This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Fulham
- 10:00 am: Huddersfield Town vs. Watford
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Leicester City
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Newcastle United vs. Southampton
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Raul Jimenez, WOL v. BHA ($11,500): Jamie Vardy ($12,500) has the best odds to score on the slate, but he's the same price as Romelu Lukaku was when Man United were home against West Ham last weekend. I think Jimenez has a better floor and is more likely to make the scoresheet since he also creates a little more for his teammates. He has at least 15 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 starts and has the perfect match to add to his goal total. Brighton lost back-to-back home matches last week, allowing seven goals to Bournemouth and Cardiff, and Wolverhampton have the tools to capitalize. While they are coming off a loss, Wolves have won seven of their last eight home matches in all competitions, scoring multiple goals in every win. I also like Callum Wilson ($11,000), though he hasn't been as consistent, reaching just 2.6 points last home match against Burnley.
Salomon Rondon, NEW v. SOU ($9,500): Rondon could be the least-popular forward of the five favorites on the slate. He hasn't scored in his last three starts and Newcastle have the lowest expected goal total of the favorites. There are still a few intriguing factors for Rondon, the first being that teammate Ayoze Perez is oddly $1,000 more. Rondon is much more likely to produce at home, having secured five goals and four assists in his last 11 starts. He's getting at least one shot on goal every start and has created 18 chances in the last eight, which is why his floor is usually above 10 points. Southampton have been hard to project all season, but they've allowed the sixth-most shots on goal, and just because they won at Brighton in their last away match doesn't mean they're playing well. If you want to go full Wolves, Diogo Jota is at the same price, while I never recommend Aleksandar Mitrovic away from home.
Andre Gray, WAT at HUD ($8,000): Gray could end up being a chalk value forward since he's likely to play a full 90 with Troy Deeney out. Gray has two assists, five shots (two on target) and three chances created in the last two matches, and at this price, it's hard to pass on any forward against Huddersfield considering they've allowed 16 goals in their last five. Otherwise, everyone else in this range has a minimal floor or is extremely inconsistent like Joshua King ($8,500).
MIDFIELDERS
Ryan Fraser, BOU v. FUL ($8,500): Similar to Vardy, James Maddison ($9,500) will probably be the most popular midfielder since money isn't a major issue. I'd rather prefer a home favorite even if his floor isn't as good. Fraser still has a decent floor that's hit at least 12 points in eight of his last nine starts, but he's also shown upside in the most favorable spots (Brighton, Huddersfield). Fulham are a favorable matchup since they've allowed the most away goals, most crosses and second-most chances this season. That's where Fraser enters the picture with 35 crosses and 13 chances created in the last five matches. If you're fading Vardy, you might as well fade Maddison, and Fraser is the guy to turn to.
Joao Moutinho, WOL v. BHA ($8,500): Moutinho is in the same mold as Fraser and works in correlation with Jimenez. He doesn't have the same upside as others, but he's a solid cash play with at least 11 fantasy points in his last 10 starts. Most of those stats come from chances created and corners, and while Brighton aren't as bad as Fulham in those categories, it's hard to ignore their recent performances. There are others at the same price like Youri Tielemans and James Ward-Prowse, who have better odds to score, but they're also more likely to finish with fewer than 10 points.
Matt Ritchie, NEW v. SOU ($7,000): There are a few ways to go in this spot, but Ritchie is still a little too cheap for a guy who is basically a lock for at least 10 fantasy points. In addition to defensive stats as a wing-back, he's racking up crosses from the wing which leads to a couple chances created. Southampton have allowed the fifth-most crosses to defenders and fifth-most corners overall. Robert Snodgrass ($7,000) has the same floor if he's in the starting XI, while Dan Gosling ($6,500) and Will Hughes ($6,000) could be viable cash plays in more defensive roles. It's also possible Hughes gets a little more forward because of injuries (and Huddersfield), and he has seven shots in his last three starts.
DEFENDERS
Jannik Vestergaard, SOU at NEW ($5,000): There isn't one defender on this slate I'm willing to spend up on, especially with Vestergaard still at $5,000. He has at least 15 fantasy points in his last five starts, mostly from clearances and tackles, and that's not slowing down in an away match. He's guaranteed to hit at least 10 points, but if Southampton struggle to hold onto the ball at Newcastle, that number could easily jump closer to 20. Christian Kabasele ($5,000) usually has the same kind of numbers, but he won't be as active against Huddersfield, while all of Vestergaard's teammates have a similar or lower floors and cost more (Ryan Bertrand is cheaper but has a lower floor). Vestergaard popped up on Friday's injury report, so have a backup option in mind if he's not in the starting XI.
Steve Cook, BOU v. FUL ($4,000): There are a few $4,000 options on the slate, but Cook returned to the starting XI last match and provides the best floor. He has at least 13 points in his last five starts, and while his usual defensive stats may not be there against Fulham, he should get up the field on a few corners to hopefully produce a shot on target. If you're worried about the lack of defensive action, Arthur Masuaku ($4,000) is the next best bet to hit at least 10 points.
Terence Kongolo, HUD v. WAT ($4,500): I'm willing to take another chance on Kongolo even though his numbers have surprisingly dropped the last two matches with just five clearances. Even then, he's hit at least 14 fantasy points in four of his last five starts and should again be busy against Watford, who have forced the eighth-most clearances in the league. If you don't trust him, Fabian Balbuena ($4,500) is a slightly smaller underdog, and also another center-back that usually puts together at least 10 points, which he's done in his last five starts that he's finished.
GOALKEEPER
Artur Boruc, BOU v. FUL ($4,500): Bournemouth don't have the best odds for a clean sheet, but they have the best odds to win. I'm slightly worried about their recent home struggles, but Fulham are just as bad away, losing their last seven trips, scoring five goals in that period. Fulham also force a lot of saves, producing the 11th-most shots on goal, but third-fewest goals scored. If you want better odds for a clean sheet, Rui Patricio ($5,500) is the logical pick since Brighton have fallen apart.
