SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 25

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester United have a favorable home clash with Watford. What other fixture can we look to for fantasy output?

Each week in the Premier League is more important than the last, and there is no exception in Matchweek 25. Of course, many of the teams have to juggle more than just domestic league action. Three teams are prepping for midweek Champions League games while eight teams have FA Cup matches next weekend. Manchester United and Southampton are prepping for the EFL Cup Final at the end of the month, and the Red Devils are also still alive in the Europa League.

Luckily, the matches this weekend are not affected by the previous midweek competitions, and FanDuel will have a seven-game slate on Saturday. The majority of the matches have a 2.5-goal over/under with only one game sitting at three goals. Three of the seven matches will be contested between teams in the top half of the table.

The featured match is at Anfield with Liverpool hosting Tottenham. Liverpool is struggling while Tottenham has only scored one goal in their last two games. Additionally, the last three times they have faced off have resulted in a total of four goals, so this fixture -- even if it should be a fun one to watch -- does not make the grade this week.

West Ham vs. West Brom

West Ham is unbeaten in their last seven home matches against West Brom. However, the Hammers are one position back of West Brom in the standings and have a minus-nine goal differential. West Ham also has bigger injury concerns with Aaron Cresswell and Andy Carroll facing fitness tests prior to the match.

Despite the injury concerns, West Ham have to be confident after winning three of their last four matches. They scored three goals in each of those wins. They will also have Mark Noble, who has scored three goals against West Brom, in the side. Noble scored a goal last weekend and is only $5,800 on FanDuel.

Part of the reason to target this match is because of the value across the board, with Noble a prime example. If Carroll cannot go then, Andre Ayew may be reinstated after his return from the Africa Cup of Nations. He is only $4,800 and could have a pivotal role in the West Ham attack. Michail Antonio and Robert Snodgrass are good options through the midfield while Winston Reid should be a good target on set pieces. Antonio is the most expensive of the three at $7,400. West Ham fans will hope that these players can make up for Carroll's potential absence.

The West Brom attack has struggled more in recent matches. They have scored four total goals in their last three Premier League games. However, they netted four goals against West Ham in the reverse fixture back in the fall. Nacer Chadli led the attack on that day and is only $5,800 for Saturday's match.


The health of Jonny Evans will determine if Chris Brunt is in the midfield or playing left back. Brunt has shown great value in the midfield as a pinpoint crosser this year. He is just $6,100, which is a nice price tag for a midfielder.

Brunt can provide the offense, but it is Claudio Yacob ($5,300) who can provide points through defensive actions. He leads the team in tackles and is cleared to play after stomach cramps last weekend. He had four tackles against West Ham in September and finished the match with 15.5 FanDuel points.

Neither of these teams have much to lose and will likely finish around mid-table, so they have no reason to play conservatively.

Manchester United vs. Watford

This match is a bit more straightforward. It is the game with a three-goal over/under, the biggest of the slate. Watford has given up 40 goals while United has allowed just 21. Watford is minus-11 in goal differential while United is plus-15. This match is also taking place at Old Trafford, so most of the signs point toward Manchester United controlling the proceedings.

United has won all three previous Premier League home matches against Watford. They are unbeaten and have three clean sheets in their last five matches in domestic league action.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba lead the line for Manchester United. They have created 27 chances for one another, the most of any duo in the league. They will both cost over $10,000 on FanDuel this weekend, but the may be worth the investment -- especially Ibra.

Watford beat United 3-1 in the reverse fixture and have won two games in a row, netting two goals in each of their last three games. In just his second appearance with the club, M'Baye Niang had a breakout game last weekend to help spur the attack. He tallied 43.75 points due in part to a goal and 3 shots on goal.


Still, Watford's possession stats are much lower than Manchester United's, so the Hornets defense should be busy. Jose Holebas and Younes Kaboul are both less than $6,000 and are the top targets on the Watford back line. Holebas had 16 FanDuel points in the reverse fixture. Kaboul comes in with six straight double-digit fantasy performances, including two games of at least 39 FanDuel points.

Check the starting lineup on Saturday as Manchester United have some injury concerns, especially along the back line. The value for United may not just be at the top of the price range.