4 FanDuel Premier League Studs to Target for Matchweek 12

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 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 is the third week that FanDuel here in the U.S. is offering DFS for the Premier League (it was previously only available in the U.K.). This article is geared toward the U.S.-based Premier League DFS, and it is for the main slate. That slate starts at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday and features seven matches. FanDuel is also offering a three-match Sunday slate.

Forward

Romelu Lukaku, Everton

FanDuel Salary: $10,300

Lukaku is in a great spot this weekend as Everton host Swansea City. The game is one of two fixtures on the main slate with an over/under of three -- Manchester City at Crystal Palace is the other -- and Everton is a one-goal favorite.

Prior to the Toffees' last game, a 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Chelsea, Lukaku had been on fire. He had scored three goals over his last four games, and he totaled at least 25 FanDuel points in each of those four matches. When Everton scores, there's a good chance the Belgian is involved.

Swansea have conceded 21 goals in 11 games, tied for the second-most in the Premier League. They are allowing 15.5 shots per game, and they're an ideal target for DFS.

Midfielder

Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City

FanDuel Salary: $11,900

De Bruyne and City are a one-goal favorite for their road match at Crystal Palace, a fixture with an over/under of three. Manchester City's sparkling 61.1% possession rate is tops in the league, and it means their midfielders -- like De Bruyne -- will see a ton of the ball, giving them ample opportunities to rack up counting stats.

De Bruyne totaled 34.5 FanDuel points against Middlesbrough in his last match despite not scoring a goal. He's created at least three chances in seven of his last nine matches, and with City boasting an implied total of two goals, odds are he will be on the attack often in this one.

Palace are allowing the eighth-most shots per game (12.6), and they have conceded 14 goals in their last six matches.

Defender

Scott Dann, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Salary: $7,800

With City expected to control the proceedings, Crystal Palace's defenders are in a good spot for fantasy production. Dann costs a pretty penny -- he's the third-most expensive defender on the slate -- but he's easily been Palace's most productive defender.

Dann is averaging 22.3 FanDuel points per game this season. He's scored at least 13.25 FanDuel points in each match, and he's broken the 30-point barrier twice (thanks to a goal in each game). Palace will likely sit back and soak up a ton of pressure in this one, making a Dann goal unlikely, but he should accumulate defensive stats.

For the season, Dann is averaging 5.7 clearances, 2.7 interceptions and 1.3 tackles per game. In two matches against top-tier sides this year (Liverpool and Tottenham), Dann has averaged 18.0 FanDuel points. The ceiling isn't too high with Palace likely playing most of the match on the back foot, but the floor is very safe.

Goalie

Hugo Lloris, Tottenham

FanDuel Salary: $5,500

Injuries to Heurelho Gomes and Kasper Schmeichel water down the goalie options on the main slate, but Tottenham's Hugo Lloris is in a good spot to produce a useful fantasy day.

Spurs are at home against West Ham. The Hammers have some potent offensive talent and are averaging 14.5 shots per game, the ninth-most in the league. But they aren't coming through in the final third, scoring just 11 goals all year, including a meager four goals in their last six matches.

That's the perfect recipe for Lloris. The Hammers should keep him busy, but unless they break from their current run of form, West Ham are unlikely to score multiple goals.

Of course, it's worth mentioning that Tottenham have, statistically, the best defense in the Premier League, giving up six goals in 11 matches. With a 10-point bonus for a clean sheet, Lloris could have a big day, but even if he doesn't keep West Ham off the scoreboard, he could make enough saves to produce good fantasy numbers.