FanDuel Premier League Value Plays for Matchweek 5

Value plays are often the difference on the FanDuel leaderboard. With this year's format, value plays will be priced at $12 or lower in most cases. There will be some exceptions along the way.

This article will cover FanDuel's main slate that begins Saturday at 10:00 a.m. EST.

This week is shades of last season as Sergio Aguero and Harry Kane ($24) are the most expensive players on the slate. Manchester City have three of the four highest-priced players for Matchweek 5. Three defenders are priced at $16 with Emerson, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Lewis Dunk topping the list. The highest-priced keeper is Manchester United's David De Gea ($16).

Let's look at where the value lies in Matchweek 5.

Forward/Midfielder

Ross Barkley, Chelsea ($12)

Barkley has been overshadowed at Chelsea and has been hit or miss this season. In fact, he is coming off his worst game of his three appearances this year. This will likely decrease his ownership and provide leverage against the competition. Barkley showed what he is capable of by creating five chances against Norwich in Matchweek 3. Barkley is averaging close to four shots per game as part of a three-man midfield. Chelsea are averaging 9% more possession than this week's opponent, Wolverhampton. Wolves allow over 13 shots per match and have yet to win a game this season. This is a good time to take a chance on Barkley.

Rodrigo, Manchester City ($12)

Whenever there is a Manchester City player at value pricing, they are worth the investigation. The key for Rodrigo will be creating chances for the dynamic front line. He created two chances in both of the matches in which he scored at least 16 FanDuel points this season. Last time out against Brighton, he had a season-high six tackles to go with two other defensive actions. The Spanish midfielder is known for his defensive play, but the ability to get forward against weaker opponents is what increases his value. He had his best offensive output of his career last season with Atletico Madrid. He is completing passes at over a 90% success rate, a few percentage points higher than his career average. Rodrigo should continue to have success with the ball at his feet on a Manchester City team that leads the league in possession while taking on a Norwich squad that allows 17 shots per match.

Aaron Lennon, Burnley ($10)

Lennon is not going to be highly owned and is definitely a flyer. He should play on the right side of midfield for a Burnley squad that is dealing with injuries to several of their typical starters. The match against Brighton should be a toss-up -- La Liga odds agrees -- with both teams pressing to turn around their tough start to the season. Luckily, Lennon has one of the most in-form attackers, Ashley Barnes ($19), on his side, so expect Lennon to press forward and send balls into the box hoping for a final touch.

Brighton have been outscored 6-0 in their last two matches. Do not expect Burnley to hold the ball as they like to play on the counterattack, but Lennon can be the outlet needed to start the rush.

Defenders

Joel Ward, Crystal Palace ($12)

Ward is Crystal Palace's third-best fantasy producer overall through the first month of the season. His 15.9-point average is padded mainly by clearances as he has accumulated 17. He also has 11 tackles and eight interceptions. Ward has contributed one chance created and has drawn at least one foul each match. Palace have conceded just twice through four matches, which is the best mark in the league, and have won their past two games. Palace will likely be on the back foot against Tottenham, but that should keep Ward active. The growing list of injuries for Tottenham does give Ward a better chance to join the attack.

Chris Basham, Sheffield United ($10)

Basham has been a solid contributor to the Sheffield United back-line, averaging close to 12 FanDuel points per game. Sheffield play a unique back three that is less stagnant and allows the defenders more freedom, with Basham being the jack-of-all-trades player. As such, he has contributed in many stat categories with at least a foul drawn in all but one match, two chances created, 12 clearances, six interceptions, and six tackles. Sheffield are a slight favorite in a fairly even match, but Southampton are missing some key players through injury and suspension. Sheffield also have a major advantage on aerial balls in this match. Basham should be involved on both sides of the ball as he continues his all-around play.

Jesus Vallejo, Wolverhampton ($8)

Vallejo is the wild card. He joined from Real Madrid in the summer and has not seen Premier League action, but he did help Wolves beat Torino in a Europa League playoff match. In his young career, Vallejo averages over one tackle, two interceptions, and three clearances per match. He had five defensive actions in the second leg of the playoff and looked game ready for Premier League action. Vallejo is a high-profile signing and will need to step up to turn Wolves' fortune around.

Keeper

Angus Gunn, Southampton ($11)

With the match against Sheffield expected to be even and the fact that the Blades have scored in every match, Gunn should get the chance for saves. Gunn is averaging nearly 12 points per match and had a season-high seven saves in the last match against Manchester United. Opposing keeper Dean Henderson ($10) has made just nine saves on the season. Gunn is one of three expected starting keepers priced below $12 on this slate who average at least 11 points. However, this match is the closest call in terms of odds as both Nick Pope ($12) and Vicente Guaita ($10) -- the other two who are less than $12 -- are underdogs. The top-priced keepers are more likely to finish with a clean sheet, but Gunn proved last time out that he can allow a goal and still rack up points.

Doug Smith is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Doug Smith also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username aquemini03. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.