Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 37
A packed matchweek 37 in the Premier League starts on Friday. The main FanDuel slate will feature five games from Saturday’s action
| Matchweek 37 |
|---|
| Saturday, May 5th |
| Tottenham at West Brom |
| Swansea at Bournemouth |
| Southampton at Everton |
| West Ham at Leicester |
| Newcastle at Watford |
There are not a tremendous amount of high-priced players on the slate.
Harry Kane leads the way at $12,500. Only nine midfielders or forwards are priced at or above $9,000. There are seven defenders priced at the top mark of $6,500. There are 11 defenders priced just $500 cheaper. The expected starting keepers have a $1,500 range between them with Martin Dubravka dropping down to $4,000 this week.
With the lay of the land set, let’s see where the value lies.
Forward to Target
Gerard Deulofeu ($5,500) -- Deulofeu returned on Monday for a cameo appearance against Tottenham and created one chance in limited action. That continued a streak of at least one chance created in each game Deulofeu has played for Watford this season. He may be the spark that Watford need to get out of their late-season slump.
Deulofeu is unlikely to start at the front of the attack, but his speed will give him the opportunity to leak out into space when Watford go forward. It's a small sample, but Deulofeu is the top-rated Watford player, per WhoScored, and he's done that with a mere one goal. He is averaging a touch more than a shot per game and has shown that he is very comfortable on the ball.
Deulofeu also has to do his best in a short period of time to show his worth to Watford and other teams moving forward. It is clear that he is not heading back to Barcelona, so this is as much about his future as it is Watford’s finish to the season.
Midfielder to Target
Ki Sung-yueng ($6,000) -- Ki returned late from the last international break and has struggled to regain a key role in the Swansea side. However, it looks like he will get another run as the central attacking midfielder after a good effort last outing.
The match against Chelsea last weekend was his first match of 90 minutes since the middle of March. His fragmented season has led to just two goals and two assists, but his pass succession rate remains at an impressive 88.5%. The passing skill is essential for his role on the field.
Ki and and Swansea will face a team that allows close to 15 shots per game. Bournemouth also commit nearly nine fouls per game and are currently on a three-game losing streak.
There is also speculation swirling around Ki as he looks to remain in the Premier League. Swansea appears to be letting him go on a free transfer, so there is interest from other parts of the world. Regardless, Ki is getting a chance to show what he can do and must make the most of the opportunity for a Swansea team that desperately need points.
Defender to Target
Jan Bednarek ($5,000) -- Southampton are still in the relegation zone, and they are hoping that Bednarek can retain his form through the end of the season to help the team find their way out of the bottom three.
Bednarek signed last summer, but he made his debut only three weeks ago and scored. He has secured one of the three spots in the new back line for the Saints. The 22-year-old defender is averaging 5.7 clearances per match. In total, he has averaged a bit more than eight defensive actions in four appearances.
Despite the urgency at which Southampton must play, they are facing an Everton team that is on a short win streak and unbeaten in seven. Southampton also have not won at Everton since 1997. Even though Bednarek will come forward on set pieces, his fantasy appeal primarily comes from defense as he will be tested defensively throughout the game.
Keeper to Target
Asmir Begovic ($4,500) -- Bournemouth does not have good form, but their opponent is struggling mightily to score goals. Swansea have failed to score in four of their last six matches.
Ki will create and give his teammates chances, but it may likely lead to long-distance shots. Ki does like to take long shots, but that may allow Begovic to rack up the saves and pile up fantasy points even if Swansea do score a goal or two on Saturday.
Given Bournemouth's shots allowed record, Begovic should be asked to make a number of saves. Begovic has 105 saves and is in the top-five in high claims. His 19 punches are good for sixth in the league and second on the slate for expected starting keepers.
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.
