Chelsea players are at the front and back of our FanDuel EPL ToePoke lineup as the Premier League returns from international break.
Finally, it’s over. The dreaded first international break has ended. Every year the anticipation for the season to start is always exciting. Then after four matches, wham, a international break hits you between the eyes and we are forced to go without football again. But all that has ended and hopefully a quality lineup for FanDuel’s Saturday ToePoke will get everyone excited.
FWD: Alvaro Morata, Chelsea – 10,000
With only one decent performance fantasy-wise under his belt, it’s fair to say everyone is still waiting for Morata to bust out. He needs a two- or three-goal match, especially against teams of Cardiff City’s quality. These matches should guarantee him 20 fantasy points, but with his poor form, this selection comes with a lot of hope for Morata. I hope next week we’re not still talking about Morata finally breaking out.
FWD: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City – 12,500
As I mention every time I select Aguero, he’s available so he’s the first name on the sheet. Coming off the break and facing a team as open as Fulham, Aguero could have a field day. Manchester City should win by 3 or 4, which means there are fantasy points to go around. City rarely score multiple goals without Sergio Aguero being heavily involved, so he should bring a hefty return this week.
MID: James Maddison, Leicester City – 7,500
This midfield is packed with bang-for-buck bargains. Maddison is the creativity that replaces Riyad Mahrez, and with Bournemouth in front of them this week, it’s a pretty fair match up. Bournemouth and Leicester are both sitting in the top 10 of the table, with the same differential in goals (six for, five against). This could be an exciting end-to-end match, or it could be two teams afraid to drop points so they settle for one each.
MID: Jean-Michael Seri, Fulham – 7,500
With a goal and an assist in the last two matches, Seri is beginning to heat up and settle in that Fulham midfield. Against Manchester City this week he will have lots to do defensively, but if anyone can get a turnover and turn it into something, it’s him. It might be a bit of a stretch to expect him to do too much, but for the price, he’s too good to pass up.
MID: Kenedy, Newcastle United – 6,500
Kenedy should be motivated against an Arsenal squad that are up and down. Arsenal certainly will have tons of chances. But that will only expose how susceptible they are at the back. Newcastle showed against Chelsea they can counter and be dangerous, and that was without Kenedy. Kenedy is now back from suspension with no assists, no goals, and a missed penalty in the closing seconds versus Cardiff City. What better time to announce your presence than against a team of Arsenal’s stature.
DEF: Kyle Walker, Manchester City – 5,500
The price tag makes me wonder if I’m getting fleeced by FanDuel, like they know something no one else does. Hector Bellerin, Christopher Schindler, and Aymeric Laporte are all more expensive, yet average the same or fewer fantasy points a week than Walker. Again, the cheap price tag is shady, but getting a player of this quality and production is a no-brainer.
DEF: Simon Francis, Bournemouth – 4,500
Going to keep this simple and easy. I made my entire lineup had 4,500 in salary left, and chose the the player I felt was best for that price. I selected Francis because of who his team is facing, and because the rest were pretty dire. Sometimes FanDuel puts just the right prices to keep you from getting all the players you want, and this is a product of that sacrifice.
GK: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Chelsea – 6,000
As usual, the best selection for keeper is whoever has the best chance to get a clean sheet. If Chelsea can’t get a clean sheet against Cardiff City, then who can they shut out? Even with the likes of David Luiz on the pitch, it should be easy peasy. Or you can take the route of selecting a keeper who will face a ton of shots, like Fulham or Newcastle United will this week.
The problem there is you have to hope they only give up one goal and make 10 saves. I’d rather bank on a clean sheet – they are easier to predict.