4 FanDuel Premier League Players to Avoid in Matchweek 38

All 20 clubs will be in action for the expanded 10-match main slate for Matchweek 38. There’s little suspense at the top or bottom of the Premier League table in the final matchweek, and some regular starters could be removed from the starting 11 while others may see limited action.

DFS players, as always, should check out injury reports and confirm starting lineups when they become available since some players may be rested.

At the top of the table, Manchester City have locked up the title and are only playing for a 100-point campaign. Three of the four Champions League spots have been decided with Liverpool needing a tie or a win against Brighton to clinch the final spot over Chelsea.

At the bottom of the table, Stoke City and West Brom have been relegated and Swansea are likely on their way to playing in the Championship next season unless they are gifted with an unlikely turn-of-events in the goal differential battle.

As with any DFS sport, it is imperative to have your players, especially the high-priced studs, live up to their price tag. When investing in any player, it is important to determine who will likely contribute in FanDuel's emphasized areas (goals, assists, and shots on target). It's also just as crucial not to overspend on players in bad matchups.

We should try to take advantage of the teams -- and players -- who play especially well either home or away, while also looking at oddsmakers' favorites and over/under totals.

With that in mind, let's take a look at four players across the entire pitch who should be avoided.

Forward

Gabriel Jesus, Manchester City

FanDuel Price: $11,000

Jesus is tied with two other forwards as the fifth-highest priced player at his position, and he has averaged 17.71 FanDuel points in 28 appearances this season. After scoring in four straight matches, Jesus has failed to place a shot on target in his last two EPL matches while averaging 7.5 FanDuel points over that span.

Manchester City are a 1.5-goal favorite over Southampton, and have an implied team total of 2.25 goals. The Citizens should be able to win the possession battle as they are the league leaders in that category, maintaining 66.5% of the possession, while the Saints maintain just 51.4% of the possession.

The Saints need only one point to secure their Premier League status for next season -- although, even with a loss they could stay up -- and will likely pack in defensively and look for limited counter opportunities to find the back of the net. The Saints are near the middle of the table against forwards but have performed better since Matchweek 30. They have allowed the ninth-fewest shots (2.31) and sixth-fewest chances created (0.94) per 90 minutes to forwards since Matchweek 30.

The Citizens are vying for the unprecedented 100-point mark, and this match could get out of hand -- which would favor Jesus. However, City rested most of their regular starters in their midweek match against Brighton and Jesus has failed to play a full 90 in two of their last three matches. If DFS players are looking to spend up at the forward position, the forwards priced above Jesus all seem to be in a better spot.

Midfielder

Christian Eriksen, Tottenham

FanDuel Price: $11,500

Eriksen is the second-highest priced midfielder on the slate, and he has averaged 26.28 FanDuel points this season. Eriksen has reached his season-long average in just one of his previous four matches while averaging a respectable 22.18 FanDuel points over that span.

However, Harry Kane clearly cares about the golden boot race, and with the Spurs securely in the Champions League next season, they may force-feed the forward with the hopes of him overtaking Mohamed Salah. After all, they have nothing more to play for. And as a 1.5-goal favorite over the Foxes, the Spurs should have goal scoring opportunities, though most of those opportunities will likely go to Kane.

The Foxes also have zero to play for -- besides maybe not allowing Kane to score four goals and win the boot -- and have recently played well against Eriksen’s position. They have allowed the sixth-fewest shots (1.17), sixth-fewest crosses (2.34) and fourth-fewest chances created (0.81) per 90 minutes to midfielders since Matchweek 30.

Eriksen has a high floor, scoring under 20 FanDuel points in just seven matches this season, but his opportunity to find the net may be limited on a day when other aspirations take priority. For large-field tournaments Eriksen should be avoided when Salah -- looking to maintain his lead spot -- is priced only $1,500 more and in a seemingly better matchup.

Defender

Leighton Baines, Everton

FanDuel Price: $6,500

After producing 12.5 FanDuel points in Matchweek 37 against Southampton, Baines’ price did not drop so he's once a defender to avoid. Averaging 15.25 FanDuel points through 21 matches, Baines has failed to reach 20 FanDuel points in his previous seven matches and has only reached that total in three matches this season.

Sunday’s match is listed as a pick 'em, and the Hammers are the slight favorite, according to the moneyline. The possession battle is basically even with the Toffees possessing the ball 46.8% of the match and the Hammers maintaining 46.2% of the possession.

Baines has recorded more than five clearances in just one match while tallying three or more statistics in any other defensive categories just seven times this season. And, this week, he faces a West Ham squad that does not relinquish a large number of defensive actions. The Hammers have allowed the ninth-fewest clearances (4.63), fifth-fewest interceptions (1.17), fourth-fewest blocked shots (0.44) and fourth-fewest tackles (1.39) per 90 minutes to defenders since Matchweek 25.

Baines always has the ability to create scoring chances, but for a defender that has not scored more than 20 points in seven straight matches, his price seems too expensive.

Goalkeeper

Loris Karius, Liverpool

FanDuel Price: $5,000

Averaging 11.58 FanDuel points this season, Karius is tied with nine other keepers as the sixth-highest priced keeper on the slate. He has reached his season-long average in four of his last five matches while keeping three clean sheets over that span.

According to the odds, the Seagulls are unlikely to score at least one goal, which is something they have failed to do in 11 away matches this season. However, they have scored at least one goal in five of their last six matches including three matches against clubs already qualified for the Champions League and if they are able to find the net, Karius will likely have a hard time providing value as Brighton have forced the fourth-fewest saves (82) from opposing keepers this season.

As usual, the keepers on the slate are all priced evenly, so you should be able to find a keeper who checks more boxes than Karius does at his price tag.