SOCCER

Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 9

Form and favorable matchups are the keys to finding value for your Premier League FanDuel lineups in Matchweek 9.

The fixture list in Matchweek 9 in the Premier League does not feature many rivalries or top-of-the-table clashes.

However, several teams have great matchups, making more of their lineup viable options this weekend than usual. There are also several players on a great run of form across all competitions who have yet to see their price increase heavily on FanDuel.

Using form and favorable matchups as final factors in finding value will help you get out in front of the competition.

Forward

Callum Wilson, Bournemouth

Price: £7.2 million

It is generally not a great idea to target a striker against Tottenham, but this week is different. Defender Toby Alderweireld is out, and Danny Rose is in doubt as Spurs travel to Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth have won three Premier League home games in a row, allowing only one goal in that time span.


Wilson is playing a larger role now that he has shaken off lingering leg injuries. He scored 37.25 FanDuel points last week in Bournemouth's 6-1 victory thanks to a late goal. Wilson scored the previous week as well, so he will be going for three straight against a makeshift Tottenham back line. A shaky back line always ups the chances for a penalty call, and Wilson will likely be on penalty kick duty.

Last week's match was Wilson's best of the season, but he has three 30-plus FanDuel performances in his last five games. He also leads the team in shots over the last four matches. The makeshift back line of Tottenham should allow Wilson to add to his shots total and hopefully find the back of the net.

Midfield

Manuel Lanzini, West Ham

Price: £7.4 million

West Ham may have hit a turning point in the season thanks to Lanzini's game winner against Crystal Palace. It was his second goal of the season and showed that he is back to full fitness. Manager Slaven Bilic has shown confidence in Lanzini, as the 23-year-old midfielder embarks on his second year in the Premier League.


None of West Ham's forwards have scored this year, so the offense must come from the midfield. Not only did Lanzini score a goal his first time back in the starting lineup, but he also completed 90% of his passes and created 3 chances. Lanzini's passing ability was on display near the goal, as he completed 12 successful passes in the final third.

Bilic went to a 3-4-3 formation against Palace, which may help Lanzini push forward. The formation actually pushed leading goal scorer Michail Antonio to a wing-back slot. That is good news for Lanzini's goal-scoring chances, but Bilic could move away from the formation with Aaron Cresswell suspended. However, the bottom line is that Lanzini is healthy and back in the starting XI.

Defender

Marc Muniesa, Stoke City

Price: £4.5 million

The defensive portion of this post is going to have a common theme, as Stoke City has one of the best matchups this week. Hull is in the bottom four of total goal attempts over the last four game weeks. They are also in the top four for goals allowed in that time span.

Phil Bardsley is a doubt for the match this weekend, which makes Muniesa the likely replacement at right back. Muniesa came in as a straight swap when Bardsley picked up his knock last week, keeping Geoff Cameron in the midfield. Muniesa was called upon in the 74th minute and still managed 8.25 FanDuel points.

Stoke run approximately 35% of their offense down the right side. The have a generally even spread across the pitch, so Muniesa will have a chance to get forward and put in the occasional cross. As a team, Stoke are seventh in the league in crosses. Stoke will likely also be content to build from the back, but that gives easy points to Muniesa, as he should complete enough passes to tally points on FanDuel.

It is interesting to note that Stoke have been stepping in the way of shots, as they sit in third in the league in blocks.

The favorable matchup means a decent chance at a clean sheet as well. Muniesa will be the cheapest option in the back four that has played better of late. Keep in mind that if Bardsley does recover, he is only £5.7 million.

Keeper

Lee Grant, Stoke City

Price: £5.7 million

Grant has been the beneficiary of good play in front of him, as he said his teammates are putting their bodies on the line. Brought in from Derby on deadline day to cover for the injured Jack Butland, Grant helped Stoke earn their first clean sheet since March in the last game day. Butland will likely be sidelined at least into November, so Grant's place is secure as Stoke come upon a favorable string of matches.

Grant earned a man of the match award against Manchester United to help Stoke salvage a point. He worked hard to earn that award against United, but last week's shutout was only a one-save effort. An educated guess says the match against Hull will be somewhere in between those two with a chance for a second consecutive shutout.