SOCCER

Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 10

Douglas Smith  —  @DFresh39 Oct 28th, 2016
Defense and midfield bring the most value to your FanDuel lineup in week 10 of the Premier League, but who are the best options?

It is a big week in the DFS soccer world, as FanDuel launched in the United States with a six-game slate for week 10 of the Premier League.

It is a week that features a lot of value in defense and the midfield but fewer options at keeper and forward. Who can help save you salary this week?

Forward

Christian Benteke, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Price: $6,200

Crystal Palace will go over looked on Saturday due in part to the hype that is following their opponent, Liverpool. The Reds are being pegged as serious title contenders with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and other front-six players finding their way into a lot of lineups each week. However, Liverpool have only kept three clean sheets in all competitions this year and two of those have come in EFL Cup action against lower-division opponents.

Palace's form has been on the decline, and one of their most consistent performers, Jason Puncheon, may miss the match this week. However, last week with Yohan Cabaye replacing Puncheon in the number 10 role, Benteke was able to get off five shots. Five is the average number of shots produced by Benteke over the last four Premier League matches.

Crystal Palace have scored in their last nine matches against Liverpool. Benteke also has the revenge factor on his side as he played for Liverpool last season and actually scored the game-winner last March against Palace. Benteke scored nine goals last season. Before joining Liverpool he had scored four times in five Premier League matches against them.

Midfield

Jesse Lingard, Manchester United

FanDuel Price: $5,100

Lingard has started three of the last four matches for United and is averaging close to 20 FanDuel points in those three games. He is getting a chance under Jose Mourinho after the manager gave up on Henrikh Mkhitaryan. With a favorable match up against Burnley this weekend, now may be the time to find the value in United's lineup.


Last week's match against Chelsea was Lingard's best defensive performance as he was credited with three tackles. Tackles are worth two points on FanDuel, so his work on defense will be a nice bonus for a player expected to contribute offensively.

Lingard was a substitute in EFL Cup action this week, which is a good indication that he will be in the starting XI on Saturday. It should be noted that Lingard has been taken off around the 65th minute in the recent games he has started. However, 20 points in 65 minutes of action is good production at this price.

Defense

Adam Smith, Bournemouth

FanDuel Price: $6,500

The Bournemouth defense as a whole is becoming more intriguing by the week. Last week they registered their third clean sheet in four matches at home. Now they travel to Middlesbrough to play a team that has failed to score more than one goal in their last eight games.

The Telegraph has Smith in their six-week form guide showing his consistency. He is also the most offensive-minded of the Cherries' defenders collecting two assists on the year and creating six chances over the last seven games. Smith has scored over 22 FanDuel points in each of the last three games.

Smith is the highest-rated defender on the Bournemouth squad over his nine appearances according to Squawka. He is averaging six defensive actions per match. That equates to blocks, interceptions, and clearances. Those actions are worth 2, 1, and 1.5 points, respectively. Squawka also has Smith with no defensive errors yet this season.

The Cherries' defense is surging, and Smith provides the best value.

Keeper

Hugo Lloris, Tottenham

FanDuel Price: $5,400

Lloris' price will likely not stay this low for long, so he might be at the height of his value. He is in net for a team that has yet to give up a goal from open play in the Premier League.


Despite just seven appearances, Lloris is tied for the league lead in clean sheets. Teammate Eric Dier says Lloris is the best in the league, and he spearheads one of the stingiest defenses in all of Europe's top-five leagues. Lloris was even named to the 30-man shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d'Or.

Tottenham will face a Leicester City team that has not had the same level of dynamism as last season and a team held scoreless by Spurs the last time they faced one another. Leicester have only scored three goals across four away fixtures.

Enjoy the Premier League slate on FanDuel and good luck this week.