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 (EST)
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Middlesbrough v. Everton
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. West Brom
10:00 a.m: Sunderland v. Southampton
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Tottenham
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Heurelho Gomes, WAT at MUN ($6,400): United are averaging 5.2 saves forced over the past 10 matches, which is roughly 1.5 more than second-place Arsenal over that span. This week should be no different as United are likely to control possession in the Watford half, which boosts Gomes' fantasy potential.
Vito Mannone, SUN vs. SOU ($6,800): The most expensive keeper for the slate, Mannone has stepped up his performances recently (coincidence with Papy Djilobodji's suspension?). Meanwhile, Southampton have forced the fourth-most saves this season, while scoring the third-fewest goals. Both factors should help Mannone, who has two clean sheets in the past two matches.
DEFENDER
Sebastian Prodl, WAT at MUN ($5,600): Likely to be the busiest team in defense, Watford travel to Old Trafford as the biggest underdogs on the slate. At the middle of defense, Prodl will have opportunities against a United team that have allowed the fourth-most blocks and seventh-most clearances. Depending on how Watford lineup, with either four or five at the back, there could be value opening up, so be sure to check lineups.
Erik Pieters, STK v. CRY ($6,100): Without many large underdogs, we will look to two-way players in plus matchups for defense. Pieters has been a consistent performer over the last seven weeks, averaging 22 fantasy points per game, and he'll likely line up against Wilfried Zaha, which should give him opportunities to accrue defensive stats, while also attacking a Crystal Palace defense that has allowed second-most goals over the past six matches.
Ben Davies, TOT at LIV ($5,200): Likely to start for the injured Danny Rose, Davies isn't involved much in the attack for Tottenham. However, he should see an increased amount of defensive duty away to Liverpool. This should bring his floor up from the roughly 13 fantasy points he had against lower-level attacking forces in Sunderland and Middlesbrough the last two weeks.
MIDFIELDER
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, MUN vs. WAT ($8,400): There are many midfield options to choose from in the United attack, but Mkhitaryan is the best option when considering form and price. After scoring last week, Mkhitaryan is now averaging 25 fantasy points per game over his last eight. Over the past six weeks, Watford have given up an above-average number of shots, shots on goal and chances created. For likely starters, he has the fourth-best goal-scoring odds on the slate.
Ross Barkley, EVE at MID ($8,400): Over the past six weeks, it's the mercurial Barkley who is averaging the most fantasy points among all midfielders while being the ninth-most expensive player at the position Saturday. Middlesbrough can be a tough team to break down for a goal, but over the past six weeks they have given up the third-most shots, second-most shots on goal and most chances created.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU at SUN ($6,500): When Dusan Tadic doesn't start, Ward-Prowse is charged with being the primary playmaker and set-piece taker, which gives him more opportunity to create chances. Scoring almost 34 fantasy points without an assist or goal last week, Ward-Prowse should be able to continue it against a Sunderland team that has given up the second-most chances and shots, as well as the most shots on goal over the past six weeks.
Wilfried Zaha, CRY at STK ($6,800): Despite Palace being embarrassed at home, Zaha posted another solid game last week despite not scoring or assisting. Crystal Palace are now in full crisis mode and will need to score to win as their defense is lost. If Yohan Cabaye is out, which is looking likely, Zaha could find more opportunities to put up fantasy points, as Stoke give up an above-average number of shots, shots on goal, chances created and goals.
FORWARD
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN v. WAT ($12,000): United are by far the biggest favorites in this slate, and Ibrahimovic not only has the best goal-scoring odds, but he has odds for a second goal higher than many other legitimate players. Although he hasn't been as consistent recently, any time he is in the slate he must be heavily considered, as he likely has one of the highest celling (probably the highest this week). After scoring four goals last week, Romelu Lukaku is a likely pivot off Ibrahimovic, but up against a stingy Middlesbrough defense (sixth-fewest goals allowed in the past six matches) he is second-best to Zlatan this week.
Peter Crouch, STK v. CRY ($7,500): Crystal Palace look horrible, especially in defense. Giving up the second-most goals, assists, and an above-average numbers of shots, shots on goal and chances created over the past six weeks, Stoke should find themselves on the scoreboard. Crouch is relatively goal dependent, but in plus matchups he is under consideration and comes at slight discount to Marko Arnautovic.
Manolo Gabbiadini, SOU at SUN ($8,200): A much needed boost to the Southampton frontline, Gabbiadini scored in his debut last week. Meanwhile, Sunderland have given up the second-most goals, most shots and shots on goal to forwards over the last six weeks. Southampton take a lot of shots (third-most over the past six weeks), but only an average amount are on goal; Gabbiadini could be the man to be more clinical with the opportunities.
