This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 pm: Manchester City vs. Newcastle United
- 1:00 pm: Sheffield United vs. Wolverhampton
- 1:00 pm: West Ham United vs. Burnley
- 3:15 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Liverpool
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. NEW ($22): De Bruyne is the best floor play on the slate, and he's also been on a scoring binge since the restart, finding the back of the net in each of his last three starts to go with nine chances created. The GPP method would be to stack every Man City player but De Bruyne, and it's possible given the cheaper prices of guys like Raheem Sterling ($19) and Gabriel Jesus ($18). Since Man City have an implied goal total of almost one full goal more than anyone else, Jesus has the best odds to score on the slate. Newcastle are playing well in the attack, but they've given up goals to West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in each of their last three matches. Phil Foden ($16) also deserves a heavy look no matter the contest, with four goals and an assist in his last four appearances, only two of those being starts. He has a nose for goal and should probably be a few bucks more expensive given those recent performances. In a classic bounce-back situation, Man City are ripe for multiple goals after being held scoreless by Southampton over the weekend.
Mohamed Salah, LIV at BHA ($21): Liverpool haven't looked their best since winning the league, and playing in the late game doesn't help. While it's unlikely Sadio Mane ($21) and Salah are benched, it's definitely possible given the number of games and the fact the Reds have nothing to play for. That said, it's hard to completely avoid Liverpool given their dominance this season and that they're the second-biggest favorite on the slate. The main worry is that Man City are always capable of scoring five goals, while Liverpool haven't exactly been on their game, oddly finishing with just six shots and six chances created against Aston Villa last match despite controlling the game. Either way, Salah is still hungry for goals and has produced seven chances and four shots on target in his last three starts. While Mane scored last match, he didn't do much else, and I think Salah's desire to score will show up against Brighton. Roberto Firmino ($15) should return to the starting XI, but he's struggled since the restart and is more of a stacking piece for GPPs. Outside of Liverpool's top two guys, you're mostly throwing darts at who will make the score-sheet.
Jarrod Bowen, WHU v. BRN ($17): It took West Ham a season, but it seems like they've figured something out in their squad. Bowen has been huge since joining from Hull City in January, while something has clicked for Michail Antonio ($18), who has two shots on goal in each of his last three starts. Antonio may be more likely to score because of position, but Bowen takes set pieces and is more of a creator with a tad higher floor because of defensive stats. If you only want one West Ham piece, Bowen is the guy in cash games and Antonio is more of a tournament option as their striker. If you want to fade Liverpool, a Bowen-Antonio stack is viable given how West Ham have played recently. I'm fine with Bowen in cash games because while Burnley love to play defensive, that won't stop Bowen from racking up chances created and set pieces on the attacking end. If you don't like goals and want a simple 10 fantasy points, Declan Rice ($14) is your guy.
Jay Rodriguez, BRN at WHU ($17): On the other end of West Ham is a Burnley side that has battled numerous injuries since the restart. And even though they sit back more often than not, they've scored once in each of their last three matches. Combine that with West Ham allowing at least two goals in each of their last four matches with the possible return of Chris Wood ($13) to the starting XI, and there could be more goals in this match than the odds suggest. Wood is a nice value option if he starts, and if he doesn't, Rodriguez is still worth the price and has been solid in his last two starts, leading to a goal and assist. On a different slate, it'd make sense to grab Dwight McNeil ($16) or Ashley Westwood ($12), but you probably shouldn't go all-out on Burnley or West Ham on a slate that also features Man City and Liverpool. If you decide to fade one of those top teams, I'd look at this match first.
DEFENDERS
Tariq Lamptey, BHA v. LIV ($6): Lamptey could be the most popular defender on the slate because of his price, as he allows you to get three high-end guys. As long as he can go the entire way, he's hit 9.1 fantasy points in two of his three starts and Liverpool force the most clearances and third-most interceptions in the league. Given that he's started three matches since the restart, he should probably be a couple bucks more expensive. Otherwise, there's a slew of $7 defenders to take a stab at, with the Newcastle options (Emil Krafth $7, Javier Manquillo $7) a good route for stacking purposes.
Kevin Long, BRN v. WHU ($7): If you go with one or two of the cheaper forwards and a low-end goalkeeper, there is a way to get an upside defender like Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) or Benjamin Mendy ($14). However, with unpredictable floors, I'd rather look elsewhere like the Burnley center-backs, who have been one of the most consistent sources of defensive stats. Long had a floor of 15 fantasy points against Sheffield United last match and James Tarkowski ($15) has at least 18 points in each of his last three starts. I'd understand a Burnley center-back stack, but I'm not sure spending up on Tarkowski over Long is the best route when their floors aren't much different.
GOALKEEPER
Dean Henderson, SHU v. WOL ($9): If you have money, Ederson ($13) and Alisson Becker ($14) make sense because both should at least accrue points for wins. If not, there are plenty of other options, especially since the Sheffield United-Wolves match has an implied goal total near two. You could spend the extra three bucks on Rui Patricio ($12) since Wolves are favored, but if you don't have the cash, Henderson will do fine. He finishes in the positive almost every match and has made 15 saves in his last four starts. While he may not get the win, he's cheap and should finish with a few fantasy points, at a minimum.
