This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Newcastle United
- 10:00 am: Chelsea vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 10:00 am: Leicester City vs. Norwich City
- 10:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Aston Villa
- 12:30 pm: Southampton vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. NOR ($23): Vardy's teammates want to keep the scoring streak going, and I'm not sure he's worth fading against Norwich City, who have given up multiple goals in their last three matches, two of those against Southampton and Sheffield United. If Leicester score twice, it's almost impossible to think Vardy won't be involved in one of them. He's scored in eight straight matches, which is edging closer to the 11 in a row Robert Lewandowski had in the Bundesliga this season. The question is if you want to stack Vardy with teammate James Maddison ($19) and hope the two connect for another goal. Maddison's floor is somewhat unpredictable, at times surpassing 20 points and others barely cracking 10. The main reason I think his floor could be closer to 20 is because Norwich have allowed the second-most corners in the league, and that's where a lot of Maddison's created chances come from.
Tammy Abraham, CHE v. BOU ($22): The most popular trio will likely be Vardy, Maddison and Abraham. It's an expensive bunch, but you can find viable players at the other four positions to make a reasonable lineup. Abraham is slightly behind Vardy in terms of goal odds, but that could change if Nathan Ake, Bournemouth's best defender, doesn't play. Abraham has had some low floor performances, though his numbers have been much better at home. In his last nine home starts he has 40 shots (18 on goal) and 15 chances created compared to 20 shots (11 on goal) and six chances created in his last nine away starts, including the Champions League. I'm fine betting on that stat, especially since Bournemouth have lost their last five matches. If you want to fade Vardy or Abraham, Danny Ings ($20) has hit the back of the net in his last five starts and West Ham are struggling as much as Bournemouth and Norwich. The problem for GPPs is that he's scoring one goal and not doing much else, so don't expect a 50-point outing. It's also reasonable to stack Abraham with Willian ($18) and Christian Pulisic ($15) if you're not buying Vardy. Unfortunately, it's rare for those guys to make the score-sheet in the same match and Pulisic has cooled off, failing to surpass 12.3 fantasy points in his last four league starts.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU v. WHU ($18): If you don't want one of the chalk forwards, there are other options. Ward-Prowse could finish with the best floor on the slate, as he's hit at least 14.9 fantasy points in each of his last eight starts. He doesn't have the same upside as the forwards, but he creates chances from corners every match and also takes penalties. West Ham have allowed the most shots on goal in the last 10 gameweeks, while they are middle of the pack in terms of corners allowed. Jack Grealish ($19) is the other choice, but I'm not sure he's worth paying up for, especially away from home against what has been a solid Sheffield United back line. If anything, Jonjo Shelvey ($17) is probably a better option because he's cheaper, has similar production from set pieces and has shown the last few matches that he'll score a random goal or two. The true tournament play is to back Sheffield United at home against Aston Villa. They've been a bit more attack-heavy in recent matches and I wouldn't count on two defenders scoring again like what happened at Norwich last weekend. David McGoldrick ($17) is the most likely starting forward, while Lys Mousset ($15) is questionable with injury.
John Lundstram, SHU v. AVL ($11): Speaking of Sheffield United, you'll need a cheaper player if you plan on going big with Vardy and Abraham. Lundstram hasn't done much in recent matches, so he probably won't be popular, but I think that'll change against Villa, who could aim to attack in this spot because they won't want to mess around without Tyrone Mings on the back line. This is more of a speculation play with hopes Sheffield United score a couple goals because there's also the chance Lundstram fails to hit 10 points, which has been the case the last three matches. Otherwise, John Fleck ($14) and Robert Snodgrass ($13) are slightly more expensive for a touch more upside, or you could back a central midfielder like Marvelous Nakamba ($11) or Youri Tielemans ($11).
DEFENDERS
Antonio Rudiger, CHE v. BOU ($8): Rudiger is back and probably a tad too cheap for a starting Chelsea defender. Sure, he could have 6.9 fantasy points like against Lille in midweek, but Bournemouth have forced the fourth-most clearances in the last 10 gameweeks, so you know they're going to lose the ball. You also get the second-best odds for a clean sheet with Rudiger and fellow center-back Kurt Zouma is five bucks more. There aren't a ton of reasons to spend at defender unless you think Federico Fernandez ($15) can keep up his pace against a team that doesn't force a ton of defensive action or Ricardo Pereira ($15) can accrue his usual tackle numbers against Norwich. They're viable plays, but I'd rather spend on the big forwards with good odds to score.
Jack Simpson, BOU at CHE ($8): There's a decent chance Bournemouth have massive issues in the back without Ake and a trip to Chelsea doesn't help. That's fine if you can get Ake's replacement for $8. Simpson is the projected starter and had 13 fantasy points in 55 minutes against Liverpool last match. Chelsea have forced the third-most clearances and fourth-most interceptions in the last 10 gameweeks, and that points to Simpson and Chris Mepham ($10). If you want someone else, Fabian Schar ($9) could return to the starting XI against Burnley, and John Egan ($10) seems to rack up fantasy stats no matter the opponent.
GOALKEEPER
Alex McCarthy, SOU v. WHU ($9): Leicester have the best odds for a clean sheet, but you'll have to decide if Kasper Schmeichel ($15) is worth it. I'd rather save money on McCarthy or Dean Henderson ($10), both of whom are home favorites. I have less faith in West Ham's attack than Aston Villa's, so I'm going McCarthy, who has finished in the positive every start and allowed one goal in each of his last two home starts. I'm not saying Southampton will win, but I feel comfortable hoping for a simple 10 fantasy points from McCarthy. Henderson has been a bit more consistent, though Sheffield United's back line hasn't been as good as earlier in the season and I'd rather save the extra dollar on McCarthy.
