SOCCER

Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 15

Douglas Smith  —  @DFresh39 Dec 9th, 2016
With only two clear favorites on the FanDuel Premier League slate, it will be tempting to stick with known commodities, but there is value available that can greatly improve your chances of winning.

There are only two clear favorites on the FanDuel slate in the Premier League this Saturday.

The tendency may be to just stick to the favorites and the big stars, but while there are some studs to target in Matchweek 15, there is still value to be found. There are players who should be avoided as well, but the matchups of teams lower in the table provide good opportunities for value plays to push your FanDuel team toward the top.

The FanDuel slate includes five fixtures that feature six of the last seven teams.

Only one matchup, Stoke City versus Arsenal, features teams in the top 10. Those teams are separated by 12 points. Before trying to fit in all the high priced Gunners, take a look at where the value is this week.

Forward

Sam Vokes, Burnley

FanDuel Price: $6,500

With Sergio Agüero suspended this weekend, the chalk pick may be Kelechi Iheanacho. He will still cost over $9,000 on FanDuel, so Vokes is a nice pivot against a team giving up over 14 shots per game. Bournemouth has also allowed 13 goals away from home, and they travel to Turf Moor this weekend.

Vokes started last week on the bench but was brought in with Burnley behind. He is the only one on the team who has scored more than once this season. Vokes also leads the team in shots per game.

Vokes failed to score in the previous two games before getting moved to the bench last week, but Burnley need to find a way to score against Bournemouth and Vokes is the only one that has shown scoring touch this season.

Away from home Bournemouth have allowed over 16 shots per game and own less than half of the possession. They have allowed 11 goals in their past five away matches, which includes a clean sheet against Stoke. That was Bournemouth's only win away from home this season.

While it will be wise to have Iheanacho, Alexis Sanchez, or Christian Benteke at one forward position this week, Vokes can provide salary relief with a great chance to rack up shots and tally against The Cherries.

Midfield

Yaya Toure, Manchester City

FanDuel Price: $6,900

There is going to be value in the Leicester City midfield this weekend, but it is highly unsettled, and they have failed to win their last five league matches. Also, the Leicester back line will be tested, and Claudio Ranieri decided not to rest Wes Morgan in their Champions League match this week.

He will be challenged this weekend despite the Agüero suspension.


Toure is tipped to come back in the squad despite coming on as a sub last weekend. Fernandinho will join Agüero on the sideline due to suspension, which opens up a spot for Toure. In his debut this season, Toure scored 46.5 FanDuel points due in part to two goals. Toure has score some very memorable goals for City and will have a chance to add to those markers.

Leicester will give Toure another chance to regain his past form as they are rated as the second-worst defensive team in the league. They give up over 14 shots per game. Leicester are a better team at home, but they have yet to gain their footing in the Premier League this season.

Defender

Damien Delaney, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Price: $4,300

Crystal Palace travel to Hull to face a team that does not have many attacking options. Couple that with Palace's return to form with a clean sheet last week and Delaney makes for an intriguing play.

Delaney played alongside Scott Dann at center back last week, and the result gives him a chance to feature again. Alan Pardew will likely not want to shake up the team too much after ending a long losing streak.

Hull is tied for the lowest number of shots per game overall and average even fewer at home. Hull is the worst-rated team in the league. They have also given up 12 goals on set pieces this season, giving Delaney a slim chance of bagging a goal.

Delaney had 50 touches in last week's match while registering 13 clearances. He also recorded two tackles on the way to scoring 20 FanDuel points. When he has been on the field, Delaney has averaged 10 defensive actions per match. With Palace feeling they have righted their wrongs last week, the match against Hull should give Delaney another chance to score well.

Keeper

Wayne Hennessey, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Price: $5,800

Hennessey gets selected for many of the same reasons Delaney makes the list. The competition does not have a formidable attack, and they have trouble finding the back of the net. Since Tom Heaton looks set to return, Hennessey is likely the cheapest starting keeper on the slate.


Last week's three-save, clean-sheet performance was Hennessey's best of the season. He will be between the pipes for the foreseeable future as Steve Mandanda rehabs a knee injury. A good result, knowing your place in the squad, and a weak opponent make for a good formula to start Hennessey.