This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Brentford
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Everton
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Norwich City vs. Leicester City
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Crystal Palace
- 12:30 pm: Liverpool vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Michail Antonio, WHU v. CRY ($21): There are a few ways to go at the top of the list, but it's hard to argue against Antonio, who has three goals and two assists in two matches this season. The problem in GPPs is that he'll probably be the most popular forward, especially since Liverpool and Chelsea play each other. In addition to Antonio's form, West Ham are the biggest favorite and have the highest implied goal total on the slate. Stacking a couple of their guys could be viable in cash games because even if they don't score, they should still rack up opportunities. I trust Said Benrahma ($18) more than the others, but it's not like he has a higher floor. Jarrod Bowen ($16) makes the most sense from a floor perspective because even without an appearance on the score-sheet, he's still hit 16 fantasy points in each of the first two matches, and he'll score soon enough. Declan Rice ($13) is a decent value play for West Ham, while Conor Gallagher ($12) has a role on set pieces for Palace and is good for a few defensive stats. He wasn't as exciting last season with a split role on set pieces, but there's a chance he has a monopoly for Palace.
Kelechi Iheanacho, LEI at NOR ($18): Jamie Vardy ($22) is the most-expensive player on the slate and has the best odds to score, but he often has no floor. Leicester have a great matchup, but I wouldn't go crazy with them because they've struggled to get opportunities in the early season and, despite playing Norwich, they are away from home and won't have a free win. That said, Iheanacho will probably start for the suspended Ayoze Perez, and there's no doubt he'll want to show his worth after moving to the bench to start the season. This is more of a play on last season's form, something I think is worth gambling on. He scored at least 23 fantasy points in eight of his final 11 starts, surpassing 30 points five times. There was a reason he was benched to open the season, but I'd rather gamble on those performances than spend more on Vardy. Unfortunately, it's hit or miss with the rest of Leicester's players. James Maddison ($16) is useless without set pieces, Youri Tielemans ($15) doesn't have the same upside without set pieces and Harvey Barnes ($14) is still looking to get back his form.
Callum Wilson, NEW v. SOU ($18): The odds don't show it, but I think the Newcastle v. Southampton match could have the most goals, and we could see four or five. If that happens, it'd be a surprise if Wilson didn't make the score-sheet. He wasn't my original pick because he's similar to Vardy in that he's simply there to score goals without much of a floor. However, if I think there will be goals, then he should score. I continue to have doubts about the Southampton back line, especially away from home. Allan Saint-Maximin ($17) is more exciting to watch, and he's a fine stacking piece, but as seen in his zero-point floor last match, he isn't the best cash option. Joe Willock ($13) will likely get some attention because he is cheaper, while Ryan Fraser ($8) is someone to keep an eye on in case he starts because of other injuries in the midfield. If you think this game could hit five goals, adding a Southampton player or two makes sense for a full-game stack. Che Adams ($18) seems to be more of the play-maker up front for Southampton, similar to prior seasons, and that's led to no shots on goal through two matches. That being the case, I prefer Adam Armstrong ($17) as the upside play having posted five shots (three on target) in two matches. As usual, James Ward-Prowse ($16) is the cash play, and there's still a slight chance he's on penalties for Southampton.
Allan, EVE at BHA ($9): The prices on Liverpool and Chelsea players haven't decreased despite their tough matchup, so it'll be hard to use any of them in cash games. There's also a chance to stack that game and hope for goals, but the matchup seems more likely to be low scoring and tightly played. If you need to save money, Allan is a perfect cash play after notching 19 floor points last match. He's a nuisance in the midfield, and since Brighton like to control possession when possible, I think he's headed for at least 10 floor points again because of defensive stats. If you prefer more upside, there is a GPP move to back Palace with Gallagher and Jordan Ayew ($12) being fairly cheap. Solomon March ($12) is slowly creeping up in price and losing value since he's not getting clean sheet points as a midfielder.
DEFENDERS
Matt Ritchie, NEW v. SOU ($14): I'm not sure what the percentages will be, but Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) is always popular and Marcos Alonso ($15) will probably be used a lot with Romelu Lukaku ($20). I'm sticking to my guns with Newcastle and hoping Ritchie can combine with Wilson once or twice. Ritchie assisted in the opener and had a floor of 18.9 points last match. He's created nine chances in two matches thanks to an almost exclusive role on set pieces. As long as Newcastle face a weaker back line, I'll continue to back Ritchie. If Reece James ($12) starts again, I'd be tempted to use him at a discount after he had a ridiculous 50 fantasy points against Arsenal.
Luke Thomas, LEI at NOR ($8): Speaking of set-piece takers, Thomas has taken… uh… all two corners for Leicester and, maybe more importantly, has five clearances and nine tackles in two matches. With that touch of upside from set pieces to go with consistent defensive work, he's an easy play as one of the cheaper options. If Ryan Bertrand ($9) returns from COVID-19, I'd use him, as well. Otherwise, Yerry Mina ($7) may be the only starting defender cheaper than eight bucks (if he starts again).
GOALKEEPER
Robert Sanchez, BHA v. EVE ($10): Lukasz Fabianski ($12) has the best odds for a clean sheet, but they aren't nearly as overwhelming as those of Man City or Liverpool in prior weeks. There isn't one goalkeeper who stands out, which makes selecting one tricky. The best strategy is to build the rest of your lineup and see what you have left. If you're fading Leicester, Tim Krul ($6) isn't the worst option, though it's not like Leicester are racking up shots on target. I think Sanchez has the best combination of save chances and clean sheet odds; Everton have five goals from two matches, but they've also had nine shots saved. As for Sanchez, he has seven clean sheets in his last 11 home starts in league play.
