Chelsea play in the late time slot Sunday, and the Blues lead the way with four starters in Fanduel’s 11 o’clock EPL Toe Poke.
With Chelsea vs. Newcastle United and Burnley vs. Fulham, both value and luck will determine your finishing position. Points will be hard to come by, so pointless selections can be especially detrimental.
FWD: Alvaro Morata, Chelsea – 10,500
The Chelsea frontman netted a goal and two shots on goal against Arsenal. His confidence seems to be growing slowly but surely. Sarri is convinced that is all Morata is in need of. Hoping he continues to improve match by match. Also, I will say this once, options are scarce for all positions.
FWD: Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham – 9,500
The Fulham striker is averaging about 18 fantasy points a match. Taking the player who has scored Fulham’s only goal this year is a defensible, good idea. Leaving Pedro out of the selection is purely gut-based, as we’re banking on him not scoring for a third match in a row.
MID: Jorginho, Chelsea – 9,000
Jorginho is in need of a bounce-back fantasy performance this week. After only registering 7.6 points last week and 29.1 in the first match, an assist would justify the selection. Passing points will not be a problem, but without any goals, shots on goal, assists or chances created, he won’t be worth it. Look for Morata or Pedro to get on the end of some long passes from Jorginho sitting in deep midfield.
MID: Ryan Sessegnon, Fulham – 8,000
Sessegnon has been consistent, putting up 15 points in each of the first two games. Perhaps a breakout performance is in the cards this week. With the only assist coming last week and Mitrovic being the one to finish it, it’s fair to say if Fulham score against Burnley, this lineup will get the points.
MID: Aaron Lennon, Burnley – 5,500
This pick is purely based on luck. I’m praying a ball manages to bounce off Lennon’s head or leg and in and he gets credit. The sacrifice of taking an extremely cheap option to afford better ones at every other position is necessary in a contest like this, with limited teams and players available. So here’s to hoping Aaron Lennon realizes he’s a footballer and has an impact upon the match.
DEF: Jamaal Lascelles, Newcastle – 5,500
Sometimes it’s good to pick a player who may have a busy day, like a defender on a team that is outmatched. Chelsea should have the lion’s share of possession, meaning Lascelles will have lots of clearances and interceptions. With 10 clearances and five interceptions through two matches, this is a safe play at its best.
DEF: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea – 6,500
Regardless of what name you know him by, Azpilicueta / Azpi / Dave is the definition of consistency. He does a little bit of everything: passing it around, blocks, interceptions, and toss in an assist last week. If you can afford Marcos Alonso he is clearly the better fantasy option (and his hair puts him ahead of Azpi off the pitch, too). Forty or so points combined from your two defenders is an adequate expectation.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea – 5,500
Too hard to pass up Kepa, but a bit of a risk considering David Luiz will be “defending” in front of him. But without having a bead on the Burnley v. Fulham match, taking the best available keeper seem like a logical selection. Without Kenedy, Newcastle will struggle to create chances.
As long as Mr. Luiz doesn’t score on his own keeper, a clean sheet can be expected.