FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Targets

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Targets

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: Everton v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Wolves
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. Fulham
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Chelsea v. Arsenal

FORWARDS

Harry Kane, TOT v. FUL ($12,000): Kane is a pure GPP play, and that was seen in the first match when he didn't have a shot on goal. The problem with rostering him is that it'll be hard to also use teammate Christian Eriksen ($11,500) unless you punt on multiple positions. Kane has the best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, and after Fulham gave up two at home to Crystal Palace last week, Spurs should be set for at least a couple. But if you consider that Kane never scores in August and his floor is no more than anyone priced below him, he's a hard play in cash. Smarter options would be Jamie Vardy ($10,500) and Cenk Tosun ($10,000), both of whom are favored at home.

Cenk Tosun, EVE v. SOU ($10,000): Speaking of Tosun, if you want to spend up at forward in cash games, he's probably the best option. He has the same floor as the other top guys and should manage a couple chances created and shots on goal at a minimum. Assuming Everton don't go down a man early again, they'll have the ball in the attacking end more than last match and that'll benefit Tosun, the front man in the attack.

Marko Arnautovic, WHU v. BOU ($9,500): Arnautovic is more of a differential play because he'll likely be under-owned after zero fantasy points last match. The difference is that he's no longer playing Liverpool at Anfield. The Hammers are slightly favored and should have plenty of opportunities against Bournemouth. Arnautovic was West Ham's leading scorer in preseason and finished last campaign with 11 goals and six assists, all in his final 20 starts. If you want someone cheaper, everyone will be off Joshua King ($7,000) after he had three fantasy points in the opener.

MIDFIELDERS

Christian Eriksen, TOT v. FUL ($11,500): Without a goal or assist last week, Eriksen still had 23.9 fantasy points from five chances created and a shot on goal. That's what he does for Spurs, and with the highest floor on the slate, he is close to a must-own in cash games. Tottenham should control possession and that will lead to plenty of free kicks for Eriksen, who could once again reach 20 fantasy points without making the score sheet. Eden Hazard ($10,500) is closest in price, yet his floor is much lower because fouls drawn are his best stat and he gets no points for those.

Michail Antonio, WHU v. BOU ($7,500): Most people will be on Ryan Fraser ($7,500) after he scored 30 fantasy points in the opener, so I'll go on the other side of the field. Antonio reached 17.1 fantasy points in the Hammers' first match, and while he may not have four tackles and two clearances again, he'll be up the field more resulting in more shots on goal and chances created. Another good sign is that he played the full 90, with Jack Wilshere ($7,500) the only other player up front on West Ham to do that (4-2-3-1 formation). If you go with the Antonio-Arnautovic combo in GPP, getting the assist and goal isn't too much to ask.

Dan Gosling, BOU at WHU ($5,500): This play is mainly if you're looking to save money somewhere in the squad. Gosling has no upside but is usually good for around 10 fantasy points. I'm a little more intrigued because he had four clearances and four tackles in a match Bournemouth had 63 percent possession in last weekend. Now as an underdog and less possession expected, the opportunities for tackles will only increase. I'm not saying 20 fantasy points is a guarantee, but it's reasonable to think it could happen, especially if he could sneak in a shot on goal, which he did about once every three matches last season.

DEFENDERS

Ben Davies, TOT v. FUL ($6,500): Since I don't know who is starting on the other side, Davies is the pick, though Kieran Trippier and Serge Aurier are in the same mold at the same price. This match should be fairly similar to the opener for Spurs, or even a little easier. Davies had two chances created, four clearances and three tackles in that match, and those are close to his normal numbers. He should get up the field plenty against Fulham, and the assist potential is always there for Tottenham fullbacks. Jan Vertonghen ($6,000) will be the more popular play after scoring in the opener, so Davies is also somewhat of a differential.

Hector Bellerin, ARS at CHE ($5,500): Even though Arsenal were handled by Man City last match, Bellerin still had 22.3 fantasy points from racking up all kinds of stats, namely three clearances and five interceptions. His floor is usually between 10-15 points, and that's decent value for the price. Chelsea gave up a few opportunities to Huddersfield last match and that could lead to another shot on goal or some chances created for Bellerin on the wing. This is my only recommendation in this match mainly because all of the Chelsea players are overpriced. They're favored, but I don't completely trust them and the Gunners should be better than last week because they aren't playing the best side in the league.

Adam Smith, BOU at WHU ($4,500): As one of the cheapest starters available, Smith is a pretty easy pick if you have nothing to spend. His floor should be around 10 fantasy points with clearances and tackles totaling five at a minimum, but the more intriguing stat is that he took a couple corners last match. While that may not happen again (they came when David Brooks subbed out), the potential is there and that's enough given the price.

GOALKEEPER

Hugo Lloris, TOT v. FUL ($5,000): It's unclear why the biggest favorite on the slate isn't the most expensive goalkeeper, but that doesn't matter. Lloris is the easy play with the best clean sheet odds in the home opener for Spurs (at Wembley). If you're worried about the Aleksandar Mitrovic goal that will likely come when you roster Lloris, Lukasz Fabianski ($5,000) is the next play, though I'm not sure I trust West Ham's back line.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Adam Zdroik plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: zdroik, DraftKings: rotozdroik, Yahoo: StreakMaster.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Zdroik
Adam, a 2019, 2018 and 2017 Finalist for FSWA's Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's soccer editor. He also runs RotoWire's Bracketology, as well as writes on other various college basketball content. He has previously worked at ESPN and Sporting Kansas City, and he is a former Streak for the Cash winner and Michigan State graduate.
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