This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Leeds United
- 12:30 pm: Chelsea vs. Sheffield United
- 3:00 pm: West Ham United vs. Fulham
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Timo Werner, CHE v. SHU ($8,400): The pricing on this slate is a bit wacky, but we may as well just take advantage of it instead of complain. Chelsea are the biggest favorite with the highest implied total and no one has higher anytime goal-scorer odds than Werner, who has four goals in his last four games, including two penalties against Rennes in the Champions League on Wednesday. The penalties are important because Jorginho ($5,600, midfielder) was on the pitch for both kicks, theoretically solidifying that Werner has taken over that role. He isn't a volume shooter, so you're pretty much playing him for goals, but Chelsea should handle Sheffield United and Werner is a big part of their attack. If you want slightly cheaper exposure to potential Chelsea goals, Tammy Abraham ($7,400) could get a start up front, while Callum Hudson-Odoi ($8,000) is another option.
Jarrod Bowen, WHU v. FUL ($7,700): Bowen has a share of set pieces for the second-biggest favorite on the slate, and while he hasn't put up great fantasy stats recently, the matchup against Fulham should get him back on track. He's mostly a floor play, but there could be people who side with the upside of Sebastien Haller ($5,600), who has basically no floor but is more than $2,000 cheaper than Bowen and has the fourth-highest anytime goal scorer odds among expected starters. In fact, Haller has higher goal odds than Patrick Bamford ($8,100) and Wilfried Zaha ($9,200), who are only a few percentage points better than Bowen. If you don't want to trust West Ham for your goals, Michy Batshuayi ($5,900) isn't a bad play at home against a team that has been very up-and-down defensively, allowing one or fewer goals four times but at least three in three others.
MIDFIELDERS
Tom Cairney, FUL at WHU ($6,900): Cairney has had a fairly strong hold on Fulham's set pieces this season, and while they are away underdogs Saturday, he's proven to be a consistent fantasy scorer regardless of opponent. Of course, West Ham aren't that great anyway, so Cairney figures to continue being a strong cash-game play because of his high floor that comes from corners, chances created and fouls drawn. If you want some cheaper dead-ball opportunities, Leeds' Mateusz Klich ($6,100) has taken some recently, though he plays more of a defensive role and doesn't have nearly the set-piece share of Cairney. Unfortunately, you really need to pay for Leeds' best floor player, Jack Harrison ($7,900), who is sharing set pieces and is a very solid open-play contributor as well.
Hakim Ziyech, CHE v. SHU ($8,700): The Ziyech we all loved at Ajax hasn't transferred over to Stamford Bridge, but the matchup against Sheffield United should make him a viable option in cash games and GPPs. He has had a relatively small role on set pieces, and isn't crossing as much as he did in Holland, but given that Chelsea should have most of the possession and be on the attacking foot, Ziyech could be a popular target in cash games even though he probably makes more sense in GPPs.
Sander Berge, SHU at CHE ($3,000): Berge has scored 7.3, 4.6 and 7.6 floor points in each of the past three games, respectively, which is a pretty solid return for his Saturday price. The matchup against Chelsea isn't ideal for the fact that Berge has gotten 8.4 of those 19.5 total floor points from 12 crosses because he probably won't be sending in many against Chelsea, but it's still encouraging to see him get involved in the attack at such a low price. And if you're overly concerned about the opponent, just know that his game with 4.6 floor points was against Liverpool, and he scored from the penalty spot.
DEFENDERS
Reece James, CHE v. SHU ($5,900): James was a popular cash-game play early in the season because he had a role on set pieces, and that decreased a bit when Ben Chilwell ($6,700) debuted and then went down further when Ziyech started playing. However, his open-play crosses continue to be prolific, enough so that the salary savings from Chilwell, who may not even get that many dead-ball opportunities, is worthy of targeting in a game against the team that's allowed the fourth-most crosses this season. If you're set on set pieces, West Ham's Aaron Cresswell ($5,500) is a viable option against Fulham, though his open-play responsibilities are a bit muted because he's mostly playing as a center-back in a three-CB formation.
Arthur Masuaku, WHU v. FUL ($4,300): Masuaku's fantasy returns haven't been great this season, but a fullback against Fulham should have opportunities to move up in the attack. Having Cresswell play behind him doesn't really help Masuaku's case because the crosses can come from the former if he also moves up, but the lower price helps alleviate that, especially when considering Vladimir Coufal starts on the other side and is $500 more expensive.
Max Lowe, SHU at CHE ($2,600): Lowe's spot in the starting XI isn't guaranteed, and playing in the second game of the slate isn't helpful, but he's been a solid salary-saving option if he is in. He started at left-back or left wing-back in two of the last three games, suffering a concussion in the first one after just 19 minutes, and while the matchup against Chelsea is tough, an extremely low price for a fullback could be attractive for those in cash games and GPPs.
GOALKEEPER
Edouard Mendy, CHE v. SHU ($5,800): Mendy is the most expensive goalkeeper on the slate because Chelsea are the biggest favorite with the highest clean-sheet odds. There is always a risk with paying up for a goalkeeper because if they allow one goal then they're unlikely to make value, and that risk is probably enhanced with Mendy because Sheffield United aren't likely to pepper him with shots, especially if they get ahead early. However, his path to 10 points is strong with the win and clean sheet, and while Werner is more likely to score a goal to get his 10 points, he is also much more expensive. Paying up for Mendy means you're likely fading one of the Chelsea attackers, but his lower price makes the possibility more reasonable. If paying up isn't for you, Alphonse Areola ($4,200) is likely to be the popular cheap play because he's not facing Chelsea. Then again, plenty of people will try their luck with Aaron Ramsdale ($3,800) and hope he makes enough saves while only conceding one or two.
