4 FanDuel Premier League Studs to Target for Matchweek 38

As is the case when playing any sport on FanDuel, it’s imperative to hit on high-priced studs, the players in which you’ve made the biggest investment. This is especially true with strikers in soccer as goals are often the difference between winning and losing in DFS.

Let’s take a look at some high-priced players -- all across the pitch -- who, despite costing a good chunk of change, are worth the investment.

It's the final day of the season, but the Premier League is going out with a bang. As is customary, all 10 matches on the season's final day -- this Sunday -- will start at the same time, meaning we get our first full 10-game slate of the season.

The 10-game slate is going to have a big impact on the DFS landscape. The biggest -- and most obvious -- difference is that it'll be a lot easier to differentiate your lineups with basically twice as many players as usual available for team selection. It'll also be easier to find value plays with teams more apt to tinker with their starting XI if they have nothing to play for, which is the case for all but a few sides.

Let's get to it.

Forward

Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal

FanDuel Price: $12,000

There are three big home favorites, and you're going to want some exposure to each of them. Chelsea is a 2.0-goal favorite against Sunderland, Arsenal is a 1.5-goal favorite versus Everton, and Liverpool are 2.5-goal favorites for their all-important match with Middlesbrough.

Due to the circumstances, it's Arsenal and Liverpool we should feel most comfortable with, because both squads desperately need a win to secure a top-four spot. Chelsea, meanwhile, have the title wrapped up, and their only motivation is to stay in form for next week's F.A. Cup final. With that said, Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino is looking unlikely to play due to injury, which pushes us toward Sanchez.

Sanchez has been outstanding this season. His 23 goals and 10 assists make him the only Premier League player to rank among the top five in both goals and assists. His WhoScored.com rating of 7.75 is the second-best mark in the EPL, trailing only Eden Hazard.

As we touched on, the Gunners are a 1.5-goal favorite for their home date with Everton. The Toffees have nothing to play for -- locked into seventh place -- while Arsenal still have a shot at a Champions League berth thanks to their strong finishing kick. Sanchez has been a huge part of the closing run, scoring four times with one assist across the last three matches.

He put Southampton's back line in a blender and then threw them in the trash can to ignite the three-game tear.

Magnificent goal by that man Alexis Sanchez. pic.twitter.com/RnrISDSP9G
— Goals (@PremHighlightz) May 10, 2017

Sanchez is costly, but with the amount of value options that should be available, it shouldn't be too hard to fit him in.

Midfielder

Philippe Coutinho, Liverpool

FanDuel Price: $10,900

Coutinho can be volatile -- as can Liverpool's entire attack -- but he's in a sublime spot this weekend. The Reds are massive 2.5-goal home favorites as they host Boro in a game they have to win to ensure Champions League qualification. That's probably going to make Coutinho chalk, but fade him at your own risk.

In a similar must-win match at West Ham last time out, manager Jurgen Klopp deployed Coutinho in a deeper midfield role, and it went OK. Liverpool netted four goals, with Coutinho scoring twice and assisting on another on his way to 77 FanDuel points. That's the kind of upside it's going to take to pull down a large-field tourney on this huge slate.

Middlesbrough is already relegated and have nothing to play for. Typically, clubs take this chance to run out some youngsters. We'll see what Boro do, but they have allowed seven goals across their last three matches regardless. Roster Coutinho and build from there.

Defender

Phil Jagielka, Everton

FanDuel Price: $6,800

There are a few ways we could go here with top-priced defenders. If you want a high ceiling via goal-scoring opportunity, Liverpool's James Milner -- who is the slate's most expensive defender ($7,200) and takes penalties for the Reds -- is your man. If it's a safe floor you're after, that's where Jagielka comes in.

The Everton defender has safety by virtue of defensive volume, as he should be mighty busy against Arsenal. It's not like he doesn't have upside -- he did drop 44.5 FanDuel points last time out and has scored at least 40 fantasy points in four of his last seven appearances -- but he's not a great bet to get on the scoresheet in this one with Everton a decided underdog. Instead, he's in a nice spot to rack up tackles, clearances and interceptions as Arsenal go all out for the three points.

A word of warning here -- with Everton locked into seventh place, it's not a given Jagielka plays, so check the starting lineup when it's announced. The same goes for Hull City. We've gone to the Hull well often this season for high-floor defenders, and Andrea Ranocchia ($6,500) is in a great situation as they take on Tottenham. But with the Tigers relegated, there's no telling what lineup they'll roll out for the final match.

Goalie

Jordan Pickford, Sunderland

FanDuel Price: $7,200

Not much went right for Sunderland this season as the Black Cats looked like the league's worst team from the outset, and they've taken 24 points from 37 matches so far on their way to relegation. Their young keeper has been one bright spot, though.

Pikford -- as long as he's in the lineup -- should be under siege at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Sunderland rank 18th in possession (43.0%) and 19th in shots allowed per game (17.5) while the Blues are 5th in shots per match (14.9) and 1st in goals scored (80).

Pickford's chances at a clean sheet are small, even if Chelsea don't field their top starting XI, but his potential save volume is immense. It could play out a lot like his last match, when Pickford allowed 2 goals at Arsenal but still scored 34.5 FanDuel points thanks to 11 saves.