This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Chelsea
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Burnley
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Southampton
- 12:30 pm: Watford vs. Liverpool
For detailed stats and odds, as well as expected lineups, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV at WAT ($23): As usual, it's a toss up between Salah and Sadio Mane ($22). I'm willing to spend the extra dollar on Salah because he takes penalties and has been a little easier to trust. He doesn't have a high floor, but Mane's is struggling and he rarely surpasses 30 fantasy points even with an appearance on the score-sheet. It's a bit different for Salah, who has hit that mark in three of his last four league starts, mostly because he's getting more shots on target and chances created. If you want to guarantee one of Liverpool's goals, you could use both of them, as Watford have given up multiple goals in three of their last four matches and lost 3-2 against Everton in their last home match. It's almost a must to get at least one Liverpool piece on this slate, especially in cash games, including the cheaper Roberto Firmino ($19).
Danny Ings, SOU at WHU ($18): Even if Tammy Abraham ($20) starts, I doubt he plays more than 70 minutes, and if he goes the full 90, his numbers have struggled against all competition the last couple months. The same can't be said for Ings, even though he isn't scoring as much as earlier in the season. He has 11 shots on goal and five chances created in his last seven starts and should have a floor of at least 10 fantasy points. West Ham can't seem to contain anyone, allowing 14 goals in their last five league matches, and while some of that has to do with competition, they gave up three goals to Brighton last time at home. I liked Shane Long ($17) last week, but his price is a bit too high now, though it wouldn't be a terrible GPP move to stack him and Ings. Willian ($18) and Robert Snodgrass ($17) have higher floors because of set pieces, but I'd rather take the goal odds of Ings.
Allan Saint-Maximin, NEW v. BRN ($12): Burnley are playing well, but I'm not sure Matt Ritchie ($16) should be Newcastle's most expensive player by three bucks. Saint-Maximin hasn't had a true breakout game, though it'll come at some point. Even if it doesn't Saturday, he has at least nine fantasy points in each of his last six starts and has taken 10 shots in his last three. The problem is that Newcastle aren't a threat to score more than two goals, though I don't think Burnley are good enough that they'll completely lock down defensively. Saint-Maximin's price also allows you to stack Mane and Salah, if that's your desire. There are a few other options in this range with the same upside like Miguel Almiron ($11) or a slew of West Ham guys at home in Michail Antonio ($13) and Felipe Anderson ($11).
Joshua King, BOU v. CHE ($14): Someone on Bournemouth is going to win a GPP, but finding that player is the hard part. Chelsea are coming off a midweek loss to Bayern Munich and have allowed goals to Leicester City, Newcastle and Brighton in recent away games. King is more expensive than Ryan Fraser ($11), but that's why he's a GPP play. King should be ready for a full 90 after returning to the starting XI last weekend for 70 minutes. He doesn't have much of a floor, but he takes penalties and isn't allergic to scoring despite having just three goals this season. Callum Wilson ($16) is another choice, but he's also goal-or-bust and a tad more expensive.
DEFENDERS
Christian Kabasele, WAT v. LIV ($10): Kabasele hasn't provided much fantasy value in recent starts, but he had a floor of 19.5 points in the previous meeting against Liverpool and is cheaper than fellow center-back Craig Cathcart ($13). The Reds have forced the most clearances, third-most blocks and sixth-most interceptions in the last 10 gameweeks. You can rarely find center-backs at this price against Liverpool, which makes him almost a must-play in cash games. Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) is always an option because of his upside, but someone line Cathcart or Simon Francis ($13) is slightly more reliable.
Jack Stacey, BOU v. CHE ($8): Stacey isn't a center-back, but he stays back fairly often, which is why his floor has been around 10 fantasy points in each of his last five starts, mostly because of 24 clearances. Conveniently, Chelsea have forced the second-most clearances, most blocks and fourth-most tackles in the last 10 gameweeks. If you're into playing cheaper defenders, Stacey is plenty viable, as well as teammate Steve Cook ($9). Some may look to Andreas Christensen ($9) or Jeremy Ngakia ($9), though I'm not sure either are in great situations to repeat what they did last weekend.
GOALKEEPER
Martin Dubravka, NEW v. BRN ($11): There are a few ways to go if you want a cheaper goalkeeper. Dubravka is my pick, having held Norwich City and Chelsea scoreless in his last two home starts. Even better is that he's made at least three saves in each of his last five starts, which is why he rarely finishes with negative fantasy points. Lukasz Fabianski ($11) is in a similar situation, though I have less faith in the West Ham back line. If you have more money, Alisson Becker ($14) is there for the taking, and I'm not sure I'd back any of the other away favorites.
