SOCCER

Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 38

Sam Vokes hopes to continue his hot form during the Premier League's last week and is one of the main values on a slate filled with it.

The conclusion of the Premier League provides a 10-game slate on FanDuel, and there is a good chance that many of the teams feature players who haven't been mainstays this season. Players that know they are leaving the team may get sentimental starts while others may take a look at younger players they hope to develop over the summer.

The likelihood of very different starting lineups means value will be easier to come by on Sunday.

As may be expected, the injury list is quite long at this time of the year. Watford will have to put a makeshift back line on the field against Manchester City, but those who start could be good value plays as they try to fend off the City attack. Leicester versus Bournemouth may be the game with the most injury concerns. Clearly, this is just another reason to be diligent about checking starting lineups on Sunday.

Let's check out the value plays that should actually see the field this weekend.

Forward

Sam Vokes, Burnley

FanDuel Price: $7,300

Not many eyes will be on Turf Moor, but Burnley will have a chance to secure 36 points at home this season in a match that means little. Opponent West Ham have not won an away match since February.


Vokes comes in virtually even with teammate Andre Gray as the top favorite to tally in this match. He has four goals in his last three matches, including a brace against West Brom. In his last match, Vokes was credited with 16 aerial duel wins and 5 shots. He has 15 shots over the last 4 matches and has drawn 7 fouls.

In their last five away games, West Ham have allowed 10 goals. They lost 4-0 in their last match and continue to deal with a plethora of injuries. This puts Vokes in a great place to continue his stellar form.

Midfield

Marten de Roon, Middlesbrough

FanDuel Price: $6,100

Middlesbrough are already relegated, but de Roon has been playing like he hopes a team in the Premier League next year picks him up. In season-long fantasy, he averaged over 18 points across his last five starts. He has five tackles, two tackles, two interceptions, and three fouls drawn in the last two matches.

De Roon and Boro face a Liverpool side that needs a win to secure a spot in the top four. Liverpool have averaged just over 58% of possession on the year, so de Roon should be busy trying to contain Philippe Coutinho and James Milner.

In the previous match against Liverpool this year, de Roon scored 22.5 points due in part to a five-tackle performance. He did find himself on the ball more than anticipated, but the majority of the points came from his 11 defensive actions.

He will have to be active on the defensive side of the ball again this weekend, but he did create two chances his last time out against Southampton. Still, this value pick is based off an expected, industrious defensive outing by the Boro midfielder.

If de Roon is not in the cards for your squad, look to Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Ki Sung-yeung, and youngsters off the Manchester United bench for value.

Defender

Kyle Naughton, Swansea City

FanDuel Price: $5,900

Naughton is at the high end of the value picks on defense this week. He is $700 more expensive than fellow Swansea outside back Martin Olsson for the match against West Brom. However, he has three games with at least 20 points in his last five matches, including a 36.5-point performance last week.


Naughton scored his first Swansea goal last week. It is unlikely that he will score again, but he has been active all over the pitch -- over the last three matches, he's complied 17 clearances, 7 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 4 fouls drawn.

Swansea is fourth in the league in crosses and might as well leave everything on the field in a game that means very little against West Brom. The Baggies are 15th in total clearances with most of them being the headed variety, so perhaps Naughton can even find an assist on a low, driven ball.

As stated, Naughton is on the higher end of value, but there are plenty of others to look at if you need to save money. West Brom's Marc Wilson is $4,800. The Southampton defense should play well against Stoke and Matt Targett, who is priced at $4,200, started the last matchday. Left back Jeffrey Schlupp is $5,400 as Crystal Palace finish up the season at home.

Keeper

Joel Pereira, Manchester United

FanDuel Price: $3,600

Jose Mourinho has already stated that many of his younger players are going to start on Sunday and mentioned Pereira will be in goal. Pereira debuted for the first team back in January in a FA Cup match after a loan spell in Portugal.


Pereira had three shutouts in eight appearances while on loan. In 15 total appearances, he has 6 clean sheets with only 17 goals conceded. He hopes to keep Crystal Palace scoreless this week in a game that means little for The Eagles as they secured their spot in the Premier League for next year.

The 20-year-old keeper is already the subject of transfer rumors, but United is supposedly in talks to sign him to a long-term deal. This week will be a great chance for him to show off his ability at one of the lowest prices on the board.