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)
10:00 a.m: Arsenal v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Southampton v. Leicester
10:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. Cardiff
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Brighton
FORWARDS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. WHU ($11,000): For the people who go Mohamed Salah ($12,500) and Sadio Mane ($11,500), they'll likely avoid both Aubameyang and Roberto Firmino ($11,500). But with both forwards likely being under owned, one of them may be the way to go in tournaments. As the front man in the Arsenal attack, Aubameyang has great goal odds against a West Ham side that just lost at home to Bournemouth. Both teams are looking for their first points, but the Gunners look ready to pounce and Aubameyang is the guy to own. While Firmino has been the third-best option for Liverpool, Aubameyang should be Arsenal's top scorer after averaging 0.85 goals per 90 minutes in 13 appearances last campaign.
Callum Wilson, BOU v. EVE ($8,500): I avoided Wilson the first two weeks, but it was a clear mistake on my end after touting him before the season. Of course, now that I'm writing about him, he'll flop. He'll also be decently owned, which is a reason not to use him in GPPs. Wilson still comes at a reasonable price after two goals, one assist, three chances created and five shots on goal in the first two matches. Meanwhile, Everton battled through their first two matches, and I'm not sure their back line is ready to stop an opposing attack on the road, which was also a problem in the preseason. Wilson will get his opportunities up front, while Joshua King ($8,000) has been playing slightly behind him more as the supplier.
Danny Ings, SOU v. LEI ($8,000): There aren't any reasonably cheap forwards, unless you're high on Charlie Austin ($7,000) or Steve Mounie ($7,500), the latter of whom is a decent GPP play only because he's at home against Cardiff. Kenneth Zohore ($7,500) is in the same category, yet backing a Cardiff player on the road doesn't feel right. Then again, writing about Ings doesn't feel right, either. That said, he went a full 90 at Everton and managed six shots, including two on goal. That's an intriguing number, and while Leicester held Wolves scoreless last weekend, they've been brutal on the road the last couple campaigns, allowing 38 goals in 2017/18.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. BHA ($12,500): Simply put, Salah is a better cash play than Mane. Without goals and assists, Salah is averaging more fantasy points per match, even if it isn't by much. Salah costs more, yet it's hard to put Mane on the same level after two good performances. In the same role last season, Mane was averaging one fewer shot on goal and 0.62 fewer chances created per 90 minutes. As for Salah, he scored a goal per match and is below that mark through the first two. Both of these guys are playing well, but Salah is much easier to trust given how last season went down.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE at BOU ($8,000):Ryan Fraser ($8,000) will be the player everyone looks at in this range due to a higher average, but Sigurdsson was maybe more impressive last match. Even without a goal or assist, he still reached 24.5 fantasy points from six chances created, and there's a chance he could be near that number in most contests against teams not in the top six (I don't include Bournemouth in that group). Due to a high floor, it's easy to roll with Sigurdsson at his price.
Davy Propper, BHA at LIV ($5,500): If you plan on using two high-end players (the most logical strategy), you'll likely have to punt somewhere in the midfield. Propper fits that need as one of the cheapest midfielders with a floor just under 10 points. Whether through tackles or interceptions, he'll get his usual numbers against Liverpool, who have allowed 37 tackles in their first two matches. There's no upside to Propper, but that's why it's called a punt. The better GPP plays are Robert Snodgrass ($6,000) and Andrew Surman ($6,000) only because they at least have scoring chances.
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell, LEI at SOU ($5,500): I'm finding it hard to put a top defender in my lineup, but if you have the money then Andrew Robertson ($7,000) is the logical play with the best odds to create chances. I'd rather save cash and go with a full-back who's held a similarly high floor. Chilwell hasn't made the score sheet but has four chances created, five clearances and six tackles. No matter what happens in this match, Chilwell will get forward, but as an underdog, he will also be forced to get back and accrue defensive stats.
Bruno Ecuele Manga, CAR at HUD ($5,500): The Cardiff defenders have been the secret at FanDuel over the first couple weeks. All of them are racking up defensive stats with ease, and they're at reasonable prices. Ecuele Manga has been the most consistent with 14 clearances and eight tackles through the first two matches. This one could go the same as the Newcastle one, which means another 15 or 20 fantasy points are in play for Ecuele Manga and his teammates.
Leon Balogun, BHA at LIV ($4,500): This is the classic central defender play against the biggest favorite. Balogun also comes a bit cheaper because he's likely getting his first start of the season after Lewis Dunk ($5,500) left with an ankle injury last match. Balogun played 70 minutes against Man United and still had five clearances and four tackles. Against a Liverpool side he said would be "more intense," Balogun could have bigger numbers.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson, LIV v. BHA ($5,500): This is the play if you have money. Alisson may not get many saves, but he has the best shot at a clean sheet and win, which means he'll be close to the 23 fantasy points he got in the first two matches. If you don't have money, it's not pretty. Ben Hamer ($4,500) makes the most sense playing in the match with the lowest over/under and as a slight favorite. Sure, he's allowed nine goals in the first two matches, but Cardiff present the opposite challenge of Chelsea and Man City.
