This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Liverpool v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Manchester City
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Chelsea
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Burnley v. Swansea City
12:30 p.m: Manchester United v. Newcastle
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARD
This week is wide open across the board for each position. There are general favorites, but we are not short of potential options with several top teams available. If going expensive in the forward spot, the one to look at first is Romelu Lukaku ($10,500). Manchester United are the biggest favorite on the slate and Lukaku has the third-best goal-scoring odds. While the twin towers (small towers) in blue playing for Manchester City have better goal-scoring odds, it is difficult to choose one when they are together, and when they're separate you basically only get 70ish minutes of playing time. In Lukaku, you get very similar goal scoring and team odds, but likely 90 minutes and a main focus of the team. It goes without saying that there is nothing wrong with playing a City forward and another expensive option is Alvaro Morata ($9,500), in line for 90 minutes with Michy Batshuayi ($8,000) out because of an ankle.
As often hypothesized, FanDuel is not kind to the forward position in terms of floor (removing assists, goals and clean sheets). For this week, there are no eligible forwards listed in the top 69 players for average floor; the top one is Roberto Firmino at number 70, with a 14.2-point floor and a $10,500 salary. Goals are needed to win GPPs on FanDuel more than any other site so think of goals first when choosing forwards.
Cheaper options include: Marcus Rashford ($8,000), Christian Benteke ($7,000) and Joshua King ($7,000).
MIDFIELDER
Much has been said this season about the fantasy prospects of Kevin De Bryune ($11,500); is he too far back? Is he still performing? Is he covering up with goals and assists? If we remove goals, assists and clean sheets, no player (at any position) is averaging more points on FanDuel than KDB. Leicester away isn't the best matchup, but his floor and upside are rarely matched in this format.
Two Liverpool players have started to emerge on FanDuel: Mohamed Salah ($11,500) and James Milner ($7,500). While both are Premier League household names, they both started slowly and are now in good form heading into a home match against Southampton. If Liverpool starts Salah, Milner and Philippe Coutinho ($9,500), it will be tougher to rely on any of them as they tend to cannibalize each other, but if one is out there should be enough opportunities.
Other options include: Leory Sane ($9,500), Aaron Mooy ($8,500), Grzegorz Krychowiak ($7,500), N'Golo Kante ($7,500) and Oriol Romeu ($8,000).
DEFENDER
New manager, new priorities, for Leighton Baines ($5,500). He is still priced for his role this season but he is going to be charged with carrying more attacking responsibilities going forward. If Christian Benteke ($7,000) starts, Michael Keane ($5,500) could be in for a few more clearances as they look to feed the big Belgian. Crystal Palace are already one of the higher crossing teams without their target man playing much of the season.
In terms of safety, Ben Mee ($7,000) has the highest floor of any defender this week, and while Swansea aren't a powerhouse, they should do enough to give Mee decent opportunities (his upside is limited not counting goals).
Other options include: Harry Maguire ($6,500), Ciaran Clark ($6,000), Virgil van Dijk ($7,000) and Davide Zappacosta ($4,500).
GOALKEEPER
Robert Elliot ($5,000) seems like the natural choice here given price and potential shots he will face, but Fraser Forster ($4,500) and Kasper Schmeichel ($5,500) are also fine choices. In terms of shots on goal this season, Manchester City have the most, followed by Liverpool and then Chelsea and Manchester United are fifth and sixth, respectively. In terms of saves forced, Liverpool have the most with Manchester City third, and Chelsea and Manchester United sixth and seventh, respectively.
