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: West Ham v. Leicester City
11:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Watford
11:00 a.m: Everton v. Hull City
11:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Chelsea
11:00 a.m: Sunderland v. Burnley
1:30 p.m: Bournemouth v. Swansea City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Eldin Jakupovic, HUL at EVE ($6,400): One of the cheaper options on the slate, Jakupovic is likely to face the most number of shots, as Everton have forced the most saves over the past six matches and Jakupovic has shown the ability to be one of, if not the, highest scoring keeper on FanDuel.
DEFENDER
Harry Maguire, HUL at EVE ($6,400): Hull are the biggest underdog on the slate (just barely) and Maguire should be busy against an Everton team that has improved their attack over the last few weeks. Tall and strong, he should be able to cope with Romelu Lukaku when called upon. Everton are also not the most stout in defense, and Maguire could end with a few attacking stats as well. The other higher priced defenders are not as stable as Maguire, though Seamus Coleman should be in an advanced position most of the match.
Geoff Cameron, STK v. CHE ($4,800): Listed as a defender, Cameron will likely be charged with playing a defensive midfield role against Chelsea. At $4,800, he should be able to reach enough value through tackles, interceptions and clearances while also allowing us to play multiple higher-priced players.
MIDFIELDER
Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA v. BOU, ($10,500): For the third straight week, Sigurdsson is in a strong matchup and is now averaging 32 fantasy points per game against non top-six teams. He is one of the few players who can consistently score over 30 fantasy points without a goal because he takes the most shots, creates the most chances and racks up assists. Also, Bournemouth have given up the most goals over the past six matches.
Ryan Fraser, BOU at SWA, ($5,400): With Junior Stanislas sidelined, the main playmaking role rests with Fraser. In what should be a relatively open match, Fraser should find plenty of space against a team that has given up the second-most chances created for midfielders and the third-most goals and assists over the past six matches.
Tom Huddlestone, HUL at EVE ($5,400): Defensive midfielders on FanDuel are common on strong cash and tournament lineups, as the scoring is kinder than DraftKings and they can be relatively consistent in the right matchup. Over the past six matches, Everton have allowed the most tackles, and the main engine for Everton, Ross Barkley, often plays through the center, which should give Huddlestone chances to accumulate defensive stats.
There is a log-jam of Chelsea and Everton midfielders priced between $7,200 and $10,000, and I am not confident that any outperform their salaries without a goal. However, picking the right one based on lineups could be critical, such as when Cesc Fabregas started instead of Nemanja Matic and scored 57.25 fantasy points against Swansea two league games ago.
FORWARD
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. HUL ($12,600): Scoring a goal in each of his past three matches and seven over the past five, Lukaku is in tremendous form. Now first in the Golden Boot race, Lukaku looks to extend his streak in the best matchup of any of the higher priced forwards, coming in with the best anytime goal-scoring odds.
Joshua King, BOU at SWA ($8,700): Swansea have allowed 33 goals to center forwards this season and nine in the last six matches, including two last week to Oumar Niasse. Although King has lined up as the central attacking midfielder of late, his heat maps indicated an advanced position up top near striker Benik Afobe. Swansea have given up the most goals, assists and shots on goal to forwards over the past six matches. Meanwhile, Swansea's Fernando Llorente is similarly in a very good spot and priced close to King.
Jermain Defoe, SUN v. BRN ($7,600): Sixth in the Golden Boot race this season, Defore is a well established striker who can carry Sunderland at times with his goals. In come Burnley, who have given up the fourth-most goals on the road (top three are all just one goal higher) and the third-most goals, assists, and most shots on goals to forwards over the past six matches.
