This article is part of our TheSix Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
7:30 a.m: Chelsea v. Newcastle
10:00 a.m: Brighton v. Liverpool
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Swansea City
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Tottenham
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Crystal Palace
12:30 p.m: Arsenal v. Manchester United
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
STRIKERS
Steve Mounie, HUD at EVE (€7M): Mounie failed to get his starting job back after suffering an injury in September, but he was back in the first XI this week at Arsenal and could get another go in a much easier matchup at Goodison Park. His goal-scoring upside is a bit limited, but we're more interested in the 10.21 duels per 90 minutes he wins, the seventh-highest mark in the league. Mounie's 2.08 shots, including 1.21 on goal, per 90 minutes isn't bad either, especially considering he'll line up against an Everton side that has allowed the third-most goals, second-most shots on goal and second-most duels won against them this season.
Christian Benteke, CRY at WBA (€8M): Right ahead of Mounie on the duels won per 90 minutes leaderboard is Benteke, who started Tuesday for the first time since September after his own injury layoff. Benteke is also averaging over two shots per game, but it's the 10.58 duels won per 90 that give him a solid fantasy floor against the team that has had the fifth-most duels won against them while only six teams have allowed more goals.
Tammy Abraham, SWA at STK (€7M): Abraham's price is depressed a bit after being ineligible to face Chelsea during the midweek, but he's expected back in the starting XI at Stoke. Swansea's attack has been pretty stagnant this season, but they'll have a nice opportunity Saturday against a side that's allowed the second-most goals at home this season, as well as the second-most goals overall.
MIDFIELDERS
Victor Moses, CHE v. NEW (€5M): Moses hasn't started since Oct. 14 against Crystal Palace due to injury, but he's fit again and could move back into the starting XI in place of Davide Zappacosta (€11M, defender), the biggest beneficiary of Moses' absence. The bonus is that we'll know if Moses is starting before lineup lock, reducing some of the risk that he doesn't play. More importantly, Moses is averaging 5.36 duels won per 90 minutes, and while his 20.33 completed passes per 51.75 touches per 90 aren't overly impressive, his low salary helps spending up elsewhere.
Erik Lamela, TOT at WAT (€5M): Lamela made his long-awaited return from multiple hip injuries to play 13 minutes off the bench Tuesday, and with how tired Christian Eriksen (€11M) has looked of late, Lamela has an opportunity to get his first Premier League start since Oct. 22, 2016. He actually picked up an assist on two chances created Tuesday against Leicester, showing that he can still be a dangerous part of the Spurs attack. Getting exposure to Spurs at this price is pretty rare, and while he is highly unlikely to go 90 minutes, his salary helps alleviate some of that concern.
Mikel Merino, NEW v. CHE (€7M): The matchup against Chelsea isn't the easiest, but Merino has shown to have double-digit floor against pretty much any opponent. Newcastle could try to maintain more possession because they are home, which should help Merino add onto his averages of 43.86 completed passes on 77.32 touches per 90 minutes this season. Additionally, he's averaging over nine duels won per 90, giving him a solid fantasy floor; unfortunately, he's unlikely to reach his ceiling for a huge score given that he doesn't shoot often.
DEFENDERS
Kieran Trippier, TOT at WAT (€8M): With Danny Rose (€7M) and Serge Aurier (€8M) getting starts Tuesday at Leicester City, it seems like the right time for Trippier and Ben Davies (€8M) to slot back in given the congested schedule. Both players are viable at their price, with Trippier getting the slight nod thanks his higher per-90 averages in touches, completed passes and duels won. Both players actually average more than two chances created per match, so they absolutely have assist upside against a Watford side that's been punching above its weight this year.
Patrick van Aanholt, CRY at WBA (€4M): van Aanholt was an unused substitute for both matches since returning from injury, though the lackluster play of Jeffrey Schlupp (€9M) could move PVA back into the first XI. Both players are more attackers than defenders despite lining up as left-backs, though van Aanholt at least averages more interceptions and tackles per 90 minutes. The Palace defense hasn't been great of late, and van Aanholt isn't the type of player to make them that much better, but he should get on the ball enough to pay off his paltry salary.
Phil Bardsley, BUR at LEI (€3M): Bardsley got a rare start Wednesday at Bournemouth, doing so in place of the injured Matthew Lowton (€9M), and he finished with a solid 24 accurate passes on 58 touches while adding six duels won, three tackles and two interceptions. Even if he doesn't reach quite that level at Leicester, an opponent that shouldn't worry Burnley much, his minimum-priced salary almost pays for itself with what you can do with the extra salary space.
