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MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Brighton
12:30 p.m: Manchester City v. Leicester City
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. LEI ($13,000): Aguero is the most expensive player on the slate because he has the highest individual upside and leads the line for the team expected to score the most goals. He's been particularly active of late, scoring four goals on 12 shots (seven on goal) while also creating seven chances in his last three matches. Meanwhile, Leicester are winless in their last two after three consecutive clean sheets. Fading Aguero is certainly an option, as the next-highest priced forward costs $3,500 less and you probably need at least two goals for him to really hurt you (as long as you can get a goal from your other choices), but the upside is scary to fade.
Jordan Ayew, SWA v. BUR ($9,000): One of the reasons to pay up for Aguero is that the rest of the forward crop leaves plenty to be desired. That isn't to take anything away from Ayew, who has found the back of the net in three of his past six games, but his fantasy base is more about fouls and tackles than it is shots on goal and chances created. Nevertheless, he's expected to start up front for Swansea, who have wins over Arsenal and Liverpool in their last three, while facing a Burnley side that's winless in their last nine league matches with just one clean sheet over that span.
Christian Benteke, CPL at EVE ($8,000): We always look at Benteke as a goal-dependent striker who can't produce if he doesn't score goals, but he's been a much better distributor of late, helping him to five consecutive matches with more than 20.00 fantasy points. Admittedly, he has three assists and one goal over that span, but he still managed 22.00 last weekend against Newcastle thanks to two chances created (his fourth time with at least two in his last five), two clearances, two fouls drawn, two shots on goal, one tackle and 22 completed passes. The absence of Wilfried Zaha (knee) is a big one for Palace, but if Benteke can quickly link up with newly acquired Alexander Sorloth ($7,000), there's every reason to think he can keep his fine play going against Everton, who have allowed 12 goals in their past four matches.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. LEI ($12,000): Fading Aguero is one thing, but fading De Bruyne is a little tougher. The engine of the Man City attack, De Bruyne will have even more dead-ball opportunities in the absences of Leroy Sane ($8,500) and David Silva ($8,500). His presence on the ball opens up plenty of opportunities for shots (13, including seven on goal, in his last three games) and chances created (nine in his last three), which give him plenty of safety with upside for more. He has scored at least 21.00 fantasy points in five of his past seven league matches, a pretty impressive total given he has just one goal and three assists over that span. For those looking to save a little money, Raheem Sterling ($10,000) is a worthy pivot, as he's gotten at least two shots on goal or created at least two chances in four of his past five games (including each of the last three), while Bernardo Silva ($7,500) provides the cheapest exposure to the Man City attack, albeit with the lowest floor and ceiling.
Xherdan Shaqiri, STK v. BHA ($9,000): Shaqiri is in excellent form, scoring at least 21.00 fantasy points in three of his past four games, putting eight of nine shots on target during that span while also creating 11 chances and drawing eight fouls. He'll now face a Brighton side that has allowed 10 goals in their last five matches, a span that has also seen them give up the fourth-most shots and shots on goal in addition to the sixth-most chances in the Premier League.
Michail Antonio, WHU v. WAT ($6,000): Antonio is a bit of a wildcard, as he's only made one substitute appearance since being sidelined for over a month due to injury, but his low salary could make it worth the gamble if he starts. He's capable of starting in any number of positions, and because he can draw fouls, get tackles and still take shots and create chances, we have plenty of avenues to get value against his low salary. West Ham haven't exactly been an attacking powerhouse, but the recent addition of Joao Mario ($8,500) has certainly helped.
DEFENDERS
Sam Byram, WHU v. WAT ($6,000): Byram has been excellent in his two recent starts at right wingback, scoring at least 22.75 fantasy points in each thanks to a great combination of tackles, interceptions, clearances, chances created and passes. Watford exploded for four goals against 10-man Chelsea on Monday, but I don't have much thought that the avalanche of goals will continue this weekend, likely allowing Byram to keep putting in the work on both ends of the pitch.
Geoff Cameron, STK v. BHA ($4,500): Cameron's not a flashy fantasy option, though at this salary there's little reason to expect fireworks. He's expected to line up as a defensive midfielder, so while his clearance upside may be a bit lower, he could make up for it with more open-field tackles and interceptions. The Brighton attack has been horrible away from home all season (six goals scored in 13 matches), so Cameron may even be able to move up in the attack, at least on set pieces. If you're looking for even more attacking upside, teammate Moritz Bauer should work out for only $500 more.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, MCI v. LEI ($5,500): Zinchenko has only gotten two starts this season, but the continued absence of Fabian Delph ($5,500) leaves him with only Danilo ($6,000) to compete with for the start at left-back. Danilo got the start last weekend, but if manager Pep Guardiola was set on him playing there regularly, Zinchenko wouldn't have been in there the previous two games. Either way, Zinchenko was on the ball a ton when he started, completing 185 passes while picking up 10 tackles and creating three chances in 180 minutes. Being in the late game does open up some risk that he doesn't start and a similarly priced defender isn't available, so it might be worth keeping an extra $500 in the bank just in case.
GOALKEEPER
Jack Butland, STK v. BHA ($5,000): Brighton come in with significant struggles away from home, which certainly helps Butland's clean sheet chances. Having posted shutouts in each of his last two home starts, Butland's save upside is what we're after, as he's made at least five in six of his past eight games. Even if the Brighton attack isn't mustering a ton, the Stoke defense isn't so strong that a few shots won't land in Butland's hands.
