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: Newcastle v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Wolverhampton v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Manchester City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Cardiff v. Fulham
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Tottenham
12:30 p.m: Huddersfield v. Liverpool
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. BRN ($13,000): While all of the other top forwards are returning from a long international break, Aguero had a nice rest and didn't play for Argentina. He costs the most, but you're getting a floor around 15 fantasy points and the best odds to be involved in a goal, which he's done in five of eight league matches this season. Combine that with how Burnley play, allowing a league-high 161 shots, and Aguero could be set for a full 90 and plenty of opportunities. Harry Kane ($12,500) and Roberto Firmino ($11,000) are both on the road and played a full 90 earlier in the week.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL at CAR ($9,000): Mitrovic should be one of the highest-owned forwards on the slate and is a perfect play for cash games. He's slowed down since a hot start, though a lot of that was due to schedule, recently traveling to Everton and Man City in addition to hosting Arsenal. He still created three chances against the Gunners and has a shot on target in all but one match this season. Mitrovic could have a floor around 15 fantasy points against a side whose strategy is to sit back and hopefully not allow free opportunities, as Cardiff have allowed the third-most shots on goal (48) in the league. I also like Raul Jimenez and Joshua King at the same price, but neither has as high of a floor as Mitrovic.
Alireza Jahanbakhsh, BHA at NEW ($6,500): If you don't go Mitrovic, I'd throw Luciano Vietto ($7,500) into the conversation, though I don't want to write about two Fulham players. Jahanbakhsh is the true punt and possibly a smart GPP play if he gets another start. Brighton's record signing this past summer, Jahanbakhsh started his first match just before the recent international break and managed two shots and one cross. There's nothing to like about those numbers, but he's still a talented player and his numbers can only go up against a Newcastle back line that's allowed the fourth-most shots in the league (124). If you want to spend more on Glenn Murray ($8,500) that's fine, just know that no one else will be using Jahanbakhsh after a dud in his first start. Yoshinori Muto ($6,000) is in the same boat if he starts.
MIDFIELDERS
Raheem Sterling, MCI v. BRN ($11,500): If Sterling doesn't start I'd put David Silva ($10,500) here. If Silva doesn't start, Leroy Sane ($9,000) is the next man up. I already went with Aguero, but Man City have by far the most expected goals and should blast Burnley, who haven't played well against any team of relevance and have allowed the most shots in the league. This matchup is similar to previous home contests against Brighton and Fulham in which City won by a combined 5-0 score line, and Sterling feasted in those games with two goals and one assist from five shots on target and seven chances created. Similar to Aguero, he has the highest floor of the midfielders, but also great upside. Even if Mohamed Salah ($10,000) starts, Liverpool are the late match so you'd put yourself in a hole if he's not in the lineup.
Jean Michael Seri, FUL at CAR ($7,000): In the same mold as Mitrovic, Seri is underpriced because Fulham have had a difficult schedule. In the three matches Fulham played against a team below 11th in the table, Seri was effective, totaling one goal, one assist and seven chances created. Even if he doesn't make the score sheet, his floor could be around 15 fantasy points from chances created and defensive stats. His upside and floor are much higher than anyone else in this range unless you want to support Johann Berg Gudmundsson ($7,000) at Man City.
Callum Paterson, CAR v. FUL ($5,500): Fulham have had a difficult schedule, but they've still allowed the most shots on goal (56) in the league and can't be trusted after giving up eight goals in their last two. Paterson looks like a punt, but he's started the last two matches for Cardiff as the lone forward or in an attacking midfield position. In a similar spot at home against Burnley, he managed two shots on goal and two chances created. At this level, that opportunity is rare and it wouldn't be surprising if his price shot up a couple thousand if he makes the score sheet against Fulham.
DEFENDERS
Matt Doherty, WOL v. WAT ($5,500): It's surprising Doherty's price still hasn't gone up while Jonny ($6,500) skyrocketed after one huge performance. Doherty has at least 27 fantasy points in four of his last five starts, and even if he doesn't make the score sheet again, he has a floor near 15 from chances created, interceptions and tackles. Throw in good odds for a clean sheet and he's going to be in most of my lineups. The safer choices may be Sean Morrison ($5,500) and Sol Bamba ($5,000) because you know they're going to stack up clearances against Mitrovic, but I prefer Doherty's attacking upside.
Cyrus Christie, FUL at CAR ($5,000): Yes, another Fulham player, though he's not guaranteed to start so keep an eye on lineups. Christie has 23 crosses in three starts this season but more importantly created five chances from those crosses in the loss against Arsenal last match. If Christie starts, you know he's going to get up the field against Cardiff and that possibility is more than anyone else in the range. If you don't want to back another Fulham player, Davinson Sanchez ($5,000) doesn't have the same upside, but he has 21 clearances in the last two matches against teams sitting in relegation.
Kiko Femenia, WAT at WOL ($4,500): Femenia is a long shot and probably shouldn't be used in cash games, yet he could start again and that's his best selling point. The other is that he should produce more than his last start in which Watford were run off the field in the loss to Bournemouth. This is another difficult spot, but Kiko will at least get up the field as a fullback after creating one chance and two crosses in his only other start.
GOALKEEPER
Rui Patricio, WOL v. WAT ($5,500): Patricio has allowed just two goals in the last six matches, and those came against both Manchester clubs. Even better is that he's averaging 3.63 saves per match, keeping his floor in a good spot when he doesn't get a clean sheet. Wolves have better odds than Tottenham to win and the third-best odds to get a clean sheet. I also like Martin Dubravka ($5,000), though I don't want to trust the Newcastle back line and Brighton aren't getting enough shots to make him relevant without a clean sheet. And usual, if you have the money, Ederson ($6,500) is the safest choice.
