This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Everton
- 10:00 am: Fulham vs. Cardiff City
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Wolverhampton
- 12:30 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL v. CAR ($10,500): If you want to spend $12,500 on Ayoze Perez, go ahead. I'll stick with Mitrovic at home against Cardiff, who are in need of three points and will be pressing. Mitrovic is fairly cheap given the matchup, though a lot of that is due to schedule, as his last five matches at home have come against sides in the top half of the table. Before that streak started, he bagged a brace against Brighton. Either way, he's getting opportunities no matter the matchup with eight shots on goal in his last three starts. Given the slate, Mitrovic is going to be in all of my lineups since he also has a higher floor than almost every other forward.
Gerard Deulofeu, WAT v. WOL ($11,500): I don't support the price, but he may be the safest choice of the high-priced forwards. Perez has more upside but not as high of a floor and costs $1,000 more. Wilfried Zaha ($11,500) has an even lower floor since he doesn't get points for fouls drawn, while I'm not spending on Callum Wilson ($11,000) away. The best thing for Deulofeu is that Wolves have given up multiple goals in their last three away matches in all competitions and only taken two points from their last five trips. Deulofeu is most likely to score for Watford no matter what the odds say, and he scored a brace in this matchup a few weeks ago in the FA Cup. Sure, his floor may not surpass 10 fantasy points, but he has the best matchup of the expensive options.
Danny Ings, SOU v. BOU ($8,000): Southampton have the highest expected goal total, and with Shane Long possibly out, Ings is likely to start again. He may not score, but throwing money at any of the top forwards is a guessing game. Ings has at least been productive at times this season despite not scoring in his last eight starts. He's averaging 3.01 shots per 90 minutes, so he'll get opportunities against an unpredictable side that just lost at home to Fulham. Outside of the win at Brighton, Bournemouth have lost their last three to Fulham, Burnley and Leicester. Southampton aren't playing that well, but they've won three of their last four at home, with the lone loss coming against Liverpool. For more value, Christian Benteke ($7,500) finally made the scoresheet last match, so he'll get some attention, but I doubt that continues.
MIDFIELDERS
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE at CRY ($9,500): There isn't much to separate Luka Milivojevic ($10,500) and Sigurdsson outside of penalty volume, so I'd rather save the $1,000. And while this match may be a toss up, Crystal Palace have oddly scored 15 more away goals. Sigurdsson has had some cold patches this season, but that hasn't been the case with seven shots on goal and 18 chances created in his last five starts. Everton disappointed in their last away match, but they scored seven in their previous three. If you have the money, Milivojevic is the safer play, while Richarlison ($9,000) is more of a GPP option (and doubtful to play). If this match is too unpredictable, James Ward-Prowse ($9,000) is a little cheaper and still has a solid floor.
Ryan Babel, FUL v. CAR ($8,000): Fulham have found a good lineup, and that includes Babel taking seven corners in his last two starts. He has three goals and one assist in his last five starts, producing 14.6 fantasy points in all but one match, which came against Man City. Cardiff allow the most corners in the league and that should help Babel push his floor above 10 points with upside if he can find Mitrovic on a corner. I'm also fine with Ryan Fraser ($8,500) and Matt Ritchie ($8,500) in this range, but you can save money with Babel.
Junior Hoilett, CAR at FUL ($6,500): Fulham are playing well, but that doesn't mean they're unstoppable. Cardiff need to push forward for three points since this is their easiest remaining match. I'd prefer Hoilett more if he was on corners, but he's still held a floor of at least 11.5 fantasy points in his last four starts, including games against Liverpool and Man City. He has eight shots (two on target) and seven chances created in that period while Fulham have allowed the most shots on target and third-most chances this season. At this price, you're not only getting a decent floor but some upside if Cardiff can find the back of the net in a must-win spot. On the other end, Ryan Sessegnon ($5,500) is even cheaper, though he doesn't have the same floor. Jean Michael Seri is the same price as Hoilett, but he hasn't done much in recent matches.
DEFENDERS
Lewis Dunk, BHA v. NEW ($5,000): Even at home, I still think Brighton are going to sit back again and hope for one point. If not, it could result in another home loss, which is why they're in this spot, losing their last two at home by a combined seven goals. Dunk has 41.8 fantasy points in the last two matches from 22 clearances, and he could reach that number again with the same match plan. Otherwise, there isn't anyone to spend on since my former value plays like Maya Yoshida ($6,500) and Adrian Mariappa ($6,000) are all too expensive.
Steve Cook, BOU at SOU ($4,500): Bournemouth's back line has been a mystery, but Cook has done enough to reach 10 fantasy points in each of his last six starts. He should hit that number again, with 15 points possible if the Cherries continue to struggle. He's fairly cheap for a guy who accrues more than just clearances, with tackles, interceptions and blocks all on the table. I'd put Jack Stephens ($4,500) here, but Bournemouth have forced the fewest number of clearances in the last 10 gameweeks.
Seamus Coleman, EVE at CRY ($4,500): Coleman's worst fantasy performances have come against the best teams, which is the opposite of most defenders. He's still getting at least 10 points every match, including 20.4 against Man United with the help of a clean sheet. His floor may only be around 10, but he also has more upside than anyone in this range, averaging close to three crosses per 90 minutes, which has led to multiple chances created in four of his last seven starts. He'll also be on the same side as Wilfried Zaha, and that could lead to an extra tackle or two. If you have the money, Martin Kelly ($5,000) has a safer floor, but I'm not sure I'd spend much more than him.
GOALKEEPER
Mathew Ryan, BHA v. NEW ($5,000): This slate is filled with cheap goalkeepers, so you can have your pick. Brighton have the best odds for a clean sheet, but more surprisingly the second-best odds to win. If they don't sit back like previous home matches, I think Ryan could allow a couple goals and bust. However, if Brighton repeat their last two performances, a few saves and a clean sheet is on the table. There aren't any other options that stand out, especially with Sergio Rico at $5,500. Vicente Guaita ($5,000) may be in the best spot, but Palace have been all over in the last month. Angus Gunn ($4,500) is the play according to the odds, but Bournemouth can score and he hasn't surpassed 7.5 points in any of his last four starts.
