SOCCER

Premier League: 4 FanDuel Value Plays for Matchweek 2

James McClean performed well last weekend, and he's part of a Burnley-West Brom fixture that could be a wide-open affair.

The opening slate on FanDuel for the new Premier League season produced 12 goals across the six games. Half of the featured teams failed to score a goal. With lower over/under totals this week, not many more goals should be expected.

Matchweek 2
Saturday, August 19th
Brighton at Leicester
West Brom at Burnley
West Ham at Southampton
Crystal Palace at Liverpool
Watford at Bournemouth
Arsenal at Stoke City

Let's see who can contribute and help you afford the high-priced players this weekend.

Forward

Chicharito, West Ham

FanDuel Price: $7,000

It was not a good West Ham debut for Chicharito last week as the team struggled against Manchester United. The Red Devils locked down West Ham as Chicharito played as the sole striker up top. He received very few good balls, but he was still able to hold up play when he came back toward the midfield stripe.


West Ham will still have a tough defensive test playing against Southampton this week, but the Saints are not as good of a team as last week's opponent. Many of the same back line players have returned to Southampton, a team that gave up 21 goals in 19 home matches last year. However, Virgil van Dijk is still training away from the first team as he tries to find a way out of the club.

West Ham scored three goals in this fixture at St. Mary's Stadium last season. Chicharito is this week's top bet to score for West Ham by a large margin over Marko Arnautovic. He will be hungry to open up his Premier League account.

Midfielder

James McClean, West Brom

FanDuel Price: $4,500

There is some narrative at play with the McClean pick. His second child was born earlier this week, so he may have extra motivation to perform on the pitch this weekend.

McClean tallied 23.5 FanDuel points in West Brom's opening-week match. He created two chances, but he earned the bulk of his points from seven tackles. McClean started out on the left flank in a 4-1-4-1, meaning he will be responsible for covering gaps defensively. If West Brom can maintain possession, McClean will also be responsible for supplying crosses toward Jay Rodriguez or Salomon Rondon.

West Brom at Burnley is not a sexy match, but there have been four total goals scored in each of the last four Premier League fixtures between the sides. It has been an open game with chances both ways, and we may get the same kind of affair this weekend.

Defender

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool

FanDuel Price: $5,000

Nathaniel Clyne's injury opened the door for Alexander-Arnold, and it does not look like he will relinquish the starting right-back spot anytime soon. The Liverpool and Crystal Palace match is one of the matches to target this week, and Alexander-Arnold's affordability is a big reason.


Including a Champions League playoff match, the Liverpool outside backs have been active in the attack so far this season. Alexander-Arnold tallied 25.5 FanDuel points in Matchweek 1 of the Premier League, and he netted a goal in midweek European action. That was after creating two chances for his squad last weekend. He has also shown his ability in free-kick situations.

Liverpool will continue to press at home against a Crystal Palace team that allowed three goals to Huddersfield last week. Palace is playing with a three-man back line, which will likely take some time to iron out. This should give Alexander-Arnold plenty of room to create more chances.

It should be noted that Alexander-Arnold also racked up 12 defensive actions at Watford in Matchweek 1, so he can do more than just contribute in attack.

Keeper

Petr Cech, Arsenal

FanDuel Price: $4,000

Cech and Arsenal did not have the best opening week, but they escaped with the win. Leicester only had six shots, but all three on target found the net.

Cech should rebound against a punchless Stoke squad that has been shut out in three of the last five Premier League matches against Arsenal. Stoke's lineup is also very unsettled, and a formation change may be in order after a lackluster start.

Cech made three saves in this fixture at the bet365 Stadium last season, and this low price is hard to pass up.