This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 11:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Southampton
- 11:00 am: Burnley vs. Wolverhampton
- 11:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Huddersfield Town
- 11:00 am: Leicester City vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 11:00 am: Manchester United vs. Watford
- 1:30 pm: West Ham United vs. Everton
For detailed odds and stats, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Marcus Rashford, MUN v. WAT ($11,000): I'm only recommending Rashford because Romelu Lukaku ($13,000) is unlikely to feature because of a foot injury. If Lukaku starts, I'd completely avoid Rashford. Either way, I want the No. 9 in Man United's attack because they have the best odds to score on the slate since Watford have given up eight goals in their last two trips. Prior to Lukaku joining the starting XI, Rashford had scored in six of eight matches and was regularly getting multiple shots on target. Lukaku took his spot (in real life and in fantasy) with three straight braces. As long as Lukaku sits, Rashford's price is at least reasonable, whereas you'll have to pitch in a leg to get Lukaku.
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. BOU ($11,000): This is mostly based on matchup because the last time I recommended Vardy, he blanked against Burnley. I don't feel great about his price, but his floor should be around 10 fantasy points, and Bournemouth have allowed 35 goals in 15 away matches, which includes their recent 2-0 win over Huddersfield. Vardy is hard to trust because he rarely gets more than one shot on goal and one chance created, and without a ton of opportunity, that limits his upside. However, Leicester have decent odds to score and that usually means Vardy. I'd put Wilfried Zaha ($10,500) in this spot, but I'm not sure how much he plays with a nagging hamstring issue. As for Raul Jimenez ($11,500) and Callum Wilson ($10,500), both cost too much for playing away from home.
Danny Ings, SOU at BHA ($8,000): Ings played in a friendly over the break, and my money would be on him returning to the starting lineup 10 days after that appearance. At a time, he was one of the best value forwards in the league, but injuries have derailed that. Still, he's been consistent at surpassing a floor of 10 points by averaging 1.50 shots on goal and 1.36 chances created per 90 minutes. Brighton have played the fewest matches in the league but have still allowed the third-most shots. Other money-savers include Michy Batshuayi ($8,500) against Huddersfield or Glenn Murray ($8,500) versus Southampton.
MIDFIELDERS
Paul Pogba, MUN v. WAT ($9,500): If you're strapped for cash, picking between Pogba and James Maddison ($9,500) may be the biggest decision on the slate. Maddison has had the better floor in the last month, with at least three chances created in his last seven starts, but his upside has also been capped without a shot on goal in four of those games. As for Pogba, his overall numbers have dropped, but his floor is consistently around 10 points, supplying at least one shot on goal and chance created per start. It's still hard to ignore his upside from a couple months ago when he made the scoresheet in eight of nine matches, and that's my logic with United's slightly better odds to win also supporting that.
Luka Milivojevic, CRY v. HUD ($9,000): Milivojevic is the play if you don't have an extra $500 and can't afford Maddison. Milivojevic also probably has the best floor on the slate, with at least 19 fantasy points in seven of the last 10 matches. While he has a few goals in that period, he's stayed on corners in addition to producing a few defensive stats. This also feels like the perfect match for him to convert another penalty because Huddersfield's back line is the worst in the league. James Ward-Prowse ($9,000) relies a little more on goals for his points and while he also takes corners, he doesn't have the same defensive numbers. Ryan Fraser ($8,500) is always worth a look for GPPs, while Youri Tielemans ($8,000) will likely again be a popular choice having made the scoresheet in three of the last four.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, SOU at BHA ($7,000): Hojbjerg is at a great price for someone who usually hits 10 fantasy points, but he also has relevant upside compared to others in the range. Maybe you can't count on a goal or assist, but defensive stats usually get him to 10 points, and a shot on goal or chance created is just a bonus. Brighton are favored but still prone to allowing goals at home, as seen in the 3-1 loss to Burnley last month. If not Hojbjerg, Leander Dendoncker ($7,000) has been consistent in his defensive role and Anthony Knockaert ($6,500) could be a steal again if Pascal Gross ($8,500) is out.
DEFENDERS
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, CRY v. HUD ($5,500): Wan-Bissaka is one of the most consistent fantasy defenders in the game because he's almost guaranteed to hit 10 fantasy points no matter the matchup. In the couple times he didn't reach that number, he still had nine points. That's mostly because he does a little bit of everything, averaging 4.06 tackles, 3.35 clearances and 2.24 interceptions per 90 minutes, and that won't change against Huddersfield, who have forced the third-most clearances this season. Plus, he had 20.6 fantasy points in the first meeting, racking up five tackles, three clearances and three interceptions. There are multiple others at this price worth considering, from teammate James Tomkins to Lewis Dunk, Maya Yoshida and Ricardo Pereira. With a lot of those guys having floors near 15 points, there's no reason to spend more on a defender.
Jon Gorenc Stankovic, HUD at CRY ($4,000): Stankovic remains the most reasonable defender to use if you want to save money. He's had at least 9.1 fantasy points in five starts and it hasn't mattered where he's been in the formation. He should be around that number against Crystal Palace, who have forced the fifth-most blocks and most tackles this season. If you like the matchup, but have a few extra bucks, teammate Terence Kongolo ($4,500) was a gold mine last match with an assist and will probably draw more attention because of that. I'd throw Christian Kabasele ($4,000) in the same conversation, but I think he'll be dropped back to the bench.
Bernardo, BHA v. SOU ($5,000): Southampton don't force a ton of defensive action, but I'm not sure that matters for the Brighton back line. Bernardo hit 15 fantasy points in the last two matches, including one against Huddersfield. He's also another guy who is extremely consistent, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in all 12 starts this season. Jose Holebas ($5,000) will likely be popular at a reduced rate, while Jannik Vestergaard ($5,000) is as consistent as Bernardo, though I'm not convinced on how much work Southampton will get.
GOALKEEPER
Vicente Guaita, CRY v. HUD ($4,500): Guaita will be the chalk goalkeeper unless people forget he's starting. He's struggled in recent matches, but it'll be hard to go against him with decent odds to win and the best odds to get a clean sheet on the slate. That's mostly because Huddersfield have managed just six points in 15 away matches, going scoreless in five of their last six trips. This isn't a good slate to spend on a goalkeeper, with Tom Heaton ($4,500) and Angus Gunn ($4,500) also viable value plays.
