This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Sheffield United
- 10:00 am: West Bromwich Albion vs. Fulham
- 12:30 pm: Arsenal vs. Manchester United
- 3:00 pm: Southampton vs. Aston Villa
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Phil Foden, MCI v. SHU ($16): Manchester City have a significantly higher implied goal total than any other team on the slate. That's going to lead to a lot of lineups with two, three or even four Man City forwards and midfielders. Even if you fade them completely, you'll miss out on what should be a lot of shots on goal and chances created. When they met earlier in the season, City only scored one goal, but they dominated possession and had eight shots on target. Foden didn't make the score-sheet midweek, but he had a floor of 16.2 fantasy points in 52 minutes because he's now splitting set pieces and in a forward role. Raheem Sterling ($23) has the same odds to score as Gabriel Jesus ($19), while Riyad Mahrez ($22) doesn't have as good odds, but he's on the same level. You could use whoever is in City's attacking trio and still have enough for Ederson, which could be a popular strategy. Ilkay Gundogan ($17) could also be a favorite because he's cheaper and has seven goals in his last eight starts, albeit from 11 shots on target. He's in form, but he's also a perfect option to fade because he doesn't take set pieces and doesn't have a high floor.
Jack Grealish, AVL at SOU ($20): There are a couple ways to go if you fade Man City and I'm taking the Grealish route. Bruno Fernandes ($21) is always in play, but he had one of his worst fantasy performances of the season in the prior meeting with Arsenal and I'm not sure he's worth it. Instead, I'm turning to a player who may or may not split sets. Grealish scored last match, but he also had a floor of 25 points from five chances created and two shots on goal. When Villa and Southampton met earlier in the season, it was an up and down match that featured seven goals. Even if that doesn't happen, there should still be plenty of chances for both sides. Southampton have injury issues and Villa are coming off a match in which they gave up three goals to a Burnley team that rarely scores more than once. Similarly to the midweek contest, it's a viable strategy to stack this match, allowing you to fade Man City if you wanted. Ollie Watkins ($18) has the best odds to score as the striker and is more of a GPP option, while Bertrand Traore ($15) and Ross Barkley ($12) will be less popular because of poor form. I'm still waiting for Anwar El Ghazi ($14) to return to the starting XI, and that could come Saturday.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU v. AVL ($16): Yes, Ward-Prowse had two goals and an assist in the prior meeting, but he also had a 10-point floor. His numbers have stagnated over the last month, partly because of schedule, but Villa have given up multiple goals in their last three away matches and have been terrible at defending set pieces most of the season. That's where Ward-Prowse had success in the first meeting and could again Saturday. He isn't on the ball as much as Grealish, but he takes more set pieces and is the main player who would benefit if this match features multiple goals again. That said, Danny Ings ($17) isn't much more expensive and is more likely to hit the back of the net. Ward-Prowse is the play in cash games, but it'll be hard to pass on Ings in GPPs if you like Southampton. The other move is to stack them in hopes Southampton bag three-plus goals again.
Ivan Cavaleiro, FUL at WBA ($14): It's possible the Fulham-West Brom match goes under the radar because it's two teams battling relegation. However, West Brom have been terrible and lost the first meeting 2-0. In addition to a few Fulham guys having decent floors, they are also in play for a couple goals, which is enough to make it in my article. It's unknown if Cavaleiro is still on set pieces because Fulham have barely had any the last few weeks, but that shouldn't matter. He's hit 9.3 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 starts and is averaging more than one shot on goal in that period. He doesn't have the same floor as Ademola Lookman ($16), but he has similar upside and is a couple bucks cheaper. The only reason I'd be tentative on Lookman is because he's the same price as Foden and Ward-Prowse. Otherwise, he's been awesome, hitting double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five appearances. These guys won't be as popular as some, but they seem just as likely as most to hit a floor of 15 points and tap in a goal or tally an assist.
I'm avoiding the Man United-Arsenal match because it was defensive in the first meeting and I'd rather spend my money elsewhere than Fernandes at $21. Sure, there could be goals, but they'll likely come from random places and it's not worth projecting where those will come from (see: Nicolas Pepe's midweek goal). While I like Bukayo Saka ($17), I'm not sure this is the matchup for him. He's capitalized the past month against bottom-tier teams and a beat-up Southampton back line, but Arsenal couldn't do anything against United in the first meeting outside of two shots on goal, one of which went in.
DEFENDERS
Conor Townsend, WBA v. FUL ($5): Townsend was on the bench midweek and could start Saturday, and even if he doesn't, it's the early match so you can move to Ki-Jana Hoever ($6) if needed, assuming he starts. Just know what you're getting into in case you go into Saturday with zero wiggle room. When healthy, Townsend was a regular at left-back and usually came close to hitting a floor of 10 fantasy points. Hoever should start after Rayan Ait-Nouri left injured last match. If neither start and the cheapest starting defender is $7, you can blame me if you have to re-haul your roster.
Luke Shaw, MUN at ARS ($9): No one else is on the same level as Joao Cancelo ($15), so if you want to use one of your Man City spots on him, go ahead. Kyle Walker ($9) and Oleksandr Zinchenko ($8) don't have the same upside or floor, but they're in play for a clean sheet and should still get up the field plenty. I think there are too many viable players under 10 bucks to consider an expensive defender. Shaw splits set pieces for Man United and has hit 9.9 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12 starts in all competitions. He has upside and provides a variety of defensive stats. Ethan Ampadu ($9) Ryan Bertrand ($9) and Nelson Semedo ($9) all have similar floors, but they don't take set pieces.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson, MCI v. SHU ($14): If you have the money and a spot for a Man City player, Ederson is a good bet for 17 points. He has six straight league clean sheets and is in line for another with almost twice as good odds for a win and clean sheet than any other team on the slate. Alphonse Areola ($12) has been great, but he doesn't have the same kind of save upside against West Brom. If anything, you can take the Alex McCarthy ($8) route and hope he racks up 10 saves against a Villa team that loves to shoot. He gave up three goals in the prior meeting, but he still had 20 fantasy points because he made seven saves.
