This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Manchester City
10:00 a.m: Brighton v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Burnley v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Wolverhampton v. Cardiff
12:30 p.m: West Ham v. Newcastle
FORWARDS
Marcus Rashford, MUN v. SOU ($11,000): Manchester City have the best odds to win, but as we saw in their last game, it's not easy throwing money at their players at such high prices. That's why I'm fading Sergio Aguero ($14,000) on this slate, especially with Gabriel Jesus ($11,500) possibly set to steal some time. And so Rashford is my pick, with Romelu Lukaku ($12,500) severely overpriced after one good performance. Rashford came off the bench last match, so he should be ready to go and also has the same odds to score as Lukaku. While Rashford's had trouble against elite teams, he scored in five of six starts prior to playing PSG and Liverpool. Southampton are not elite and have allowed the fifth-most shots in the last 10 gameweeks. Additionally, Rashford assisted twice in the first meeting, and that's when Jose Mourinho was around.
Raul Jimenez, WOL v. CAR ($11,000): If Jesus starts, he gets the nod, but the more I look at it, Jimenez could be the smart play. Jimenez shouldn't be popular after just 1.3 fantasy points against Huddersfield last match, but I'll ignore that. He's home against Cardiff, who have allowed the second-most goals this season (55), including eight in their last two, which came against Watford and Everton. Even with the recent down performance, Jimenez has at least 15 fantasy points in five of his last six starts, as he not only is active up front but also adds a few clearances, interceptions and tackles. Marko Arnautovic ($10,500) has better odds to score, but he also has no floor, which makes him undesirable for cash games.
Glenn Murray, BHA v. HUD ($8,000): If people go by the odds, Murray could be the most popular forward. He has the same odds to score as Arnautovic, which puts him almost on the same level as Rashford and above Jimenez. Of course, he's $8,000 for a reason since he's scored in just one of his last nine starts and doesn't often have much of a floor. Huddersfield got a rare win earlier this week, but this is still a team that lost at home to Brighton 2-1 in the first meeting. If Murray doesn't start, Florin Andone and Jurgen Locadia are next in line at $6,500. You could also throw Chris Wood ($9,000) into the conversation, but the odds aren't nearly as favorable.
MIDFIELDERS
Paul Pogba, MUN v. SOU ($10,000): The Man City guys have better odds to score, but there isn't another reason everyone shouldn't have Pogba ($10,000) at this price. He's had at least 16.9 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 starts, and at home his numbers are even better, especially if you don't include the 17.1-point floor he had against Liverpool. When at home against a team near relegation, Pogba has almost guaranteed 20 fantasy points under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. In his last 11 league matches, he's averaging more than two shots on goal and almost two chances created. Raheem Sterling ($11,000) can be great and Kevin De Bruyne ($10,500) is good, but Pogba has the same or better floor and is cheaper.
Joao Moutinho, WOL v. CAR ($9,000): Moutinho didn't do as much as I would've liked against Huddersfield, but he still managed a floor of 15.9 fantasy points with four chances created and a couple tackles. He's had four chances created in each of his last three starts, and now Wolves are one of the biggest favorites on the slate. He should again rack up corners against Cardiff, who have allowed the second most in the league this season. Moutinho has hit at least 15 fantasy points in his last six starts and should do so again. The ideal result would be for him to connect on at least one goal with Jimenez. I put Luka Milivojevic ($9,000) in the same mold after reaching a floor of 20 points against Man United last match, but I prefer Moutinho's matchup more.
Miguel Almiron, NEW at WHU ($6,500): Almiron didn't stand out last match, but if he can reach at least 10 fantasy points with some added upside at this price, it's hard to do better. If he can create a couple chances and get a shot on goal every match, that's all you can ask for. And while on the road, West Ham have already had issues allowing goals at home. They gave up one to Fulham last week, but also two to Brighton, Watford and Crystal Palace in recent matches. Throw in the somewhat improved performance of Newcastle, and Almiron could at least have a decent floor. If Alex Pritchard ($5,000) starts again, he'd be an option, but there aren't many this cheap with upside. You could also pile on Huddersfield with guys like Anthony Knockaert and Solly March ($7,000) with Pascal Gross injured. Knockaert has taken eight corners in the last two matches and will likely take over without Gross.
DEFENDERS
Maya Yoshida, SOU at MUN ($4,000): Yoshida is fully back from international duty and with that comes his 15-point average. His floor is often between 10-15 points, but as seen in his last two starts against Fulham and Chelsea, that can go up with a few more clearances. Man United may not force a lot of clearances, but neither did Fulham and Yoshida still racked up seven. On the road, Yoshida should be plenty active with a floor of at least 10. Most of the other cheap plays are hit-or-miss, similar to Chris Mepham ($4,000), who has 13 fantasy points in his two starts.
Ben Mee, BRN v. CRY ($5,500): Mee hasn't had consistent numbers, but some of that was due to his matchups. He's still had at least 14 fantasy points in four of his last six starts and has a chance for a clean sheet. I'm more intrigued by Crystal Palace constantly losing the ball in the attack, giving up the third-most clearances, second-most tackles and most blocks to defenders in the last 10 gameweeks. That being the case, Mee should have a solid floor and his numbers won't be much different than fellow center-back James Tarkowski ($6,500). There aren't many defenders I'd spend up for, though Sol Bamba ($7,000) provides consistency and Nathan Ake ($6,000) could reach 10 clearances against Man City.
Nathaniel Clyne, BOU v. MCI ($4,500): Similar to Crystal Palace, Manchester City force a ton of defensive action and that shouldn't change against Bournemouth. Clyne doesn't have much upside since he's not going to reach 10 clearances as full-back, but his floor has been near 10 points in good matchups, and he even reached 16.7 against Chelsea. Plenty others are in the mix, especially whoever starts for Man United with a clean sheet possible, but Clyne may be the safest at $4,500.
GOALKEEPER
Rui Patricio, WOL v. CAR ($5,000): Patricio has been kind of iffy in recent matches and that's my only worry, though it'd be a major disappointment if Wolves didn't take three points from this match. While the saves may not be there, Patricio still has the second-best odds to win and to secure a clean sheet. Mat Ryan ($4,000) could end up being a trap since he has negative points in three of his last four starts and there's little reason to trust the Brighton back line. Still, there's no denying that he has better odds to get a clean sheet than Patricio.
Editor's note: it was announced after this article was posted that John Ruddy will start in place of Patricio.
