This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 7:30 am: Everton vs. Crystal Palace
- 12:30 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Watford
For detailed stats and odds, as well as expected lineups, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Richarlison, EVE v. CRY ($20): The options are sparse on a two-match slate, so if you want to truly separate yourself in GPPs, you'll need to back at least one of the underdogs. It's the opposite approach for cash games, which is why I'm recommending Richarlison. Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($19) has better odds to score, but Richarlison has been better when both are in the squad outside of the Dec. 28 win at Newcastle. Richarlison has five shots on goal and six chances created in his last six starts, but he also gets back on defense to provide tackles and clearances, in turn helping his floor. You could go all-in and back both Everton forwards, but that's a bold strategy in cash games if they flop as a team. You could throw in Gylfi Sigurdsson ($17) for a three-man stack, but don't overlook that he hasn't surpassed 20 fantasy points since October. Either way, this is a good spot for Everton, as Crystal Palace have taken four total points from their last six league matches.
Leandro Trossard, BHA v. WAT ($13): Banking on Brighton's set-piece taker has been a mystery, so I'm going with the guy who doesn't rely on set pieces. Pascal Gross ($16) and Aaron Mooy ($12) continue to fight for corners, but Trossard has been fairly consistent at creating from open play. He has 12 chances created in his last five starts, and while that doesn't give him a very high floor, it's better than relying on set pieces from Gross or Mooy, who continue to split that job. The GPP move is to ride Neal Maupay ($15), assuming he starts over Glenn Murray ($18). While the forward is most likely to score, neither has a reliable floor, which is why I'm leaning Trossard.
Troy Deeney, WAT at BHA ($19): Watford are coming off two somewhat unlucky losses, but I think they're playing better than Brighton at the moment. The odds don't show it, but a Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu ($18) stack could be a decent tournament play. Brighton have allowed three goals in each of their last two matches, and while those came away from home, the back line has still been an issue, which would make it possible for Watford to score a couple goals. Deeney has scored in each of his last two away starts and has made the score-sheet in five of his last eight overall. He's getting enough opportunities to consider him in cash games, which is something you can't say about the Brighton forwards. Ismaila Sarr ($14) would be intriguing if he returns to the squad, while I have no faith in Roberto Pereyra ($15), who had zero floor points last start.
James McArthur, CRY at EVE ($12): If you're fading Everton or simply don't want to use Trossard, Theo Walcott ($12), Alex Iwobi ($11) or McArthur aren't terrible options. Even if Palace lose by a couple goals, McArthur has found ways to be productive, from getting two shots on goal and creating two chances against Sheffield United, to making five interceptions against Southampton and 10 clearances against Man City. Even if you probably won't get a goal or assist out of McArthur, he's been close to the 20-point mark the last few matches and is worth a look in cash games. Walcott and Iwobi are more likely to take part in a goal, but neither is guaranteed to have more than five fantasy points. Plus, if both of these matches end scoreless, McArthur is the kind of player who could win you money (because no one is going to use him), which tells you everything about the slate.
DEFENDERS
Christian Kabasele, WAT at BHA ($12): This is a good spot to stack both Watford center-backs, with Craig Dawson ($10) possibly being the other option alongside Craig Cathcart ($13) or Kabasele. That's the case because while Brighton are struggling, they're getting opportunities in the attack and have forced the most interceptions, fourth-most clearances and sixth-most tackles in the last 10 gameweeks. That's a surprising stat and something I'm betting on. Yerry Mina ($16) is the most expensive defender because he's coming off a brace, but Mason Holgate ($15) has a higher floor. I'm not sure how much defensive work Everton will get, and you'll likely need a clean sheet to make value. I may consider Djibril Sidibe ($13) over them both, especially in GPPs because of his upside.
Gary Cahill, CRY at EVE ($12): Unsurprisingly, Everton are next in line in terms of clearances forced on this slate with the sixth-most in the last 10 gameweeks. Neither Cahill nor James Tomkins ($14) have shown consistent floors, but Cahill is slightly more consistent at making clearances. Tomkins is averaging more, though he's failed to surpass two clearances in three of his last five starts and his high average is because of a few double-digit performances. If, for some reason, you need to save more, Bernardo ($9) and Joel Ward ($9) are the cheapest expected starters, though neither has much of a floor and I don't think they're worth using.
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WAT at BHA ($11): If you have extra cash, Jordan Pickford ($14) is the choice with easily the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet. I'll take a chance on Foster, who is the smaller underdog. Again, the last couple matches haven't been great, but three of Foster's last five goals allowed have come from defenders, and two of them were in the final minutes. I also think Watford have a chance to steal three points in this spot and it'd work even better if Deeney was part of it. A lot of people will use value defenders and go with Pickford, but I think getting safer defenders with Foster or Vicente Guaita ($10) is the better option.
