This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 pm: Manchester United vs. Sheffield United
- 1:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Aston Villa
- 1:00 pm: Norwich City vs. Everton
- 1:00 pm: Wolverhampton vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 3:15 pm: Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, MUN v. SHU ($20): There was a time when Manchester United couldn't be trusted, and while that could still be the case, things have been different with Fernandes in the squad. In fact, even with Liverpool on the slate, I may be more inclined to stack the Red Devils. It's partly because they're healthy and partly because Sheffield United's back line is in shambles. It's hard to go against Fernandes, who in addition to converting a penalty against Tottenham had a floor that surpassed 20 fantasy points from a variety of stats. He does a little bit of everything in the attack and loves taking chances on net from outside the box, which leads to some free shots on target. I'd be comfortable backing anyone who starts in the attack, with Marcus Rashford ($21) a reasonable option because he has the best odds to score and has at least 10 fantasy points in each of his last nine starts. Sure, he's coming back from injury, but he went the full 90 last Friday, so I wouldn't be afraid to use him. Otherwise, Anthony Martial ($18) will likely be less popular and more of a GPP option, while Paul Pogba ($16) will get attention if he starts.
Sadio Mane, LIV v. CRY ($22): I may like Man United more as a stacking piece, but Liverpool are bigger favorites and are expected to score a half-goal more. The main reason I'd be wary of the Reds is that Mohamed Salah ($21) wasn't healthy enough to come off the bench Sunday. Maybe he starts Wednesday, but it wouldn't be surprising if he was limited to 60 or 70 minutes. That's why I prefer Mane, even at a dollar more. Mane doesn't have the same floor as Fernandes, but he should benefit from an easier matchup after failing to get a shot on target against Everton. Then again, this matchup isn't as easy at it looks considering Liverpool have one fewer day of rest. When these teams met in November, Palace actually had two more shots on target and two more chances created in a 2-1 Liverpool win. Also, I'd only use Roberto Firmino ($17) in GPPs due to his lack of opportunities, which limits his floor, failing to surpass 10 fantasy points in his last five league starts. Overall, I'd avoid Mane and Salah in GPPs because they'll be the highest owned on the biggest favorite.
Raul Jimenez, WOL v. BOU ($19): The weird thing about this slate is that you could stack four of the five favorites and win money with any of them. Wolverhampton were back to normal last match, and that included Jimenez, who has already surpassed last season's total with 14 goals. He doesn't have a high floor, but if you stack him with Adama Traore ($13), who always causes problems on the wing, and Joao Moutinho ($15), you'll surely get at least a goal and an assist. Diogo Jota ($17) is also in the mix if you're looking to win a GPP. Wolves controlled this matchup the last time these teams met (nine more shots, eight more chances created) and that should be the case again after Bournemouth struggled to hold down Crystal Palace last weekend. If you need a cheaper cash play, Traore fits the bill assuming he starts. He doesn't have much of a floor because what he does on the pitch doesn't always translate to FanDuel, but he's going to wreak havoc on the Bournemouth back line, that's for sure. If you want more cheap options, Allan Saint-Maximin ($14) is in the same mold as Traore in that he usually gets past opposing back lines with ease. I'd also consider Emiliano Buendia ($14) for cash games, mostly because Norwich are home. Norwich's home stat keeper has gifted 51 tackles to Buendia, compared to 17 in one fewer away match.
Richarlison, EVE at NOR ($18): Everton have the same implied goal total as Wolverhampton, but Wolves have been the more consistent team this season. The main reason to consider Everton is because of Norwich's back line, which fell apart against Southampton. One of their center-backs (Timm Klose) hadn't played for more than a year and is expected to start again. If Southampton can rip off nine shots on target and create 16 chances, there's no reason Everton can't do the same. Richarlison makes the most sense, averaging a combined 2.28 shots on goal and chances created per 90 minutes. Those aren't amazing, but he also adds tackles to help his floor, and that's why he's hit at least 10 fantasy points in eight of his last nine starts, including at least 34 in four of those. Because of that floor, he's useful as a stand-alone piece, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($18) is the other guy if you want to secure all of Everton's goals. With Man United, Liverpool and Jimenez on the slate, I doubt Everton will be overly popular in GPPs.
DEFENDERS
Jack Robinson, SHU at MUN ($7): Given the number of favored, expensive forwards, it only makes sense to save money at defender. Robinson was thrust into the starting XI the last two matches, racking up a floor near 20 points against Aston Villa. Man United don't force a ton of defensive action, but neither do Villa. It's expected United will control the ball in the offensive third the majority of the match, and that should lead to at least a floor of 10 points for Robinson. If Phil Jagielka ($6) gets a rare start, you could have two defenders for 13 bucks. If you prefer to spend, Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) is in a nice spot to add another assist to his total, while Nathan Ake ($14) has a floor near 20 points, especially against better competition.
Joel Ward, CRY at LIV ($8): Due to the number of large favorites, there are a ton of cheap defenders, so have your pick. I usually don't recommend full-backs in this spot, but Ward is active and doesn't get as forward as a lot of other players at this position. As for Liverpool, they've been near the top of the charts all season, allowing the most clearances and fourth-most interceptions per 90 minutes. Center-backs Gary Cahill ($13) and Scott Dann ($12) are a bit pricey for a floor that's only a few points higher. I'd also look at Timm Klose ($8) if he starts again for Norwich or Michael Keane ($9) for Everton. Dejan Lovren ($9) is an option to start for Liverpool, and he has decent clean-sheet upside.
GOALKEEPER
Orjan Nyland, AVL at NEW ($7): The only chance to get someone like Alisson Becker ($15) or David de Gea ($14) is if you spend down at one or two forward/midfield spots. I prefer banking on goals than wins and clean sheets, so Nyland is my pick. Villa are the smallest underdog on the slate in the match with the lowest implied goal total. The Villa back line hasn't been terrible in two matches since the restart, with the lone goals allowed coming in a three-minute stretch against Chelsea in the second half. If you fade Liverpool, Vicente Guaita ($8) is a reasonable choice, especially if he can make a few saves.
