Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 1

The pricing on FanDuel's main slate is much less varied for the opening week of the Premier League. As players and teams develop during the season the pricing will get more varied, but there are still some value plays on the six-game main slate.

There are 11 players on the slate who cost at least $9,000. Seven of those players are forwards. Meanwhile, the most expensive defender is Marcos Alonso at $7,000. The following players can help you fit some of those appealing expensive players into your team.

Forward

Manolo Gabbiadini, Southampton

FanDuel Price: $8,000

Gabbiadini scored in the final preseason match for Southampton and hopes to keep the scoring touch going against Swansea at St. Mary's Stadium. He was on fire when he joined Southampton last season in January as he scored six times in his first four matches.

Gabbiadini's spot in the starting lineup is still not assured, but his start in the final preseason match is a good sign that he is first on the depth chart. He was in a battle with Charlie Austin for much of the summer.

Este es el gol de Gabbiadini, el segundo del Southampton. pic.twitter.com/1vp9POxbXQ
— Fotos SFC (@FotosSFC) August 5, 2017

Gabbiadini has a favorable matchup to start the season as the Saints have won six of their last eight Premier League meetings with Swansea. Odds have moved more toward Southampton on most sites, with Gabbiadini coming in as the favorite to score a goal.

Midfielder

Jack Cork, Burnley

FanDuel Price: $4,500

Cork was able to show some offensive spark in the preseason as he connected play well, especially against Shamrock Rovers. However, his inclusion here is for the defensive play that will be needed as Burnley travel to Chelsea given that Cork has been moved to a deep-lying central midfield role to help shield the backline.

Chelsea is a large favorite and are sure to see the majority of the ball. Burnley also struggled mightily on the road last year, so all signs point to a one-sided match. That means Cork will be relied on to stop the Chelsea attack, and he should rack up defensive action points.

Cork averaged 2.0 tackles, 1.9 interceptions, and 1.6 clearances per match last season with Swansea. That is on par with his career numbers over six seasons in the Premier League. He should have no trouble matching his career averages in the first game of the season.

Defender

Jairo Riedewald, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Price: $5,000

Riedewald is a versatile defender who moved from Ajax to Palace this summer. The 20-year old Dutchman was brought in on a relatively cheap deal, but he looks to have locked down a spot in a three-man back line under new manager Frank de Boer.

Riedewald made his Ajax debut during the 2013-14 season, with the 2015-16 campaign being his most successful from a numbers standpoint. He saw his playing time reduced last year, but Riedewald made the move to the Premier League. While at Ajax he averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.7 interceptions, and 1.9 clearances per game.

Riedewald has been praised for his composure on the ball, and his speed is undeniable. His pace will get him out of trouble at times and even allow him to join the attack. Riedewald has also shown good vision down the field and is not afraid to hit a long ball to spring an attack.

Palace will start the year in a very different system, but the opening match against newly promoted Huddersfield Town should help them ease into the unfamiliar territory.

Keeper

Asmir Begovic, Bournemouth

FanDuel Price: $4,000

The pricing variation on keepers is never as drastic as the rest of the players on FanDuel. A handful of top keepers will emerge while the rest stay at similar prices. Begovic is among the cheapest of the expected starters this week.

The veteran keeper came over from Chelsea to enter a competition for the top spot with Artur Boruc. As the preseason wore on, it became evident that Begovic would begin the year as a starter, and he was in goal in the final preseason match against Napoli.

Bournemouth were able to keep their core of players together, and they have strengthened their spine by signing Nathan Ake to a permanent deal. Ake and the Cherries' defense should help Begovic improve on his career numbers of 3.0 saves per match and 50 total clean sheets.

Bournemouth starts on the road against West Bromwich Albion, a team that managed only 43 goals in 38 league matches last season, putting Begovic in a sweet spot.