FanDuel Fantasy watch: Gary Cahill, Alvaro Morata among Chelsea quartet
By Scott Brant
With only two matches to choose from in Fanduel’s Sunday only contest, it’s slim pickings to say the least. Fewer matches means the higher-end players come at a premium price tag, with four Chelsea players justifying the cost.
Today’s entry contains four Chelsea players. It comes down to motivation: the Blues need the three points more than Liverpool, which should show up in the fantasy points. Liverpool do not necessarily need a win as they may have Champions League on the brain. Even though Chelsea players are higher priced than normal, it may be worth the risk.
Forward: Alvaro Morata (Chelsea)
As my esteemed colleague Travis Tyler mentioned in the predicted XI, Alvaro Morata is a good pick this week in what will be a counter-attacking Chelsea side. Morata is in desperate need of some form. A goal and proper shift put in will get him back in the good graces of Blues fans, and FanDuel frequenters as well. This is a tactics pick, obviously. If Morata is not selected the big Frenchman Olivier Giroud would take his palce.
Forward: Chris Wood (Burnley)
With only one goal in his last five matches, the Burnley striker is a bit a hunch. Some players score their goals in bunches, and he is due to break out. It’s a long shot against a Arsenal squad that is really only playing to send Arsene Wenger out on a high note. Petr Cech has been shaky for most of the season, and Laurent Koscielny won’t be in front of him to provide help. The Gunners will definitely concede, and Wood is a excellent choice to get it.
Midfielder: Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
The Welshman is averaging more fantasy points per match than Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane, while cheaper than both. With seven goals and seven assists, his points can come from both finishing or creating. He and Ozil should dominate possession for Arsenal. Ramsey is somewhat of a hit-or-miss fantasy option. With few comparable options price-wise, he is the best value.
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Midfielder: Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
The playmaker for Arsenal who averages a little over three chances created a match is a lock to secure 20+ points against a Burnley squad. Along with the chances created he averages over 10 completed passes a match, which would be the expected minimum for having the lion’s share of possession against the Clarets. Expect at least one assist for the German midfielder.
Midfielder: N’golo Kante (Chelsea)
Does this pick really need to be justified? The Frenchman is a high octane-powered engine in the midfield. He is second in total interceptions and third in successful tackles among midfielders. Liverpool will probably not be as sharp as normal, but Kante will still be zooming around the pitch making plays defensively. He will have his hands full in midfield, but nothing he can’t handle, producing plenty of fantasy points on the defensive end.
Defence: Gary Cahill (Chelsea)
The Blues’ current captain has been putting in some high quality shifts since being inserted back into the lineup. Cahill started against Liverpool earlier in the season, and with the circumstances being a little different this time around, he is a better option this match. It’s a safe assumption Cahill will reach double digit clearances. If only he earned points for every time he pointed at something or someone. If Cahill doesnn’t start, Antonio Rudiger is the best selection to replace the Englishman.
Defence: James Tarkowski (Burnley)
High expectations for Tarkowski this week versus Burnley. For Burnley to have a chance at getting anything from the match they will need to defend relentlessly. His points will undoubtedly come from clearances and tackles, and the longer Arsenal do not score the better Tarkowski’s fantasy numbers will be.
Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea)
This cannot be played off as anything else but hoping to get lucky. A clean sheet against Liverpool is a true long shot. With the Reds’ eyes firmly on the final against Real Madrid, Chelsea are praying for Liverpool to be dull and boring, allowing the lowest keeper this week to be the most productive. Let’s be honest, I ran out cash and only had Courtois as an option.
Next: Joe Cole stayed true to Chelsea while at Liverpool - Eden Hazard is one proof