This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Arsenal vs. West Ham United
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Watford
- 10:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Norwich City
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Newcastle United
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Burnley vs. Tottenham Hotspur
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. WHU ($23): I don't like spending this much on Aubameyang because he often has a floor below 10 fantasy points, but it's hard to pass up the best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate. Aubameyang has also quietly scored six goals in his last seven starts, and there will be opportunities against West Ham, who have given up 12 in their last five away matches, losing them all. Because of his goal odds, I think Aubameyang is viable in cash games and stacking him with Nicolas Pepe ($20) isn't a terrible idea if they can continue their form. Pepe is at least creating chances from corners, which gives him somewhat of a higher floor than a lot of the expensive forwards, especially Steven Bergwijn ($21) away from home.
Diogo Jota, WOL v. BHA ($18): While Aubameyang could be a bit chalky, I'm not sure how the public will play Wolverhampton. I think it's worth testing Jota's form (six goals in three matches in all competitions) in GPPs, though Raul Jimenez ($19) has been the more consistent player despite failing to surpass a floor of eight points in his last four starts. Jota and Jimenez are a viable stack if you're fading Arsenal, but deciding between the two will be an issue. Either way, Wolves should score a couple times against Brighton, who have given up 10 goals in their last five away matches, including three to both Bournemouth and West Ham. Otherwise, this range is full of GPP options like Troy Deeney ($19) and Sebastien Haller ($19), who are goal or bust, while James Ward-Prowse ($18) takes corners, but he's played at right-back the last couple matches.
Danny Ings, SOU v. NEW ($16): When you can get the guy with the second-best odds to score for $16, you usually have to do it. Ings isn't fully healthy, which is an issue, but if he starts, I'm fine betting him to score against Newcastle, who have given up a league-high 29 away goals this season (and two at West Brom on Tuesday). Ings also probably won't be overly popular given his recent game log, and that's even more of a reason to use him. This is a weird slate in that there aren't many great floor plays, which makes a goal poacher like Ings a little more enticing. There are plenty others worth a look like Oliver McBurnie ($17) and Ismaila Sarr ($17), as well as Chris Wood ($15), who will probably score against an unpredictable Tottenham back line.
Billy Sharp, SHU v. NOR ($10): I could write about 20 other value players, but none of them are starting forwards on a favorite. Sharp has no floor, but he's started the last four matches and has the same goal odds as Nicolas Pepe and Chris Wood. That's a worthy bet, considering Norwich City are always an option to allow two or three goals, especially away from home. The downside with Sharp is that he barely touches the ball, so he's probably best in tournaments. Adama Traore ($13) may have the most upside of the value plays, though playing time is a concern given his dislocated shoulder. John Fleck ($13) hasn't done anything in a while, which means Saturday is a good time to change that. Jonjo Shelvey ($12) could have the best floor in this range and will probably be in a couple cash lineups.
DEFENDERS
Ben Godfrey, NOR at SHU ($10): Godfrey is set for another start because of Christoph Zimmermann's injury. His numbers aren't consistent, but he had a floor of 15 points last weekend and is in a great spot to rack up defensive stats. Sheffield United have allowed the fifth-most clearances in the last 10 gameweeks despite playing one fewer match than most teams. It helps that Godfrey is much cheaper than fellow center-back Grant Hanley ($14). You could also stack cheap Newcastle defenders, assuming Danny Rose ($9) and Javier Manquillo ($9) start again, while Kyle Walker-Peters ($8) could be a favorite if he gets the call for Southampton.
Willy Boly, WOL v. BHA ($12): I don't know what Brighton are doing, but they're forcing a ton of defensive action. In the last 10 gameweeks, they've allowed the most interceptions, third-most tackles and fourth-most clearances. That could change if Wolves control possession, but Boly also has clean-sheet upside, as well as at least 10 fantasy points in his last six starts in all competitions. Teammate Matt Doherty ($15) has made the score-sheet in each of the last two, though I'm not sure he's worth paying extra. The same goes for most of the high-end defenders like Serge Aurier ($15) and Adam Masina ($14). That said, James Tarkowski ($14) could have the highest floor and Issa Diop ($14) isn't far behind if you have extra cash.
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WAT at CRY ($10): Crystal Palace have a league-low 11 goals scored in 14 home matches, which is all you need to know. Foster hasn't been reliable, but it's rare when Palace score multiple goals and I think that will be enough to finish in the positive. The Palace v. Watford match has the lowest implied goal total, and while Vicente Guaita ($14) is favored, he's also more expensive. My other bets will be on Dean Henderson ($12) and Alex McCarthy ($11), but it'll be a guessing game as to who secures the clean sheet. If you have some money, I'd go with Rui Patricio ($13) at home.
