This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Leeds United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Fulham vs. Chelsea
- 3:00 pm: Leicester City vs. Southampton
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Patrick Bamford, LEE v. BHA ($21): Bamford doesn't have the best odds to hit the back of the net, but he's a favorite in the match with the highest-implied goal total. He has a shot on goal in all but one match this season and has made the score-sheet in four of his last seven starts. Both of these teams love to attack and play with pressure and that should lead to multiple goals. Bamford has goal upside, but he can be used in all formats because his floor is usually around 10 fantasy points, keeping him relevant in cash games. If you believe in Leeds, Raphinha ($14) comes at a surprising discount despite creating multiple chances in seven of his last eight starts and hitting double-digit fantasy points in each of his last six. He's been a favorite of mine the last month and his low price allows for a balanced lineup. Otherwise, Rodrigo ($17) and Jack Harrison ($16) are similar options and are also in play. Those four Leeds players have decent floors with decent upside, while Mateusz Klich ($15) relies a bit more on defensive stats and penalties. On the other side, Brighton aren't consistent, but they should get opportunities against the Leeds back line. Neal Maupay ($16) is most likely to score, while Leandro Trossard ($14) takes set pieces. Alexis Mac Allister ($8) could be a popular GPP option if he starts again after going 90 against Man City.
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. SOU ($22): Bamford is my favorite play mainly because I think Vardy will be the most popular forward. Vardy's not at an extreme price despite being the most expensive player, and he has the best odds to hit the back of the net. He's always a threat to score no matter the competition, so he's not a must fade, but he doesn't have an easy matchup. Southampton are fighting near the top of the table and have allowed just two goals in their last five matches, including three against Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal. If you want to go with a cheaper and higher floor for cash games, James Maddison ($18) has at least 17 fantasy points in his last six starts, creating 18 chances in that period to go with three goals. The matchup isn't great, but he creates chances against everyone and that's usually enough to roster him. Harvey Barnes ($15) is a GPP candidate to score, while the absence of Danny Ings puts James Ward-Prowse ($17) into consideration because he'll be on penalties. The last few times these teams played there have been goals, but the recent low-scoring matches for Southampton give me some pause.
Michail Antonio, WHU v. BRN ($20): Goals aren't expected between Burnley and West Ham, but it's the expected full return of Antonio, who went 90 minutes in Monday's FA Cup match, that is intriguing. It looks like he's back to health, which hasn't been the case since October. When healthy, he produced three goals from 18 shots in the first six matches of the season and West Ham were playing at their best. I know Burnley are playing well and holding every team to one goal or less, but Antonio deserves consideration in tournaments because of the looks he gets in front of net, averaging more than 1.50 shots on goal per 90 minutes. West Ham didn't score when these teams met in July, but Antonio still managed a floor of 18 points. Given the lowest-implied total on the slate, I probably wouldn't trust anyone else unless you want defensive stats from Declan Rice ($12) or Josh Brownhill ($10).
Mason Mount, CHE at FUL ($16): Chelsea are the biggest favorite with the highest-implied goal total, but they're a mystery in fantasy, mostly because none of them have solid floors outside of Mount. Timo Werner ($20) hasn't had many great matches with his new club, while Tammy Abraham ($19) and Olivier Giroud ($19) are dependent on goals. Of course, Christian Pulisic ($13) will get a lot of consideration at his price, though he's had fewer than seven fantasy points in four of six starts this season. Mount's taking the majority of set pieces and that's led to at least 11 points in each of his last four starts, mostly from 14 chances created. And while Chelsea are favored, I don't trust them in this match which is why I also suggested taking Fulham to win or draw in my betting article. Fulham have had a tough schedule, but they've taken points from each of their last five matches, allowing three goals in that period. Even if Chelsea score two goals, they'll be random. If you want to fully fade Chelsea, Ademola Lookman ($15) and Ivan Cavaleiro ($14) have solid floors around 10 points. The reason I went Mount is because Chelsea are favored and he has the best floor on the team. If odds didn't exist, I'd probably back Cavaleiro first in this match.
DEFENDERS
Erik Pieters, BRN at WHU ($6): Since there aren't any high-end forwards, there aren't a lot of value defenders expected to start. Pieters may be the only starting defender less than $8 and there's a chance Charlie Taylor ($9) returns from injury and starts over him. While Pieters doesn't have much of a floor, he allows you to spend up at forward to get all of the high-end guys. If you don't need that money, Craig Dawson ($9) may be the best bet for his price, mainly because he's a center-back on a four-man back line.
Timothy Castagne, LEI v. SOU ($10): There are a lot of decent floor plays who are more expensive, but if you don't have to spend the money, then don't. Castagne is cheap because he's recently back from injury, but that doesn't stop him from being just as productive as James Justin ($14) on the other side of Leicester's back line. Castagne had a floor of 19 fantasy points last match and has scored at least 9.5 in seven of his eight league starts this season when he played a full 90. In the same range, Ben Chilwell ($11) and Reece James ($10) are at odd discounts after being two of the more expensive defenders for the majority of the first half of the season. If you have money, Burnley and Southampton center-backs have the most consistent floors in the game.
GOALKEEPER
Lukasz Fabianski, WHU v. BRN ($12): I think every goalkeeper on this slate is in play outside of the Leeds-Brighton match. Edouard Mendy ($14) is the most expensive as the biggest favorite, but I'm just as comfortable betting on Fabianski against Burnley. He's made double-digit saves in 11 of his last 12 starts, and while Burnley are playing well, that doesn't mean they're scoring three goals every match, which is why they have the lowest-implied goal total on the slate. Alphonse Areola ($6) is oddly cheap despite scoring at least 12.5 fantasy points in each of his last five starts and is a reasonable play if you're fading Chelsea.
