This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Aston Villa
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Sheffield United
- 10:00 am: Liverpool vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Norwich City
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Everton
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Manchester United vs. Wolverhampton
For detailed stats and odds, including expected lineups, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SOU ($23): This isn't a pretty slate and unfortunately something dumb is probably going to happen. It's a given that Salah will be the most popular player and Takumi Minamino ($13) or Divock Origi ($16) will be close behind if they start in place of the injured Sadio Mane. I could write about a GPP move for Roberto Firmino ($19), but there are no reasons not to use Salah in cash games. Sure, he'll be on the majority of teams, but when he makes the score-sheet twice, you'll likely be stuck without any winnings. He has nine shots on goal and 15 chances created in his last six starts, and I'm not sure it matters that Southampton have oddly won their last four away matches. I'm less certain on Minamino, who is cheap but has a less defined role in the squad and is unlikely to go the full 90. A lot of people will stack Salah and Firmino, and the only thing you can hope for is that Liverpool manage just one goal or that Jordan Henderson scores a brace. Otherwise, given that Bournemouth are the second-biggest favorite on the slate, there aren't many ways around not using a Liverpool player, at least in cash games.
Callum Wilson, BOU v. AVL ($15): Is playing at home against Aston Villa enough to back someone in fantasy? Maybe. While Salah is a logical cash play, Wilson has no floor and the best odds to find the back of the net outside of Liverpool. I gave up on Wilson when he failed to get a shot on target in 11 straight starts, but here we are. I prefer Troy Deeney ($18), though I'm not sure I'm willing to spend the same on him as someone like Firmino. At least Wilson is cheaper and Bournemouth showed life last match, beating Brighton 3-1. If you think that'll happen again, Wilson, Harry Wilson ($14) and Ryan Fraser ($10) is a possible stack to go with Salah, though only for tournaments. I have less faith in Teemu Pukki ($19) and Danny Ings ($17), so there's no reason to spend more on guys who have worse odds to score.
Emiliano Buendia, NOR at NEW ($16): Why not… am I right? As long as Buendia returns to the starting XI, there are few reasons not to use him as one of the best floor plays on the slate. He has at least 15 fantasy points in his last eight starts and remains somewhat of a value play. Newcastle have allowed the second-most corners and third-most chances created in the last 10 gameweeks, and that's where a lot of Buendia's fantasy production comes from. If, for some reason, you want to go full Norwich City away from home, Pukki is a tad more expensive. I'd rather combine Buendia with Ondrej Duda ($11), who has provided defensive stats and a couple shots on target in his first two starts. West Ham are another place to look if you want some mid-range plays, with Sebastien Haller ($16) and Robert Snodgrass ($13) the most potent.
Allan Saint-Maximin, NEW v. NOR ($12): If you want an expensive defender, you have to get at least one value attacking player in the squad. Saint-Maximin fits the mold and should be rested after playing 70 minutes in last weekend's Cup match. A lot of what he does on the pitch doesn't show up on the stat sheet, but I'm willing to take a chance on him against Norwich because they allowed the fifth-most chances and sixth-most crosses in the last 10 gameweeks. If you want set pieces and Man United's lineup stays the same, Juan Mata ($13) is a reasonable choice, though that's not an easy match to project.
DEFENDERS
Jan Bednarek, SOU at LIV ($8): After missing one league match because of a minor issue, Bednarek is at the minimal price against Liverpool, who have forced the most clearances in the last 10 gameweeks (not including Wednesday's match). His price appears to be a mistake, as he averages just as many points as fellow center-back Jack Stephens ($14). Bednarek is a must play in this spot, averaging 5.53 clearances, 2.09 interceptions and 2.00 tackles per 90 minutes, which should push his floor above 10 fantasy points. Brandon Williams, Patrick van Aanholt and Yan Valery could also get attention at the same price, but they don't have guaranteed floors as full-backs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. SOU ($15): I don't like this play, but if you have the money, you might as well get Alexander-Arnold, who could assist twice if Liverpool dominate this match as expected. Of course, it's not that hard to fade him since his floor usually sits around 10 points and that's why he hasn't surpassed 22 points in his last two starts in which he's had an assist. If you don't have that money, I'd consider West Ham defenders like Issa Diop ($13) or Aaron Cresswell ($12). In addition to Brighton forcing the most interceptions and sixth-most clearances in the last 10 gameweeks, Cresswell has taken six corners in the last two matches, which makes it more likely that he creates a chance or two. There are plenty of other viable options like Lucas Digne ($13), Virgil van Dijk ($13), Christoph Zimmermann ($13) and Djibril Sidibe ($12), all of whom tend to hit more than 10 points no matter the matchup.
GOALKEEPER
Lukasz Fabianski, WHU v. BHA ($8): There aren't a ton of positive things happening at West Ham right now, but Fabianski is back and they tend to be better when he's in net. It helps that Brighton are struggling and needed a late Aaron Mooy blast so they didn't lose 3-0 at Bournemouth last league match. Neither team is playing well, but a win and clean sheet wouldn't be surprising for the Hammers. There are a few other options in this range, with Vicente Guaita ($9) and Aaron Ramsdale ($9) both cheap and at home. If you're fading Salah and Liverpool, Alex McCarthy ($11) is the only goalkeeper to back.
