This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Boxing Day Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Leicester City
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Chelsea v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. Stoke City
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Swansea City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARDS
Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. SWA ($11,100): Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are the three dominant favorites on the slate, and Coutinho has the highest fantasy floor among those teams' forwards. He doesn't take every free kick, as teammate Mohamed Salah ($11,200) poaches a few, and both have shown excellent upside for GPPs. Pairing the two makes the rest of your fantasy lineup a bit rough, but it's a strategy some will certainly consider.
Alvaro Morata, CHE v. BHA ($10,000): The Liverpool guys are likely to be popular enough that we can get Chelsea exposure at a lower ownership than we normally would when they play at home against Brighton, and Morata's price, which is only $400 less than Eden Hazard's, is high enough to push his popularity down even further. He hasn't been playing much during the congested schedule (he was suspended for this past weekend's match), and he has clearly been Chelsea's best finisher up front when he starts. While he has only one goal in his last four games, he still managed to take 20 shots, including 10 on goal, and he comes in with the best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate.
Riyad Mahrez, LEI at WAT ($7,300): Mahrez hasn't been a great cash option of late, but he has two goals on nine shots (six on goal) plus one assist on 11 chances created in his last four games. Leicester playing away shouldn't be much of a deterrent, as Mahrez scored both of his goals during his run of form on the road. Damarai Gray ($5,500) is an interesting pivot because of his reduced price, especially since he occasionally takes set pieces (they aren't guaranteed though).
Johann Berg Gudmundsson, BUR at MUN ($6,300): Gudmundsson continues to take all set pieces for Burnley, and he showed Saturday against Tottenham that he's still capable of crossing even when they are overmatched. Despite losing 3-0, Gudmundsson still sent in eight crosses and drew three fouls, and while the matchup at Old Trafford isn't any easier, it's tough to find a cash-viable forward this far down the salary list. Fantasy owners will inevitably be drawn to Bournemouth's Jordon Ibe ($5,000), but splitting corners with Ryan Fraser ($5,800, midfielder) cuts into his floor.
MIDFIELDERS
Cesc Fabregas, CHE v. BHA ($7,200): Fabregas hasn't started the past three Premier League matches, but the congested fixture list could have him back in the first XI on Tuesday. While he didn't start, he still managed to send in seven crosses and take a shot in 27 minutes Saturday against Everton, and his almost exclusive role on set pieces (except for direct free kicks) gives him a solid fantasy floor, particularly in a matchup Chelsea should dominate.
Aaron Mooy, HUD v. STK ($7,600): Mooy's crossing numbers have been a bit inconsistent, but he's starting to shoot more than he was earlier this season, taking six shots in his last two games. Teammate Tom Ince ($5,300) isn't a bad option either because he doesn't hesitate to shoot, though he doesn't cross as much as we like for a strong cash option. Meanwhile, Stoke have allowed the most goals, most assists, second-most shots on goal and most corners among teams on the slate, providing us with a nice path to plenty of crosses from Mooy.
Chris Brunt, WBA v. EVE ($6,000): Brunt finally made his way back into the starting XI on Saturday against Stoke City, picking up an assist on five chances created while sending in 13 crosses on 11 corners. The West Brom corner situation had been really cloudy, but with Brunt on the pitch we pretty much know he'll be the guy. Up next is a matchup against an Everton side that's allowed the most crosses among teams on the slate this season, and while they've been more organized defensively under new manager Sam Allardyce, they've still allowed the most crosses in the Premier League over the past four gameweeks, including the third-most corners.
DEFENDERS
Ashley Young, MUN v. BUR ($6,200): Young took a majority of Manchester United's corners during their match against Leicester City on Saturday, and while part of that was due to the lineup, it's possible he keeps the role Tuesday against Burnley (if he's not rotated himself, of course). Young's primary purpose is to cross balls into the box, something that shouldn't change if Zlatan Ibrahimovic starts in place of Romelu Lukaku. While United are strong favorites over Burnley, putting the clean sheet bonus in play, it's more noteworthy that the Clarets have allowed the third-most crosses and second-most corners this season among teams on the slate.
Arthur Masuaku, WHU at BOU ($5,300): The price is far from cheap, but as long as West Ham keep using Masuaku in either a wing-back role or as an attacking midfielder, he has to be worth consideration. He had one shot (on target), eight crosses, two tackles, two interceptions and two fouls drawn during West Ham's loss to Newcastle on Saturday, showing that he can rack up points in multiple stat categories. Aaron Cresswell ($5,000) could get some consideration after he sent in 13 crosses against Newcastle despite lining up as a center-back, but it's worth noting that his corner upside will be limited with Manuel Lanzini ($7,400) back from suspension.
Chris Lowe, HUD v. STK ($4,000): Lowe was rested for Saturday's match at Southampton after battling a foot injury, but he could find his way back into the first XI on Tuesday. He has taken a few corners recently, and given what we learned above about how many Stoke allow, he shouldn't have to do much more to pay off his salary.
GOALKEEPER
David de Gea, MUN v. BUR ($5,900): de Gea has been one of the most consistent fantasy players at any position this season, and any time he is on the slate he's worth considering. Nearly $6,000 for a goalkeeper feels pretty insane, but you'd happily pay that for a player at any other position with de Gea's fantasy scores. Burnley don't figure to take a bunch of shots, and while we consider Manchester United to have a strong defense (only Manchester City have allowed fewer goals), de Gea is second in the league in saves made. For those looking to spend down, focus on which teams you don't have attacking exposure to and work from there; for example, if you're not taking Lukaku or any other United attacker, then why not go with Nick Pope ($4,000)?
