4 FanDuel Premier League Players to Avoid in Matchweek 8

Luke Shaw, Defender, Manchester United

Salary: $6,500

Shaw is tied with four other players as the fourth-highest priced defender on the slate, and he has averaged 20.13 FanDuel points through six matches this season. There is always a chance Shaw could be rested after facing Valencia in Tuesday’s Champions League match, although he will not have to travel as both matches will be played at Old Trafford.

The Magpies have scored one or fewer goals in all seven matches this season, including being held scoreless in two-straight, and are the Premier League’s worst squad at maintaining possession (39.1%). Due to their limited time on the ball, the Magpies do not relinquish a large number of defensive actions. They have allowed the eighth-fewest clearances (4.07), eighth-fewest tackles (1.57), fourth-fewest interceptions (1.11) and second-fewest blocked shots (0.29) per 90 minutes to defenders this season while allowing the 10th-most chances created (68) and seventh-most crosses (143) to all positions.

The Red Devils are a large favorite (71.4% win probability) over Newcastle as the Magpies currently sit in the drop zone. Shaw has sent in 21 crosses and created nine chances while picking up one assist in his six starts this season and is always a threat in the attack, especially against the Magpies as the Red Devils should maintain possession fairly easily. Even with the clean-sheet bonus, however, Shaw may not see many defensive actions, which should limit his floor if he is unable to contribute on the score sheet against Newcastle, making him a risky play in all formats.