This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Leeds United vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Burnley
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at LEE ($23): There is an almost obvious lineup to cash games that includes De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez ($22) and Raheem Sterling ($20). Unfortunately, it's not possible to add Phil Foden ($16) to that group because of a lack of funds. Manchester City are the biggest favorite on the slate in a match that has the highest implied goal total by a wide margin. Leeds United held Sheffield United scoreless last match, but they love to attack and gave up seven combined goals to Fulham and Liverpool in prior contests. In addition to an almost guarantee that Man City win, they should score at least three goals and De Bruyne is the first place to start. While he doesn't have the hat-trick upside of someone like Sterling, he racked up 67.8 fantasy points against Wolves in the opener, accruing six chances created, four shots on goal and five tackles. He's almost a must in all cash lineups, while Mahrez and Sterling come with a bit more risk. Sterling is cheaper because he hasn't scored through two league matches (he just scored in Cup play), but it's a perfect spot to change that. As for Mahrez, he took part in both goals against Leicester City, yet he only had six floor points. If you want to save money, Foden is the pivot from Mahrez because he doesn't have much of a floor, but he's playing on the opposite side and has similar upside.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. BHA ($20): If you don't go full Man City in cash games, there is a way to winning through Everton, who have a slightly harder matchup, though Brighton have given up three goals each to Man United and Chelsea. My cash pick is Richarlison ($19) if he starts because Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($20) has 15.6 floor points in three matches. Still, it's hard to go against Calvert-Lewin, who scored another hat trick midweek and has eight goals through five matches in all competitions. Richarlison has been a bit more reliable, posting a floor of 18.4 fantasy points against Tottenham and compiling 11 tackles through three matches. If you don't want that same goal upside, James Rodriguez ($17) is slightly cheaper and may have the best floor of the trio because of set pieces. He has 10 chances created, four interceptions and three tackles in the first three matches. The only other move I'd make for Everton would be Allan ($11), who has double-digit fantasy points in every match because of defensive stats. He's someone you can stack with teammates or add with the trio of Man City players, but there's a chance he also doesn't play because of a midweek injury.
Patrick Bamford, LEE v. MCI ($17): Man City just gave up a hat trick to Jamie Vardy, and while Bamford isn't on that same level, he's scored in each of the first three matches. Similar to other forwards, he doesn't have much of a floor, but he's the perfect tournament play (similar to Vardy last week) because most will be eyeing either Man City or Everton forwards. If you want to go all in on Leeds and hope for another 4-3 type outing, Mateusz Klich ($15), Kalvin Phillips ($12) and Ezgjan Alioski ($7) are all options to pair with De Bruyne. My favorite for cash purposes may be Phillips because in addition to being cheap, he's had a floor of 20 points the last two matches and had 11 tackles, nine chances, six clearances and five interceptions in three his last three; there will surely be defensive stats to rack up against Man City. Leeds may be the biggest underdog on the slate, but they have about the same implied goal total as Burnley and Brighton.
Chris Wood, BRN at NEW ($16): The other GPP method is to look where almost no one else is looking. Wood is an underdog in a match that has the lowest implied goal total. However, he takes penalties, and if Burnley score, he will likely be involved. This is a classic situation in which a player I recommended last week goes off following a bad performance. Instead of ignoring him, I'm leaning into it. He scored in the opener against Leicester City and had 14 goals in 32 matches last season despite dealing with a nagging injury. As for Newcastle, they've been hard to peg. They held West Ham scoreless in the opener, gave up three goals to Brighton in the next match and then while they only gave up one goal to Tottenham, they allowed 12 shots on target. If you prefer the favorite, Callum Wilson ($18) is already the go-to guy up front for Newcastle, but he has almost no floor and will be more popular than Wood. Otherwise, you're guessing at production from everyone else in this match, with Ashley Westwood ($9) and Jonjo Shelvey ($9) surprising value plays because of their roles on set pieces.
As for the one team I haven't mentioned, Neal Maupay ($16) will probably draw more attention than I think he deserves after racking up three goals and an assist the last two matches. That production could lead to him being a popular pivot in GPP contests and I'm not sold on him being an every-match option after managing 10 goals and three assists in 37 appearances last season. If you take that route, Leandro Trossard ($15) is the logical stacking piece with seven chances created in three matches, but I still prefer the Leeds players in this range.
DEFENDERS
Liam Cooper, LEE v. MCI ($7): Cooper is one of two projected starting defenders at minimum pricing and should be in a decent chunk of lineups. He had a 15-point floor against Sheffield United and could be near that number again because Man City forced the most blocks, second-most clearances and second-most interceptions last season. Theoretically, if you back the trio of Man City forwards and they all produce, then Cooper will rack up defensive work in the process. It's less certain for Ben White ($7) because while he may have a floor near 10 points, he's part of a back three, which tends to lead to inconsistent fantasy production.
Lucas Digne, EVE v. BHA ($15): If you want to spend at defender, I'll continue to back Digne, who has a floor near 15 points with assist upside. He averaged 20 points in two matches against Brighton last season, and he's hit at least 14.7 points through the first three matches this season. He's probably the only defender I'd pay up for because he at least has predictable upside that is worth it. Otherwise, rostering center-backs like Nathan Ake ($15) or Michael Keane ($14) makes close to no sense since their recent goals have them overpriced. If you prefer the cheaper route, there should be at least five starting defenders below $10, with Yerry Mina ($9) having the best clean-sheet odds.
GOALKEEPER
Nick Pope, BRN at NEW ($7): This is a tricky slate for goalkeepers because if you like Manchester City, you probably won't have money for Ederson ($13), and he's probably not worth it anyway. Jordan Pickford ($12) is the next choice, but you still may have to sacrifice a fourth forward/midfielder for him. Despite burning me last week, I'll stick with Pope and hope he gets back to what he does best, which is make saves. He averaged 3.16 saves per match last season and held Newcastle scoreless in both meetings. A lot of people will try and grab Karl Darlow ($11) because Burnley have been bad, however, I don't think he's worth that much more than Pope. If you back Darlow, don't complain when Burnley win 1-0.
