This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Chelsea vs. Southampton
- 12:30 pm: Manchester City vs. Arsenal
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Manchester United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Christian Pulisic, CHE v. SOU ($20): Projecting lineups is always a pain following the international break and this time, there's no certainty guys like Kevin De Bruyne ($23) or Bruno Fernandes ($19) start Saturday. That's why I feel a little better about Pulisic because he didn't go out on international duty and returned from injury just before the break. I think there's a decent chance he receives his first start Saturday. He was a bit inconsistent last season, finishing with nine goals and four assists, but he comes at a discount and I'm not sure he's a worse option than Timo Werner ($20) or Kai Havertz ($18). Pulisic averaged 1.36 shots on goal and 1.56 chances created per 90 minutes last season, and there's a chance new teammates help that production. You could stack Chelsea and throw in penalty taker Jorginho ($15) if he starts again, and still have a decent amount of money. Southampton had back-to-back clean sheets, but those came against West Brom and Burnley. The last time Chelsea were together, they bagged four goals in the second half against Crystal Palace. A lot of people will be tuned into Man City as the biggest favorite, making a Chelsea stack a viable play in tournaments. Also with Chelsea, you don't have to worry about switching your roster in later matches because they open the slate.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. ARS ($21): There are a lot of questions for Man City, as both De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero ($20) could either start, be on the bench or not even be in the squad. That's the main reason I'm backing Mahrez, who is likely to be on the majority of set pieces if De Bruyne doesn't start. While his goal numbers aren't the same as Raheem Sterling's ($19), some of that has to do with playing time because he still averaged 0.51 goals and 0.42 assists per 90 minutes last season. If De Bruyne doesn't start, Mahrez may be the best floor option on the slate playing on the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total. Sterling and almost everyone else for City is more of a GPP option. That goes for Phil Foden ($17), Ferran Torres ($14) and Bernardo Silva ($13), as none of them have done much this season. Silva is another option to take set pieces and Foden is most likely of that trio to go a full 90, but you shouldn't expect more than 10 fantasy points from any of them if they don't make the score-sheet.
Marcus Rashford, MUN at NEW ($21): The obvious Man United option is Bruno Fernandes ($19), but it's off an international break and there's no reason to play it safe. Rashford will either stay in his winger role or play as the top striker in place of the suspended Anthony Martial. He has the best odds to score on the team, but he hasn't figured things out yet after compiling 17 goals and seven assists in the Premier League last season. A breakthrough is inevitable no matter his position, and it could come against Newcastle, who have been iffy in the back, allowing five goals in their last three matches. Rashford is more of a GPP play with Mason Greenwood ($17), as neither have had much of a floor compared to Fernandes, who takes set pieces. There's also a chance some bank on Odion Ighalo ($14) to start, but it's the late match and you're playing with fire if you want to bet on that. Yet, if you take that route, it's possible to pivot to Donny van de Beek ($13) since it may be between those two to replace Martial.
Danny Ings, SOU at CHE ($17): Edouard Mendy has a thigh injury and most of Chelsea's roster traveled for the international break, including center-back Thiago Silva, who was in South America, and Ben Chilwell, who may miss out with injury. More intriguing, Southampton won the last meeting 2-0 and in last season's earlier matchup, and Ings scored their lone goal in a 4-1 loss. Ings has three goals from six shots on target this season and it hasn't mattered the opponent. He scored against Burnley and bagged a brace in a 5-2 loss against Tottenham. In the matches he didn't score, he managed a 13-point floor, something he struggled to hit last season. Chelsea have a good back line at full strength, but they're not a full strength and it's a perfect time for Ings to pounce. Che Adams ($15) is more of a GPP option, while James Ward-Prowse ($14) is a cash play as the exclusive set-piece taker. Dipping further, Theo Walcott ($9) or William Smallbone ($8) could start, both of whom would allow for better defensive options.
DEFENDERS
Javier Manquillo, NEW v. MUN ($7): If you need to save money, you should be able to wait for the last match and grab two of the cheaper Newcastle guys, no matter who starts. I'm assuming Manquillo returns to the starting XI, but Emil Krafth ($8) is the replacement, while Jamal Lewis ($8) is also in that range. None of them have had great floors this season, but they're cheap and have been as viable as Luke Shaw ($10) and Benjamin Mendy ($10), among others. Price is the main selling point, but Manquillo and Lewis both had floors near 20 points in the first match this season, so they at least have it in them. It also wouldn't be surprising if Newcastle scored early, forcing Man United to throw everything into scoring the rest of the way, resulting in defensive stats.
Reece James, CHE v. SOU ($14): It's an ugly defensive slate and I think James is the only one worth spending up on, especially since he's in the opening match. From three starts, his worst match is a 13-point performance against Liverpool. His main competition for set pieces Saturday is Ben Chilwell ($13), who may not play, and Mason Mount, who may not start. James has had success because he accrues stats in a variety of ways, creating eight chances to go with nine tackles, six clearances and four blocks. The rest of the defenders above $10 are guys who are inconsistent in terms of defensive stats or ones you can't count on for offensive production. That said, if Chilwell and James both start, I'd go with the cheaper Chilwell.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson, MCI v. ARS ($12): Ederson is the cheapest of the favorites, and while that aligns with the odds, I'm not betting on Chelsea or Man United to secure clean sheets. Man City haven't looked good, but they held Arsenal scoreless in both league meetings last season. Even when Arsenal won the FA Cup matchup in July, Man City still dominated, controlling 71 percent possession and taking 12 more shots. If you don't trust any of the favorites, which is reasonable, Bernd Leno ($8) is probably the way to go. He has at least 7.5 fantasy points in every match this season whether through goals allowed or saves, and Man City's attack has numerous injuries, including the always important De Bruyne.
