This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 2:30 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Wolverhampton
- 2:30 pm: Burnley vs. Watford
- 2:30 pm: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton
- 3:00 pm: Arsenal vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Conor Gallagher, CRY v. SOU ($20): It feels weird to write about Gallagher as the top attacking option, but he's producing and in a good matchup. I know he doesn't have as good of odds as some of his teammates, but I'm not buying that. Gallagher had seven shots last match and is as likely as anyone on Palace to make the score-sheet, creating multiple chances in seven of his last eight starts. He's gone a full 90 in almost every game and his floor is often above 10 fantasy points. Wilfried Zaha ($17) is more likely to score because of penalty kicks and Christian Benteke ($16) (or whoever starts up front) is most likely to get better scoring chances, but you can't argue Gallagher's production and playing time. Combine that with possibly another start for Wilfredo Caballero and I think stacking a couple Palace guys is a good way to go.
Bukayo Saka, ARS v. WHU ($15): Chris Wood ($15) has the best odds to score on the slate, but I can't do it. He has no floor, so even if he scores, he may only hit 20 fantasy points, something that happened a few matches ago. I'd rather back a player with a better floor who also has upside. Saka fits that role with four shots on goal and six chances created over his last three starts. The upside isn't overwhelming, but the same can be said for everyone else on this slate. Martin Odegaard ($16) may be the better tournament play, as he's scored in three straight, but that streak will end at some point. Alexandre Lacazette ($19) is about the same as Wood and can't be looked at for cash games. Emile Smith Rowe ($17) is also an option if he's back in the XI, while West Ham will be a clever GPP route because while they're underdogs, they've already scored multiple goals against top sides.
Dwight McNeil, BRN v. WAT ($16): McNeil is kind of the opposite fantasy player as Wood in that he has a solid 10-point floor with limited upside. McNeil has hit at least 9.9 fantasy points in every match this season and is almost guaranteed to hit that number at home against Watford. In addition to taking set pieces, he's always good for a few defensive stats, which usually push him above 10 points. He's an almost boring play, but on a weird slate like this one where there may not be many goals, getting guaranteed points is a smart method in all formats. I'd be intrigued if Maxwel Cornet ($19) returned to the XI, but it's unlikely he'll go a full 90. If you want to go against Burnley, Emmanuel Dennis ($19) and Joshua King ($18) are always options to hit the back of the net.
Pascal Gross, BHA v. WOL ($14): The ultimate GPP move is to back players in the Brighton-Wolves match because it may be one of the lowest-implied goal totals of the season. In addition to Raul Jimenez being suspended for this match, there has been a total of three goals scored in Wolverhampton's last five matches, and it's not much better for Brighton. My preferred option is Mr. Reliable (Gross) and hope he starts and goes a full 90. Brighton have a few issues in their team and there's a chance Gross will be in his normal, set-piece taking role. At his peak, he was hitting a floor well above 10 points every match because of corners. That's not a given anymore, but when in the squad, he will at least take a split of set pieces. Leandro Trossard ($18) and Neal Maupay ($17) are mostly shots in the dark with the former having a better floor. I'm not sure I'd back anyone on Wolves given their scoring issues all season.
DEFENDERS
Ben Mee, BRN v. WAT ($12): You don't need to save money, so you should be able to spend up on a couple center-backs with the hope of a ton of defensive work. Mee gets similar work to teammate James Tarkowski, who is a few bucks more expensive. Mee has hit at least 19 fantasy points each of the last two matches thanks to 14 clearances and eight tackles. Watford want to attack and I think the same defensive opportunities will be available in this match in addition to a clean sheet. The other place I'd go is the Southampton center-backs because in addition to being the same as the Burnley guys, they probably have a better matchup for defensive opportunities away to Crystal Palace.
Kyle Walker-Peters, SOU at CRY ($8): If you don't go with a center-back, Walker-Peters is nearly minimum price for a defender and he's always been someone to rack up tackles. His numbers haven't been outstanding, struggling to hit 10 fantasy points in most games, but Palace force the most tackles in the league by a decent margin and Walker-Peters could hit 10 points from tackles alone if all goes to plan. If you want a center-back in this range, Issa Diop ($8) and Craig Dawson ($9) should both have solid floors away to Arsenal.
GOALKEEPER
Vicente Guaita, CRY v. SOU ($10): Guaita has the best odds for a clean sheet, yet he's oddly priced in the mid-range usually left for underdogs or smaller favorites. Southampton could be down all three of their main forwards in this match and while Guaita doesn't have a ton of clean sheets, he's allowed just three goals over the last three matches. He makes the most sense, whereas Nick Pope ($11) and Aaron Ramsdale ($11) are going against teams who prefer to attack more. As for Robert Sanchez ($10), his match is more likely to be a scoreless draw, taking away the win bonus. You could save money at goalkeeper, but there isn't a reason to back an underdog.
