This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Arsenal
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 10:00 am: Fulham vs. Newcastle United
- 10:00 am: Leicester City vs. Chelsea
- 10:00 am: Liverpool vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: Manchester United vs. Cardiff City
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Huddersfield Town
- 10:00 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Sunday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Troy Deeney, WAT v. WHU ($8,000): This slate will be a mess. Since most clubs have nothing to play for, the starting XIs could look a bit different, and it doesn't help that prices are jacked up for top defenders and goalkeepers. That said, there's a price mistake at forward with Deeney cheaper than teammates Gerard Deulofeu ($11,000) and Andre Gray ($9,000). Deeney returned from a three-match ban last week and put in a serviceable effort with two chances created and one shot on goal. He scored in the previous meeting against West Ham and has had a floor around 10 fantasy points against teams in the bottom half of the table. The Hammers have a minus-11 goal differential away from home and have allowed the fifth-most shots on goal in the last 10 gameweeks. If you trust the odds, Danny Ings ($8,500) and Shane Long ($9,000) are also in this range.
Ashley Barnes, BRN v. ARS ($9,500): I hate to say it, but I like too many value forwards. Why are Arsenal favored after giving up six goals in their last two league away matches to Wolverhampton and Leicester, in addition to playing at Valencia on Thursday? Barnes hasn't done much in recent matches, but you can't blame him for struggling at Everton and against Man City. He's still averaging more than a shot on goal and one chance created per 90 minutes at home. The Gunners have allowed the seventh-most shots on goal in the last 10 gameweeks, which is high for a top club. If you prefer the GPP goal-or-bust route, Chris Wood ($9,000) is a tad cheaper. I'm also a fan of Aleksandar Mitrovic ($9,000) at home, assuming Fulham don't take the same defensive approach they've employed the last few matches.
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. CHE ($11,000): As seen in my first two selections, I'd rather not spend up at forward. Sergio Aguero ($13,000) has great goal odds but costs a bunch and has surpassed 13 fantasy points once in his last five starts. As for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($12,500), I'm not spending on him away from home. Vardy has the same goal upside in addition to a similar floor, often accruing at least one shot on goal and chance created. He managed 8.2 points against Man City last match despite doing nothing in the attack. Even with that match included, he has six goals on nine shots on target and nine chances created in his last six starts. He scored against Chelsea earlier in the season and this time, the Blues have nothing to play for after playing Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday. Divock Origi ($11,500) and Wilfried Zaha ($11,500) are worth a look in this spot, though I trust Vardy's goal scoring more.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. WOL ($11,500): If you spend on forward, there aren't many ways to get Salah into the squad, which is why I focused on cheaper options. Assuming Salah starts, he has great odds to score in addition to a solid floor. This isn't an ideal matchup, but Liverpool can't take a draw, so they'll be pushing from the start, similar to the win over Barcelona. Salah has done everything he can to help with five goals, two assists, 13 shots on goal and 12 chances created in his last six starts in all competitions. Otherwise, I don't want to trust Raheem Sterling's ($12,000) poor form or Eden Hazard ($12,000), who may not play a full 90.
Andros Townsend, CRY v. BOU ($8,000): Townsend is another player who is underpriced as long as he makes the starting XI. His playing time has dwindled to close the season, but after wrecking Cardiff for a goal and assist last week, he should make the squad again. He has nine shots on goals and 20 chances created in 13 matches as a right midfielder, while also producing 21 more chances and four more shots in home matches. Bournemouth are known for being terrible away from home this season, and their last trip to Southampton doesn't change that (3-3 draw). Of course, Luka Milivojevic ($9,500) is also a favorite and gets a nice price cut. There are a few others worth considering in this range from the Man City players who will likely be more popular than James Ward-Prowse ($9,000) and even Ryan Babel ($8,000).
Hamza Choudhury, LEI v. CHE ($5,000): Choudhury will likely be one of many cheap midfielders starting Sunday. He's gotten the call the last two weeks and produced 17 fantasy points in each match through a variety of defensive stats and a few chances created. If you need to save money because you spent it all on Salah or at forward, Choudhury is one of the better options. It also helps that Chelsea have given up the most interceptions, blocks and tackles in the last 10 gameweeks. They've played one more match than most teams, but they'd still be near the top of the charts if you took one away. In addition to Choudhury, there could be some $4,500 midfielders in starting XIs, so keep an eye out once lineups are released.
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell, LEI v. CHE ($6,000): There aren't many reasons to spend up on a defender, especially with the top options sitting at a season high $8,000. Chilwell provides similar value to the top dogs because he also gets up the field, averaging almost two chances created per match in his last 10 starts. He had 10.4 fantasy points against Man City and has at least 19 in four of his last six. Even if he doesn't create a chance, he could still finish near 15 points through tackles and clearances. Teammate Ricardo Pereira ($5,500) has been less consistent, but he's also cheaper. Otherwise, I don't suggest spending on a defender unless you want to mix things up in GPP.
Lewis Dunk, BHA v. MCI ($5,000): Dunk, or any Brighton defender, isn't too difficult of a sell. Man City need to win this match and will likely be on the attack the entire way unless Brighton turn into the best club in Europe. Dunk has been the most consistent with at least 10 fantasy points in his last five starts, and that floor could easily push 15, if not 20. He hit 23.8 points against Tottenham a couple weeks ago with help from 14 clearances, and this match could go the same way. If not Dunk, I'm comfortable with a lot of choices in this range from Ryan Fredericks and Ben Mee at $5,500 to Arthur Masuaku and Bruno Ecuele Manga at $5,000.
Nathaniel Clyne, BOU at CRY ($4,000): There could be at least 10 starting defenders at $4,000, but there's no use guessing now who they will be. Clyne should start even though he's moved in and out of the lineup over the last month. He doesn't have a great floor, but he's had numerous performances above 10 fantasy points, as he averages 2.56 tackles per 90 minutes and, conveniently, Crystal Palace have allowed the second-most tackles this season. Once lineups come out, look for $4,000 underdog center-backs and go from there. One of those may be Cyrus Christie, who racked up 19.5 fantasy points last match in his first start as a center-back.
GOALKEEPER
Fraser Forster, SOU v. HUD ($4,000): Even with every team in action, it's not an easy slate for goalkeepers, with five costing at least $6,000 and four at $5,500. However, one team got through the cracks, and that could lead to Forster being a chalk play. Against Huddersfield, he has the fourth-best odds to win and secure a clean sheet. I don't trust the Southampton back line, but no one trusts Huddersfield to score. Some will be roped into Petr Cech at $4,000 if he starts his final league match, but I wouldn't fall into that trap. I think Kasper Schmeichel ($4,500) and Ben Foster ($5,000) are viable for cheaper plays, while Vicente Guaita ($5,500) is a good bet if you have more money because he's making at least three saves per start.
