This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Southampton
- 12:30 pm: Fulham vs. West Ham United
- 3:00 pm: Manchester United vs. Everton
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
THE CHALK
Bruno Fernandes, MU v. EVE ($10,800): Manchester United are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, and Fernandes continues to be their best attacking piece. He regained a dominant role on set pieces earlier this week in Man United's 9-0 win over Southampton, though part of that was because defender Luke Shaw ($6,700) only played 45 minutes. Fernandes is still a dominant fantasy player even without set pieces, and while we should probably throw out Tuesday's result because Southampton were down at least one man for nearly the entire match, we were reminded that Fernandes is still an excellent penalty taker. Oh, and no player on the slate has higher anytime goal scorer odds.
FORWARDS
Ademola Lookman, FUL v. WHU ($7,600): There are a decent number of floor forwards on the slate, which makes it funny that we have to pay $9,200 for Pascal Gross even against a Burnley team that gives up more crosses than any team on the slate. Lookman has had a set-piece monopoly over the past few games, though it's worth noting that Ivan Cavaleiro ($6,600) hasn't been starting. If that's the case again, Lookman should be a solid value in cash games, while GPP players will likely pivot to more goal dependent options in the price range like Anthony Martial ($7,700) and Danny Ings ($7,100).
Said Benrahma, WHU at FUL ($6,300): It seems like this will be the case on any West Ham slate when they are favored in that Benrahma probably makes the most sense in case games from a value standpoint but Jarrod Bowen ($7,800) and Michail Antonio ($8,800) are probably going to finish with more fantasy points. Bowen has a role on set pieces, which helps his floor, though Antonio's floor is also solid, and he has the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the team. Benrahma's floor comes from shots, shots assisted and some crosses, and he gets enough to make good at this price. There may be other cash-game players who pay slightly more for Burnley's Dwight McNeil ($6,900) because of his role on corners, while GPP players should flip to the other side of that game for Neal Maupay ($6,400). And for those who really embrace risk, Southampton's Takumi Minamino ($6,200) is an electric player who simply couldn't find a path to consistent minutes at Liverpool but should have no problem at Southampton.
MIDFIELDERS
Ryan Fraser, NEW v. SOU ($7,700): Fraser has been Newcastle's dominant set-piece taker over the past two games, a run that has seen him send in a ridiculous 32 crosses, leading to 10 chances created. Newcastle are slight underdogs at home, but there is every reason to believe they'll continue to utilize Fraser in this way, which should lead to one of the highest floors on the slate. Southampton are dealing with a plethora of injuries, particularly in defense, which is one reason why James Ward-Prowse ($7,900) may not be quite as interesting, though we did have 9.4 fantasy points against Manchester United while playing with only nine teammates for most of the game.
Fred, MU v. EVE ($3,400): You better believe we're going back to Fred. The ideal situation happened for Fred earlier this week against Southampton, as the Saints went down a man early and he was able to roam more forward than usual, though it actually came as he moved over to play left-back after Shaw was replaced at halftime. The heat map from SofaScore to the right accentuates just how little time he spent in the defensive half while playing as a defender for 45 minutes. That same situation is highly unlikely to happen against Everton, but we need to remember that Man United are still the biggest favorite on the slate and likely to control the game enough for Fred to provide sold value at his price. While a decent amount of his fantasy production comes from defensive stats, he's still managed to score at least 7.3 in three straight games, giving us some confidence that he'll be able to continue his solid run at a low price.
DEFENDERS
Luke Shaw, MU v. EVE ($6,700): It's getting a bit outrageous that we have to pay more for Shaw than guys like Everton's Lucas Digne ($6,600), teammate Alex Telles ($6,200) and West Ham's Aaron Cresswell ($5,800), but here we are. Shaw didn't take any set pieces in 45 minutes against Southampton earlier this week, but there's enough reason to think he'll get some in this match if he starts. Telles hasn't been used that often and could make his way back in, but given that Manchester United play in the late match, it's best to budget for Shaw and move to Telles if he's in.
Ryan Bertrand, SOU at NEW ($4,500): Bertrand has taken on some additional set pieces recently, and he now faces a Newcastle side that's allowed the third-most crosses in the Premier League this season. Southampton could also start Kayne Ramsay ($2,700) at right-back again, and while he disappointed earlier this week as a cheap fullback, remember, Southampton were down a man after only two minutes, so we can't fault the kid too much for a poor fantasy performance.
Matthew Lowton, BUR v. BHA ($3,700): Those who don't want to rely on Ramsey but still want a cheaper fullback could turn to Lowton in a reasonable matchup against Brighton. That being said, those who are willing to risk lineup rotation a bit could think about Joe Bryan ($3,800) of Fulham because he usually has a role on set pieces when he's in, though he's likely not to be in the starting XI. Of course, Fulham's Antonee Robinson ($4,800) is a very good fantasy option for those who can afford him, which also applies to Kenny Tete ($5,100), who will be compared with Vladimir Coufal ($5,200) in the same game.
GOALKEEPER
Nick Pope, BUR v. BHA ($4,200): Pope is the cheapest home goalkeeper on the slate and playing in the game with by far the lowest total. He has made at least four saves in four consecutive games, a run that included three double-digit fantasy performances despite just one clean sheet and two wins. Given that many people are unlikely to be rostering Brighton attackers, at least in cash games, there's definitely a path where Pope is the most popular goalkeeper on the slate.
