4 FanDuel Premier League Studs to Target for Matchweek 7

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.

This article is geared toward FanDuel's main slate, which begins at 10 a.m. EST Saturday and features six matches.

Let's get to it.

Forward

Romelu Lukaku, Manchester United

FanDuel Price: $13,000

The slate's headline match is the showdown between Manchester City and Chelsea, but from a DFS perspective, the team we want to target is Manchester United. It'll take a lot of cash, but Lukaku is in a pristine spot this week.

Only one team is more than a 0.5-goal favorite, and that team is United, who are commanding 2.0-goal favorites for their home fixture with Crystal Palace. Actually, only two other teams are favored at all, with three matches listed as pick 'ems, so, yeah, the Red Devils are going to be popular.

Lukaku will likely lead the way in ownership. The Belgian has hit the ground running in his first campaign with United, bagging six league goals in six matches and averaging 33.7 FanDuel points per game. He's added a trio of tallies in two Champions League affairs, giving him more than a goal per appearance this season.

Similar to last week's situation with Sergio Aguero, when City were colossal favorites, you can entertain the thought of fading Lukaku in large-field tourneys due to ownership concerns. If you want to traverse that path, United winger Marcus Rashford ($10,500) would be an intriguing option.

Midfielder

Eden Hazard, Chelsea

FanDuel Price: $8,000

Hazard got a late start to the year due to injury, and his price hasn't yet jumped back up to its normal level. As we touched on earlier, the City-Chelsea clash at Stamford Bridge is a huge matchup. It's listed as a pick 'em with the over/under at 2.5 goals.

Hazard ripped Manchester City to shreds in two Premier League meetings a season ago, scoring three total goals against the Citizens.

Hazard has been eased back into the team thus far, and he's yet to play a full 90 minutes, making his first start Wednesday in midweek Champions League action. But Hazard logged 82 minutes in the European win at Atletico Madrid, and he was in sparkling form, recording an assist and earning Man of the Match honors, per WhoScored.

If you can fit him in, United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan ($11,000) is a superb option, as well, but Hazard has big-time ability and is $3,000 cheaper.

Defender

Scott Dann, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Price: $6,500

Dann has an incredibly safe floor, which makes him very appealing for cash games. Palace should be under siege at Old Trafford, giving Dann plenty of opportunities to rack up defensive points.

The Eagles' defender is averaging 16.1 FanDuel points per game this year, and he's scored between 17.5 and 19.25 fantasy points in four of his last five matches. He's done it without the boost from a goal or assist, and Dann has been credited with just three chances created -- so he's all defense, all the time.

Admittedly, the ceiling isn't too high here, so if you want GPP-winning upside, look elsewhere, but Dann is a rock-solid defender in a super spot.

Goalie

Thibaut Courtois, Chelsea

FanDuel Price: $4,500

With so many matches on the slate expected to be tight battles, it makes for a tough choice in goal. David de Gea ($5,500), at home against Palace, is the best bet for a clean sheet, but the upside is nonexistent since Palace are unlikely to force him into many saves.

Courtois should be fairly busy at home against Manchester City, but Chelsea's defense is stout enough -- and Courtois is good enough -- that there's still some hope for a clean sheet, which gives the Blues' keeper some upside.

Chelsea have recorded two straight clean sheets at Stamford Bridge, and Courtois has been called on for a meager two total saves across those two matches. City, though, will surely test him. The Citizens average 19.7 shots per match, third-most in the league, and are in stunning form, outscoring their foes 20-1 in their last six matches over all competitions.

City have the quality going forward to have a field day on any keeper in the league, but with Courtois playing at home with a good defense in front of him, he could deliver a handful of saves and the coveted clean sheet if things break right.