from Bertrand Traore and Grealish. El Ghazi is taking more shots and also took the team's last penalty, which gives him another boost, similar to Ward-Prowse. Grealish is more expensive and more of a cash play, as he has just one shot on target in his last three starts, albeit with 17 chances created in that period. Crystal Palace will surely be better than the seven goals allowed last match, but Villa won 2-0 when these teams met in July in the same situation, racking up nine shots on target. If you plan on rostering De Bruyne and a couple other City players, El Ghazi is the play, but if you have money and playing in a cash game, Grealish is slightly safer. If you're looking for GPP plays in this matchup, Ollie Watkins ($17) will hit the back of the net sooner or later and continues to get opportunities, while Wilfried Zaha ($17) is a play on the other side, something I probably won't do.
Tammy Abraham, CHE at ARS ($19): I was going to recommend Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($19) based on odds, but I think the odds are a bit skewed. Arsenal may be a top club, but they're four points above relegation and have struggled to contain Everton and Man City in recent matches. Plus, the last four times these teams met in all competitions, there have been at least three goals scored, 15 in total. That leads me to Abraham, who despite coming off a brace, is cheaper than players like Watkins and Calvert-Lewin in terms of odds to hit the back of the net. I like Calvert-Lewin, but that matchup has a better chance of being low scoring given the way Sheffield United play. It doesn't matter if Olivier Giroud ($18) starts instead because they're at a similar price. Whoever starts up front for Chelsea will have the best odds to score and there's no reason to spend up on Timo Werner ($21) unless you want to win some GPPs. Christian Pulisic ($15), Mason Mount ($16) and Kai Havertz ($14) are in play, but they don't have good floors and Chelsea's production has been hard to project outside of their central striker.
With a crazy schedule ahead, be on the lookout for squad rotation because that could lead to some cheaper players being in starting XIs. They're not easy to trust, but if you can combine a $5 winger with Man City players, you might as well do it. I think Rhian Brewster ($8) is intriguing for GPPs because no one will use him and this is the kind of match Everton's back line could lose focus in. Otherwise, you can pick between Man City defensive midfielders or hope Aleksandar Mitrovic ($13) gets his head on a cross.
DEFENDERS
Matt Ritchie, NEW at MCI ($6): Ritchie rested midweek so he should be back in the starting XI on Saturday. He hasn't gone up in price despite hitting double-digit fantasy points his last two starts, though most of those points have come from six chances created, which he may not get against Man City. That being the case, Ritchie is still cheap and could be in line for more defensive stats. Emil Krafth is the same price and equally unreliable, especially in the late match, while Cheikhou Kouyate ($7) is in the early match and should start. However, I'd consider Jack Stephens ($7) if he starts over the injured Jannik Vestergaard ($14).
Emerson, CHE at ARS ($9): Emerson wasn't given a clean sheet last match because he subbed on for Ben Chilwell despite playing 81 minutes. If so, he would've hit more than 12 fantasy points, something he did in both of his recent Champions League starts. In addition to splitting set pieces, he has eight tackles, four clearances and three interceptions in three matches, which is good enough at his price, especially with clean sheet upside. I still like Joachim Andersen ($9) and Antonee Robinson ($12) as usual, but Emerson's upside is hard to pass up.
GOALKEEPER
Alex McCarthy, SOU at FUL ($10): McCarthy is the cheapest of the favorites and has at least 9.5 fantasy points in eight of his last nine starts. In addition to racking up saves, he's in play for a clean sheet against Fulham, who are averaging fewer than one goal per match. If you have money, Ederson ($14) might be worth the money because he has the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet. If you're fading Man City, Karl Darlow ($6) is a viable option since he should make multiple saves, while none of the other underdogs stand out.
