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: Burnley v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Wolves
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. Cardiff City
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Manchester United v. Newcastle
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, TOT v. CAR ($13,000): Yep, I'm doing it. There's no one else on the slate who you can feel as comfortable with in his ability to score a goal. Kane costs a bunch, but it'll hopefully be worth it and he should be in most rosters. He has four goals, nine shots on target and four chances created in his last three starts in all competitions and has another ripe matchup against a Cardiff team that has allowed 41 shots on target (on only 88 shots), which is the fourth-most in the league. Romelu Lukaku ($12,000) is a good choice if you want to fade Kane, but Jamie Vardy ($10,500) is probably a better value given the state of Manchester United.
Troy Deeney, WAT v. BOU ($8,500): There's nothing to like about this play, but there aren't many other options and Watford are at least favored and have the second-highest implied goal total. Deeney showed a solid floor for the first time this season in the loss against Arsenal, as he had four chances created and two shots on goal. As long as he keeps doing that, he'll be worth a look as a second forward. Of course, Deeney has never been easy to trust, which is why he's a bit risky in cash games. Raul Jimenez ($9,500) may have the best floor of the mid-tier forwards, but I'm not sure he's worth the extra money on the road.
Kelechi Iheanacho, LEI v. EVE ($8,000): It's an ugly slate if I have to recommend Iheanacho, but here we are. There should at least be goals in this match, even if we don't know where they'll come from. Iheanacho didn't do much in his first two starts of the season, and while he has looked better recently, he only had one shot on target at Newcastle last week. At the least, Leicester have played well at home, beating Wolves and Huddersfield, while losing only 2-1 to Liverpool. I'm not sure about anyone else in this range unless you want to take a gamble on Watford with Andre Gray ($8,000), and the same goes for Sam Vokes ($7,500) because he's likely to be the starting forward against Huddersfield.
MIDFIELDERS
James Maddison, LEI v. EVE ($8,500): One of these matches Maddison is going to break out and make the score sheet multiple times. That probably won't happen against Everton, but until it does, I'll keep backing him at a reasonable price. He's scored or assisted in five of seven matches, while also providing a solid floor from 1.11 shots on goal, 2.39 chances created and 1.59 tackles per 90 minutes. That attacking ability also gives him upside, whereas Idrissa Gueye is the same price yet rarely gets up the field.
Richarlison, EVE at LEI ($8,000):Gylfi Sigurdsson ($9,500) burned everyone who didn't have him last week with a brace, but that likely won't continue since he still only has three shots on goal all season. Richarlison costs less despite having the same upside and floor, and the most important stat is that Richarlison is averaging 1.38 SOG per 90 minutes compared to Sigurdsson's 0.48. Sigurdsson is more likely to assist, but I'd rather back someone with the same floor that has better goal-scoring odds. Son Heung-Min ($8,000) would be a great GPP play if he starts, though he usually goes off when least expected. However, if Erik Lamela ($7,500) starts again due to various injuries, he's probably the safer pick with a goal or assist in all five appearances this season.
Will Hughes, WAT v. BOU ($6,500):Johann Berg Gudmundsson ($7,500) could be the most popular third midfielder, but his floor has been no more than 10 fantasy points. Hughes costs less and actually has a better floor, scoring at least 10 fantasy points in the last six matches because he's creating chances in addition to numerous clearances, interceptions and tackles. There isn't anyone near his price who matches his floor while also providing attacking upside.
DEFENDERS
Jose Holebas, WAT v. BOU ($6,000): I don't usually suggest spending up at defender, but Holebas is cheaper than he should be with a floor near 15 points. He's creating more than two chances per 90 minutes in addition to defensive stats that usually add up. Both teams will be attacking in this match and that should allow Holebas to post solid numbers. With upside and the same floor as Kieran Trippier ($7,000), it makes little sense to spend more on the Spurs defender.
Matt Doherty, WOL at CRY ($5,500): I wrote about Jonny ($6,500) last week except he was $1,500 less. Doherty now gets the treatment since he's not much different than Jonny except that he's on the other side of the field. In fact, Doherty has two more shots on goal, two more chances created and nine more crosses, so spending up on Jonny makes no sense. Doherty's floor has been around 12 fantasy points, and if creates a few more chances that could easily jump to 20.
Jonjoe Kenny, EVE at LEI ($4,500): While some players, like Jonny , moved up in price, Kenny is still sitting in the basement of defenders despite hitting 15 fantasy points in all three of his starts. Even as a right-back, most of his numbers have come from defending stats, with eight clearances, nine interceptions and eight tackles. Throw in the opportunities he could get on the wing and a chance created only adds to his value. Until his price changes, I'm going to keep using Kenny.
GOALKEEPER
Joe Hart, BRN v. HUD ($5,000): Since none of the matches are expected to be high scoring, any of the goalkeepers can be considered. Hart makes the most sense because he's cheap while also being the favorite in the match with the fewest expected goals. He's made at least three saves in every start, so even if he doesn't get a clean sheet all value is not lost. Either goalkeeper in the Crystal Palace-Wolves match is worth a look if you have extra money, or if you're broke, Ben Foster ($4,500) is at least favored. And then there's Hugo Lloris ($4,000), who appears to be a freebie since he returned in midweek and will likely start for Spurs at the minimum price.
