Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 31

It is a small slate of matches on the main FanDuel card for the Premier League as they enter the home stretch of the 2016-17 season.

Seven players on the slate cost $9,000 or more, and all but one of those players -- Jamie Vardy -- comes from the Manchester United and Everton game. FanDuel players should have little problems fitting in the players they want, especially given the value plays below.

The rest of the soccer team here at numberFire has been busy in the quick turnaround trying to help you prep for the four-game main slate. Now is time to look at value plays on a slate which does not feature many high-priced footballers.

Forward

Andre Gray, Burnley

FanDuel Price: $7,500

Gray has been largely inconsistent this year. He tends to have one or two good games and then three mediocre or subpar matches. He has scored a total of 19.5 FanDuel points over the last three matches after tallying over 50 in the match against Swansea on March 4th. If the trend continues, this is a good spot for Gray to shine.

Gray is expected to start up top with Sam Vokes as Burnley host Stoke City. Burnley have won 9 of the 15 matches played at Turf Moor this season while Stoke has won only three matches away from home. Gray has also performed better at home, scoring six of his nine goals in front of the home crowd.

Stoke has also given up 27 goals in away matches. That includes six goals conceded in the last three matches away from the bet365 Stadium.

Midfield

Jesse Lingard, Manchester United

FanDuel Price: $6,900

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is available after suspension, but Paul Pogba is doubtful. This keeps the door open for Lingard, who has played at least 80 minutes in each of the last two games. He scored a goal against MIddlesbrough on March 19th and was third on the team in touches over the weekend.

The return of Zlatan helps everyone on the field for United, especially against an Everton squad that is depleted on the back line. He gives Lingard a better target forward to aim at as he swings crosses in from the right side. Lingard has created 25 chances in 16 appearances, and that number will likely go up with Zlatan on the pitch.

With so many high-priced players on the slate coming from this match, Lingard is a good pivot who still gives you exposure to the fixture. Lingard averages close to a 90% success rate on his passing and over 50% accuracy on his shots. He has created five chances and drawn four fouls in the past two matches. His ceiling is fairly high at a good price.

Defender

Matthew Pennington, Everton

FanDuel Price: $5,200

Since it appears that the Everton back line is going to be busy, then why not rack up defensive action points with one of the cheapest starting defenders on the slate? Pennington had a great debut over the weekend, scoring Everton's lone goal in a loss to Liverpool.

phillipbupp: Matthew Pennington equalizes NBC Sport… Premier League Soccer: Liverpool vs. E… https://t.co/7svbO1azIO pic.twitter.com/SymnMBmbmt
— FanSportsClips (@FanSportsClips) April 1, 2017

Seamus Coleman and Ramiro Funes Mori are among the major injury concerns for Everton. Pennington was forced into action in the Merseyside derby to pick up the defensive responsibility. The goal was unexpected, but it allowed Pennington to score over 30 FanDuel points in his debut. He was also credited with one clearance, four interceptions, and two tackles.

If Pennington does not start in the back, Mason Holgate is also a good choice. He was played in a wing-back role in the derby. With Everton a 1-goal underdog, their backline should be busy.

Keeper

Ben Foster, West Bromwich Albion

FanDuel Price: $6,200

Foster is the cheapest of the expected starting keepers. He is fresh off his sixth clean sheet of the season as he recorded three saves against Manchester United over the weekend. He will save you a few hundred on the small slate, although keeper pricing is once again bunched together.