SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 37

Will Hughes and Watford are set to face Newcastle in what should be a fantasy-friendly clash. Which other match should be targeted this weekend?

Five of the six Saturday games in the Premier League will be featured on the main FanDuel slate this week. Most of the matches focus on the relegation zone, although Tottenham have a chance to clinch a Champions League spot depending on Sunday's results.

Matchweek 37
Saturday, May 5th
Tottenham at West Brom
Swansea at Bournemouth
Southampton at Everton
West Ham at Leicester
Newcastle at Watford


West Brom hosting Tottenham has the highest line on the day with Spurs being the biggest favorite as they look to ensure relegation for the Baggies. Bournemouth and Leicester are both half-goal favorites.

Both of the matches we'll talk about below still have a lot at stake with an unclear result. There is also a recent history of goals in both fixtures, so let's get to it.

Watford vs. Newcastle

Newcastle can clinch their place in the Premier League next season while Watford are in reach of the relegation zone. Five losses in the last seven is the reason Watford are still fighting for their top-flight life.

Watford should get a boost this weekend with the return of Gerard Deulofeu to the starting lineup after he made a substitute appearance on Monday. In his five appearances with Watford, Deulofeu has averaged 16.7 FanDuel points per game, which is third-best on the team. He has created at least one chance in every appearance and had a high of four against Chelsea. Deulofeu can certainly jumpstart the Watford offense and comes at a value price of $5,500.


Despite dealing with multiple injuries, the front four of Watford may all finally be the top choice with Deulofeu's return. Will Hughes should play off of Troy Deeney in the middle. Hughes is second on the team with 17.6 FanDuel points per match. Richarlison's production has slowed down, but he has shown that he can be creative from the left side of midfield.

Newcastle averages much less possession than Watford, and that trend will likely continue in this fixture unless Watford earns an early lead. In that scenario, Watford may bunker down in the second half and try to cling to the lead. Newcastle also allows nearly two more shots per game than Watford, so the healthy Watford attack should have opportunities.

Of course, neither team has a great defense, especially Watford, who have allowed the third-most goals. They have allowed 62 goals and have a -10 goal differential. Ayoze Perez is in form and the most likely to cause danger for Newcastle, but Islam Slimani may in line for a start. If he's in there, Slimani will challenge the Watford back line in the air.

There have been three total goals scored in four of the last five league matches between these teams. The odds call for two goals, with both teams scoring, although a total of three goals accounts for two of the top-five predicted results.

Leicester vs. West Ham

Both of these squads are reeling. Leicester were featured last week in this post as underdogs, and they were humbled by Crystal Palace by a score of 5-0. West Ham faced champion Manchester City and allowed four goals. West Ham played a better team, but that was the second consecutive match they allowed four goals. Given recent results, it is no surprise the heavy consensus is that both teams will score on Saturday.


West Ham earned a point in the reverse fixture, which was David Moyes' first match at home. While that match was somewhat low scoring, three of the previous five league meetings between the Foxes and West Ham have had at least three goals. Both teams have been held without a goal only once in their last six league matches.

Once again, Leicester, who are safe, are in a situation where their opponent needs this game more than they do, with West Ham sitting only three points clear of the drop zone. However, West Ham have failed to win their last five away games while conceding 16 goals in that five-game span.

West Ham will be led by their player of the year, Marko Arnautovic. He has scored in four of the last seven matches. Arnautovic is averaging 18.6 FanDuel points per match and is the clear leader of the West Ham attack, especially after the spat between Moyes and Andy Carroll.

The West Ham attack will be going against a back line that is not known for its speed. If the Hammers can pass well and switch the point of attack, they should get plenty of chances on Leicester backup keeper Ben Hamer.

The West Ham defense has no foundation to stand on, either. They have given up the most goals in the league, conceding 67 in 35 matches. They have allowed three or more goals 15 times this season. As usual, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez will be the focal points for Leicester.

Both teams can push forward, and they have spotty defensive records. Expect goals and plenty of back-and-forth play.



Douglas Smith is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Douglas Smith also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username aquemini03. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her
articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.