Marcos Alonso and Kepa Arrizabalaga represent Chelsea in our last FanDuel EPL Toe Poke before the international break.
This week’s Fanduel is packed with good options from the matches in the 15:00 and 17:30 (UK time) slots as well. Saturday’s main EPL Toe Poke will be tough competition for those hoping to earn a few dollars. With a couple of current Blues and a couple former Chelsea men, we look to top the 4,790-competitor leaderboard.
FWD: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City – 12,500
If the Argentine is available, you select him. I could give you some statistics to support this decision, but do I really need to? Fine. Three goals, six chances created, and six shots on goal in three matches played. Averaging 32.3 fantasy points a match lands Aguero in the top tier of strikers for fantasy options.
FWD: Christian Benteke, Crystal Palace – 7,000
The big man for Crystal Palace has struggled to start the season. With a favorable match against Southampton Benteke will look to get off the schneid, hopefully a goal at the very least. Despite having only one win so far, Crystal Palace can create and score, averaging a goal a match and only being shutout by Liverpool. Bit of a luck play, but hopefully Southampton will roll over and let Palace run up the score.
MID: Andre Schurrle, Fulham – 7,000
The ex-Chelsea man netted a goal last week versus a Burnley that apparently cannot stop anyone. I’m looking for another break out performance against Brighton and Hove Albion. This matchup is favorable to open play and scoring, and Schurrle has a lot of players around him that can finish. Assists are more likely than goals, but take the points however you can get them.
MID: Ruben Neves, Wolves – 7,000
Neves has been steady and consistent through three matches. Chances created and goals are his strong point, although picking up four blocks last week was an unexpected surprise. West Ham are tough to gauge, as you are never sure which one will show up. Here’s to hoping they don’t bust out of their current funk.
MID: Ryan Fraser, Southampton – 7,000
Ryan Fraser has been on fire to start the season, averaging 23 fantasy points a match. Fraser is filling all the stat columns with nine chances created, 10 fouls drawn and five interceptions through three matches. Yes, I do not make a habit of picking players that will play against Chelsea (bit of a homer in that way) but Fraser’s performances through the first three have been too productive and efficient to pass up.
DEF: Marcos Alonso, Chelsea – 7,500
If you can afford it, you select Alonso. Even if you can’t, you figure out a way to afford him. He gives you points at defense that are hard to acquire. With honorable mention to Benjamin Mendy, Marcos Alonso is the fantasy king for your defensive spot. He gets forward, hits crosses when able and adds fantasy points as a free-kick taker.
DEF: Ryan Bertrand, Southampton – 6,500
As one of the few bright spots for Southampton, the ex-Blue will have his hands full against the attacking likes of Wilfried Zaha, Andros Townsend, and Christian Benteke. Bertrand likes to get forward as well, with a goal last match. The Englishman will look to build upon that performance with some attacking creativity and dig Southampton out of the bottom four.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea – 5,500
Kepa’s fantasy points have slowly declined each week. A clean sheet is in order to get back on track. Bournemouth will be a tough task to achieve the clean sheet, but even if things go wrong, he’ll hopefully make a ton of saves.
I am hoping Chelsea have so much possession that Bournemouth doesn’t have any chances to score.