This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 2:45 pm: Liverpool vs. Leicester City
- 2:45 pm: Wolverhampton vs. Arsenal
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Roberto Firmino, LIV v. LEI ($8,600): Utilizing Firmino is based solely on the assumption that neither Mohamed Salah nor Sadio Mane will be in the starting XI having just recently returned from AFCON. Salah at least has a chance to start since he's with the team, but he's had a busy and emotional last few weeks. While Diogo Jota ($10,000) has the highest odds to score on the two-game slate, I prefer to save salary with Firmino while still getting a share of the Liverpool forwards. If you want another Liverpool piece, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ($7,000) could again feature in a forward role and would make sense if you can't afford the other two starters.
Alexandre Lacazette, ARS v. WOL ($6,500): Arsenal have an implied-goal total of 1.23, so they make the most sense in the other match. Certainly stacking as many Liverpool options as possible is the best route but to save on a player like Lacazette, who has the best odds of scoring a goal for Arsenal, certainly would help build the rest of your lineup. If you want to fade Arsenal, which isn't the worst play, Wolverhampton's Raul Jimenez ($5,500) is cheaper and actually has better goalscoring odds than Lacazette, likely because he's on PKs.
MIDFIELDERS
Gabriel Martinelli, ARS v. WOL ($8,200): In his last five league starts, Martinelli has been pushing the attack from the midfield with 21 crosses (two accurate) and 11 corners to go with three goals on 16 shots (five on target). His floor per 90 minutes is also pretty solid at 10.38 fantasy points, which is the same as Mohamed Salah. Bukayo Saka ($8,800) will likely continue to be the primary option on free-kicks, but he and Martinelli have swapped roles of late and either one could be on the majority of them with Martin Odegaard ($7,500) being sprinkled in.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, LIV v. LEI ($7,000): If you didn't want to utilize the Liverpool man at forward, you can get another kick at the can thanks to his dual-positional eligibility on DraftKings. In three matches this season in which he's filled a forward role, he has generated two goals on six shots (two on target), though he tends to launch fewer crosses in this position, making him much more goal-dependent and more of a GPP option. If you are looking for the contrarian play to fade the Reds, James Maddison ($8,000) is almost a lock to include in the lineup. Considering he has an 11.44 floor per 90 minutes, second-highest on the slate behind Trent Alexander-Arnold (14.00 points), he might be worth getting a share even with a heavy Liverpool stack. Of course, you'll have to save money somewhere, as well, which puts players like Curtis Jones ($4,700) and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall ($3,500) in consideration because of price. Harvey Elliott ($4,000) would also be intriguing if in the XI.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. LEI ($9,000): As mentioned above, Alexander-Arnold has a ridiculously high floor per 90 minutes at 14.00 which is well above the next closest option. His floor combined with upside (two goals, 10 assists), makes him a lock in cash games and still keeps him relevant in GPPs for a two-game slate, even though he's $1,800 above the next defender. If you don't want to pay that price, Andrew Robertson ($7,200) is a nice pivot and has put in similar performances to Alexader-Arnold in recent contests.
Kieran Tierney, ARS v. WOL ($5,300): Behind Bukayo Saka, Tierney is second on the team in crosses with 55 and doesn't cost anywhere near the top defensive options. Again, if you want to fade Arsenal and give Wolves a look, Rayan Ait-Nouri ($5,700) is slightly more expensive but is home and more likely to take a couple set pieces.
Rob Holding, ARS v. BUR ($2,800): If you want to go full clean sheet hunting, you might as well pay all the way down for Holding. Arsenal have been solid in the back this season, while Wolves have scored a meager 19 goals, third fewest in the league. As a center-back, Holding doesn't offer much in the way of fantasy value outside of securing a clean sheet. Liverpool have the highest clean-sheet percentage at 44.91, so you could consider Joel Matip ($3,900), though you'll have to pay significantly more unless Ibrahima Konate ($3,000) starts instead.
GOALKEEPERS
Alisson, LIV v. LEI ($5,900): In addition to being the most likely goalkeeper to secure a clean sheet, the Foxes actually have generated some offense this year, so Alisson could certainly face some shots which may justify paying up the extra $900 compared to Aaron Ramsdale ($5,000). Given the aforementioned struggles for Wolves, Ramsdale will likely be clean-sheet dependent to offer enough value.
Kasper Schmeichel, LEI v. LIV. ($3,600): If Schmeichel can limit the number of shots that actually end up in the net, he will certainly provide solid value given the amount of pressure he should face in this contest. Of note, Leicester held Liverpool scoreless in their last meeting and that was with a full strength Salah and Mane. Schmeichel isn't safe but crazier things have happened.
