This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Brentford vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: Leeds United vs. Newcastle United
- 10:00 am: Manchester United vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Raphinha, LEE v. NEW ($9,900): Raphinha turned in a brilliant display last week against West Ham when he assisted seven shots and picked up an assist on his way to 19.4 fantasy points. He's still taking a slight majority of set pieces and he's been shooting a lot, too. If you eliminate the Manchester City game from a few weeks ago, he's averaging more than four shots per game in his last four. He also has penalty-kick duty, which has helped him accrue eight goals in 18 matches this season. Leeds are in a favorable spot at home to Newcastle, which cements Raphinha as the top overall target on the slate for me. Elsewhere in the top range, Jarrod Bowen ($9,500) seems a bit too expensive for an away matchup against Manchester United. It's also worth noting that he ceded corner kicks to Aaron Cresswell last week. Going forward, I'd still expect somewhat of a split, but it's worrying nonetheless. Looking cheaper, Cristiano Ronaldo ($8,000) has the highest goalscoring odds at -115. He made the wrong type of headlines when he protested an early substitution midweek. Make of that what you will, but he's considerably cheaper than he's been in some time and will be a relatively popular GPP option. If I want United exposure in tournaments, I'd rather target the less popular Mason Greenwood ($7,700) and Marcus Rashford ($7,300), both of whom scored on Wednesday. Other potential GPP targets include Daniel Podence ($6,800) and Raul Jimenez ($6,000). Both are relatively affordable and Wolves are in good form and in a decent spot against struggling Brentford.
Chris Wood, NEW at LEE ($4,600): It's never fun rostering Wood and it's even less fun writing about him most weeks, but DraftKings has refused to raise his salary. He has the second-highest goalscoring odds being Ronaldo and he's likely to be the cheapest forward on the slate. He took three shots and played 90 minutes in his first game for Newcastle and a matchup against Leeds is always a good spot, considering they've allowed 39 goals already this season, third highest in the league.
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, MU v. WHU ($8,700): Fernandes seems to have found form again. He's coming off two matches in which he's totaled two goals and two assists. He's still splitting set pieces and his +165 goal odds are better than we've seen recently. The only other option in the top range at midfield is Jack Harrison ($8,300), who's priced up after scoring a spectacular hat-trick last weekend again West Ham. Harrison makes a lot of sense in GPPs with Leeds in such a good spot at home to Newcastle, but Bruno is the clear choice for cash games.
Joao Moutinho, WOL at BRE ($5,000): There really isn't much to like at midfield, hence why I've highlighted Moutinho. You could argue that Mathias Jensen ($5,800) is a better option after he took five shots and most of the set pieces Wednesday against Manchester United. What worries me is that he only played 67 minutes and that he's lasted fewer than 70 in four of his last five starts. Moutinho is safer in cash games, but I'd rather roster Jensen in GPPs. Other tournament options include Mateusz Klich ($5,100), who has played 90 minutes in consecutive games and has 19 floor points in that span. He also has decent goal/assist equity against Newcastle if he lines up in the No. 10 role.
DEFENDERS
Rayan Ait-Nouri, WOL at BRE ($6,300): Ait-Nouri is the most expensive defender on the slate and rightfully so in my opinion, as he provides the best combination of floor and upside. He's splitting set pieces in a favorable spot against Brentford and gets forward more than Kieran Trippier ($6,000). Trippier took the majority of corners last week in his league debut for Newcastle which makes it justifiable if you prefer him over Ait-Nouri at the top. It's a very close decision. Elsewhere, Aaron Cresswell ($5,700) is back on set pieces and he's put up double-digit floor points in consecutive games. The matchup away to Man United isn't great, but it isn't prohibitive, either, as United have struggled of late.
Alex Telles, MU vs. WHU ($5,300): Telles sent in 13 crosses Wednesday as he took most of Manchester United's set pieces and he usually takes a majority when he starts alongside Bruno Fernandes. I prefer him to Trippier based on the $700 salary saving and he should be set for another full 90 with Luke Shaw ruled out again.
Ryan Fraser, NEW at LEE ($5,100): I was surprised to still see Fraser listed as a defender, but I probably shouldn't be as DraftKings is rarely diligent with these matters. Nevertheless, he's too cheap for his role as an attacking midfielder who takes a share of set pieces. His floor isn't as safe as the other top defenders as he normally gets subbed around 75 minutes, but his goal/assist upside is considerably higher. I would absolutely roster three defenders in cash games and it's more than viable in tournaments, as well.
GOALKEEPERS
Jose Sa, WOL at BRE ($4,900): Similar to last week, Sa has the best clean-sheet odds on the slate and yet he's only the third-most expensive keeper. Wolves are in good form, with three wins and three clean sheets in their last four games.
Jonas Lossl, BRE v. WOL ($4,600): Lossl actually has the second-best clean sheet odds. He's also cheaper than Sa and playing at home. The Wolves-Brentford matchup seems like the spot to target for a clean sheet as both sides struggle to score at times.
