This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 pm: Burnley vs. Wolverhampton
- 1:00 pm: Manchester City vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 1:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- 3:15 pm: Arsenal vs. Liverpool
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. BOU ($18): I recommended Jesus last slate and I'm not going to stop. He seems to be the new Sergio Aguero in that he's starting every match while the players around him are swapped in and out. He's started the last four league matches, producing two goals and two assists from 17 shots and eight chances created. He may not go a full 90, but that probably doesn't matter against a Bournemouth back line that won't have their best defender in Nathan Ake. In addition to having the best odds to score, Jesus is fairly cheap. Kevin De Bruyne ($22) may have the best floor on the slate, but he costs a pretty penny despite having the fifth-best odds to score for Man City. Fortunately, you don't have to wait for lineups this slate because Man City are one of the early matches. That means if you want to fade De Bruyne, you'll be able to set your lineup around those guys, whether it's Raheem Sterling ($21) and Riyad Mahrez ($19) or David Silva ($16) and Phil Foden ($14). In fact, if Foden starts, he'll probably be in the majority of my squads, as he has better odds to score than De Bruyne and the same as Raul Jimenez ($19), yet he's much cheaper.
Mohamed Salah, LIV at ARS ($20): Liverpool's implied odds have them scoring almost a full goal less than Man City, but I wouldn't let that detract you from the likes of Salah or Sadio Mane ($17). My favorite stat for this matchup is that at least four goals have been scored in seven of the prior eight league meetings between these teams. Liverpool have eight goals in the last two league matchups, but they also scored five with mostly backups when they met in the League Cup in October. Salah is tied with Harry Kane ($20) for the third-best odds to score on the slate, and he's been racking up opportunities with nine shots on target and five chances created in his last two starts. He has at least 16 fantasy points in his last five starts and is doing a bit more than Mane, which explains the price difference. If you want to fade De Bruyne, Salah is the guy to go with, as he has a 20-point floor and 60-point upside in favorable matchups. As usual, Roberto Firmino ($15) is the GPP option no one will touch because Foden is cheaper. Firmino last scored in league play Jan. 23, so a goal is inevitable in one of these final few matches.
Harry Kane, TOT at NEW ($20): It won't be easy using Tottenham players in cash games because both Man City and Liverpool are projected to score more goals. I was going to write about Son Heung-Min ($18), but reconsidered after Kane put in a 37-point floor last match from four chances created and four shots on goal. Kane was injured a good portion of the season, but there's no doubt he wants to finish with more than 13 goals, currently the same as Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Overall, Son probably has the better floor, but Kane is always up for a brace and is the guy to get if you fade either Man City or Liverpool. Helping the situation more is that Newcastle have numerous injuries on their back line and have allowed multiple goals in each of their last three matches. Tottenham haven't looked great since the restart, but the potential is there and Kane will be ripe to score. If you want to go full Spurs, you could stack Kane and Son and hope they both make the score-sheet multiple times.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. LIV ($17): The only reason to back Arsenal is if you think this match finishes 5-5 again, similar to October's League Cup meeting. If that's the case, you should stack both sides, especially Aubameyang at a discount. Otherwise, you probably shouldn't use any Arsenal player in cash games unless you really like the 10 points Dani Ceballos ($11) will get. If this contest is back-and-forth like previous matchups, it'll lead to opportunities for Arsenal. Aubameyang has 12 shots on goal in his last six starts, while Alexandre Lacazette ($16) has been a little more active with a couple goals the last few matches. As for Nicolas Pepe ($14) and Bukayo Saka ($12), you're hoping they strike gold and the Liverpool back line falls apart. I'd completely avoid the Burnley-Wolverhampton match in cash games with an over/under around two goals. Sure, Jimenez and Jay Rodriguez ($17) are playing well, but I'm not sure either are worth the price.
DEFENDERS
John Stones, MCI v. BOU ($6): If things play out as expected, Stones and Nicolas Otamendi ($11) will start Wednesday's match, similar to last week's win over Newcastle. Even as a large favorite, Stones is in play for a clean sheet and close to 10 fantasy points from defensive stats. Bournemouth are underdogs, but they still attack plenty and are in need of points to avoid relegation. When you can get a defender who is a couple bucks cheaper than every other projected starter, you do it. In the end, Stones probably has the same floor, if not a better one, than most other value defenders on this slate.
Lloyd Kelly, BOU at MCI ($9): On the other end of Man City, Jack Stacey ($11) and Kelly are projected to start in central defense. If you have a few extra bucks, it's a decent stacking opportunity for center-backs as a large underdog. Neither have overwhelming floors, but prior to the Leicester match, Kelly provided a nice variety of stats and had a floor above 10 points against Tottenham. Helping the situation, Man City have forced the most interceptions and second-most clearances in the league. I like the Burnley center-backs like Kevin Long ($10) as usual, but Wolves don't force a ton of defensive action, which is reason enough to save money on Kelly or Stones.
GOALKEEPER
Nick Pope, BRN v. WOL ($9): If you have the money, Ederson ($15) has the best win and clean-sheet odds on the slate and has at least 10 fantasy points in six of his last seven starts. I'd back Rui Patricio ($11), but he doesn't make enough saves to trust. That's where Pope comes in with at least two saves in each of his last six starts, compiling 18 in his last four. Burnley are underdogs, but this match has the lowest implied goal total on the slate and a 1-0 win wouldn't surprise anyone.
