This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
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MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. West Brom
11:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. Crystal Palace
11:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Everton
1:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Watford
FORWARDS
Roberto Firmino, LIV v. WAT ($12,000): Firmino is by far the top forward option on Saturday's slate, so much so that he's $2,500 more than the next highest-priced player at the position. Liverpool are dominant favorites with the highest implied goal total, and Firmino has put two shots on goal in four of his last six games, creating 12 chances and registering 18 tackles over that span. Rostering Firmino and paying up for another Liverpool attacker won't be easy, but it may still be the optimal play.
Callum Wilson, BOU v. WBA ($8,500): It's tough to find another reliable forward on the slate, so we'll revert to Wilson, who has the highest anytime goal scorer odds and plays for the team with the highest implied goal total among teams not named "Liverpool." Wilson has put two shots on goal or created two chances in two of his last three home games, and he now faces a West Brom side that sits 20th in the Premier League after allowing 16 goals in their last six games.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. WAT ($13,000): If you're going to pay five digits for an attacker, it may as well be the guy with the most shots, shots on goal, goals and highest goal anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, right? Given the incredibly small pool of reliable forwards, we could see more people opting to pay for Firmino than Salah, but there's still no questioning that the Egyptian has the highest upside on the slate.
Jordon Ibe, BOU v. WBA ($6,000): Teammate Junior Stanislas ($8,500) has been in great form recently, including 38.5 fantasy points against Tottenham last weekend thanks to one goal on two shots on target, but I'd prefer to spend down for Ibe, who was one of Bournemouth's best creators before sitting out with a hamstring injury. With Joshua King ($7,500, forward) questionable because of a neck injury, Ibe could slot back into the starting XI to face a brutal West Brom defense that has had no answers to opposing attacks of late.
Badou Ndiaye, STK v. EVE ($7,000): Ndiaye has been doing the dirty work for Stoke while still contributing on the attacking end, picking up at least three tackles in four of his five starts while taking at least three shots in three (though only three total have been on goal). Xherdan Shaqiri ($8,000) is the upside play because he's a big part of the attack, but Ndiaye provides a safer floor because of his ability to contribute across multiple categories.
DEFENDERS
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, CPL at HUD ($5,500): Wan-Bissaka has scored more than 20.00 fantasy points in each of his three starts thanks to contributions with tackles, clearances, interceptions and blocked shots. Huddersfield are not attacking juggernaut like the ones Wan-Bissaka's seen during his run (Tottenham, Manchester United and Chelsea), but Palace will still be playing away against a side desperate for three points. With a salary that's fairly cheap versus the upper defensive options, Wan-Bissaka should easily make value again.
Jonny Evans, WBA at BOU ($5,500): Evans has been a solid source of clearances lately, registering 27 in his last two games. Reaching 15.00 fantasy points shouldn't be too hard if he keeps that up, especially against a Bournemouth side that's likely to be attacking early and often.
Zanka, HUD v. CRY ($6,000): Teammate Christopher Schindler ($7,000) should certainly get consideration as well, though his high price (the highest among defenders) could make it tough to fit him in. Saving the $1,000 for Zanka comes with less certainty in terms of fantasy production, but he's still a player who has scored at least 15.00 fantasy points in three of his past four games. He does it with a solid combination of clearances, interceptions and tackles, and with Crystal Palace getting a few of their better attackers back from injury, Zanka could be very busy despite playing at home.
GOALKEEPER
Wayne Hennessey, CRY at HUD ($4,500): Hennessey has been making plenty of saves recently, registering 24 in his last five starts, the second-most in the Premier League over that span, trailing only Stoke City's Jack Butland ($5,500), who is tied for the highest price among goalkeepers. The Crystal Palace defense is far from elite, but I'll focus more on the fact that Huddersfield were up a man for 79 minutes against Swansea City last weekend but still couldn't find the back of the net. Hennessey is likely to see a few shots come his way, but he'll have the security of facing a team that's been shut out in five of their last seven Premier League games.
