This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Burnley
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Sheffield United
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Norwich City vs. Wolverhampton
- 12:30 pm: Manchester City vs. Leicester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. LEI ($22): Despite being the most expensive player on the slate, De Bruyne is still a dollar or two cheaper than the normal highest-priced player. While he could move back to his normal midfield role (he played in the front three last match and braced), I'm fine paying for the best floor on the slate, as he's created multiple chances in every match this season and has at least 20 fantasy points in his last five league starts. Leicester are on a nice run, but they haven't played a top-eight team in their last nine matches, with their most difficult opponents in that stretch being Crystal Palace and Arsenal. They're battling, but they've taken one point from away matches against Chelsea, Man United and Liverpool. Man City have the highest implied goal total on the slate and you know De Bruyne will be involved in some way, no matter his position. If you want to back City and fade De Bruyne, it's a bit of a mixed bag because Gabriel Jesus ($20) could be subbed out early if Sergio Aguero ($18) is healthy enough to return to the bench. Raheem Sterling ($21) and Bernardo Silva ($15) have upside, but their floors are often lower than Rodri's ($13).
Jack Grealish, AVL v. SOU ($18): There aren't many slates when Aston Villa have one of the higher implied goal totals but this is one. Grealish should rebound to his normal numbers, taking 2.14 shots and creating 2.54 chances per 90 minutes. After a string of difficult matchups, Villa return home as a favorite where Grealish has thrived. He has one goal, two assists and 15 chances created in his last three home starts against Newcastle, Brighton and Burnley. You could stack Grealish with John McGinn ($15) or even Wesley Moraes ($15) and Anwar El Ghazi ($14), but that's mostly guess work. Outside of Grealish, no one has been consistent for Villa, though McGinn was the top option early in the season. There are a lot of other ways you can go in this range: Jamie Vardy ($17) is primed to score against an inconsistent Man City back line, while Neal Maupay ($16) has tallied in each of his last three starts. Danny Ings ($17) and Chris Wood ($16) are also on the table because you know Aston Villa and Bournemouth are going to allow goals.
Raul Jimenez, WOL at NOR ($17): Wolverhampton tend to play more open away from home and I think that could lead to three or four goals in this match. Teemu Pukki ($18) is a viable option because of that, but he doesn't do nearly as much as Jimenez, who averages 1.50 shots on goal and 1.72 chances create per 90 minutes. He's also made the score-sheet in eight of his last 10 league starts, which is a Jamie Vardy-like number. You could put a viable GPP lineup together that features Jimenez and Pukki, as well as set-piece takers Joao Moutinho ($15) and Emiliano Buendia ($14). Both Moutinho and Buendia are creating a ton of chances because of their work on corners, and this match should feature them, mostly for Wolves since Norwich have allowed the most in the league this season. But while Wolverhampton don't allow a ton of corners, that may not matter after Buendia created five chances at Leicester last weekend.
Oliver Norwood, SHU at BHA ($10): On the surface, this play has the chance of killing any lineup. Norwood has failed to surpass 10 fantasy points in six of his last eight starts and most of his recent production has come from tackles. However, John Fleck is suspended and that means Norwood could be in line to take every set piece, which was the case early in the season. Luke Freeman is a possible replacement and could steal some corners, but I'm willing to bet on Norwood in what should be a surprisingly exciting match. Both sides are playing well and I think both will be looking to grab that first goal early. If you don't like risk, Wilfred Ndidi ($13) is a perfect floor play having hit double digits in every start this season. He had 19.5 fantasy points in this matchup last campaign and it wouldn't be surprising if he racked up similar defensive numbers. Of course, there are plenty more options in this range with upside from Pascal Gross ($13) and Adama Traore ($12), as well as defensive midfielders like Dan Gosling ($10) and Yves Bissouma ($9). If Bissouma starts again, he's an intriguing play after looking like one of Brighton's better players at Crystal Palace last match.
DEFENDERS
Caglar Soyuncu, LEI at MCI ($11): The only reason to spend more on Jonny Evans ($12) is if you stack Leicester's center-backs. Otherwise, Soyuncu has about the same floor and is making more tackles and clearances per 90 minutes. I'm fine spending the few extra bucks for a defender because a floor of 20 points is possible, as Man City have forced the most clearances and blocks to defenders by a wide margin in the last 10 gameweeks. Soyuncu also has at least 14 fantasy points in each of his last five away starts. I'm not sure backing a more expensive defender is worth it unless you know which Newcastle defender is going to score. There are no full-backs with enticing matchups and Soyuncu probably has just as good a floor as Federico Fernandez ($15) and James Tarkowski ($15).
Simon Francis, BOU v. BRN ($8): No matter the matchup, I'll usually take a chance on a center-back who has shown he can produce. Francis had eight clearances and 18 fantasy points last match, and while Burnley may not force as much action, I think he could scrap together at least 10 points. Jack Stacey ($8) could be more popular because he had a better floor last match, but full-backs who rely on defensive stats aren't the best bets. That said, Martin Kelly ($9) has been doing a little bit of everything and is worth a look because he had 21 clearances, six interceptions and seven tackles in his last three starts.
GOALKEEPER
Aaron Ramsdale, BOU v. BRN ($9): Given this slate has some of the lowest implied goal totals I've seen on a Saturday, you could viably take any goalkeeper. I'm going with Ramsdale not because he randomly held Chelsea scoreless last weekend, but because he's averaging 3.59 saves per start. A win and clean sheet will be difficult, though Burnley have been as unpredictable as Bournemouth, so it's possible. The odds don't show it, but I think Martin Dubravka ($12) has the best chance for a clean sheet because Crystal Palace rarely score more than one goal, and they seem to be worse whenever Christian Benteke starts. My other choice is Vicente Guaita ($11), who can always be relied on for saves, and Newcastle aren't as potent without Allan Saint-Maximin wrecking opposing back lines.
