This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 7:30 am: Southampton vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Norwich City vs. Liverpool
For detailed stats and odds, as well as expected lineups, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV at NOR ($24): I hate being boring, but there isn't much else you can do for Saturday's slate. Salah should be the most popular player, and the only thing that would change that is Sadio Mane's ($21) return. Salah has made the score-sheet in five of his last six league matches and has seen a slight boost in action without Mane in the squad. While Mane is cheaper, it's important to keep in mind that a full 90 is unlikely since he's been out a couple weeks. Roberto Firmino ($22) is also in the discussion, but he'll mainly be a GPP play unless you think his floor can surpass Salah's. You could stack two of these guys, though I'm not sure that's the best strategy given the absence of value defenders. Unfortunately, there aren't many more decisions to make for your top player. You could avoid these guys altogether, but that's rarely worked this season, especially when the other match involves Burnley and Southampton.
Danny Ings, SOU v. BRN ($18): Again, this is a pretty boring selection, but I didn't want to write about Shane Long ($15). Ings is on a bit of a cold streak, partly due to schedule, but home against Burnley should change that, even if they're on a bit of form. Ings has 13 goals in his last 17 starts and managed a floor of 19.2 fantasy points last match despite playing at Anfield. He's the logical cash play because he's most likely to hit the back of the net outside of the Liverpool guys. The pivot is Long, who rarely scores, though his floor is sometimes higher and often around 10 points. In terms of tournaments, stacking Chris Wood ($17) and Jay Rodriguez ($16) is the move in case Burnley continue their solid play. While Southampton have had some nice performances, they've allowed a league-high 28 goals at home. There will be plenty of people taking a swing on cheaper Liverpool players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ($16) and Jordan Henderson ($13), and I can't argue that strategy.
Emiliano Buendia, NOR v. LIV ($14): Buendia has taken a back seat to Ondrej Duda ($12) the last couple matches because of injury, but that could end Saturday. While racking up a 30-point floor is out of the question in this matchup, I think Buendia could hold a decent floor against Liverpool. A lot of his numbers have come from set pieces, but he's also averaging more than four tackles per 90 minutes at home and that could lead to a floor of 10 points (with interceptions and clearances) before you get to any attacking potential. And while he's cheap, I'm not sure how popular he'll be because of the matchup. Some will also be intrigued by Duda, but when they've both been on the field, Buendia has been the main set-piece taker. Teemu Pukki ($16) is more likely to score, but his floor could also be fewer than five points, while the other non-Liverpool players in this range don't have as much of a floor or upside.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, SOU v. BRN ($11): If you go big on Liverpool, you'll need to save money somewhere and this may be the only place to do it. Hojbjerg doesn't bring much excitement, but he'll get you 10 points because you know he's going to play a full 90. He's unlikely to be involved in a goal, but those 10 points could push you above others who use a cheaper midfielder who doesn't surpass five. It's not much, but it's relevant on a small slate. If you want a touch of upside, Moussa Djenepo is the same price and could be set for a larger role if James Ward-Prowse ($16) misses out. If you're high on Burnley, Jeff Hendrick ($10) and Jack Cork ($9) are also in this range.
DEFENDERS
Ryan Bertrand, SOU v. BRN ($11): This is related to the status of Ward-Prowse because Bertrand is the only other player to have taken set pieces for Southampton this season. Having hit 11 fantasy points in four of his last five starts, more set pieces could push him to another level. If Ward-Prowse starts, I'd be less confident, though his numbers have been more consistent over the last month. Finding the money for Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) will be difficult, not to mention the Burnley center-backs are better bets. James Tarkowski ($14) and Ben Mee ($13) often have floors around 15 fantasy points and face Southampton, who are forcing a decent amount of defensive action. On this slate, Southampton have forced the most interceptions, second-most tackles and second-most clearances.
Ben Godfrey, NOR v. LIV ($8): Godfrey is back from suspension and could return to the starting XI in place of Grant Hanley ($10). When both were healthy, Godfrey got the call in the Jan. 18 match, which is the only basis for this pick. The issue is that if he doesn't start, you may not have enough money for another starting defender, so keep an extra dollar on hand for Max Aarons ($9) if you need to switch. Liverpool have forced the most clearances in the last 10 gameweeks, and that's where Godfrey and Christoph Zimmermann ($12) will make their value. Godfrey had a floor of 20.6 points when these teams met earlier in the season.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson Becker, LIV at NOR ($14): I rarely suggest the top goalkeeper, but Alisson comes at somewhat of a discount on a small slate. He has a clean sheet and win in nine of his last 10 starts, and since I'm not backing Pukki, this is a fairly easy choice. Tim Krul ($10) is a possibility even if you back Salah and Company, though you'll need to bank on four or five saves. Alex McCarthy ($11) is oddly the next cheapest goalkeeper despite having the second-best odds for a clean sheet and win. On a normal slate, I'd probably go McCarthy, but I think you can wiggle enough room into the squad for a cheaper-than-usual Alisson.
