This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. West Brom
10:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Chelsea
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARD
Harry Kane, TOT v. WBA ($12,500): Kane is the most expensive player Saturday, but he also comes in with the most shots, second-most goals and shots on target. He broke a three-match goalless streak by finding the back of the net at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, and he'll look to being a streak against a West Brom side that's conceded eight goals in their last three matches.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN v. BHA ($8,500): Don't sleep on the possibility of Ibrahimovic getting his first start of the season after coming off the bench in the last two. Paying up for Romelu Lukaku ($11,500) is certainly a viable strategy too, though Ibrahimovic comes in significantly cheaper while offering almost the same anytime goalscoring odds. There's certainly a risk he doesn't play 90 minutes, but at this price and his potential upside, he could be worth it.
Joshua King, BOU at SWA ($6,500): King's play with Callum Wilson ($8,500) has been excellent of late, as the former created six chances against Newcastle two games ago and then picked up an assist on one of Wilson's three goals last weekend against Huddersfield. Wilson offers the higher goal upside, but King's play off him, either as a second forward or a central attacking midfielder, has sparked a new-found fantasy floor that doesn't come often for forwards on FanDuel.
MIDFIELDER
Christian Eriksen, TOT v. WBA ($10,000): Eriksen has struggled a bit of late, but a matchup against West Brom should do the trick of breaking him out of his slump. Only two players on Saturday's slate have created more chances this season, and he's sixth in shots and fifth in shots on goal. If you expect the Liverpool-Chelsea match to be close with not a ton of fantasy scoring, loading up on Spurs is the easy pivot, with Eriksen the safer option over Dele Alli ($9,000).
Yohan Cabaye, CRY v. STK ($7,500): Cabaye has scored at least 24.5 fantasy points in four of his last five games, including each of his last three, which are really impressive totals given he doesn't have any goals or assists over that span while also putting just three shots on goal. Instead, he had nine chances created, six fouls drawn, 12 tackles, six clearance and 116 completed passes. Cabaye's great play hasn't translated into any wins for Palace, who sit 20th in the table, but Saturday's matchup may break that with Stoke having allowed the most goals, most assists, third-most chances created and second-most passes this season among teams on the slate. If you're looking for a slightly cheaper option, Ruben Loftus-Cheek ($6,500) has scored at least 19.50 fantasy points in two of his last three matches, though his 23.75 against West Ham included an assist.
Jonjo Shelvey, NEW v. WAT ($6,500): Fantasy players may be tempted by Matt Ritchie ($8,000), though he will likely find it tough to make value without scoring a goal (he has zero this season) or assisting on one (he has zero in his last seven starts). However, Shelvey ($6,500) is a much more attractive alternative because he contributes in more categories while still providing nice attacking upside, as evidenced by his seven shots (three on goal), seven chances created, eight tackles and four clearances over his past three games. Mikel Marino ($6,500) is interesting as well because of his reliable tackle and pass floor. He gets involved in the attack occasionally, creating six chances in his last five starts, though it's the 21 tackles, 175 passes, eight fouls drawn and 10 interceptions over that span we're more interested in. Meanwhile, Watford have allowed a good number of defensive stats this season thanks to their ability to attack through Richarlison ($8,500), and Merino shouldn't be short on opportunities.
DEFENDER
Kyle Naughton, SWA v. BOU ($5,500): Naughton is $1,000 more than fellow Swansea fullback Martin Olsson, but he contributes so much more that the increased price is worth it. Naughton comes in with the most tackles among defenders on Saturday's slate, while the Chelsea midfield duo of Tiemoue Bakayoko ($7,500) and N'Golo Kante ($8,000) are the only other players with more. Additionally, only three Saturday players have more interceptions, and Naughton has created five chances and completed 177 passes in his last four games. His upside isn't huge, but he's a reliable source of points.
Nathan Ake, BOU at SWA ($5,000):Adam Smith will get some attention because he's only $4,500 and likely starting in place of the suspended Simon Francis ($5,000), but Ake provides a much more stable floor thanks to his clearances. He's third in the category among players on Saturday's slate, and with Swansea likely trying to attack more because they are at home, he should have his opportunities.
Marvin Zeegelaar, WAT at NEW ($3,500): Zeegelaar got the surprise start last weekend in place of Jose Holebas ($6,000), and while his 13 fantasy points weren't huge, getting that at $3,500 would be a steal. He is the cheapest defender on Saturday's slate and could be a major advantage to stacking the forward position if he is in the first XI again.
GOALKEEPER
Hugo Lloris, TOT v. WBA ($4,500): West Brom have been atrocious lately, which doesn't provide a ton of confidence they'll get shots off against Spurs and create saves for Lloris. That being said, the Spurs defense hasn't been quite as lock-tight without Toby Alderweireld (hamstring), which could allow a few balls to trickle toward goal. Add in the expected clean sheet and Lloris could provide a nice return for his lower salary.
