SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 7

Douglas Smith  —  @DFresh39 Sep 28th, 2016
This weekend's match between Tottenham and Manchester City could produce some DFS fireworks.

The first fixture of Matchweek 7 in the Premier League is on Friday, with five matches following on Saturday. This last week before another international break concludes with four Sunday matches that feature four of the top six teams in the table.

One of the matches featuring top-six teams is a great game to target, but the first match to focus on will be contested by teams in the bottom half.

Watford vs. Bournemouth

Nine teams have hit double digits in goals scored, and not surprisingly, that includes the first eight teams in the table. Seven teams have allowed at least 10 goals. Watford is the only team on both of those lists. Also, Watford only has one clean sheet in their last 17 Premier League matches. However, they have taken points in each of their last six matches -- across all competitions -- versus Bournemouth.

Unfortunately, momentum is not on Watford's side after an uninspiring loss last week. Instead it is Bournemouth that is riding high after a 1-0 victory over previously-undefeated Everton in which Jordan Ibe and Jack Wilshere showed their talents. Regardless, both of these teams have earned seven points through six weeks of play.

Wilshere is close to playing 90 minutes, which increases his value. None of Bournemouth's front six are averaging 18 FanDuel points per game, so Wilshere becomes an intriguing option against the shaky defense of Watford. His price tag of £5.6 million is very appealing. Wilshere has a lot to prove and took a step down to a lower club to do so. He has a lot of incentive to play well.

Bournemouth also has value on defense. The shutout against Everton was a good performance that only required two saves from Artur Boruc. Steve Cook was credited for 13 clearances and recorded over 20 FanDuel points. Right back Adam Smith has been superb this year and hopes to return to the lineup after taking an elbow to the face last week.


The Bournemouth back four will be facing the unpredictable Watford offense that has scored 10 goals so far this season. The Hornets are led by Etienne Capoue, who leads the team in goals and tackles. He is averaging almost 32 FanDuel points per game. Capoue is clearly Watford's breakout star through the early part of this season.

With Watford scoring it means that Troy Deeney is always a threat. Add in that Deeney is on penalty duty and his £7.8 million salary is very appealing. Deeney is the team captain, and his manager believes he deserves an international call up.

However, Walter Mazzarri could shake up his team after the dreadful performance last week. That means the possibility of Isaac Success being named in the starting squad. Fans are calling for the Nigerian to replace Odion Ighalo. Success provided a spark in the second half of the match last week and is an even £6 million.

Bournemouth is confident, and Watford is doing some soul searching. This has the potential to be a volatile matchup with no clear favorite and an over/under of 2.5 goals. The potential to find value here is through the roof.

Tottenham vs. Manchester City

The marquee match of the weekend provides plenty of fantasy value as the top two teams in the table square off at White Hart Lane. Champions League play, injuries, and suspensions will make lineup selection interesting and provide a chance for value plays and stars alike to shine.

City has lost their last two against Spurs. These teams have combined for 22 goals in their last five fixtures at White Hart Lane. City has scored 13 of those goals, but one of their biggest engine parts in Kevin De Bruyne is sidelined. Nolito is out on a suspension as well.

For Tottenham, they will still be without Harry Kane while Danny Rose, Eric Dier, and Moussa Sissoko are game-time decisions. None of the game-time decisions made the bench for Tottenham's 1-0 Champions League victory on Tuesday.

Both teams will still have plenty of offensive fire power, and it starts with Heung-Min Son of the Spurs. Son is leading the Premier League in goal ratio and added the Champions League game winner on Tuesday. The midfielder's price tag is up to £10.5 million, but he has produced two 50-point games in his last three.


Vincent Janssen continues to offer salary relief in place of Kane. He is £6.1 million on FanDuel. Janssen has come off the pitch in the second half of the last two matches in favor of Georges-Kevin Nkoudou. Nkoudou is a midfielder on FanDuel, and Spurs switch up their formation with him in the lineup, moving Nkoudou to the flank. On the off chance he starts this week after the midweek match, Nkoudou is an intriguing option at £6 million.

City's midfield structure will be different this week with De Bruyne on the mend, and Nolito serving his ban. Leroy Sane should be the primary beneficiary. Sane is half of the cost of Raheem Sterling and possesses many of the same skills. David Silva and Ilkay Gundogan will likely round out a four-man midfield.

They will all look to supply the league's joint top goal scorer, Sergio Aguero. Aguero is still the most expensive forward on FanDuel, but no one can argue with his production. In a match that has a goal-scoring history, Aguero is a likely choice.