This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 11:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United
- 11:00 am: Burnley vs. Leicester City
- 11:00 am: West Ham United vs. Huddersfield Town
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Callum Wilson, BOU v. NEW ($10,000): There could surprisingly be a lot of goals on this slate, so it's vital to pick the right players. Wilson is my top forward because he's at home and a bigger favorite than the three more expensive options. It also helps that he tends to open up the Bournemouth attack when in the lineup, hence the three goals and assist in his last three starts. I'd put a West Ham forward here, but there's no guarantee who that is even if Marko Arnautovic ($9,500) has better odds to score. The Cherries are much easier to trust at home, where they have 26 goals, sixth-best in the league. As for Newcastle, they have two points from their last six away matches, most recently losing 2-0 to West Ham.
Jamie Vardy, LEI at BRN ($12,000): The odds don't show it, but there could be a few goals in this match given how poorly the back lines have played. Otherwise, I tend to stay away from Vardy when he's not at home. He's also found some form with five goals and an assist in his last five appearances. Leicester have scored at least one goal in their last six away matches, while Burnley have allowed nine goals in their last three. I've been down on Vardy since he doesn't have much of a floor, but if there are going to be goals in this match, he's most likely to be involved. Salomon Rondon ($11,000) and Ayoze Perez ($10,500) will be plenty popular, but I don't feel comfortable with Newcastle away, as they've failed to scored in two of their last three and have three goals in their last six. That's not good enough to put money on either one of those guys.
Ashley Barnes, BRN v. LEI ($9,500): On the other side of Vardy, Barnes is a worthy choice mostly because Leicester's back line has been lifeless away, allowing 10 goals in their last four trips. Burnley have lost their last few matches, but Barnes has still been effective at home with at least one goal in his last three, and at least 16 fantasy points in his last five. In those last five matches, he has nine shots on goal and eight chances created. Now that his price has dropped, he's decent value on a slim slate. Of course, Arnautovic or Chicharito ($8,500) could be a better use of money against Huddersfield.
MIDFIELDERS
James Maddison, LEI at BRN ($9,500): At what point should we stop trusting Maddison? I don't have the answer to that, but until he creates fewer than three chances in a match, he'll be in consideration for me. He disappointed against Fulham last weekend and maybe that means his popularity will be down, though it could also mean he scores a brace and creates five chances. That maybe won't happen, but the matchup is still perfect for Leicester's corner taker, as Burnley have allowed the most corners and chances in the league. Maddison disappointed last match, but even away from home, this is still a great spot to back him. Teammate Youri Tielemans ($8,500) is creeping closer in price and could be a good pivot if you want to fade Maddison.
Ryan Fraser, BOU v. NEW ($9,000): If you can afford it, rostering Maddison and Fraser should result in at least one appearance on the scoresheet. Fraser's numbers dropped in the last couple months, but that's why Callum Wilson is so important. Prior to last match, the last time Fraser made the scoresheet was when Wilson was playing, in early January. Those two combined for both goals against Huddersfield, and it makes sense to use them together on this slate. Otherwise, I'm not touching anyone else in this range, with Ashley Westwood oddly the same price.
Manuel Lanzini, WHU v. HUD ($5,000): I had Lanzini here last week and he had 5.2 fantasy points. Whatever. He doesn't cost anything, so it's not a huge deal if you get a couple goals from your most expensive players. I'm still backing him, though only because of his matchup and because he's nine months removed from a major injury, and getting back form takes time. In the last three seasons at West Ham, he's averaged at least 1.93 shots and 1.55 chances created per 90 minutes. At some point, those numbers will show up again and you'll be kicking yourself when it happens. It also makes it a little easier that he's playing Huddersfield, who are 11 points worse than last weekend's opponent, Cardiff.
DEFENDERS
Jon Gorenc Stankovic, HUD at WHU ($4,000): Stankovic is still at the minimum price despite reaching 10 fantasy points in all three of his starts. He also appears to be matchup proof as a defensive midfielder with eight tackles, seven interceptions and six clearances against mid-table competition. That should be helpful in this match because it's not like West Ham force a ton of defensive action, though they are much better at home. If Stankovic is in the starting XI, he's a pretty easy choice, with teammate Tommy Smith possibly the only other $4,000 defender.
Ryan Fredericks, WHU v. HUD ($4,500): Fredericks got a mini price bump, but he's still at a reasonable rate for someone who has scored 15 fantasy points in three of his last five starts and is usually good for at least 10. Huddersfield are always underdogs, yet they continue to force defensive action, allowing the third-most interceptions and sixth-most tackles in the last 10 gameweeks. Fredericks doesn't dominate one category and that's why he's fairly consistent, averaging 2.55 tackles and 3.60 clearances per 90 minutes. In a favorable match, he could also get forward a little more and tack on a chance or two. If you're big into Huddersfield, Terence Kongolo ($4,500) has a similar floor.
Ricardo Pereira, LEI at BUR ($6,000): Pereira continues to feel underpriced, especially when teammate Ben Chilwell is $1,000 more expensive. Sure, Pereira has disappointed a bit in recent starts, but he's still shown a higher floor and more upside than most defenders on this slate. He hasn't had as much defensive work the last two matches, but that could change against Burnley in what could be a higher-scoring game. Even then, you're saving cash on someone who should create a chance or two and possibly make the scoresheet.
GOALKEEPER
Artur Boruc, BOU v. NEW ($5,500): West Ham are in the best situation, but I can't bring myself to throw that much money at Lukasz Fabianski ($6,500). Bournemouth have the next-best odds to win and Newcastle's away issues have been well documented, most recently failing to score at West Ham. Boruc has also been stout at home, giving up just two goals in his last four starts. Since none of these goalkeepers are easy to trust, you could throw your money in the air and see if it lands on either Tom Heaton ($4,500) or Jonas Lossl ($4,500). Since Burnley are at home, Heaton would be my choice.
