Here are some key stats to consider looking ahead to the top Premier League matches this weekend before selecting your fantasy team.
Match of the week -- Chelsea vs. Manchester United
The Premier League slate kicks off on Saturday with José Mourinho visiting his former club Chelsea. The Blues are third in the table, but level on points with Manchester City and Liverpool as the only unbeaten teams in the Premier League this season. Chelsea looks to extend their league unbeaten run through its first nine matches of a Premier League season for the third time, having also done so in their title-winning campaigns of 2005-06 and 2014-15.
With a league-leading seven goals plus three assists this season, Tier 1 midfielder Eden Hazard, towers over everyone in fantasy points this season. Although it may be tough to resist putting the Belgian in your team, this may be the week to fade him. Hazard has only found the back of the net twice in 11 career Premier League appearances against Man United.
Manchester United have struggled in its recent visits to Chelsea, going 0-1-5 (W-D-L) in its last six. United will go for its first road win at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012-13 season. To make matters worse, Chelsea concedes the fewest fantasy points to its opponents at home this season in the Premier League. However, a player that has had far more success on the road this season is Hazard's national team cohort and opponent on Saturday, Romelu Lukaku. United's Tier 1 forward could be an under-the-radar option this week on a limited number of fantasy squads as he faces his former club. All four of his Premier League goals this season have come on the road.
Huddersfield Town vs. Liverpool
Liverpool are seeking to extend their eight-match unbeaten start to the campaign as they visit a Huddersfield Town side that is one of two teams yet to score a goal at home this season. Sadio Mané is a doubt with a hand injury, but it looks like Mohamed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk will both be ready to face Huddersfield, according to reports.
Tier 1 defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Andrew Robertson and goalkeeper Alisson stand out as contenders to be picked to your team. Liverpool are unbeaten in 12 matches in all competitions against Huddersfield, winning nine and drawing three. The Reds have not conceded in the last seven fixtures against the Terriers. Huddersfield were shut out in their first four home Premier League matches this season. Only one team in Premier League history failed to score in any of their first five home matches, Everton in 1998-99.
Huddersfield have conceded 17 goals this season, tied for second most behind Fulham. They also concede the third-most fantasy points to opponents at home this season in the Premier League. This bodes well for Mohamed Salah, who has recovered from a knock he suffered with Egypt. Salah leads the league in expected goals (5.51), and although he has only scored three times, one would expect his production to catch up to the xG. Salah scored in his last visit to Huddersfield.
Only word of caution is that Liverpool tends to struggle on the road against teams that sit back and defend. Under Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool are 2-2-5 (W-D-L) in their last nine away Premier League matches against teams starting the day in the relegation zone. Liverpool are winless in the last six such matches since a 6-0 win at Aston Villa in February 2016.
Bournemouth vs. Southampton
Coming off a 4-0 road win over Watford, Bournemouth return home to face a Southampton side that is on a three-match losing streak. Bournemouth, on the other hand, are going for a third straight win. Bournemouth have won 22 points from their last 30 available in the Premier League dating back to last season with a 7-1-2 (W-D-L) record. Bournemouth are looking to win five consecutive home matches in all competitions for the first time since November 2014. Southampton has conceded the fourth-most fantasy points this season to its opponents.
Bournemouth's Tier 3 midfielder Ryan Fraser is ninth in total fantasy points in the Premier League among outfield players. The Scotsman has started in all eight matches for his club and has three goals and three assists to his name. Tier 2 forward Callum Wilson has contributed three Premier League goals and four assists for Bournemouth this season. Only Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been directly involved in more goals, with 10. His strike partner Joshua King, also a Tier 2 forward should be under consideration as he has actually slightly outscored Wilson in fantasy points this season.
The potential points are not limited to attacking options. GK Asmir Begovic could be an under the radar choice for your team. Only three teams have conceded more save points to opposing goalkeepers than Southampton this season -- Man City, Man United and Tottenham. Unlike those teams, who have been shut out twice all together, Southampton has already been shut out four times, second most in the Premier League.