This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Leeds United
- 3:00 pm: West Bromwich Albion vs. Sheffield United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. BRN ($23): No matter the final result, De Bruyne is going to rack up opportunities for City because that's what the opponent allows. Burnley have allowed the second-most corners and fourth-most chances created in the league this season, and lost this matchup a combined 9-1 last season. De Bruyne got some added rest midweek and should reach around four chances created, which he's averaging per 90 minutes. The lone downside for De Bruyne is that he hasn't scored since the opener, so his upside is fairly limited despite being the most expensive player on the slate. Because of that, everyone else who starts up front may be the better play in GPPs, whether it's Gabriel Jesus ($21), Sergio Aguero ($21), Raheem Sterling ($18), Ferran Torres ($16) or anyone. Man City are going to control possession and should be in the attacking third the majority of the match. Even if they don't score more than one or two goals, most of their players will have a floor above 10 points because of shots on target and chances created. That's worth backing rather than hoping for a goal from anyone on West Ham or Sheffield United.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. LEE ($20): If you don't spend on De Bruyne, it should be easy to get Calvert-Lewin into your squad and that's what you should do. He's scored in every match this season in which Richarlison ($19) has played, and there's no reason to fade him against Leeds. Even if Calvert-Lewin doesn't hit the back of the net, he can be viable in cash games because he's had multiple shots on target in seven of his nine starts. Richarlison is more of the GPP play because he has just one goal and two assists in six matches this season. Another option is James Rodriguez ($16), who has at least 12 fantasy points in all but one match this season, which came against Manchester United when he wasn't fully healthy. At a decent rate with solid upside, he's a reasonable cash play if you're spending on De Bruyne. There have been at least three goals scored in seven of Everton's last eight matches and I think that trend continues against Leeds, who should have fun if this match is as open as expected. Leeds have had some recent clean sheets, but they also gave up four goals each to Crystal Palace and Leicester City.
Patrick Bamford, LEE at EVE ($18): Leeds have the third-highest implied goal total on the slate and I think there's a chance they're the second-highest scoring team, if not first. I wouldn't be surprised if this match finished 3-3 while Man City struggled again against a defensive side, scoring one or two goals. Bamford is getting somewhat disrespected because he has the same goal odds as Karlan Grant ($10). However, that doesn't make sense. If you don't know about Bamford, he's been awesome this season, already scoring seven goals while averaging 1.89 shots on target per 90 minutes. Even if he doesn't score against Everton, he should still have a floor close to 10 fantasy points, something a lot of forwards can't say. I'm high on Bamford because Everton's back line has been a mess, allowing multiple goals in each of their last six matches. Leeds have struggled a bit themselves, but they've also faced a run of top sides or ones that prefer to play defensively. Everton is almost a top side, but they're allowing a ton of goals. Rodrigo ($16) and Kalvin Phillips ($13) are also in the conversation, but Jack Harrison ($15) has been the most consistent fantasy performer, hitting 11 fantasy points in all but one match this season, mostly from creating chances. Given the defensive struggles Everton have had, it's viable to stack this game in hopes of that 3-3 result.
Sander Berge, SHU at WBA ($13): I'd rather only focus on three teams, but if you want to go crazy, I think Sheffield United are better than West Brom and should be the slight favorite. They've had a tough schedule and this match could be their first win of the season. West Brom have been stout defensively against top teams, but the last time they played a bottom-level team, they lost 2-0 to Fulham. They'll likely take a more attack-minded approach against Sheffield United, which only leads to more goals allowed. The problem is finding those goals. The Blades haven't had a go-to striker since last season's promotion, which leads me to Berge, who has at least 9.5 fantasy points in four of his last five starts, including a goal and an assist. He doesn't get a ton of attacking opportunities, but he provides consistent defensive numbers and gets forward enough to consider. John Fleck ($10) takes set pieces and Rhian Brewster ($11) is a forward, but there's no reason to trust either, and the same goes for anyone on West Brom from Grant to Matheus Pereira ($16), who is overpriced. If you like the Baggies, Conor Gallagher ($12) is a decent cash play, but I wouldn't bet on West Brom scoring in this match.
DEFENDERS
Semi Ajayi, WBA v. SHU ($7): I wrote about Ajayi last weekend because he was the cheapest defender and that's the case again even after hitting a floor of 11.7 fantasy points. He may not see the same kind of defensive action, but he's the cheapest defender and that's always worth something. He allows you to stack Man City forwards or grab both Calvert-Lewin and Bamford, and not have to punt on a fourth forward. The next-cheapest defenders are $9, with Enda Stevens, John Egan and Kyle Bartley all providing similar value.
Ben Mee, BRN at MCI ($12): The Burnley center-backs are as good as it gets if you have money to spend at defender. Mee has at least 15 fantasy points in both starts this season and will be plenty busy against Man City. Defensive stats aren't guaranteed, but against Man City they're expected. Mee is the cheaper version of James Tarkowski ($13), who has at least 15 points in five of six matches this season, all because of defensive stats. It's possible both Mee and Tarkowski hit 20 points if things go to plan, and they probably have the best defensive floors on the slate.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson, MCI v. BRN ($13): If you don't spend at defender, Ederson is the clear play with the best odds by a wide margin for a win and clean sheet. He only has two clean sheets in eight league matches this season, but Burnley have scored just four goals. If you don't have the money, I'm sticking with my prediction of Sheffield United against West Brom, making Aaron Ramsdale ($9) the play. In addition to making multiple saves in all but one match, he's in play for his first clean sheet as a Bladesman. If you want to bet on saves and aren't overloading on Man City forwards, Nick Pope ($7) is worth a look. Even after allowing three goals to Chelsea, he still managed 10.5 fantasy points because of saves.
