This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Arsenal v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Burnley v. Manchester United
10:00 a.m: Leicester City at Watford
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: Everton v. West Brom
12:30 p.m: Manchester City v. Newcastle
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. NEW ($12,000): It's tough to make the argument that any other player has more upside than Aguero, who is expected to lead the line for the team with the highest win odds and implied goal total. While he's not at Harry Kane's level in terms of shot volume, Aguero is still very active, taking 31 shots, including 11 on goal, in his last seven games. He bagged four goals in that time while also picking up two assists on seven chances created, though three of the latter came against Liverpool last weekend.
Marko Arnautovic, WHU v. BOU ($10,000): There may not be a hotter player in the Premier League than Arnautovic, who has five goals on 15 shots (seven on goal) and three assists on 13 chances created in his last five games. He's put multiple shots on goal or created multiple chances in all but one game during that span, and he'll now face a Bournemouth side that has given up multiple goals in four of their last six matches.
Theo Walcott, EVE v. WBA ($7,000): A spot in the starting XI isn't guaranteed for Walcott, who signed with Everton earlier this week after his long run with Arsenal, but it's certainly a possibility after manager Sam Allardyce gave Cenk Tosun ($8,000) his debut shortly after joining the club two weeks ago. Tosun is probably in the better spot leading the line against West Brom, but Walcott is certainly capable of putting up a decent score himself, especially based on his low price. Everton have struggled to get much going on the attacking end lately, but the additions of Walcott and Tosun could begin the turnaround against West Brom, who allowed five goals in their last two away matches (at Stoke and West Ham).
MIDFIELDERS
Paul Pogba, MUN at BUR ($10,500): Choosing between Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne ($11,500) is a tough one given their respective upsides and matchups, but I side ever-so-slightly to Pogba because of Manchester United's recent dependence on his play. That isn't to say Man City can do without De Bruyne, but with so many other weapons we could see Man City score three goals and leave De Bruyne off the scoresheet, as we saw last weekend against Liverpool when he had one shot on target and no chances created in 90 minutes. Meanwhile, Pogba has been excellent of late, picking up four assists on nine chances created in his last two games. He also took six shots in that span, though only one was on goal, but with the way Burnley are content to allow shots, Pogba isn't likely to decrease his attempts.
Riyad Mahrez, LEI v. WAT ($10,000): Mahrez has been in solid form, scoring two goals and assisting two others over his last four games. He's responsible for a decent chunk of Leicester's set pieces, which has helped him to seven chances created over that form span, and while it's not consistently big production, his matchup against Watford is encouraging, as the Hornets have allowed the third-most shots on goal over the past six games among teams on the slate. Additionally, Leicester have a higher implied goal total than Manchester United.
Chris Brunt, WBA at EVE ($7,000): Playing away to Everton doesn't excite, especially since we're putting our hopes into the West Brom attack, but it's worth nothing that no player on Saturday's slate is averaging more chance created per 90 minutes over the past six games than Brunt, who was helped there thanks to six against Everton on Boxing Day (he had five the match before at Stoke City). Everton's allowance of chances didn't end with their West Brom match, as no side has allowed more chances to be created against them over that same time span, while the Toffees have also given up the most shots and second-most shots on goal in addition to committing the fourth-most fouls. That latter point works in Brunt's favor because of his role on set pieces. His upside isn't huge because he doesn't shoot much, but at this price he can provide a decent foundation.
DEFENDERS
Ashley Young, MUN at BUR ($5,500): Rested and fresh after missing the past three games due to suspension, Young could be a great attacking option for Manchester United against Burnley, who allow plenty of shots and chances. He comes in having created seven chances, drawn seven fouls and earned five tackles in his last two games, and he's scored at least 22 fantasy points in three straight with only one assist, which happened to come against Burnley. The price isn't too high, and Young's assist upside makes him worth the investment.
Joel Ward, CPL at ARS ($5,000): Expected back from injury, Ward could provide a decent return against an Arsenal side that's forced the second-most clearances over the past six games. Clearances aren't really the heart of Ward's fantasy production, however, as he is also averaging 2.22 tackles, 1.85 interceptions and 0.59 blocked shots per 90 minutes this season. While those don't sound like a lot, it's worth recognizing that he scored more than 17.00 fantasy points in four of his past five games, only once relying on an assist to reach that level (he scored 24.25 against Everton with that helper).
Daryl Janmaat, WAT at LEI ($6,500): Janmaat scored 34.75 fantasy points last weekend against Southampton, a very impressive total because it came without a goal or an assist. His three chances created are unlikely to be duplicated at Leciester, though Janmaat does seem to be used more in the attack than fellow full-back Marvin Zeegelaar ($5,000). It's a hefty price difference between the two, but Janmaat's ability to contribute on both ends makes him a more attractive fantasy option.
GOALKEEPER
Adrian, WHU v. BOU ($5,000): While he didn't have any clean sheets in his last four games, Adrian did make 17 saves, including seven against this same Bournemouth side on Boxing Day. This isn't to say a repeat is guaranteed, especially with this match being played at London Stadium, but Bournemouth haven't been hesitant to shoot - in fact, they've been very good at it, scoring multiple goals in four straight, including three in that West Ham match. However, West Ham have been better defensively since then, giving Adrian a stronger front so that easier shots come his way.
