This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Burnley
- 10:00 am: Manchester United vs. Leicester City
- 10:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, TOT v. CRY ($10,500): The most expensive player on the slate, Kane leads the line for the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, which helps him to have better anytime goal scorer odds than any other player by a decent margin. While his shot volume has been a bit down since he took eight in the opener, Kane's floor remains fairly dependent on sending balls toward goal, as he doesn't do much defensive work, doesn't draw many fouls nor send in many crosses. In fact, his price is tough to justify without a goal, but again, no player is more likely to score than Kane. A GPP fade for someone like Son Heung-Min ($9,000) or Lucas Moura ($8,000) is a possibility, and cash-game players may still consider Erik Lamela ($8,200), though he's likely only a real consideration if Christian Eriksen ($9,600, midfielder) doesn't start because it likely means he'll have a role on most set pieces. Kane's price isn't exorbitant, nor are there many players worth paying up for, so don't be surprised if he's higher owned than a normal goal-dependent forward.
Pascal Gross, BHA v. BUR ($5,900): Gross seemed to lose his starting job to Leandro Trossard ($5,800), but the latter is not expected to play because of an injury picked up while on international duty. Brighton's set pieces aren't usually a monopoly, so while Gross could be on a number of those opportunities, midfielders Solomon March ($5,500) and Aaron Mooy ($5,400) could potentially both start and poach some opportunities. However, neither are forward eligible, and there really aren't that many set-piece takers who can fill a forward spot. While they are a little more expensive, one of Burnley's Dwight McNeil ($6,600) or Johann Berg Gudmundsson ($6,800) could be solid options if they start, but both had to pull out of international duty because of injuries. If one of them starts without the other, there's little doubt they will be very popular in cash games because of a pretty decent matchup away to Brighton. Fantasy players could also tinker with the idea of playing both Gross and McNeil, for example, but then you have to remember you're going into cash games with two guys from the match with the second-lowest total while you end up fading forwards from Tottenham and Manchester United. And if you think there are goals from Brighton or Burnley, Neal Maupay ($5,700) is much cheaper than Ashley Barnes ($7,300).
Jamie Vardy, LEI at MUN ($7,400): Were you expecting a Manchester United player from this match? In fairness, Marcus Rashford ($9,900) is a fine GPP play, with Man United the second-biggest favorite on the slate, but Vardy's ability to score against anyone, including a goal at Old Trafford last season and three goals in his last two games this year, always keeps him in the conversation. Vardy's price is also significantly easier to work with than Rashford's, though the Man United forward has had a very solid shot floor through four matches. Anthony Martial ($8,700) at least offers a price break, though neither player has a reasonable enough floor without a goal for their salaries. Raul Jimenez ($7,700) and Tammy Abraham ($7,800) won't have easy matchups against each others' teams, which should probably make them fairly low-owned as well, though the match many are likely ignoring is Sheffield United v. Southampton, probably because it has the lowest total on the slate. On the plus side, at least you won't have to pay much for a possible goal from Oliver McBurnie ($5,800), Callum Robinson ($5,200), Danny Ings ($6,000) or Che Adams ($4,600).
MIDFIELDERS
Daniel James, MUN v. LEI ($7,900): Paying up for the Manchester United forwards doesn't seem optimal, but James represents a price break and a significantly higher floor. He's unlikely to have a role on set pieces, but his combination of shots, shots assisted, crosses and fouls drawn have been solid, and it doesn't hurt that he scored in three of four appearances. Leicester City's James Maddison ($8,600) is always a consideration, though his price feels a bit high away to Manchester United. He's scored double-digit floor points in all four starts this season, a run that included tough matches against Wolves at home and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, so there will still be plenty who roster him in cash games despite being the second-biggest underdog on the slate. Chelsea's Mason Mount ($7,700) is also in the range, and while he's coming off his worst match of the season, he scored at least 14.0 floor points in each of the first three games before dropping 7.1 against Sheffield United before the break. Given the lack of high-floor forwards to soak up salary, it wouldn't be surprising to see cash lineups with at least two of this group.
Christian Eriksen, TOT v. CRY ($9,600): Or you could not have those guys and go with Eriksen, who is likely to have a sizable role on set pieces for the biggest favorite on the slate. It's certainly possible to roster both Eriksen and Kane, though Eriksen's floor hasn't been nearly as consistent or high as Maddison's, Mount's or James'; but again, he's the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total. Dele Alli ($6,400) would be a decent GPP pivot if he's fit enough to start, certainly more so than someone like Moussa Sissoko ($4,600) or Harry Winks ($3,700). Eriksen's playing time has been limited early this season because he was looking for a transfer away from Spurs, but with the window now closed, he's stuck in London until at least January. His floor is definitely higher than Kane's, but the group above represent decent alternatives at lower prices, and Kane at least fills a forward spot.
Oliver Norwood, SHU v. SOU ($6,000): Norwood's role as a holding midfielder doesn't lend itself to a ton of upside, but he's taking enough set pieces and doing enough defensive work to score at least 8.9 fantasy points in all four starts this season, none of which included a goal or an assist. Luke Freeman ($5,200) has come on more of late, scoring at least 7.5 in each of the past two, and while he taken the occasional dead ball, most of those chances are going to Norwood. They are a bit overpriced for what they are, but at least they're home against a Southampton side that's generally terrible away, which makes it tough to justify James Ward-Prowse ($6,900) given his price. Ward-Prowse really isn't much of a GPP play even in good situations, and while Sofiane Boufal has played well of late, $5,500 seems pricey given their away issues. The Norwood price range also brings Luka Milivojevic ($6,200) into the conversation, though playing as the biggest underdog doesn't give much comfort to his floor or ceiling, with Wilfried Zaha ($6,300) much more interesting if Tottenham concede.
DEFENDERS
Ashley Young, MUN v. LEI ($5,400): Young is probably the pay-up defender for cash games because of his role on set pieces for a decent favorite. He's been getting more playing time in place of the injured Luke Shaw, and while Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($5,200) has been a significantly better fantasy scorer, Young will get more attention because of the set pieces. Then again, the optimal build may not include any higher-priced defender since forwards are tough to pay down for and there are midfielders worthy of their higher salaries.
George Baldock, SHU v. SOU ($4,100): Baldock is second on the team in crosses, though he's sent in all 17 from open play, whereas 15 of Norwood's 24 were from set pieces. Enda Stevens ($4,400) is slightly more expensive because he had an assist in their last game, but Baldock's increased activity should make him the call for those looking to pay down. On the other side of the pitch, Southampton's Ryan Bertrand ($4,100) or Yan Valery ($4,000) aren't bad plays, though again, Southampton away are pretty awful. Then again, Cedric Soares ($3,700) may not be that bad since he's even cheaper.
Shane Duffy, BHA v. BUR ($2,800): Duffy and fellow centerback Lewis Dunk ($2,700) haven't been as good as Dan Burn ($3,300), but they come at a discount for a match that could easily finish scoreless. The play is obviously for a random set-piece connection with Gross or March or Mooy, and the floor is really low, but Duffy and Dunk's salaries are certainly helpful for fitting in more firepower in GPP lineups, and a clean sheet is definitely in the realm of realistic possibilities.
GOALKEEPER
Kasper Schmeichel, LEI at MUN ($4,100): Schmeichel is the second-cheapest goalkeeper on the slate, but with Manchester United scoring just once in each of their past three games, forcing 10 saves over that span, it's tough to fear their attack against a defensively strong side like Leicester. Given Schmeichel's potential, it's tough to justify $5,500 for David de Gea, especially since $300 more gets you Hugo Lloris, the goalkeeper for the biggest favorite with the best clean sheet odds.
