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 (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Cardiff v. Manchester City
10:00 a.m: Leicester v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Wolves
10:00 a.m: Burnley v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: Liverpool v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Newcastle
12:30 p.m: Brighton v. Tottenham
FORWARDS
Roberto Firmino, LIV v. SOU ($11,000): As usual, Sergio Aguero ($12,500) is the most logical play on the slate, but I wanted to mix it up with Firmino. While his floor isn't as high as some of the other top forwards, he's made the scoresheet in five of six appearances, and after coming off the bench in midweek because of an eye injury, he should be near a full 90 in this match. In addition to having one of the most favorable matchups, it makes sense to take a chance on a cheaper forward who's been scoring as much as Aguero and more than Harry Kane ($11,500).
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. HUD ($9,000): Vardy has the same anytime goal-scoring odds as Romelu Lukaku ($11,500), making him almost too easy of a play if you trust that kind of thing. He returned to the starting XI last weekend and managed a couple shots on target at Bournemouth. With a full week of training combined with a matchup against Huddersfield, Vardy should have a decent floor in addition to good odds for a goal. Wilfried Zaha ($9,500) is in the same mold with worse scoring odds, while there's little reason to spend more on Alexis Sanchez ($10,000) given his struggles with United.
Callum Wilson, BOU at BRN ($8,500): You could try and ride Glenn Murray ($8,500), but that's a hard ask against Spurs, and while Burnley are in a decent spot, their forwards are usually substitute candidates. I'm sticking with Wilson, who may be underrated after not surpassing 16 fantasy points in the last three matches. There's still hope, and I trust him more than Joshua King ($8,000) even after last week's performance. Burnley's back line has had major issues early, allowing a league-high 43 shots, including 20 on target. At a minimum, Wilson should be around 10 fantasy points, and his upside is more comparable to any of the cheaper options.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SOU ($11,000): This play is a no brainer considering Salah comes at a discount, whether in cash or GPP. There's little reason to spend more on Raheem Sterling ($11,500) when Salah has the best odds to score on the slate. He's not in form, but he's almost guaranteed to create multiple chances and have a shot or two on target. Combine that with goal upside and he's an easy pick compared to Sterling or David Silva ($10,500), as neither have the same goal odds nor are guaranteed to start.
Leroy Sane, MCI at CAR ($8,500): I'm all about the easy plays this week and that describes Sane if he makes the starting XI. He started against Fulham last weekend and then played 35 minutes off the bench against Lyon in the Champions League on Wednesday. If he makes the lineup again, he has as much opportunity as any of City's midfielders after getting two shots on target and two chances created in addition to a goal last start. It makes little sense that he's the same price as guys like Ruben Neves and Fred. If Sane doesn't start, Ryan Fraser ($8,000) is once again waiting to be used at a nice price.
James Maddison, LEI v. HUD ($7,500): A little behind Sane and Fraser is Maddison, who has the same upside and close to the same floor. As the main set-piece taker for Leicester, he would be a logical play to combine with Vardy up front in hopes of a connection between the two. In addition to a goal and assist in the last two matches, he has six chances created and four shots on goal. As one of the bigger favorites on the slate, he should be around the ball plenty again. If you don't have the money, Joe Ralls ($6,500) is worth a look due to his defensive prowess, while James McArthur ($6,500) is similar except he has six chances created in the last three matches.
DEFENDERS
Sol Bamba, CAR v. MCI ($5,500): Despite being two of the better fantasy defenders in the early season, Bamba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($6,000) continue to be undervalued. Wan-Bissaka has at least 20 fantasy points in three matches in which he didn't get a red card while Bamba is averaging 26.95 fantasy points per game in the four starts he's played at centerback (he lined up as a defensive midfielder in his first match). While he only has 10 clearances in the last two matches, he's still getting interceptions and tackles in addition to being cheaper than Wan-Bissaka. Meanwhile, Man City have allowed the third-most clearances (96) and forced the most blocks (22) to defenders in the league.
Diego Rico, BOU at BRN ($4,500): Rico didn't live up to the lofty expectations last match, but he is still one of the least expensive options. Through two starts Rico has 10 crosses, which will eventually lead to assists and more chances created. For the price, that's good enough reason to take a gamble. He has the same floor as others in the range of around 10 fantasy points, but his upside is the reason to use him.
Victor Lindelof, MUN v. WOL ($4,500): If you don't want upside and a safe 10 fantasy points, Lindelof is the answer. In four starts, he's averaging five clearances and a tackle per match and will be in contention for a clean sheet as the Red Devils have allowed just one goal in their last three matches, which were all away. The other defenders in this price range (excluding Rico) have lower floors and lower odds for clean sheets.
GOALKEEPER
Wayne Hennessey, CRY v. NEW ($5,000): I considered Kasper Schmeichel at the same price, but Hennessey is likelier to rack up saves and not have a negative point total. In fact, Hennessey has at least four fantasy points in all five matches thanks to 20 saves. Not many goalkeepers can say that, and Palace's odds of a clean sheet are the same as Tottenham's away to Brighton. If you have money, Alisson ($6,000) is the best play mainly because Ederson ($6,000) isn't often forced to make saves.
