This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Fulham
- 12:30 pm: West Ham United vs. Manchester United
- 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Leeds United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. FUL ($19): Kevin De Bruyne ($23) might be the best cash play on the slate, but he's not going to win you a GPP unless he figures out how to hit the back of the net. He's surpassed 21 fantasy points in just two league matches this season and hasn't scored a goal since the opener. He could rack up a floor of 20 points, but like last week when Riyad Mahrez ($20) bagged a hat trick, he's not going to break the slate. As for Mahrez, it's kind of the same situation because he rarely scores in back-to-back matches. He bagged two braces last season, but he failed to produce in matches immediately following them. Because of last week's hat trick, he'll also be over-owned and could even be more popular than De Bruyne. That leads me to Jesus, who while struggling, has the best odds to score on the slate. As a central forward, he's always in play for goals even if they aren't coming every match. He's still trying to find last season's form when he averaged 0.62 goals and 0.31 assists from 4.48 shots and 1.42 chances created per 90 minutes. He won't be popular because of recent performances, but if anyone were to brace on this slate, I'd bet Jesus. Of course, everyone else is in play for City, whether that's Raheem Sterling ($17), Ferran Torres ($16) or Phil Foden ($15). Given the price of those guys and that Man City have the highest implied goal total, it's reasonable that a lot of lineups will feature four Man City forwards. While that's a fine strategy, I've already gone into detail to why I don't think they win 5-0 again.
Tammy Abraham, CHE v. LEE ($17): Anything can happen in these three matches, which is why it's one of the harder Saturday slates of the season. Chelsea are far behind Man City in terms of implied goals, but it wouldn't be surprising if they scored three or four and City managed one. Then again, the Blues could also be held scoreless, similar to their last league match against Tottenham. The difference is that Leeds probably aren't as good as recent numbers suggest. They allowed eight shots on target to Everton, and if Chelsea get those same opportunities, they'll likely score a few. The problem is deciding between Chelsea's forwards, assuming they use the same guys as last week. In the 4-3-3 formation, Timo Werner and Abraham have each had periods of success. Werner had five goals in four matches, but he has just two shots on target in his last three starts. Abraham had a run of back-to-back 35-plus-point outings, but he's done nothing in recent starts. I prefer Abraham slightly because he's the front man, which leads to more opportunities for goals and touches in front of net, similar to Jesus. Following Olivier Giroud's ($12) midweek display, I'm slightly worried he could start and then leave you with extra money because Chelsea are in the late match. Otherwise, Hakim Ziyech ($17) has one shot on goal in his last four starts and Mason Mount ($15) has one goal in 11 starts in all competitions. You could stack Chelsea in the hopes they bag three or four, and if that happens, Abraham will undoubtedly make the score-sheet, while it's not as certain for anyone else.
Bruno Fernandes, MUN at WHU ($22): Slightly behind the other two, Man United have the third-highest implied goal total on the slate. While this match isn't expected to be as high scoring, it wouldn't be surprising if it finished with the most, similar to Man United's 3-2 win against Southampton last weekend. For the most part, West Ham's back line has held strong, but they've also allowed 14 shots on goal in their last three matches against Aston Villa, Sheffield United and Fulham. That's why I prefer Fernandes slightly above De Bruyne. In addition to providing a solid floor by averaging 1.68 shots on goal and 3.24 chances created per 90 minutes in league play, Fernandes also has six goals in his last five starts (10 goals in 13 starts all season). Given how big a favorite Man City are, there's a chance Fernandes won't be as popular as prior slates, which would be nice. Similar to the other teams, you can stack a few Red Devils together and still put together a lineup. Marcus Rashford ($19) has a back issue but should start, while Edinson Cavani ($17) is the clear option above anyone else who starts up front, no matter if it's Anthony Martial ($17) or Mason Greenwood ($14).
Jarrod Bowen, WHU v. MUN ($15): This match has the lowest implied goal total on the slate, but West Ham are expected to score more goals than the other two underdogs. Man United have been iffy, at best, against viable sides and West Ham are on the same level as Southampton, who scored two in the first half last weekend. The Hammers scored in both meetings last season and have already hit the back of the net against the likes of Man City and Liverpool. I'd write about Michail Antonio ($17) if he was completely healthy, but his fitness level is unknown after being subbed off at halftime last match. That leads me to Bowen, who is a tad unpredictable and hasn't had much of a floor. He's hit the score-sheet in three matches this season, but he's failed to surpass 10 fantasy points in the other seven, which makes him more of a GPP option despite taking set pieces. If Antonio starts, he's in the same mold as a GPP play, though with a tad more risk to be subbed early. West Ham are also the ideal place to turn for value since Said Benrahma ($14) could start, while Tomas Soucek ($13), Pablo Fornals ($11) and Declan Rice ($10) all provide defensive stats and will usually take a crack at goal from distance.
This also feels like the perfect spot for Patrick Bamford ($17) to come through after he failed me last week. Jack Harrison ($15) and Ademola Lookman ($14) have had decent floors, but against these back lines, I don't think I'll be testing my luck.
DEFENDERS
Joachim Andersen, FUL at MCI ($7): Andersen is the cheapest projected defensive starter and has a better floor than others who are more expensive. He's hit 11 fantasy points in three of four starts and faces a Man City side forcing the second-most tackles and fourth-most blocks per match. If you're going full value at defender, Victor Lindelof ($8) is the next best option unless John Stones ($8) gets another start. It's a weird slate in which a lot of forwards are cheaper than usual and defenders are a dollar or two more expensive except Andersen.
Alex Telles, MUN at WHU ($13): Telles should be at max price, which makes him an easy play if you have extra cash. He has at least 9.9 fantasy points in all five starts for Man United from a variety of methods. He provides upside as a set-piece taker, but he's also accruing tackles, interceptions and clearances no matter the opponent. For the Chelsea and Man City guys, you're paying up for a clean sheet because they don't have the same floors or upside. Ben Chilwell ($15) has the upside, but his floor is often all over the place, as seen in multiple starts with fewer than 10 fantasy points despite clean sheets.
GOALKEEPER
Edouard Mendy, CHE v. LEE ($13): Leeds have the potential to score against anyone, but Mendy has nine clean sheets in 11 starts with Chelsea. Even when he allowed a goal against Sheffield United, he made two saves and got the win, so he still finished with more than 10 fantasy points. If you have an extra dollar, Ederson ($14) has better odds to win and secure a clean sheet. If you want to be risky, both Illan Meslier ($8) and Alphonse Areola ($7) can be used because while they may allow goals, each of them are consistently making multiple saves.
