This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, please check out the Fantasy Premier League Sunday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
8:30 a.m: Everton v. Manchester City
11:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Liverpool
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Maarten Stekelenburg, EVE v. MCI ($4,100): As you'll find out throughout these picks, it's difficult to find value on this small two-match slate. After training all week, it looks like the Dutch shot stopper is ready to return to the starting XI for the first time since injuring his thigh in the Merseyside Derby. Stekelenburg played hero in Everton's last match with City, stopping seven shots, including two penalty saves. His heroics will once again be needed if Everton are going to stick around in this match.
DEFENDER
James Milner, LIV at MUN ($7,000): Liverpool fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief now that Milner has returned from a small calf injury that forced him off at halftime of Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Sunderland. That means Alberto Moreno will stay on the bench, where he belongs. Milner's value rises if Jordan Henderson is unable to feature because of an ongoing heel injury because he'll take all corners.
Leighton Baines, EVE v. MCI ($4,600): Baines has been hit-or-miss throughout the season, with most of his value coming from his role as Everton's penalty taker. He'll knock in a few crosses, win some tackles, but for the most part, it's all about penalties for Baines. He also comes as the third most-expensive defender in this slate.
Daley Blind, MUN at LIV ($4,300): It's a toss-up between Blind and Matteo Darmian for who will start at left-back. The two have been alternating starts throughout the season, making it another guessing game for Sunday's match. The reason I went with Blind is the consistency that he's shown in his last four matches, scoring at least eight fantasy points in each appearance, and he whipped in a season-high 11 crosses in his last match against Middlesbrough.
MIDFIELDER
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at EVE ($9,800): After overcoming an illness earlier in the week, De Bruyne is ready to feature Sunday. He is this slate's most expensive player because of his playmaking role in a dangerous Manchester City attack. He leads the Premier League in assists and could keep that going against an overmatched Everton side.
Philippe Coutinho, LIV at MUN ($7,900): Fantasy players will need to keep an eye on lineups to see whether or not Coutinho is in the starting XI after he played 29 minutes in Liverpool's 1-0 EFL Cup loss during the midweek. In the previous meeting between the two clubs, Coutinho provided the only moment of magic, forcing David de Gea into a full extension save after hitting a curling, long-range effort. In the the last four meetings between these two clubs, there have been just five goals. Here's to hoping for some more.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, MUN v. LIV ($6,700): December's Premier League Goal of the Month Award winner is back for more. His phenomenal scorpion kick goal gave him fresh accolades in a season where he's been gaining steam after a disappointing start. Mkhitaryan has scored at least 10 fantasy points in six of his last seven performances, as he's become one of the main supply lines for the on-fire Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
FORWARD
Sergio Aguero, MCI at EVE ($9,200): Aguero was forced to miss much of December because of suspension, but he returned to goal-scoring form in a substitute appearance against Burnley to ring in the new year. The Argentine has been especially prolific this season, scoring 15 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. It's tough to ignore that type of production, especially on such a small slate.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN at LIV ($8,100): Zlatan is a machine, I'm convinced. When researching for this article I typically look at when players have scored. When researching Zlatan, I look up when he hasn't scored. Ibrahimovic has scored or assisted in nine of his 10 last appearances and should be in your lineup.
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. MCI ($6,900): If you're looking for an alternative option to Aguero and Ibrahimovic, Lukaku is it. Liverpool's attack is arguably much more dangerous than Everton's, but it also makes it difficult to bank on one particular player to score consistently. Lukaku is clearly Everton's best attacking piece, which could improve with the recent addition of Morgan Schneiderlin.
