This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds, expected scores and stats for Saturday's slate, check out our full cheat sheet here.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Sunderland
10:00 a.m: Burnley v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: Arsenal v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Hull City v. Crystal Palace
12:30 p.m: Leicester City v. Manchester City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Ron-Robert Zieler, LEI v. MCI ($5,600): Man City come in with the most shots on target among the teams playing on Saturday's slate, but they'll be without their best finisher in Sergio Aguero, who is suspended for the next four matches. Leicester have been really poor this season in domestic play, but they rested most of their main players during the midweek Champions League match against FC Porto, so they should be ready for the onslaught of shots from the Citizens, which creates plenty of save opportunities for Zieler.
DEFENDER
Michael Dawson, HUL v. CRY ($5,700): Dawson has a goal in each of his last two home games, though that's not really why he's under consideration. He's been quite effective picking up peripheral defensive stats of late, registering 38 clearances in his last five games, as well as 15 blocked shots. The matchup bodes well for Dawson to continue racking up those stats, as Palace have forced the most clearances this season and they're the third-most tackled squad in the Premier League.
Mike van der Hoorn, SWA v. SUN ($5,500): Van der Hoorn has scored at least 24 fantasy points in each of his last three starts, though one was goal-aided. The Sunderland attack has been much better of late thanks to Victor Anichebe (no, really!), which should give van der Hoorn plenty of clearance and block opportunities.
Marc Muniesa, STK at ARS ($4,300): Muniesa scored a whopping 49 fantasy points last weekend against Burnley, though 20 came from an unexpected goal (15 for the goal, five for the shot on target). However, the 29 non-goal fantasy points were still a solid output, which came from 10 clearances, two blocked shots and four tackles. With Arsenal bringing in one of the best attacks in the Premier League, Muniesa should be very busy, as should central-defending partner Bruno Martins Indi ($4,700).
MIDFIELDER
Mesut Ozil, ARS v. STK ($10,700): Ozil is fairly goal or assist dependent despite his very active role in the Gunners' attack, as he's failed to reach even 21 fantasy points in a game this season without contributing to a score. His eight games without reaching that threshold may make fantasy managers think the five times he has eclipsed it pause, but Saturday's matchup against Stoke should ease those fears, as Arsenal are dominant favorites and expected to score more goals than anyone else on the slate. Ozil hasn't created nearly as many chances this season as last, but he's still done so 12 times in the last four games and is coming off a solid one-goal, one-assist outing against West Ham that netted 49.75 fantasy points.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA v. SUN ($8,800): After scoring more than 40 fantasy points in back-to-back games, Sigurdsson put up a massive dud last weekend against Spurs, failing to get a shot on target (he took one shot, which turned out to be the only one Swansea had in the entire game) and failing to create a single chance (no other shots = no chances). However, there's reason to think a bounce back is coming, as Swansea have found one of the few opponents they are actually favored against, even though Sunderland come in with wins in three of their last four. Despite the solid run of form, Sunderland have still allowed the third-most shots, second-most shots on target and third-most chances created this season.
Wilfried Zaha, CRY at HUL ($6,200): Zaha had taken multiple shots or created multiple chances in five straight games before coming up short last weekend against Southampton. He also had one goal and four assists over that span. While Jason Puncheon ($6,200) has the benefit of taking corners, Zaha is dangerous enough in open play that he picks up more peripheral stats. Palace have struggled for the most part this season, but Zaha has mainly been a bright spot, and he'll now face a Hull side that has all sort of issues.
FORWARD
Alexis Sanchez, ARS v. STK ($14,200): Alexis is the hottest goal-scorer in the Premier League, finding the back of the net seven times in the last four, including three last weekend against West Ham and two the week before against Bournemouth. He's also been extremely effective at setting up shots, as he's created five chances in each of the last two games. Arsenal are the heaviest favorites on the slate, and expected to score the most goals, and there's little reason to think Alexis won't continue his hot form.
Victor Anichebe, SUN at SWA ($6,500): Anichebe has been excellent since joining the Sunderland starting XI alongside Jermain Defoe, scoring three goals on seven shots (three on target) in his first two games and then taking nine shots (three on target) in his last two. In fact, only Sergio Aguero (30), Christian Eriksen (21), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (21) and Roberto Firmino (18) have taken more shots than Anichebe over the last four games. Up next is a matchup against a Swansea side that have allowed 16 goals in their last four games, including nine in their last two.
Christian Benteke, CRY at HUL ($7,400): Benteke has four goals in his last four games, including three in his last two. He's had at least one shot on target in six straight games, getting multiple on target in four during that span. He's been surprisingly better on the road this season, as five of his seven goals came away from home, as well as nine of his 15 shots on target and 10 of his 13 chances created. He'll now get the pleasure of facing off against a Hull side that have allowed the second-most goals, most shots, second-most shots on target, second-most chances created and most accurate crosses, the latter of which fits nicely for Benteke, as Palace have the most successful crosses this season and he leads the league in aerials won.
