This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. West Bromwich Albion
- 12:30 pm: Liverpool vs. Everton
- 3:00 pm: Fulham vs. Sheffield United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. EVE ($23): Salah has the best odds to score on the slate by a decent margin, partly because of form and partly because of the odds. He has five goals in his last five starts in all competitions and Liverpool are projected to score more goals than any other team. While he's scoring goals, he isn't providing much of a floor, which makes him an easy fade candidate. He's produced more than 10 floors points in just one his last 10 starts, and while Sadio Mane ($22) hasn't been much better, he's at least creating chances, which leads to a couple more fantasy points. But if Liverpool score, it's almost a given that one of those two will be involved, and they racked up 22 shots (eight on target) in the first meeting. While Liverpool aren't playing as well as earlier in the season, Everton aren't exactly in form, giving up three goals to each Manchester club as well as two to Fulham in recent matches. Roberto Firmino ($18) is worth a look in GPPs because the other matches don't present a ton of upside. Otherwise, you're guessing at goals for Liverpool since none of their midfielders provide much of a floor.
Ashley Barnes, BRN v. WBA ($17): The only problem I have with backing Burnley forwards is that you probably need both to ensure you don't pick the wrong guy. Barnes has better odds to hit the back of the net, but Rodriguez is getting just as many opportunities on target the last couple matches. Barnes is also the regular starter, so he's more likely to go a full 90 if either Matej Vydra or Chris Wood are on the bench. He had a floor of 16.6 fantasy points against Crystal Palace a couple matches ago, while Rodriguez is more of a GPP play because he's had almost no floor all season. He has one goal and two assists in the last two matches, but he had just 6.3 floor points. The reason you can consider both Barnes and Rodriguez is because they face West Brom, who have allowed multiple goals in seven of their last eight games. On the downside, the prior meeting between these teams finished scoreless, with West Brom winning the possession battle (57 percent) while getting six shots on target compared to four for Burnley. Dwight McNeil ($15) and Ashley Westwood ($10) are maybe better floor plays, but I'd prefer the upside if you're betting on Burnley. As for the Baggies, you could go after new signing Mbaye Diagne ($16) if you want to win a tournament or get a discount on Matheus Pereira ($14), who takes penalties.
Josh Maja, FUL v. SHU ($16): It's hard justifying Ademola Lookman ($19) in cash games when he hasn't surpassed 10.3 fantasy points in the last five matches. He's creating chances, but that's about it and being the third-biggest favorite isn't enough. That's why it makes sense to use Maja, who has better odds to score and a similar floor. There's a chance Maja will be overly popular because he braced last weekend, but that's a risk you take. He has three shots on goal and a chance created in two starts with Fulham, and Sheffield United's injured back line (no John Egan) should help. Outside of Maja and Lookman, it's pretty ugly in terms of Fulham's fantasy-relevant players. They aren't a high-scoring team, and outside of Harrison Reed ($10), who takes set pieces, no one produces consistent defensive numbers in the midfield. Sheffield United are even worse because their goals are random and they don't get a ton of set pieces.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE at LIV ($18): The full Liverpool fade includes Calvert-Lewin, who scored in the first meeting and had three total shots on target. There's a chance he doesn't start because of a hamstring issue, but it's the second match of the day, so you'll have some wiggle room. Prior to his injury, he scored in back-to-back away games, while teammate Richarlison ($20) is more expensive and it's mainly because he scored in a more forward role against Manchester City last match. This isn't the match for James Rodriguez ($16) or Gylfi Sigurdsson ($15) unless you're banking on either to score. Even if you fade Liverpool, it'll be hard to bet on Rodriguez or Sigurdsson racking up set pieces and having a solid floor. Liverpool are struggling to win, but they're still playing the same and controlling the pace of most matchups. If Allan ($7) is back in the starting XI, I'd consider him for salary relief in cash games because he's cheap and usually around 10 fantasy points from defensive stats.
DEFENDERS
Darnell Furlong, WBA at BRN ($6): There are two expected starting defenders at $6, and I'm only going Furlong because he's in the early match. If you wait for Enda Stevens, you may be out of luck if he doesn't start. If you use that method, you could hold an extra dollar and allow yourself to use Phil Jagielka ($7) if needed. Ainsley Maitland-Niles ($7) is also a cheap option, but he hasn't done much in his West Brom appearances.
Mason Holgate, EVE at LIV ($12): Unless you're using both Salah and Mane, you should have a few extra bucks for defender. Instead of spending up and hoping for a goal or assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) and Andrew Robertson ($14), I think Holgate provides a similar floor. He's had at least nine fantasy points in all but one start this season, including at least 14 in each of his last three. Helping more is that he should play as a center-back because of the injury to Yerry Mina. Liverpool have forced the most clearances in the league by a wide margin, and that could lead to a floor of around 15 points for each Everton center-back.
GOALKEEPER
Nick Pope, BRN v. WBA ($12): Every goalkeeper on this slate is in play, so have your pick. Liverpool are the biggest favorite, but Jordan Pickford ($7) is viable given each team's recent form. And while Liverpool won their midweek match, they needed two defensive mistakes to score against RB Leipzig. If you have money, I'd pay for either Pope or Alphonse Areola ($11); both are home, consistently make saves and against a side that struggles to hit the back of the net. I don't have a lean either way because both West Brom and Sheffield United will be pushing for goals, but Pope has been one of the more reliable options over the years. It also makes sense to correlate your goalkeeper with whatever forwards you use, so keep that in mind.
