This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Leeds United vs. Sheffield United
- 12:30 pm: Leicester City vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Arsenal vs. Liverpool
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at LEI ($22): The only reason not to use De Bruyne is if he doesn't start the second match of the day. Fortunately, he isn't overly expensive and if he doesn't start, there are other options to use, whether that's Man City or from the later game. De Bruyne hasn't been dominating fantasy headlines, but that's mainly because he was injured a month ago and was rested in City's last league match. He still has the best floor on this slate, providing eight shots on goal and 13 chances created in his last four starts in all competitions. No matter how this match goes, De Bruyne will get opportunities and they'll likely be more than any of his teammates. Everything for City depends on who starts, but it's viable to use at least two of their players. Riyad Mahrez ($21) has made the score-sheet in five of his last six league appearances, and I'd rather use Gabriel Jesus ($19) and Sergio Aguero ($19) over Raheem Sterling ($20) if either of them start. Sterling is only GPP worthy at this point, and he's been getting less time because of a lack of form. Phil Foden ($16) is always a decent value option and Ilkay Gundogan ($15) is cheap for a guy who continues to score. This isn't a slate in which you need multiple Man City players, but it wouldn't be surprising if Leicester gave up multiple goals, similar to their recent games against Arsenal and Leeds.
Raphinha, LEE v. SHU ($19): I'm not sure how long it will last, but Leeds had a higher implied goal total than Man City earlier in the week. Either way, the difference isn't much, which is more of a detractor against Sheffield United, who have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, allowing multiple goals in five. I'm not completely sold on Leeds because they're hard to trust and only managed a late goal in the prior meeting, but one team is headed for relegation and the other is playing for the top half of the table. If you're worried about Leeds putting in a dud, Raphinha is the play over Patrick Bamford ($21). Raphinha is almost on De Bruyne's level in terms of his floor, hitting double-digit fantasy points in each of his last 11 starts, accruing 13 shots on goal and 30 chances created in that period. He's usually a must in cash games, while Bamford is playing through a calf issue and has failed to hit five fantasy points in three of the last four games. There's not much else to like from Leeds these days, as Jack Harrison's ($17) no longer consistent. Maybe the only other option is Tyler Roberts ($7), who is priced like a defensive midfielder, except he has seven shots and four chances created in his last five starts. The problem is that Rodrigo ($16) could be fit again, and if he is, he'll likely steal minutes from Roberts.
Martin Odegaard, ARS v. LIV ($14): Arsenal aren't favored, but Liverpool have been overrated most of the season. The latter have lost six of their last eight league matches and the Gunners have only lost one of the last five meetings between these teams in all competitions. Odegaard seems to be fit after suffering an ankle issue early in the international break and more importantly, he's taking every set piece for Arsenal, while former fantasy phenom Bukayo Saka ($13) hasn't taken a set piece since Feb. 14. Odegaard doesn't have a high floor due to a lack of defensive stats, but he had nine shots and 10 chances created in his last three starts (UEL included), and he isn't too expensive, especially when compared with his goal-scoring teammates. Unless you think Arsenal are going to run away with this match, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($18) and Alexandre Lacazette ($17) are probably best left for GPPs. And if you want to take the opposite approach, Arsenal don't have a league clean sheet since Jan. 30, which was a scoreless draw against Manchester United. I think there will be goals from both sides in this game, so that also puts Mohamed Salah ($20), Sadio Mane ($18) and Diogo Jota ($17) into consideration. Given recent struggles I probably wouldn't touch them, but Arsenal's defensive inconsistencies are something to target.
Youri Tielemans, LEI v. MCI ($12): Tielemans is another cheaper player on an underdog, and while you could avoid Odegaard or Tielemans and go with a player on a favorite like Tyler Roberts or Rodrigo ($11), I'd rather focus on someone with a reliable floor. Even though Man City have been dominant, they're coming off an international break and have been susceptible to allowing goals in recent league matches. Leicester also won't be afraid to back down in this spot after winning the prior meeting 5-2, which leads me to Tielemans. He's scored at least eight fantasy points in his last 12 starts, and that number was stable even when James Maddison ($18) was healthy. Maddison is in play, but his manager also said he wasn't 100 percent fit, so it's unlikely he plays a full 90. Tielemans should accrue a few defensive stats and then maybe add in set pieces late and a shot on goal. The full Man City fade and GPP move would be to ride Kelechi Iheanacho ($17), who has five goals in the last three matches. He won't have much of a floor, but he's been better than Jamie Vardy ($19) and is also cheaper. If you want a higher floor, Wilfred Ndidi ($13) has been awesome with at least 18 fantasy points the last four matches, but he's also more expensive than Tielemans.
DEFENDERS
Robin Koch, LEE v. SHU ($5): I think there's a chance Koch returns to the back line after the break, and he's at minimal price, plus he's in the early match. He missed a few months because of a knee injury, but he was on the bench for the last two league matches and another two weeks of training should prove beneficial, possibly pushing Pascal Struijk ($8) to the bench. Unfortunately, if he doesn't start, you'll need a couple extra bucks to spend on Jonny Evans ($8), Kean Bryan ($8) or Chris Basham ($7).
Fabinho, LIV at ARS ($9): There are some high-end defenders on this slate, but I'm not sure I want to spend on them in games that should feature goals. It makes more sense to bank on forwards than defenders who may or may not get on the score-sheet and compile loads of defensive stats. I like Fabinho because he's playing as a midfielder, and if Liverpool can somehow get a clean sheet, he'll also get that bonus. He's scored at least nine fantasy points in all four of his league starts as a midfielder this season, while teammate Nathaniel Phillips ($9) isn't far behind. If you have money, Joao Cancelo ($15) is there for the taking.
GOALKEEPER
Aaron Ramsdale, SHU at LEE ($7): Sheffield United are the biggest underdog on the slate, but I'm not sure I'd trust any of the other goalkeepers to secure a clean sheet. Some are more likely than others, but they aren't guarantees and worth the money. The big thing for Ramsdale is that he has 31 saves in his last six starts, including seven in the prior meeting. Even if Leeds score three goals, I don't think Ramsdale will finish in the negative because of his activity. If you have money, I'd rather go for Ederson ($12) over Illan Meslier ($14) because you're saving a couple bucks.
