This article is part of our FPL Bargain Bin series.
There have always been different strategies for fantasy sports depending on which format you were playing. In head-to-head formats, you typically wanted consistency from your players. You would much rather have a player that gets you 10 points every week, as opposed to a player that would get you 15 points one week and five the next. If you were in a rotisserie league, you were less concerned with the ebb and flow of a player's performance and more concerned with their overall stat line. The strategy is all about stat accumulation rather than consistent performance.
With the emergence of daily fantasy sites, a whole new dynamic to the fantasy landscape has emerged. Daily leagues have grown in popularity rather quickly. A January article from Bloomberg News talks about how a prominent player in the daily fantasy sports industry saw their revenue increase "10-fold in the past year." It is a growing landscape that now includes daily fantasy Premier League (some also include Champions League and other European leagues).
While the overall concept remains the same (use a set budget to produce a lineup), the type of daily game you play can lead to different strategies. Most daily sites offer three types of games: multiple players where only the top few receive prize money (potentially only the top performer), multiple players competing for a spot in the top half to earn a prize, and a head-to-head format.
The format you choose to play will determine the amount of risk you should take when selecting your lineup (that is an article for another day, I'm sure you're just ready to see who are some cheap options this week). However, the idea of getting players at a bargain price will help you regardless of strategy. Getting fantasy production for a fraction of the cost of the expensive players will allow you to more-easily afford those pricey options. This remains true regardless of set-up.
While the season-long formats have player prices change based on recent form, daily sites can take into account form as well as opponent. A striker's price will fluctuate depending on if they are playing Burnley or Southampton, even if they are Mario Balotelli. Daily sites can also account for improved form at a faster pace than standard leagues. This can be seen in players like Sadio Mane. While his increase in playing time and form has seen his price rise, he still remains only the 28th most-expensive midfielder in Fantasy Premier League. Looking over at DraftKings, Mane ranks as the seventh most-expensive forward.
Scoring in these formats also plays a role. Balotelli is great example here. While he has yet to score, he still has good fantasy value in daily formats because most award points for attempted shots. His high shot and shot on target numbers combine to nearly the same value as getting an assist. This high attempt rate makes players like Balotelli and Santi Cazorla very viable daily fantasy soccer options. They can provide reliable fantasy scoring without actually scoring a goal.
These are all things to keep in mind when you play daily fantasy soccer. There has been a growing request to have the Bargain Bin become more daily soccer oriented. We will shift gears a bit and provide this for our readers. Fear not, we will still provide some standard league input. It is also important to keep in mind that most guys that are bargains in daily leagues will more than likely be bargains in the standard league.
Goalkeeper
Eldin Jakupovic at Burnley ($3,600 – DraftKings, $5.40M – Mondogoal)
Home or away, it doesn't really matter, Burnley struggle to score. The Clarets have managed just three goals in five home matches this season and are one of only two clubs to average less than a goal per home match. Also important is Burnley's low conversion rate. They find the back of the net with just 17.24 percent of their chances on target. A low number like this suggests Burnely's shot attempts are not very threatening. This can lead to a high number of saves as well as a greater chance for a clean sheet. Jakupovic should be in goal for another week for Hull City as Allan McGregor and Steve Harper continue to miss time due to injury. In his 227 minutes of league play, Jakupovic has surrendered just two goals. This despite playing Arsenal, Liverpool, and Southampton. Playing Burnley this weekend should be a walk in the park compared to his previous outings.
Notes: If you don't trust Jakupovic on the road, Fraser Forster is home against Leicester City (only one away goal all season) and is just $6.40M in Mondogoal. Adrian is home against an Aston Villa squad that will be without Christian Benteke and averages less than half a goal per away match.
FPL:Tim Krul (£4.5M) has played really well recently, allowing just one goal over the last three matches and faces West Bromwich Albion (away), Queens Park Rangers (home), West Ham United (away), and Burnley (away) in his next four. He could be a sneaky clean sheet pick this weekend while having great opportunities against QPR and Burnley. There could be some potential for earnings with Krul in season-long leagues.
Defenders
Aaron Cresswell v. Aston Villa ($3,200 – DraftKings, $5.60M – Mondogoal)
The last time Aston Villa scored in a match that did not feature Benteke was Sept. 13 against Liverpool. Benteke will not be present for Saturday's match against West Ham due to suspension, taking away one of Aston Villa's better attacking options. For their part, West Ham have been very good defensively, much of which is due to a high save percentage from their goalkeeper, Adrian. But clean sheets for goalkeepers also mean clean sheets for defenders. Cresswell has been a regular part of the Hammers' defense, playing all possible 900 minutes this season. More recently, he has been more involved in the attack, registering two assists in his last three matches. In addition, he leads all West Ham defenders in peripheral stats like completed passes and crosses. All of this makes him the most valuable of the West Ham defenders in a week where a clean sheet is likely.
Notes:Jose Fonte ($3,500 – DraftKings, $7.6M – Mondogoal) may not be contributing the offensive numbers like last season, but he anchors a Southampton defense that are great candidates for a clean sheet. In addition, he has completed over 100 more passes than any of his defensive teammates as well as 10 more interceptions. James Chester ($2,200 – DraftKings, $7.9M – Mondogoal) has completed almost 30 passes per match since being put in the starting XI a couple weeks ago. He also leads Hull City defenders in tackles and interceptions over that time and will have a good clean sheet opportunity against Burnley.
FPL:Paul Dummett (£4.1M) has attempted a shot in each of Newcastle's last six matches and faces the same schedule discussed with Krul. Both Queens Park Rangers and Burnley have allowed three goals to opposing defenders, giving Dummett some extra value over the next four matches.
Midfielders
Mohamed Diame at Burnley ($6,600 – DraftKings, $6.2M – Mondogoal)
Many expected Abel Hernandez to benefit from the Nikica Jelavic injury, however, it has been Diame that has led Hull City in goals and shot attempts since Jelavic went down. This weekend, Diame will face a Burnley squad that allow two goals per away match and allow the second-most shots on target. It all bodes well for Hull City's leading shot taker and finisher. Throw in that he also leads the Tigers in tackles and averages 22 completed passes each week, and Diame could put up top-level points this weekend.
Notes:Jesus Navas ($6,000 – DraftKings, $7.6M – Mondogoal) has eight shot attempts and nine assisted shots over his last three matches and faces a Queens Park Rangers team that has allowed the most goals and shots on target in the league this season. Adnan Januzaj ($5,900 – DraftKings, $6.7M – Mondogoal) could get some run this weekend after starting two of the last three league matches for United, and he faces a Crystal Palace defense that has allowed the third-most away goals this season.
FPL:Victor Moses (£5.5M) has been the leader of the Stoke attack and faces a very average Tottenham defense this weekend and gets Burnley at home after the international break.
Forwards
Diafra Sakho vs Aston Villa ($7,300 – DraftKings, $8.00M – MondoGoal)
Sakho is expected to return to the lineup for Saturday's match against Aston Villa after recovering from a shoulder injury. While Villa started the season hot defensively, they have struggled recently, allowing 15 goals over their last six matches. Those goals have come against strong competition, but West Ham has been impressive in their own right this season. They have been led on the attack by Sakho, who had a six-match scoring streak before he missed last week's game with the injury. That appears healed and he should be ready to continue his streak against a faltering Aston Villa squad.
Notes:Abel Hernandez ($6,800 – DraftKings, $6.90M – Mondogoal) has that great matchup against Burnley and is second on the team in shots during Jelavic's absence. Charlie Austin ($6,500 – DraftKings, $6.40M – Mondogoal) has three goals and an assist in his last three matches. He scored at Chelsea last week and picked up the assist against Liverpool, so the match against Manchester City certainly will not scare him. Plus Manchester City have had their issues on the road defensively in the past.
FPL:Harry Kane (£4.8M) could be an interesting option if he gets more playing time the next two weeks. Matches against Stoke City and Hull City could provide him with plenty of chances to score if he manages to get on the pitch.
