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MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Brighton v. Leicester City
12:30 p.m: Everton v. Manchester City
FORWARDS
Marcus Rashford, MANU v. SWA ($8,000): Paying up for Alexis Sanchez ($12,500) is a justifiable strategy, as even though he has only one Premier League goal for the Red Devils, one that came back on Feb. 3 against Huddersfield, he created seven shots and added six tackles, four interceptions and five fouls drawn in his last two games. The difficulty is that he needs to find the back of the net to justify his price. The same could be said about Romelu Lukaku ($11,000), who has three goals and two assists in his last four games in all competitions. However, we can get a significant discount with Rashford, who had two goals on six shots (two on goal) and one assist on two chances created in the past two games. Rashford was a more consistent starter a few months ago, but his recent play certainly justifies a spot in the starting XI against Swansea on Saturday.
Chris Wood, BUR at WBA ($9,000): Wood has been awesome in limited time since returning from a long(ish)-term injury, as he bagged three goals on six shots (four on target) and picked up one assist on two chances created in 74 minutes over last two appearances. Expecting that kind of production over a full 90 is silly, but the Burnley attack has gone to another level with their early season striker back. Playing Burnley players away seems a little risky on the surface, but traveling to face West Brom, who have allowed multiple goals in six of their past seven, helps mitigate it.
Marko Arnautovic, WHU v. SOU ($9,500): West Ham are actually home underdogs to Southampton on Saturday, which says quite a bit about how dire things have been lately for the Irons. They've been a total mess defensively, allowing at least three goals in four of their past five games while scoring only five goals themselves over that span. However, it's not for a lack of attempts, and particularly from Arnautovic, who has put two shots on goal in three of the last four. Arnautovic is not completely goal dependent because of his shots, but he has to get them to the goalkeeper if he's not going to get it passed him.
MIDFIELDERS
Paul Pogba, MANU v. SWA ($9,000): Pogba's lack of playing time recently is simply ridiculous, and a good showing with France over the international break should get him back in the starting XI. He was a five-figure player earlier this season and getting him at $9,000 at home against Swansea is a gift. He's capable of taking shots, drawing fouls, creating chances and even registering a few tackles and interceptions, and facing off against the biggest underdog on the slate only enhances his upside.
Riyad Mahrez, LEI at BHA ($11,000): Mahrez comes in at the same price as Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne, and it's a bit tough (though no impossible) to roster both attacking midfielders. I side slightly more to Mahrez based on form, as he had two goals on 13 shots (seven on target) and one assist on five chances created in his last three games. There's no questioning Manchester City's upside, but with so many potential players who can go off, there's a level of comfort with Mahrez knowing that Leicester are unlikely to score without him getting on the scoresheet.
Mohamed Diame, NEW v. HUD ($6,500): Diame is a nice salary saver with a decent floor, scoring at least 16.50 fantasy points in six of his past seven games, with only one of those games including a goal (he had zero assists in that span). He's good at racking up tackles and interceptions while also chipping in with clearances and the occasional chance created and shot on goal, and with Newcastle favored and likely to have more possession, Diame may be able to attack more than usual.
DEFENDERS
Jose Holebas, WAT v. BOU ($6,000): Holebas is one of the best attacking fullbacks on the slate, at least in terms of fantasy upside, but his contributions on the defensive end are what give him his solid floor. He's scored more than 20 fantasy points in three of his past four games, and as long as he continues to take most set pieces for the Hornets, he'll be in position to create chances.
Kyle Naughton, SWA at MANU ($6,000): A case could be made for any of the Swansea defenders, as they're likely to get blitzed by a Manchester United attack ripe for a breakout. Alfie Mawson ($6,000) and Federico Fernandez ($6,000) are the more reliable sources of clearances, even if both are somewhat inconsistent in the category, but Naughton's higher tackle average gives him a bump for me, particularly because he could be piling up clearances as well.
Chris Lowe, HUD at NEW ($4,500): First things first: Lowe is cheap. His occasional role on set pieces theoretically helps his upside, though he comes in with 59 crosses this season and only seven were accurate. Sure, he could get an assist if he takes a corner, but it's unlikely. However, his contributions on the defensive end is where he'll pay off his paltry salary, especially against a Newcastle side that figures to be attacking as much as possible to try and get three points at home. The upside isn't huge, but the benefit of having a player at this price helps more.
GOALKEEPER
David de Gea, MANU v. SWA ($5,000): de Gea has only one clean sheet in his past six starts, but a home match against Swansea City could get him back on track. Manchester United's defense is always considered strong under manager Jose Mourinho, and as much as people like to complain that they simply try to clog the match up and park the bus, it has still generated enough saves for de Gea to be a consistent fantasy producer. In fact, he comes in with 15 clean sheets this season, the most in the Premier League, while his 97 saves are the fourth-most overall.
