This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Leeds United
- 3:00 pm: West Bromwich Albion vs. Sheffield United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
James Rodriguez, EVE v. LEE ($9,300): Rodriguez is expected to have a dominant role on set pieces now that Lucas Digne has been ruled out with an ankle injury, and with Everton having the second-highest implied goal total, he figures to be very popular. Teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($10,000) has seen his price really soar as the league's leading goal-scorer, but the availability of Richarlison ($8,400) for a decent amount less could make Calvert-Lewin more of a differential play (in GPPs, of course). Calvert-Lewin does have the second-highest anytime goal scorer odds among expected starters, though they're certainly not high enough for cash games given he's more expensive than any Manchester City forward.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. BUR ($7,800): Mahrez only played 14 minutes off the bench against Olympiacos earlier this week, so he could move back into the starting XI in a game Man City are huge favorites in. His share of set pieces isn't great if Kevin De Bruyne starts, but he still does more than enough in open play to justify consideration in cash games and GPPs. Sergio Aguero ($6,100) could be one of the most popular players if he starts because of his low price and highest anytime goal scorer odds, though it seems more likely Gabriel Jesus ($8,600) gets the call. Given Jesus' relatively modest floor, he's unlikely to be popular in cash games, mostly because you can get Mahrez or Raheem Sterling ($7,100) for cheaper.
Rodrigo, LEE at EVE ($5,700): Rodrigo's spot in the starting XI has been pretty fluid this season, but at least Leeds are playing in the second match of the day and not the last, so we'll have plenty of time to pivot if he's not in. He won't have a role on set pieces, but he's still a solid attacker, taking at least three shots and creating two chances in each of his last five Premier League appearances, a span that included only two starts. For a game that could be very open, Rodrigo provides a solid option at a relatively reduced price.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. BUR ($10,200): De Bruyne is likely to be one of the two-most popular players in cash games (James Rodriguez is the other) because of his big role on set pieces for the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total. There's really not much to say other than De Bruyne is their best chance creator and could still have his role on penalties. Fading him in cash games seems unnecessary because of the other potential options, though in tournaments you're just hoping the other guys around him score and he doesn't get on the score-sheet himself. Manchester City could actually offer a cost-saving option too, as Ferran Torres ($5,500) could start in the front three and present a significant discount given he could have the fifth or sixth-highest anytime goal scorer odds among starters.
Mateusz Klich, LEE at EVE ($6,700): The Leeds set-piece situation is a bit messy, but Klich has gotten a share recently and would be an attractive option even at a somewhat elevated price. Kalvin Phillips ($6,400) probably would be a big cash-game consideration if he had a monopoly of set pieces, with the negative being that he's more of a defensive midfielder. Klich is much more of an attacking threat in open play, which is why he's slightly more expensive, but in a game that could be very open, he makes plenty of sense. Teammate Jack Harrison ($7,900) has been their most consistent fantasy scorer, but his price is too high for floor alone.
Alex Iwobi, EVE v. LEE ($3,400): Iwobi lined up as a right wing-back last week, and his price is simply way too low if he has that spot again. He sent in five crosses en route to 7.3 fantasy points, and given how open Leeds like to play, he should be able to attack in this one too. If he doesn't get the start, fantasy players could be more interested in John Fleck ($5,500), at least in cash games, because he is likely to take some set pieces for Sheffield United, though he's not overly exciting in the game with the lowest implied goal total.
DEFENDERS
Niels Nkounkou, EVE v. LEE ($2,500): While Iwobi is a very cheap wing-back option, Nkounkou is an even cheaper one if he starts in place of the injured Lucas Digne (ankle). Nkounkou has only started one game in the Premier League this season, finishing with 5.2 fantasy points in 69 minutes against Newcastle, and that kind of return would be perfectly fine given his price. If Nkounkou or Iwobi doesn't start, we could get Jonjoe Kenny ($3,400) at a pretty reasonable price as a true fullback, while Ben Godfrey ($3,000) would be a playing as an out-of-position center-back.
Max Lowe, SHU at WBA ($3,800): There are a number of lower-priced defenders who are perfectly playable in cash games and GPPs, including Lowe, who is coming off a solid outing against West Ham when he had 10.7 floor points thanks, in part, to six crosses and four tackles won. The matchup against West Brom is certainly not a negative, and he even has some clean sheet equity given it's the game with the lowest implied total. Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy ($3,800) could also be a cheap path to the side, though after playing a full 90 against Olympiacos, it seems more like Joao Cancelo ($6,200) reclaims the starting left-back job.
Darnell Furlong, WBA v. SHU ($4,900): There could be plenty of crosses in this game, as Sheffield United and West Brom allow the most and second-most crosses per game among teams on the slate. Despite no role on set pieces, Furlong has been West Brom's most prolific crosser this season, and if you're in a salary range that allows for more money at defender, he makes sense over Conor Townsend ($4,500). You could also make viable arguments for the Leeds defenders, Luke Ayling ($5,300) and Stuart Dallas ($5,500), who should be compared to guys like Fleck in terms of salary. Ezgjan Alioski ($4,700) could also get a start out wide for Leeds and certainly looks more attractive at a lower salary.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson, MCI v. BUR ($5,900): This isn't a slate where people will prioritize goalkeeper, but it's worth recognizing that Jesus is the only player on the slate with anytime goal scorer odds (54.55 percent) better than Ederson's clean-sheet chances (53.97 percent). Obviously Ederson's floor is extremely low if he does allow a goal, while Jesus could score 10 points without one, but the odds are in favor of Ederson, who obviously costs much less than a Man City forward. If paying up isn't your thing, Aaron Ramsdale ($4,600) seems like he could be popular because he's the cheaper goalkeeper in the game with by far the lowest total. And, of course, if you want maximum salary relief, Burnley will be starting Bailey Peacock-Farrell ($3,500) this week in place of the injured Nick Pope (head).
