This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal
- 12:30 pm: West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton
- 2:45 pm: AFC Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace
For detailed stats and odds, as well as expected lineups, please check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Nicolas Pepe, ARS at BHA ($19): Pepe did not play in Wednesday's loss to Manchester City, though it seems more likely because of their two early injury subs and not some plan to hold him out. He is likely to have a role on set pieces if he's in the starting XI, and luckily we'll know the Arsenal lineup before lock. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($22) has the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, which contributes to him being the most expensive player, and while he makes plenty of sense in GPPs -- as does Alexandre Lacazette ($18) if he starts -- Pepe's floor makes him much more viable in cash games.
Joao Moutinho, WOL at WHU ($15): No player on the slate has created more chances this season than Moutinho, and while his upside isn't that great for tournaments because it's more reliant on assists rather than goals, he makes plenty of sense in cash games because of his dominant role on set pieces. Some fantasy players will surely be looking at Raul Jimenez ($20), who is a great pivot away from the Arsenal goal scorers, and consideration for Jimenez means we should at least give a few thoughts to Diogo Jota ($17) or Adama Traore ($14) because Wolves are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total (then again, they aren't huge favorites or have a high implied team total).
Harry Wilson, BOU v. CRY ($12): With Ryan Fraser no longer playing for Bournemouth, Wilson will take on a much bigger part of the attacking load, including on set pieces. He already had a decent position over their direct free kicks, and while his floor isn't overly high, he always has a good chance to make the score-sheet. You'll have to pay up more for Bournemouth's top goal threats, Callum Wilson ($17) and Joshua King ($16), and given that the match isn't expected to be high scoring, taking the salary savings from Harry seems to be the more sensible route. Then again, Junior Stanislas ($8) could get a start and offer the most salary savings among the Cherries' attackers, though he's also the least likely to play 70 minutes.
James McCarthy, CRY at BOU ($10): No player on the slate averages more tackles per 90 minutes than McCarthy, who has added upside because he's had a role on set pieces recently. Targeting Crystal Palace players away isn't always the easiest path, but playing against Bournemouth isn't something to fear. In fact, a low-owned stack could certainly be McCarthy and someone like Christian Benteke ($16), with a combination of McCarthy and Wilfried Zaha ($14) probably not as likely to hit as McCarthy and Jordan Ayew ($15).
DEFENDERS
Issa Diop, WHU v. WOL ($14): Wolverhampton force the most clearances among all teams on the slate, and Diop reached double-digit clearances in three of the last four games before the league suspension. We shouldn't have too much trouble paying up for defenders because there aren't that many expensive attacking players, but if you're looking for some salary relief then Diop's center-back partner Angelo Ogbonna is only $8.
Patrick van Aanholt, CRY at BOU ($15): van Aanholt is the most expensive defender on the slate, but a role on set pieces and no fear of taking shots could make him a great GPP play. His floor is quite low because he doesn't accrue many defensive stats, but you could argue he has the highest ceiling of any available defender. Otherwise, you could look for a floor play on the other side of van Aanholt's match, as Steve Cook ($11) leads all players on the slate in clearances per 90 minutes, a stat that has helped Bournemouth actually lead the league in the category this season.
GOALKEEPER
Mathew Ryan, BHA v. ARS ($8): Ryan is the cheapest goalkeeper on the slate as he hosts an Arsenal side that lost to Manchester City on Wednesday. He and Lukasz Fabianski ($10) presumably have the highest save upsides because of their opponents, though Ryan has a slightly better chance at a clean sheet. If you'd rather not play that game, Aaron Ramsdale ($11) is the home goalkeeper in the match with the lowest implied goal total, facing Vicente Guaita ($9), who had at least 23 fantasy points in each of his last three starts.
