This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Brentford
- 10:00 am: Norwich City vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Manchester United
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. West Ham United
- 12:30 pm: Liverpool vs. Arsenal
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS / MIDFIELDERS
Cristiano Ronaldo, MUN at WAT ($23): No one has better goal-scoring odds than Cristiano Ronaldo as Manchester United travel to Watford. They're highly favored against a Watford side that has conceded the fourth-most goals in the Premier League. They're conceding the fourth-most shots on goal at just under five shots on goal per 90 minutes. Ronaldo has scored four goals, provided an assist and taken 10 shots on goal over his past five matches. He and Mohamed Salah ($22) are likely to be the highest-owned forwards on the slate along with Bruno Fernandes ($21), who is the engine that makes Manchester United's attack go. Manchester United's back line has been a problem throughout the season, especially when Raphael Varane is sidelined, which will be the case Saturday. Joshua King ($17) and Emmanuel Dennis ($16) are Watford's best attacking options who can find the back of the net.
Sadio Mane, LIV v. ARS ($19): Mohamed Salah ($22) is the more coveted option here but you'll have a tough time putting him and Cristiano Ronaldo ($23) in the same lineup together. Sadio Mane was taken off as a precaution over the international break while playing for Senegal, but he trained Friday and should play a pivotal role. Liverpool are the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest-implied goal total despite facing Arsenal. While Salah has been electric this season, Mane has quietly been quality, scoring six goals in 11 matches and averaging over a shot on goal per 90 minutes. He offers enough savings that a Liverpool stack isn't out of the question with Diogo Jota ($18) expected to start in a matchup that has had three goals in 10 of the past 11 Premier League matches. For Arsenal, Emile Smith-Rowe ($17) has had at least 22 fantasy points in each of his past three matches and is cheaper than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($19).
Maxwel Cornet, BRN v. CRY ($18): Burnley hosting Crystal Palace has the lowest-implied goal total so buyer-beware here. That implied goal total is why I opted for Cornet over Dwight McNeil ($16), as the former has had a higher floor since he started consistently starting in September. Cornet leads Burnley with four goals despite starting only five matches this season and will need to be at his best against a Palace back line that has kept consecutive clean sheets. On the other side, Conor Gallagher ($20) has four appearances with more than 26 points this season, including a 57-point effort against Manchester City, which makes him a strong consideration.
Stuart Armstrong, SOU v. NOR ($8): Armstrong has started just one match all season after missing five matches due to injury and then ramping back up with three-straight substitute appearances. Despite playing 123 minutes so far, he's created five scoring chances to go along with two interceptions. He could be a sneaky value play assuming he continues in the starting XI and follows up the trend of increased minutes. With this being a large slate with top-tier options, Armstrong fits the mold of a cheap, dependable option who allows for bigger spending elsewhere. It helps that he's facing Norwich City, who concede 13 chances created and over six shots on goal per 90 minutes, which is most on the slate in both categories. James Ward-Prowse ($17) is Southampton's most consistent option, while Adam Armstrong ($15) has a goal and assist over the past two matches.
DEFENDERS
Kostas Tsimikas, LIV v. ARS ($13): Andrew Robertson ($12) picked up a hamstring injury while away on international duty and as of Friday, he has yet to train since returning to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp labeled him a "late, late decision" which should make way for Kostas Tsimikas to start at left-back. In four starts this season (Premier League and Champions League), Tsimikas has been impressive while providing one assist, creating 12 scoring chances, making 12 clearances and winning five tackles, all while keeping a clean sheet in all four matches. All this to say, he's slightly cheaper than Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) and is in a good spot against an Arsenal side that concedes the fourth-most chances created (10.91 per 90 mininutes) on the 14-team slate. Joel Matip ($9) and Virgil van Dijk ($11) should start at center-back, though it'll be tough to depend on a clean sheet as there's only been two clean sheets in the past 12 meetings between these two sides.
Nicolas Nkoulou, WAT at MUN ($7): Nkoulou earned his first Premier League start during the 1-0 loss to Arsenal prior to the international break and is in line to double his start tally against Manchester United. He's one of the cheapest expected starters Saturday and had a serviceable outing in his previous start, where he made eight clearances, one block and one clearance to finish with 16 points. With Manchester United favored and playing at home, they'll be expected to apply a high volume of pressure on Watford's back line, which could lead to a big defensive day for Nkoulou even if that doesn't include a clean sheet. Luke Shaw ($12) has the best floor of the Manchester United defenders and continues to take a share of set pieces.
GOALKEEPERS
Alex McCarthy, SOU at NOR ($12): Aaron Ramsdale ($7) is the second-cheapest expected starter and will be facing a Liverpool side liable to create the most save opportunities. Ben Foster ($6) is the cheapest keeper traveling away to Manchester United. David de Gea ($14) has the highest clean sheet odds and is somehow more expensive than Alisson Becker ($13), who is right behind de Gea in clean sheet chances. Norwich City have been shut out in seven of 11 Premier league matches and Southampton have conceded just 12 goals this season, good for fourth in the league. Alex McCarthy ($12) has scored at least 10 fantasy points in six of his past eight matches and is in a great matchup to replicate.
