This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion
FORWARDS
Gabriel Jesus, MCI at TOT (£24): Sergio Aguero (£24) could miss out again, which would likely keep Jesus in the lineup. Jesus has a goal in all three of his appearances this season, including goals against Liverpool and Wolverhampton. There's an outside chance Ferran Torres (£18) leads the attack, with support from Raheem Sterling (£26) and possibly Phil Foden (£22) or Riyad Mahrez (£23). It's worth noting Sterling has finished with more than 4.35 fantasy points in only one of his past six matches, making him a pricey gamble for his lack of recent production.
Matheus Pereira, WBA at MUN (£21): United are winless in four home matches and have conceded 10 of their 14 goals on the season at Old Trafford. West Brom are not attacking juggernauts, though that's not what makes Pereira worth rostering. He gets it done in a variety of ways, with shots, accurate crosses and fouls suffered being his go-tos, while he's been involved in three of his side's six goals (one goal, two assists). Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford (£25) should be fit for Saturday, while Anthony Martial (£21) scored in two of three matches before the break.
Gareth Bale, TOT v. MCI (£17): This matchup isn't the greatest for Bale, though Tottenham have been the second-best attack in the league in terms of goals. An attack of Bale, Harry Kane (£30) and Son Heung-Min (£26) is a problem for any defense, even if it is City's backline. It will be tough to play one of the top two midfielders and Kane, making Bale a better play in tournaments as he's likely to be in fewer lineups. He started his first Premier League match prior to the international break and shouldn't have a problem coming back into the lineup.
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, MUN v. WBA (£29): Five goals and three assists in seven matches will give you the best goal-scoring odds on most slates. Fernandes is coming off a masterclass performance prior to the international break with two goals and an assist against Everton. He takes most set pieces for United, including penalties, and is averaging more floor points than any other player Saturday. Filip Krovinovic (£14) has been productive in a variety of ways since joining the starting XI four matches ago and is a differential play that will allow you to go get the likes of Fernandes.
Ross Barkley, AVL v. BRI (£19): Jack Grealish (£27) has been pure electricity this season and is priced as such. Under the surface, Barkley is the play in Aston Villa's midfield as he's taken over almost all set-piece duties from Grealish and John McGinn (£16). Barkley's been consistent, scoring at least 4.35 points in five straight matches, including more than 10.8 in three.
Pascal Gross, BRI at AVL (£15): Gross is averaging 3.21 accurate crosses per 90 minutes, which is mostly attributed to his set-piece responsibilities. He's unlikely to set the pitch on fire, but his price and floor offer a cheap option on a slate with the likes of Fernandes, De Bruyne and Grealish. Leandro Trossard (£16) has a higher attacking upside due to the number of shots he takes and is another solid option at a good price.
DEFENDERS
Sergio Reguilon, TOT v. MCI (£17): Reguilon has provided assists in two of four starts and registered a shot in three of those matches. Serge Aurier (£18) has been formative at right-back as opposite of Reguilon, though a matchup against City's attack is unlikely to result in a clean sheet bonus, while Joao Cancelo (£16) has been the Cityzen's best attacking threat out of the back.
Tariq Lamptey, BRI at AVL (£15): Lamptey ranks sixth in the league in fouls suffered (20) and has finished with at least 4.95 points in five of eight appearances. He's been an attacking threat from right wing-back while offering a smattering of defensive statistics, and has a fairly even matchup against Villa. Ezri Konsa (£15) operates as a center-back but has drawn fouls at a higher rate than Lamptey, while also benefiting from keeping four clean sheets in eight matches. Brighton are a mid-table club in terms of attacking production and could be a clean sheet opportunity.
Alex Telles, MUN v. WBA (£13): With Luke Shaw sidelined for the next few weeks, Telles should make his first Premier League start for United after starting in a lone Champions League match in October. Prior to his arrival in Manchester, he was one of FC Porto's top play-makers and could begin that role when he gains a consistent starting job. This will likely be the cheapest price you'll be able to get Telles as a starter. Darnell Furlong (£16) has distanced himself from his defensive teammates as the more viable fantasy option while finishing with at least 5.25 points in each of his past five matches.
GOALKEEPERS
Sam Johnstone, WBA at MUN (£11): United's trouble at home coupled with a variety of their players returning from international duty could be an ideal time to play the cost-friendly Johnstone. Ederson (£18) and Hugo Lloris (£18) are the most expensive options and face each other, while David de Gea (£15) has the top clean sheet odds. After Johnstone, Emiliano Martinez (£17) would be my next choice because of his performance this season. I'm unwilling to spend up on a position that is so unpredictable, making Johnstone the ideal choice.
