This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Southampton v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Hull City v. Liverpool
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Sunderland
12:30 p.m: Tottenham v. Middlesbrough
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Eldin Jakupovic, HUL at LIV ($6,400): Hull are the second biggest underdogs on the slate and face a Liverpool side that takes the third-most shots and most shots on goal. Hull have shown they can be competitive against anyone in the league and we saw that the last few weeks against Manchester United and Chelsea. Both factors bode well for lots of shots while also keeping the ball out of the net, as Liverpool have forced the third-most saves this season.
Victor Valdes, MID at TOT ($6,500): Away to Tottenham is a tough matchup for anyone. Valdes should face a significant number of shots from a Spurs team that has taken the most shots and second-most shots on goal this season, including the most shots on goal over the past 10 matches. Goalkeepers are tougher to predict so if you are multi-entering GPPs, think about multiple exposure. For example, Darren Randolph and Jakupovic were similarly priced in similar matchups Wednesday but Randolph scored minus-2.75 fantasy points while Jakupovic finished with 29.25.
DEFENDER
Harry Maguire, HUL v. LIV ($6,400): Maguire will no doubt be a popular pick this week and readers here already know his name. He is averaging 25.25 fantasy points per game over his last nine (the highest among defenders) with a low of 13 and high of almost 50. Even more impressive is that he only has one assist and no goals over that stretch. He should be plenty busy against a strong attacking Liverpool side, but he is also likely to make his impressive long runs forward from the back.
Bernardo, MID at TOT ($5,600): With Calum Chambers doubtful to play, Bernardo could keep his spot in the center of defense. Away to Tottenham should yield a lot of chances to accumulate defensive statistics, as Spurs allow the second-most blocks, eighth-most clearances, most interceptions and most tackles.
MIDFIELDER
Wilfried Zaha, CRY v. SUN ($6,500): Coming back from Africa Cup of Nations, Zaha looked good against a solid Bournemouth team. Now he gets a home match against Sunderland, who have given up the second-most shots, most shots on goal, and most chances created over the past 10 matches. This is a six-point match in the relegation battle and Palace will need to push to win at home.
Christian Eriksen, TOT v. MID ($10,400): Eriksen against any non-top-six team has been one of the most consistent players, in terms of fantasy points, this season. While many will likely look to Liverpool as their main high-price exposure, we could see Eriksen at decent ownership levels. Over the past six matches, Boro have given up the sixth-most shots, third-most shots on goal and fifth-most chances created.
Phillipe Coutinho, LIV v. HUL ($10,000): Coutinho made it 75 minutes against Chelsea on Tuesday and signs seem to indicate he is ready for the full 90 (or at least close to it). His game logs look poor the last four weeks because FanDuel doesn't post minutes played. He started the last two matches, with one against Chelsea's strong defense, and the other making it 57 minutes. Playing 90 versus Hull is a plus matchup and this could be the game he rounds back into form.
Morgan Schneiderlin, EVE v. BOU ($5,000): With two big teams as big favorites, most of the players we will want are in the upper tier of salary. Scheiderlin offers significant savings while also being (before Manchester United) one of the best central midfielders in the league. I don't think it will be long before he is priced closer to his skill level peers or at the least above $7K.
Note: Adam Clayton ($5,400) also offers a low salary with what should be a decent floor as the holding midfielder against Tottenham, who have allowed the most tackles and interceptions this season.
FORWARD
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. BOU ($10,600): Bournemouth have given up 16 goals in their past seven matches and Lukaku has the second-best goal-scoring odds on the slate (ahead of any Liverpool player). He must score to reach value, but among forward eligible players he has the fourth-most shots and shots on goal over the past 10 matches.
Roberto Firmino, LIV at. HUL ($11,800): This space could include Harry Kane, but if Firmino starts in the striker role he should have a higher floor. We know Hull give up plenty of shots and chances, and with Coutinho coming back it gives the Liverpool attack more venom, which should help free space for Firmino, who has the sixth-best goal-scoring odds among likely starters.
Christan Benteke, CRY v. SUN ($8,300): If you looked up goal dependent forward in the fantasy soccer dictionary, a picture of Benteke might be there. However, home against Sunderland is a solid opportunity, as he has the fourth-best goal-scoring odds among likely starters. The second forward is tough this week, so look to lineups for options as FanDuel prices squad players with a decent discount. If we combine the records of several of the top options, only four times has the group (made up of Kane, Lukaku, Andy Carroll, Benteke, Jermain Defoe and Salomon Rondon) scored over 20 fantasy points without a goal, while Firmino has hit that level 10 times on his own.
