SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 6

Jamie Vardy is in a race to get fit for this weekend, but if he plays, he's in a fantastic spot against Liverpool's shaky defense in a match that could produce fantasy goodness.

Matchweek 6 in the Premier League will feature the biggest FanDuel slate of the season. There will be seven matches to choose from as the league will have only one match on Sunday this week. Among the matches on the larger slate is league-leading Manchester City hosting Crystal Palace, the league's only team without a point.

Matchweek 6
Saturday, September 23rd
Huddersfield at Burnley
Bournemouth at Everton
Crystal Palace at Manchester City
Manchester United at Southampton
Chelsea at Stoke
Watford at Swansea City
Liverpool at Leicester


Manchester City is a big favorite against Palace, a team that has already changed managers. This match is one of two games on the slate with an over/under of at 3.0 goals. City stars like Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, although expensive, will likely be highly-owned players. For that reason, that match will not be featured here.

Let's discuss the other games that should be targeted in Matchweek 6.

Burnley vs. Huddersfield

This is this week's off-the-radar pick is a match in which both teams are sitting on eight points with a positive goal differential -- not too many people predicted that at the start of the year. What may be even more surprising is that there are six players in this game averaging at least 20 FanDuel points per match.

Both teams have been active and full of effort while trying to break down their opponents. Huddersfield have averaged close to 50% of possession, and both teams have come out on top of aerial battles at a very successful rate. They both sit in the top half of teams for long passes, while Huddersfield is third in crossing.

Huddersfield should be able to break down the opposition, but converting on their chances is another story. Burnley gives up a league-leading 22.6 shots per game. However, they have still only conceded 5 goals. Huddersfield have been on target with 20 of their 57 shots this season, which bodes well for the Terriers.

Laurent Depoitre should lead the line for Huddersfield, and he's only $7000. Tom Ince and Aaron Mooy will also be a part of the attack, with Rajiv van La Parra being a potential budget option at wide midfielder. Collin Quaner has the best odds of any Huddersfield player to score, but it is unclear if he will start.


Given the stats presented, it is clear that Burnley is playing bend-but-don't-break soccer, and that is due to faith in their defenders. James Tarkowski, Ben Mee, and Stephen Ward are all averaging more than 20 FanDuel points per match. Tarkowski is averaging a clearance, block, or interception every six minutes.

The Clarets have not been all defense. Chris Wood is coming off his worst game in a Burnley shirt, but he scored more than 25 points in his two previous outings. Robbie Brady continues to emerge as a dynamic Premier League midfielder. He has been credited with 13 chances created from the wing.

The top players in this match are not going to break the bank, and there is a level playing field that should allow time on the ball for both teams. They will try to use long passes and find space on the wings. It could be a feeling out process in the beginning, but there is potential for plenty of defensive action points and at least one goal from either side.

Given the expected lower ownership, picking the right players from these squads could be what sets your lineup apart.

Leicester City vs. Liverpool

Five players in this game are priced at or above $9,000, but all of them are averaging at least 19.8 points per match. Nine players average over 20 points per game, although Sadio Mane and Adam Lallana are unavailable. It is the other match -- aside from City-Palace -- with an over/under of more than three goals and odds are that both teams score.

Kasper Schmeichel is still wary of the Liverpool attack despite having good luck against them at home, most recently beating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in mid-week action. Liverpool have scored nine goals in five EPL matches, the third-most in the league.

Mohamed Salah might be the most dangerous Liverpool attacker on the field on Saturday as he has become vital to their attack in Sadio Mane's absence (Mane is suspended). He has scored five goals in all competitions this season and is the top-priced player in the match thanks to his FanDuel per-game average of almost 30 points per match. Salah has three league goals, which is tied with Mane and one ahead of Roberto Firmino.

As usual, the Liverpool defense can be as volatile as their attack is fearsome. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren are game-time decisions at this point. The injuries could force Jurgen Klopp to juggle his back line once again with Ragnar Klavan in line for a start.


Which Leicester players will be looking to exploit any defensive weakness? It might not be Jamie Vardy as he is still struggling to regain fitness despite sitting out the cup match. Islam Slimani and Shinji Okazaki scored in that match and would be in line to start if Vardy is unable to go. If Vardy does start, he will be happy to see the red uniform in front of him as he has scored more goals against Liverpool than any other side.

Leicester's goal-scoring threat could increase with the return of Christian Fuchs. Fuchs gives Leicester another option on set pieces, and he has patrolled the left side of the field for the last couple seasons. His $5,500 price tag is appealing in a match that could produce fireworks.