This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 1:00 pm: Everton vs. Wolverhampton
- 1:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Sheffield United
- 1:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
- 2:00 pm: Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal
- 3:15 pm: Burnley vs. Liverpool
- 3:15 pm: West Bromwich Albion vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV at BRN ($22): Salah is closing the season like he started it and that means you should use him. He's made the score-sheet in each of his last six league starts and, overall, is doing more in front of net (in addition to scoring). Compared to a few months ago when his floor was below 10 fantasy points every match, he's racked up eight shots on target and 12 chances created over the last four matches. Burnley love to play the counter, which means Liverpool should have the ball in the attacking third the majority of this match. Salah didn't start the prior meeting earlier this season, but he racked up six shots on target and seven chances in last campaign's two meetings. In addition to having upside, his floor may reach 20 points, and that means he's viable in all formats. I'm less confident in Sadio Mane ($20), who hasn't increased his chances like Salah in recent weeks, while Roberto Firmino ($18) is always goal-or-bust, though he had a brace last week. Otherwise, Thiago Alcantara ($12) is somewhat of a value play after he improbably had a 26.5-point floor over the weekend. He usually hits 10 fantasy points because of defensive stats, but I'm not sure you want to waste a roster spot on him in a six-match slate.
Harry Kane, TOT v. AVL ($23): I might as well write about Kane next because both he and Salah are aiming for the Golden Boot. Kane has lower odds to hit the back of the net, but he's home and facing a back line that just gave up three goals to Crystal Palace. Kane probably has a touch more upside than Salah because he's only on the pitch to score goals, which is why he's taken 30 shots over his last six starts. He had five shots on goal against Wolves and could see similar action in what's expected to be one of higher scoring matches of the day. Spurs won 2-0 in March and scored three goals in each of last season's matchups. As seen in their loss against Palace, I think Villa will play a little more freely, which should open up for three-plus goals between the teams. As for Spurs, they still need to win and that'll mostly fall to Kane, who could be on his way out this summer. Son Heung-Min ($21) is always a great option because he has the highest floor on the team, but he doesn't have the same upside as Kane. I'd consider Gareth Bale ($18) if he starts, but there's a chance he doesn't on a short week given his injury issues. If you want a GPP underdog, I think Villa may be the play because Tottenham haven't been consistent defensively all season. Even if Jack Grealish ($16) doesn't start, Ollie Watkins ($18) is back from suspension and always in play to hit the back of the net, while Anwar El Ghazi ($17) is worth a shot in tournaments.
Jesse Lingard, WHU at WBA ($17): Unlike Salah and Kane, there may have to be a decision made between Antonio and Lingard because they have the same odds to hit the back of the net. I'm backing Lingard only because he's cheaper, as he makes it easier to get both Kane and Salah. Antonio had a recent brace, but outside of that performance, neither has been in much form, as Lingard has three shots on goal in his last five starts. The main thing is that West Brom have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five matches, and while there will be fans, that doesn't mean their back line will get better with people yelling at them. At his peak, Lingard was ripping shots from outside the box every match, while also creating for teammates. In need of three points, West Ham could be pushing to score all match. West Ham aren't projected to score as much as Liverpool and Tottenham, but that makes a Lingard-Antonio stack that much better in GPPs. I'm not overly confident in anyone else on West Ham, but Matheus Pereira ($18) is another GPP consideration for West Brom. He's created multiple chances in eight of his last nine starts and not many will turn to him on this slate.
Christian Benteke, CRY v. ARS ($18): Oh, did you think I'd be backing Arsenal here? Arsenal are sizable favorites despite playing in Roy Hodgson's home farewell with fans in the stadium. I know the Gunners have something to play for, but that hasn't stopped them from under-performing before. That leads me to Benteke, who may be on fewer than five percent of rosters in the main GPP. In addition to scoring in the last three matches, he has five other shots on target and eight clearances, helping his floor above normal levels. Wilfried Zaha ($17) is another option and will be looking to build off the goal he scored last match, while Eberechi Eze ($13) and Andros Townsend ($10) both seem under-priced for set-piece takers, even as underdogs. On the other side, I'm not sold on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($19), who will undoubtedly be more popular than Benteke. If you like Arsenal, I'd rather go with value and use either Bukayo Saka ($12) or Martin Odegaard ($10) in the fourth forward spot.
For the other two matches, both early games, I'm done backing Everton at home after they lost to Sheffield United over the weekend. Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($20) could score, but I'd rather spend my money elsewhere. If anything, I'd use Gylfi Sigurdsson ($13) since James Rodriguez ($15) may not start twice on a short week. I like Newcastle in their home finale, but without Callum Wilson, there isn't one player who stands out.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at BRN ($15): I rarely back the most expensive defender, but Alexander-Arnold is too good to pass up. He's scored at least 19 fantasy points in eight of his last nine starts and, in addition to one of the higher floors on the slate, he created 15 chances the last three matches. Burnley aren't expected to slow Liverpool down, which means a ton more corners and another floor near 20 points with upside. Lucas Digne ($14) is in a comparable situation, but he doesn't take as many corners and isn't as likely to score.
Matt Ritchie, NEW v. SHU ($7): None of the value defenders have guaranteed floors, but Ritchie at least takes set pieces. He assisted twice in the last five matches and otherwise has a floor that's usually below 10 points as a wing-back. If you want more safety, Ki-Jana Hoever ($7) has had a higher floor as a full-back with seven clearances in the last two matches. Eric Dier ($7) is safer on the surface as a center-back, but he's priced this way for a reason; I'd rather bank on Ritchie's upside than hope for 10 clearances from Dier.
GOALKEEPER
Jack Butland, CRY v. ARS ($7): If you spend on Alexander-Arnold, you won't be spending up at goalkeeper. Either way, I don't think anyone has an overly great chance for a clean sheet. That's why I prefer one of the cheaper goalkeepers against a team I've already faded in this article. Sure, Arsenal could dominate and score a few times, but Palace could also win 1-0 and no one would be surprised. Whether it's Butland or Vicente Guaita ($7), he should also be good for a few saves. If you want to go by the odds, Jordan Pickford ($10) has a decent chance for a clean sheet in what's projected to be the lowest scoring match. Alisson Becker ($14) makes sense, but not when you're selecting him over Alexander-Arnold (which you are).
