This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 1:00 pm: Burnley vs. Manchester City
- 1:00 pm: Fulham vs. Leicester City
- 2:30 pm: Leeds United vs. Everton
- 3:15 pm: Aston Villa vs. West Ham United
- 3:15 pm: Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. BRI (£30): Manchester City and Liverpool dominate the odds, with both sides expected to win big against Burnley and Brighton, respectively. Salah has the top goal-scoring odds and is coming off two goals against West Ham on Sunday. He currently leads the Premier League in goals (15) and will look to add to that total against a Brighton side right outside the relegation zone. Sadio Mane (£28) was unavailable against West Ham, which could be the case once more. If that happens, Divock Origi (£10) will be a popular pick due to his price, while Roberto Firmino (£23) should start and Xherdan Shaqiri (£18) offers another option. Neal Maupay (£21) has been one of Brighton's best players this season and is their best option against a Liverpool back line that's been vulnerable all season. A potential pivot from Salah is Raheem Sterling (£29), who scored over 14 points in two of his past three matches. Gabriel Jesus (£21) scored the match-winner against Sheffield United and should retain his place, especially with Sergio Aguero (£27) set to miss out.
Richarlison, EVE at LEE (£20): Leeds concede the second-most shots and most shots on goal of the 10 teams playing Wednesday. They also concede a high volume of corners won and accurate crosses, offering another avenue for Everton forwards to provide value. Richarlison's running mate, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£23) has the best odds to score behind Salah, with Aguero and Jamie Vardy (£25) both expected to miss out. Alternatively, Patrick Bamford (£27) and Raphinha (£23) have been solid throughout the season and should be able to pass late fitness tests to start.
Said Benrahma, WHU at AVL (£11): I mentioned Origi earlier, but there are a number of cheap forward options who could help you acquire more of the pricier players like Salah and Sterling. Benrahma has started the past five matches for West Ham and is barely above minimum price. He's scored at least four points in three, and while four points isn't going to take down any GPPs alone, it's enough to warrant consideration in the bargain bin. Matej Vydra (£10) and Jay Rodriguez (£10) are expected to start for Burnley with Chris Wood (£15) expected to miss out. The opponent for either isn't ideal, but it will be tough to find many other starting forwards at £10.
MIDFIELDERS
James Maddison, LEI at FUL (£21): Harvey Barnes (£27) has been getting all the plaudits lately, and that's reflected in his price. Both Barnes and Maddison have been consistent, with Maddison scoring over eight points in each of his past five matches. If you can go ahead and save the £6, I would go with Maddison. Barnes, Maddison, and Youri Tielemans (£19) have all been productive, though Tielemans doesn't quite have the floor Maddison and Barnes do.
Michail Antonio, WHU at AVL (£18): While I also like Jack Grealish (£23) in this match, I prefer Antonio for the slight price difference and his role as West Ham's target man. Antonio has taken 13 shots (five on goal) over his past four matches, while contributing two goals and an assist. Aston Villa concede the third-most shots of the 10 teams and should allow Antonio to have another serviceable match. A cheap option from this match who can get you five points is John McGinn (£13).
Yves Bissouma, BRI v. LIV (£10): Opponents facing Liverpool can expect a high number of blocks, tackles won and interceptions, which is the space where Bissouma does well. He ranks third in the Premier League in tackles won and is top 30 in interceptions. Brighton are unlikely to see much of the ball, and Bissouma will be tasked with breaking up play, which could end up in a serviceable day for the minimum-priced midfielder. For Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara (£14) is becoming more and more influential and would be my pick from the Reds' midfield.
DEFENDERS
Liam Cooper, LEE v. EVE (£18): Over his past seven matches, Cooper has scored at least 7.05 points six times. Regardless of position, you would likely take that consistency. What's even more impressive is that for a defender, Cooper has put together that production despite failing to keep a clean sheet. He's also a center-back, which means he's done it almost solely on his defensive stats, including tackles won, interceptions and blocks.
Ruben Dias, MCI v. BRN (£15): Manchester City have been an absolute fortress at the back this season, and Dias has been a main reason for that. He's quite cheap despite his recent production, as he's finished with more than nine points in eight of his past nine matches. City have the highest clean sheet odds and shouldn't have a problem dispatching a Burnley side that has scored 13 goals in 20 matches. Joao Cancelo (£18) scored a goal and provided an assist in his last start and is likely Manchester City's best attacking option from the back.
Caglar Soyuncu, LEI v. FUL (£10): Wesley Fofana (£14) appears set to miss out after picking up a hamstring injury Sunday, which should bring Soyuncu into the starting XI at center-back. Leicester City have the third-best clean sheet odds behind Manchester City and Liverpool, while Fulham have managed just 17 goals this season. This stacked slate means you'll need to make budgetary sacrifices and Soyuncu offers that option should he start.
GOALKEEPERS
Nick Pope, BRN at MCI (£14): I have two thoughts about goalkeepers on this slate: you either spend big for Ederson (£19) or Alisson Becker (£19), and bank on the clean sheet or go for a save volume in goalkeepers like Robert Sanchez (£17), Illan Meslier (£15), or Pope. As mentioned, Alisson and Ederson have the best clean sheet odds. Leeds and Burnley concede the most shots on the slate, and should see plenty of volume given their opponents. Liverpool have the second-most shots on target this season, which will keep Sanchez busy throughout.
