This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
- 12:30 pm: Manchester United vs. Chelsea
- 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. Sheffield United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SHU ($22): Liverpool are the biggest favorite on the slate by a wide margin and are expected to score almost a full goal more than anyone else. That means they'll be most popular and I don't think you can win with Salah or Sadio Mane ($21) in tournaments. While I like them in cash games because everyone will be using them, I'm not as convinced on their upside given how Sheffield United play. In addition to traveling to Ajax on Wednesday, Liverpool scored three goals in two meetings against the Blades last season. Yes, they're in play for goals, but I'm not sure either will be headed for a brace with an assist. And even if they do, most rosters will have at least one of them, taking away your GPP chances. That said, they are still the best cash options on the slate because even though Sheffield United aren't allowing goals, they're giving up a lot of chances. Salah and Mane also have two of the higher floors on the slate, both averaging more than two shots on goal and two chances created per 90 minutes. Salah produces a tad more and takes penalties, so he's my pick for one dollar more. Everyone else on Liverpool, as usual, is more of a toss up, and that includes Roberto Firmino ($16), who remains GPP or bust.
Ademola Lookman, FUL v. CRY ($14): This is the least-enticing match on the slate, but Lookman stands out for a few reasons. In addition to last week's goal, he had a floor of 20 fantasy points against Sheffield United, creating chances and getting shots on target in addition to a slew of defensive stats. Those numbers came in a mostly even match, though Fulham were a larger underdog against Sheffield United than against Crystal Palace this week. His floor may not always hit 20 points, but his activity allows him to provide upside in addition to a solid defensive floor at a decent rate. As for the matchup, Palace had 34 percent possession and allowed 20 shots and 14 chances created in last week's draw to Brighton. While I probably wouldn't trust Fulham to bag three goals and win GPPs, stacking Lookman with goal scorer Aleksandar Mitrovic ($17) is a viable strategy. Lookman may not take set pieces, he's a top option to set up Mitrovic for a goal or two from open play.
Bruno Fernandes, MUN v. CHE ($19): Despite being a slight favorite, Fernandes is just the fifth-most expensive player on the slate after scoring in four straight matches. While a lot of those goals (three) came from the penalty spot, he had an 18.8-point floor against PSG and 36.7-point floor against Newcastle. In league play, he's averaging 1.71 shots on target and 4.00 chances created per 90 minutes. If you don't like using both Liverpool players, Fernandes is your guy, though you could use all three with Marcus Rashford ($20) and still make a squad. Chelsea are coming off a clean sheet, but I'm not ready to back their defense after holding Sevilla scoreless midweek. In addition to his attacking stats, Fernandes has nine tackles, three interceptions and three clearances in his last two starts in all competitions. That's the main reason to use him over Rashford, who only supplies attacking numbers, though he's been great with 11 shots (seven on target) and four chances created the last two matches. Mason Greenwood ($16), Edinson Cavani ($15) and Daniel James ($10) are purely GPP options, while everyone else for United relies mostly on defensive stats.
Hakim Ziyech, CHE at MUN ($15): After coming off the bench the last two matches, I think Ziyech is ready to start, and while a full 90 is unlikely, he's fairly cheap. In addition to splitting set pieces with Ben Chilwell, he usually gets back on defense, which helps his floor. He averaged a couple tackles with Ajax in the Champions League over the last couple years and had three against Sevilla in 28 minutes. I think that gives him a touch higher floor than Christian Pulisic ($17), who is working on his form with no shots on target and two chances created in two starts. Kai Havertz ($18) also has a decent floor, but I'm not as sold on his upside with three shots on goal and six chances created in six starts. The full GPP move would be to stack a few Chelsea guys led by Timo Werner ($21), who found his scoring boots last league match. I wouldn't spend on Werner in cash games with Salah and Mane at similar prices, but he'll definitely be a nuisance to United's back line Saturday.
DEFENDERS
Gary Cahill, CRY at FUL ($5): Oddly, there are two projected defensive starters at $5 and everyone else is at least $7. I like Cahill more than Tosin Adarabioyo because Palace forced just eight total clearances last match and are near the bottom of the charts in terms of forced defensive action outside of tackles. Cahill returned from injury last weekend and immediately made the starting XI, producing 10 fantasy points in a 1-1 draw. If he starts again, he'll be in all of my teams after hitting at least 10 points in almost every start last season. Using both Cahill and Adarabioyo may only be needed if you spend up at goalkeeper or go all out with forwards.
Andrew Robertson, LIV v. SHU ($15): If you spend down at goalkeeper or use someone like Eberechi Eze ($9) or Oliver Burke ($6), you could have room for Robertson, who has been better than Trent Alexander-Arnold ($14) the first month of the season, at least in terms of fantasy. In addition to making the score-sheet three times, he had a floor of 20 points against Ajax midweek and created 12 chances in his last four starts. His floor won't hit 20 points every match, but he's expected to be up the field plenty against Sheffield United, which should lead to corners and more chances. I'd also look at Patrick van Aanholt ($10) if he starts, while the Sheffield United defenders should have solid floors against Liverpool. Sheffield United's three center-backs averaged 18 clearances over two meetings last season, meaning Chris Basham ($13), Jack Robinson ($12) and John Egan ($11) should all be near six clearances each in addition to other defensive stats.
GOALKEEPER
Adrian, LIV v. SHU ($14): Adrian has the best odds to win and Sheffield United have scored two goals in five league matches. While injuries are a good reason to doubt Liverpool, they held Ajax scoreless Wednesday with Adrian making four saves. It's far from a guarantee given previous performances, but if you can find the money, this is the easiest play. Otherwise, everyone else is in an option because the other two matches are expected to be tight. Edouard Mendy ($8) is cheaper, but I prefer the lower-scoring match between Vicente Guaita ($10) and Alphonse Areola ($9). Palace had zero shots from open play last week, so I'll take Areola and bank on Fulham getting their first win from goals by Lookman and Mitrovic.
