This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: Arsenal vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Leicester City
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool
- 10:00 am: Everton vs. Norwich City
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
This slate is kind of about how much you want to trust Arsenal because Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($19) has the best odds to score and Alexandre Lacazette ($18) has the third best, just behind Sergio Aguero ($22). You can take that strategy or bank on a bunch of floor plays and hope every match hits the under. The floor strategy is based on the last gameweek following an international break when no team scored more than two goals and two matches had more than two total goals. That included Chelsea and Tottenham combining for two goals at home against Newcastle and Watford, respectively, meaning that it wasn't the result of difficult matchups. Because of that, I'll try and highlight a few more floor plays than usual.
Crystal Palace have struggled in their last two home matches against Man City and Leicester, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to back Sadio Mane ($23), even at the highest price. Mohamed Salah ($20) has better goal odds, yet it's unknown how much he'll play, if at all, because of an ankle injury. Roberto Firmino ($16) is the perfect GPP play since the other two will get most of the attention, and it's not like he isn't getting opportunities, with six chances created and four shots on goal in his last three starts. If you'd rather bank on players with better odds to score, Arsenal have a similar implied goal total and Southampton have taken one point in their last seven league matches.
Somewhat surprisingly, Everton have the best odds to win, though that's mostly because Norwich City are dealing with injuries on their back line and have allowed multiple goals in eight of their last nine league matches. Richarlison ($18) isn't the easiest player to bet on, having found the back of the net in two matches this season, but his floor is on the same level as the likes of Mane and Aubameyang. It's been a trying campaign for Gylfi Sigurdsson ($16), but due to injury, he should have a permanent role in the starting XI going forward. I don't hate taking a chance on Alex Iwobi ($12) or anyone else who starts in the attack because you know Everton will score two goals and they'll come from players you least expect.
Manchester City players are mostly at a discount, and there's little reason to spend on Raheem Sterling ($21), which makes him a prime GPP candidate. If you're playing floors, Kevin De Bruyne ($18) is as safe as they come, creating multiple chances in every start. Sergio Aguero ($19) should get plenty of love at a discount because he may be most likely to bag a brace on this slate. Chelsea are playing well, but they're allowing multiple goals per away match. There have been 30 goals scored in Chelsea's six away matches, so I wouldn't completely avoid this contest. Throwing together Tammy Abraham ($17) and a surprisingly cheap Christian Pulisic ($14) with two City players is a viable strategy in all formats. I'm most intrigued by Riyad Mahrez ($17) because he's set to return to the starting XI and when he's played this season, he's often produced. He has at least 18 fantasy points in seven of his nine starts in the Premier League and Champions League this season.
As for the other matches, Wolverhampton and Bournemouth have all the signs of a 1-1 draw or 1-0 win. Of course, that won't stop Diogo Jota ($13) or Philip Billing ($13) from hitting a floor of 15 fantasy points. Callum Wilson ($14) is the tournament play, especially because he could be on penalties if Joshua King ($16) misses out. The Watford v. Burnley match has similar odds because you don't know what's coming from either side. Burnley have given up seven goals in their last three away, but Watford's attack was dormant prior to playing Norwich before the break. However, Troy Deeney is staring at me for just $12 and will undoubtedly be in a few of my lineups. He's back from injury and has been Watford's best forward for… a long time, though Gerard Deulofeu ($14) would disagree. Those two aren't a crazy stack and have dominated slates in the past.
Jamie Vardy ($22) has eight goals in his last six starts, but I'd rather not bank on that away from home against a tricky Brighton back line. James Maddison ($18) is the better play on this slate because his floor can reach 20 points with corners, and he's found the back of the net in four of his last six starts. Wilfred Ndidi ($13) has at least 13 points in his last four starts and seems to rack up defensive stats no matter the opposition.
If you want a couple more floor plays, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ($12) and Ilkay Gundogan ($12) usually float around 10 to 15 points and both can create a chance or two. Glenn Murray ($10) could be the cheapest starting forward (Aaron Connolly is hurt) and he's at home if you're looking for a shot in the dark.
DEFENDERS
If you want to spend at defender, Lucas Digne ($15) may be the best route because in addition to great clean-sheet odds, he's created at least three chances in his last four starts, mostly from corners. Norwich have allowed the second-most corners in the league, so it's a perfect spot for Digne. Trent Alexander-Arnold ($16) will probably be more popular because he plays for Liverpool, but while he could have a floor of 30 points, he's also failed to surpass 12.5 fantasy points in two of his last four starts due to inconsistent defensive stats.
If Angelino ($8) gets another start, he'll be chalk after hitting a floor of 20.7 points at Liverpool last match, but considering he had 5.6 points in his only other start, I'm not sure I'd put him in every lineup. I'd rather focus on Crystal Palace defenders who could sit back all match, similar to a recent home loss against Man City. Martin Kelly ($9) is the value play if he starts, while Gary Cahill ($11) and James Tomkins ($11) will likely have better floors because of their central roles. Fikayo Tomori ($10) may have the best floor of the cheaper options, and a trip to Man City should lead to at least 10 points, with 15 a good bet. Kurt Zouma ($11) and Emerson Palmieri ($10) are also in that boat for a defensive Chelsea stack. Jack Stephens ($10) is more of a GPP gamble along with the rest of Southampton because that back line has been boom or bust in terms of clearances all season. Stacking him with Jannik Vestergaard ($11) is a viable strategy in hopes they hit double-digit clearances like their trip to Man City.
You have to spend a little more in case you want guaranteed production. Steve Cook ($12) has at least 13 fantasy points in his last 11 starts, and Caglar Soyuncu ($13) has at least 14 in his last seven. While that takes away from attacking talent, the 30 total points you'll get from the defenders could come in handy in cash games.
GOALKEEPER
There isn't one goalkeeper who stands out on this slate because no one has a guaranteed win or clean sheet. Kasper Schmeichel ($15) has been safest since he usually makes saves when he allows a goal or two, but there are numerous cheaper options I'd be fine with. If Salah doesn't play, Vicente Guaita ($9) wouldn't be crazy and even then, he's made at least three saves in each of his last five starts. Ben Foster ($9) is the best play in terms of odds, as he's favored to win and has made 18 saves in his last three starts. Aaron Ramsdale ($13) and Mathew Ryan ($11) are two more goalkeepers who have been racking up saves, with the former favored at home.
