This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Manchester City
- 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Arsenal
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Fulham
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Willian, ARS at EVE ($7,200): Willian did not play during Wednesday's draw with Southampton, so the expectation is that he'll be back in the starting XI against Everton. He takes a majority of set pieces for Arsenal and sent in 30 crosses in his last two starts. He's actually slightly more expensive than Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($7,000), who scored Wednesday and has the seventh-highest anytime goal scorer odds among expected starters. There aren't many good floor forwards on the slate, so Willian figures to be very popular in cash games because of his role.
Sergio Aguero, MCI at SOU ($6,700): Aguero has played off the bench in two of the last three games as he works his way back from yet another injury, but with Gabriel Jesus ($7,900) struggling to do much, Aguero could get a start. Ninety minutes is likely asking too much, especially since Jesus is available, but no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Aguero, who could lead the line for the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total. If Aguero doesn't start, Riyad Mahrez ($9,100) is a viable option in cash games and GPPs because Manchester City are favored, but it's a sizable salary outlay when there are a few midfielders worth targeting.
Ivan Cavaleiro, FUL at NEW ($6,900): Cavaleiro has been a mainstay in the Fulham starting XI, but he could be rested Saturday because Aleksandar Mitrovic ($6,800) is fit again. That being said, Fulham could start both, and Mitrovic's presence could open up Fulham's crossing opportunities against a Newcastle side that's allowed the seventh-most crosses and second-most shots in the Premier League this season, including the most among teams on the slate. Cavaleiro's role on set pieces recently should make him a solid play in cash games, though GPP players who want to fade Manchester City should probably focus on the Everton attackers, with Richarlison ($8,300) having a much safer floor than Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($7,400), though the latter could have the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate if Aguero doesn't play.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at SOU ($11,100): De Bruyne takes set pieces for the biggest favorite, and he's the most expensive player on the slate because only three players in the league average more fantasy points per match (Jack Grealish, Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane) and only one averages more floor points per game (Grealish). He will certainly be the most popular player in cash games, but he also has plenty of upside of tournaments.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. ARS ($7,100): With James Rodriguez ($9,900) expected to miss out again, Sigurdsson should continue to dominate set pieces for Everton, who are favored at home against Arsenal. He has one of the firmest floors on the slate because of that role on dead balls, and his upside is solid because he's their designated penalty taker, which we saw come to fruition last weekend against Leicester City. If you are intrigued by Everton attackers against Arsenal, Alex Iwobi ($4,600) has been a very solid contributor lately, sending in 22 crosses in the past three games. The combination of De Bruyne and Sigurdsson figures to be popular, even for those who try to pay up at both forward spots, though it seems like a decent combination to break up in GPPs for leverage.
Ryan Fraser, NEW v. FUL ($6,600): The Newcastle set-piece situation is cloudy, as Fraser was able to take some of the opportunities during their midweek match against Leeds, but that was mostly because Matt Ritchie ($8,000) and Jonjo Shelvey ($6,000) didn't play. Either of their returns likely pushes Fraser out of set pieces, particularly Ritchie because he likely pushes Fraser to the bench. The price range is a little tough because guys like Ferran Torres ($6,300) and Bernardo Silva ($6,400) are playing for the biggest favorite, but their upsides aren't that great and Fraser surely has a higher floor. If Fraser is out, Shelvey still makes for a reasonable play, though Ritchie seems pretty over-priced even against a side that's conceded the second-most crosses among teams on the slate.
DEFENDERS
Benjamin Mendy, MCI at SOU ($4,300): Mendy could be popular because fantasy players think they're getting a deal with an attacking fullback for a good attacking team, though he strangely has a center-back's floor when you really dive into it. If anything, Newcastle's Jamal Lewis ($4,200) might be a more worthwhile option, or potentially Kieran Tierney ($4,500) even though he had a terrible game against Southampton last time out, which we can try to explain away due to an Arsenal red card.
Yerry Mina, EVE v. ARS ($2,700): A dearth of impact defenders could have many fantasy players looking at center-backs, even in cash games, and Mina provides some pretty decent salary savings for a player who took two shots in each of the past two games and won four tackles in the match before that. We could see heavy rotation throughout the day, so there may be even cheaper options, but Mina is at least a consistent starter who is a big target in the box on set pieces (and therefore a pretty ideal stacking player with Sigurdsson).
GOALKEEPERS
Alex McCarthy, SOU v. MCI ($3,900): McCarthy has scored at least 6.0 fantasy points in nine of 13 starts this season, including seven with at least 10.0. He's the cheapest goalkeeper on the slate because he's the biggest underdog, but there are still plenty of people who will play him because he's home and provides the most salary savings. If you do have some more money to spend, it seems likely that people will go for Alphonse Areola ($4,700) or Karl Darlow ($4,900) because they're playing in the game with the lowest implied goal total.
