This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Sunderland
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Middlesbrough v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Manchester United
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Watford
12:30 p.m: Manchester City v. Tottenham
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPERS
Lee Grant, STK at MUN ($6,700): Manchester United have forced the second-most saves among teams in the slate and are averaging five saves forced over their last five matches. Although Grant is tied for the highest priced goalkeeper, when compared to previous weeks, his salary is about average for starting keepers. Expect Grant to be busy all match with Man United coming in having taken the second-most shots and shots on target over the past six matches.
Hugo Lloris, TOT at MCI ($6,400): Manchester City have forced the third-most saves among teams on the slate and will look to bounce back at home against arguably the strongest team in the league. Down a key defender in Jan Vertonghen, Tottenham could give up a few more chances than normal in what is a six-point match. Lloris scored 28.75 fantasy points in the reverse fixture while holding a clean sheet, and though City are expected to score, Lloris should see enough opportunities, as City have the third-most shots and shots on target over the past six weeks.
DEFENDER
Ryan Shawcross, STK v. MUN ($5,900): This is a pick-your-favorite Stoke defender selection more than anything. Center-backs against Man United have had some of the highest point totals on FanDuel, and this week should be no different. Over the past six weeks, United have the most crosses (among teams on the slate) and allow an above-average number of blocks, interceptions, tackles and clearances.
Tyrone Mings, BOU v. WAT ($4,300): With Simon Francis still suspended, look to the Bournemouth lineup when it comes out, but Mings should retain the center-back role. Being credited with an own goal that he really couldn't do anything about, he only scored 7.5 fantasy points last week. However against Watford, who look to cross first in their attack, Mings should be able to reach the high teens (about 5x salary) and provide salary relief as well.
MIDFIELDER
Christian Eriksen, TOT at MCI ($9,300): Pep is committed, for better or worse, to playing an open game that continues to give chances to opponents, and at this point in the season, Tottenham are just flat out better than Man City. Combined with poor holding midfielders (with Fernandinho suspended), and Eriksen should have a good number of opportunities. For the past seven weeks, Eriksen has created the second-most chances, most shots and has the second-most shots on target for a midfielder.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan MUN at STK ($7,900): At a $1,400 discount to Paul Pogba (who hasn't played particularly well lately, but is in play), we get an important share of the Manchester United attack. Not scoring fewer than 19 points in his last five matches (the 19 came in only 65 min), Mkhitaryan is a consistent contributor. United will own possession against Stoke, who give up a slightly above-average number of shots, shots on goal and chances created.
Matt Phillips, WBA v. SUN ($6,600): Sunderland are in free fall right now. Giving up 12 goals in their past four matches, they also allowed the second-most shots, most shots on target and second-most chances. Meanwhile, Phillips has averaged 32.00 fantasy points per game against teams not in the top six over the past 15 gameweeks, and he scored 30.25 in the reverse fixture.
Junior Stanislas, BOU v. WAT ($5,900): After scoring this past weekend, Stanislas' price went down $100 in arguably just as good a matchup. With an assist or goal in each of his past three matches, Stanislas is a cheaper option who goes up against a Watford team that has fallen seven spots in the table over the past six weeks while allowing the fifth-most goals and fourth-most assists.
FORWARD
Romelu Lukaku, EVE at CRY ($11,800): Crystal Palace have gone from bad to worse under Big Sam, shipping three goals to a Dimitri Payet–less West Ham and two goals to Swansea. Palace have allowed the fourth-most goals, assists and an above-average number of shots, shots on goal and chances created over the past six weeks. Lukaku has the fourth-best goal-scoring odds in addition to the fourth-most shots and third-most shots on goal among forward-eligible players Saturday.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN at STK ($12,600): The most expensive player on the slate is deserving of his price. Since starting his goal-scoring run 10 weeks ago, Ibrahimovic is averaging a goal per game and has chipped in three assists. Zlatan has the highest goal-scoring odds on the slate, and over the past six matches ranks first in shots, shots on goal and chances created among forwards.
Salomon Rondon, WBA v. SUN ($8,500): With several big name teams available on the slate, it's Rondon who actually has the third-best goal-scoring odds. A good matchup for the same reasons as Phillips (Sunderland allow the second-most shots, most shots on target and second-most chances), Rondon can be a GPP winner on his day and has one of the best salary/goal-scoring odds combination among likely starters.