This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Southampton v. Burnley
11:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Bournemouth
11:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Brighton
11:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. West Brom
1:30 p.m: West Ham v. Liverpool
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARD
Roberto Firmino, LIV at WHU ($9,500): On a slate lacking big names, the Liverpool attack jumps out even though they're away to West Ham. Firmino scored a goal against Huddersfield in his last league outing, and he's stepped up in the absence of Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane. The FanDuel scoring system also benefits Firmino as he picks up points through chances created and passing bonuses due to his involvement in the attack across the board.
Tammy Abraham, SWA v. BHA ($8,500): Abraham failed to get a shot on goal but did contribute his first assist of the season in last Saturday's loss to Arsenal. He gave us a glimpse of the damage he's capable of with a two-goal, 46.25-point outburst against Huddersfield Town just three games ago. With a lack of standouts to choose from, it's going to come down to picking the player who shows up with goals, putting Abraham back in play at home against Brighton.
Manolo Gabbiadini, SOU v. BUR ($8,000): Gabbiadini is front and center on the biggest favorite of the slate and is only three games removed from scoring a brace for 39.5 fantasy points at home against Newcastle. As mentioned above, we're looking for goals to catapult us to the top of the leaderboards on an ugly slate, and Gabbiadini is positioned to get back on the scoresheet in a favorable home game versus Burnley.
MIDFIELDER
Mohamed Salah, LIV at WHU ($9,500): Salah has led the charge in the Liverpool attack with Coutinho and Mane sidelined. Mane could see some minutes as he works his way back to full match fitness, but with Coutinho already ruled out we can expect the Reds to lean on Salah's attacking prowess once again. He has at least a goal or an assist in four straight and is positioned to make if five in a row at West Ham on Saturday.
Matt Ritchie, NEW v. BOU ($8,500): Ritchie has a combined 8.25 fantasy points over his last two games, but he's in a good spot to snap out of his funk against his former club. It wasn't long ago that Ritchie went on a run of four straight games with at least 20 points, and with Newcastle likely to be on the front foot playing at home, expect a motivated Ritchie to be involved.
James Milner, LIV at WHU ($7,000): Milner has also benefitted from the absence of Coutinho and Mane, contributing an assist in two straight and averaging over 33 fantasy points per game over his last two Premier League appearances. He missed a penalty in midweek Champions League action, but he's standing over the majority of set pieces with Coutinho out, and for the price he should continue to bring good value as long as he continues to start. It is also worth mentioning that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has seen an uptick in playing time with Coutinho and Mane out, and at $6,500 is worth keeping an eye out for when lineups come out.
DEFENDER
Christopher Schindler, HUD v. WBA ($7,000): Schindler is second in the league in interceptions and tackles, and while he's not cheap, he consistently hovers around 20 fantasy points. On a slate with so much uncertainty, a case could be made for paying up at the position.
Florian Lejune, NEW v. BOU ($4,500): Lejune has topped 22 fantasy points in two of his last three starts, with a combined 21 clearances over that span. For $4,500, it's worth chasing another 20-plus point game in a winnable home game against Brighton.
GOALKEEPER
Joe Hart, WHU v. LIV ($5,000): Hart topped 20 points in his last appearance despite conceding two goals to Crystal Palace. He made seven saves in that one and could turn in a similar performance with Liverpool firing shots at him.
Nick Pope, BUR at SOU ($5,000): Pope is in the midst of a fine run of form, averaging 22 fantasy points per game across his last six matches. Burnley are the biggest underdogs on the slate, which puts Pope in a spot where he could flirt with 20 points again as he tries to keep Southampton at bay.
