This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 2:30 pm: AFC Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 2:30 pm: Aston Villa vs. Watford
- 2:30 pm: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton
- 2:30 pm: Everton vs. Newcastle United
- 2:30 pm: Sheffield United vs. Manchester City
- 3:15 pm: Chelsea vs. Arsenal
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at SHU ($22): Short turnarounds are always tricky to deal with whether it's because of managers tinkering lineups or because of little rest. That's why it's best to go with the most trusted player in the game in De Bruyne, who didn't make the score-sheet last match but racked up more than 20 fantasy points, a result that's often been the case this season. Sure, Sergio Aguero ($23) has the upside, but he has no floor and would've had five points over the weekend if it wasn't for the brace. The difference Tuesday is that Sheffield United played Man City well in the first meeting less than a month ago. City controlled possession and won at home, but they managed just four shots on target and De Bruyne had two of those, taking part in each of the goals. I'm not saying Sheffield United will keep City scoreless, but they already limited Liverpool to one goal and held Arsenal scoreless at home. Gabriel Jesus ($20) will also likely be more popular if he starts over Aguero, while this is the perfect spot for Riyad Mahrez ($19) as a tournament play. De Bruyne and the forwards will be the most popular, whereas Mahrez has similar upside and not many will want to spend similar money.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. NEW ($16): Calvert-Lewin could be a chalky play, but he's in the opposite mold of De Bruyne in that he has no floor. Surprisingly, he has the second-best odds on the slate to find the back of the net, only behind Aguero. He's been stout under new management, taking at least four shots in each of his last four starts if you throw out the trip to Man City. He's getting opportunities every match, and while Newcastle are coming off a clean sheet, they've been much worse away, allowing 22 goals in 11 trips. If you want to spend a little more money, Tammy Abraham ($19) is set for a bounce back, though similar to Everton, Arsenal are playing better in the back under a new manager. Chelsea scored two goals in the previous meeting, but they both came in the final 10 minutes. However, if you're buying into Chelsea, there's a viable stack that includes Willian ($16) and Mason Mount ($15).
Gerard Deulofeu, WAT at AVL ($15): Troy Deeney ($16) has more upside as the main goal scorer, but Deulofeu has a higher floor with 11 tackles, 10 shots and four chances created in his last three starts. Since Deeney came back into the squad, Watford have been a different team and I'm banking on that despite playing away. I'm still not sold on Aston Villa's defense-heavy lineup and Watford have the tools to break that down, though the loss of Ismaila Sarr doesn't help. Either way, multiple goals have been scored in each of Watford's last 10 away matches, and I think both Deulofeu and Deeney can benefit. It was only two matches ago that Villa looked lost in a 6-1 defeat at home. If you don't like backing away sides, Jack Grealish ($17) is in play, but I'm not confident in his attacking ability in Villa's lineup that features five defenders and two defensive midfielders.
Leandro Trossard, BHA at BOU ($14): Trossard didn't have the match I expected him to have over the weekend, but he found the back of the net and did enough in the end for $14. I'll take another chance on him in hopes Aaron Mooy ($12) misses the squad after dealing with a knock the prior week. Trossard is on a decent run with six shots, nine chances created and 10 tackles in his last four starts and this match could go any way. Norwich dominated possession against Bournemouth on Saturday, and even if that doesn't happen for Brighton, there will be opportunities in the attack. Of course, there are plenty of other options in this range, from teammate Neal Maupay ($14) to a string of Palace options in Wilfried Zaha ($14), Jordan Ayew ($13) and Cenk Tosun ($12). Callum Hudson-Odoi ($13) will be popular for those stacking Chelsea, while Anwar El Ghazi ($13) and Callum Wilson ($13) are decent tournament plays with no floors.
DEFENDERS
Djibril Sidibe, EVE v. NEW ($12): On a short week, I think Sidibe has a good chance to start, especially after coming off the bench and playing a more attacking role for Theo Walcott last match. Sidibe had a floor of 17.7 points against Newcastle less than a month ago and has been consistent at accruing a variety of defensive stats to go with attacking upside. Lucas Digne ($15) is more expensive because he takes corners, but I wouldn't pay up for that. There are a few other places I'd look in this range, led by most of the Sheffield United defenders. Jamaal Lascelles ($12) is back from injury and usually hits 10 fantasy points whenever in the squad, and the same goes for Craig Cathcart ($12).
Shkodran Mustafi, ARS at CHE ($10): This could be a slim slate for $8 defenders, though on a short week, you never know what the starting XIs will look like. The teams forcing the most defensive action on this slate are Chelsea and Crystal Palace, which is where I'm looking. Mustafi had a floor of 21.9 points at home against Sheffield United last match and should be more active against Chelsea, who have forced the most clearances, most blocks, second-most interceptions and second-most tackles in the last 10 gameweeks. Southampton have forced the fourth-most clearances and sixth-most interceptions, which leads to Gary Cahill ($10), who was one of the easier plays last weekend. As with most cheaper defenders, you don't know what you're getting from Bernardo ($9) or Andreas Christensen ($8), which is why I'm spending a little more on this slate.
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WAT at AVL ($11): Foster has a clean sheet in three of his last four starts and five of his last eight. While I'm projecting there to be a couple goals in this match, a 2-0 Watford win isn't out of the cards. They're playing well, and while Aston Villa have scored in their last few matches, those haven't come easy. Not to mention, when these teams met less than a month ago, Villa managed two shots on goal in a 3-0 loss, and that came with Wesley Moraes up front. The other play is to go Jordan Pickford ($13) and hope for the clean sheet and win. The full fade of Man City should include Dean Henderson ($10), and if you hate that strategy, I'd lean more to Martin Dubravka ($10) given Everton's beat-up attack.
