4 FanDuel Premier League Studs to Target for Matchweek 8

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 is especially true with forwards in soccer. Not only are the top-end forwards expensive, they are the ones most likely to put the ball in the back of the net, and goals are often the difference between winning and losing in DFS.

This article will cover FanDuel's main slate, which begins Saturday at 10:00 a.m. EST and features five matches.

This slate revolves around Liverpool, and you have to decide early on how you want to handle them. As is usually the case with the Reds, there are reasons to load up on them as they are a slate-best -230 moneyline favorite at home versus Leicester City, per Soccer odd. That implies win odds of 69.7%, and no other team on the slate has win odds above 50.0%. On the flip side, Leicester are a good team and should provide a stiff challenge, even at Anfield, and if you fade Liverpool and they don't have a big day, you'll have a huge advantage on the field.

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.

Mohamed Salah, MID, Liverpool

FanDuel Price: $21

Liverpool host Leicester in the headline match of this main slate. As we touched on in the intro, the first thing you need to do this week is decide how you're handling the Reds, who are -230 home favorites -- making them by far the biggest favorite on this slate.

The Reds have 10 goals in three home league matches this season, and they finished last season with 55 goals in 19 EPL matches at Anfield. Leicester are no pushover, but oddsmakers expect the Reds to roll. Whether you're loading up on Liverpool or just dipping your toes in the water, Salah is a great option.

The Egyptian star has four goals and three assists in seven domestic league matches this season, and he's scored at least 28.0 FanDuel points on four occasions, dipping down into single digits only once. He's created 13 chances on the year and will take penalties as long as James Milner isn't on the pitch.

Sébastien Haller, FWD, West Ham

FanDuel Price: $19

Haller has been stellar this season for West Ham, who have their sights set on breaking into the top six. In his first campaign with the Hammers, Haller has looked like one of the side's best players, totaling three goals with one assist. While he hasn't scored in three matches, he's created seven chances in that span, helping both his floor and his ceiling.

Creative midfielder Manuel Lanzini is getting back to full fitness, and if he returned to the starting lineup this weekend, it would be a boost to Haller's goal-scoring chances.

West Ham are at home against Crystal Palace. The Eagles have been stingy on defense so far, giving up just six goals through seven rounds of play, four of which came at the hands of Spurs. West Ham are favorites in this one, though, listed at +100, and they're a good stacking alternative to the pricey Reds.

Gerard Deulofeu, FWD, Watford

FanDuel Price: $16

Watford isn't a team we've looked to much in this piece this season, and that's because they've been terrible, scoring just four goals in seven matches en route to a seat at the bottom of the EPL table. But this side shouldn't be this bad as they finished 11th a year ago and have some quality players.

If they're going to turn this around, the time is Saturday as they host Sheffield United, a newly promoted side. The Horners are +115 to win, making them a slight favorite in this match, and Deulofeu has slate-breaking ability when he's on. He also has a nonexistent floor, making him perfect for GPPs.

The Spaniard tapped into his ceiling in a 56.2-FanDuel-point eruption at home versus Arsenal earlier this season, creating a whopping eight chances and notching an assist. Outside of that match, however, he's created just five total chances with a single-match high of 16.3 FanDuel points, and he hasn't opened his goal account for the year.

Deulofeu and the Hornets should be able to create chances in this one, and he's a high-upside play on Saturday.

Teemu Pukki, FWD, Norwich City

FanDuel Price: $18

Outside of Liverpool, Pukki is likely to be the highest-owned player on the slate -- and for good reason. The dude has been in dazzling form in the Canaries' return to the EPL, scoring six goals with two assists. He hasn't made the net bulge in the last two weeks, but he was credited with three chances created in Matchweek 7.

At home against Aston Villa, a fellow promoted side, Norwich are slight favorites (+135). This has the makings of a fantasy-friendly clash as the two teams have combined to allow 27 goals in 14 EPL matches, with Norwich (16 goals allowed) doing the heavy lifting there. Villa have conceded seven goals in three away matches while Norwich have scored eight in three home matches. If you want to do a game stack, you can run it back with Wesley ($17), Villa's front man.