This article is part of our TheSix Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. West Brom
10:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Chelsea
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
STRIKER
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN v. BHA („1¤75M): Unlike most weeks, we'll get to see the majority of starting lineups before lock, which will give us the opportunity to see if Ibrahimovic makes his first start since returning from a torn ACL. It's a bit of a long shot that he's in the first XI, but he has made two appearances off the bench and could return to give Romelu Lukaku („1¤711M) a rest after starting and playing 90 minutes every Premier League and Champions League match this season. Ibrahimovic is very goal dependent for making value, but he also comes in with the third-best anytime goal scoring odds.
Christian Benteke, CRY v. STK („1¤75M): Benteke is another player returning from injury, which is why his price has fallen. He played 20 minutes off the bench last week and looks slated to make his return to the starting XI this weekend against a Stoke side that's allowed more goals than any other team on Saturday's slate. Benteke may take some time to knock off the rust, but he has solid anytime goal scoring odds for a Palace side that has been better of late.
Joshua King, BOU at SWA („1¤79M): King picked up an assist in last weekend's 4-0 win over Huddersfield, and he has another good matchup despite playing away from home. He's averaging a very solid 8.04 duels won per 90 minutes this season, and he preceded the Huddersfield match by creating six chances and taking three shots at Newcastle. Swansea haven't given up that many goals this season, but they've allowed the second-most shots and shots on goal among teams on the slate.
MIDFIELDER
Paul Pogba, MUN v. BHA („1¤78M): Pogba's price continues to be depressed after his injury layoff, but he's played both of the last two matches and has been producing like he never left. He was electric in his return last weekend against Newcastle, scoring 18.1 fantasy points thanks to a goal and an assist, and while those appearances on the scoresheet were incredibly helpful, we can't consistently rely on them. However, he still won nine duels and completed 54 passes on 82 touches, all of which give him an excellent fantasy floor against a Brighton side that should be quite overmatched.
Renato Sanches, SWA v. BOU (&euro7M): Sanches scored 7.55 fantasy points in his last outing after winning six duels and competing 27 passes on 60 touches. He's been a solid presence in the heart of the Swansea midfield, and the matchup against Bournemouth isn't one that should be avoided despite the Cherries' solid play of late. Even with their better play, Bournemouth have still allowed the most shots, chances created and corners, stats that should encourage the Swans in the attacking third.
Sadio Mane, LIV v. CHE („1¤78M): The matchup against Chelsea isn't the easiest on the slate, but Mane is too active not to be considered at this price. It's possible he is rotated, which is a significant risk because this game is the late one on the slate and therefore we won't know lineups ahead of time, but Mane is starting to find his groove. He is averaging 29.30 passes on 57.91 touches per 90 minutes this season while also winning 6.28 duels and taking 2.97 shots. There aren't many attackers with his upside at such a low price.
Mousa Dembele, TOT v. WBA (&euro8M): Despite losing 2-0 to Arsenal last weekend, Dembele still put in a solid performance, scoring 12.8 fantasy points in only 62 minutes. He's a strong defensive midfielder who can rack up the defensive stats while still getting enough touches and completing enough passes to make him a strong value. The matchup with West Brom should allow for plenty of possession, increasing Dembele's pass and touch floor.
DEFENDER
Marcos Rojo, MUN v. BHA („1¤73M): Rojo returned from a long-term knee injury by starting and playing 90 minutes in Wednesday's Champions League match at Basel, completing an excellent 81 passes on 100 touches while adding three interceptions and one blocked shot. It may be asking too much for Rojo to play twice in four days after the long layoff, but if he's starting he represents a tremendous value at minimum price.
Eric Bailly, MUN v. BHA („1¤77M): Bailly hasn't played since before the last international break, but he has a chance for this weekend and we'll know before lineup lock whether he's ready to return. He's a solid passer who is able to post decent interception totals for a centerback on the highest favorite on the slate. Brighton have been better than expected this season, but getting a result against Manchester United at Old Trafford is unexpected. If Bailly is not in the starting XI, Victor Lindelof is a nice alternative at the same price.
Kieran Trippier, TOT v. WBA („1¤78M): After Serge Aurier („1¤79M) got the start for Tottenham's midweek Champions League match at Borussia Dortmund, Trippier looks set to get back in the first XI for a significantly easier matchup. Trippier is certainly known for his attacking qualities, averaging 47.43 passes on 87.26 touches and 4.61 duels won per 90 minutes, and with how poor West Brom have been this season -- they fired manager Tony Pulis earlier this week, after all -- the clean sheet bonus is very much in play.
GOALKEEPER
Hugo Lloris, TOT v. WBA („1¤79M): Tottenham come in with the second-best win and clean sheet odds, while Lloris is the sixth-most expensive goalkeeper. His save upside isn't overly high against a West Brom side that's struggled significantly this season, but the clean sheet is firmly in play.
