This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Chelsea v. Swansea City
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Middlesbrough
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Sunderland
10:00 a.m: Hull City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Watford v. West Ham
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WBA v. BOU ($5,100): Of the top 10 teams that have forced the most saves this season, only four are playing on Saturday's slate: Everton (fifth with 85 saves forced), Chelsea (eighth, 75), Swansea City (ninth, 70) and Bournemouth (10th, 69). Lukasz Fabianski ($3,600) is the cheapest keeper opposing one of those teams, but he's also playing for the biggest underdog. Foster's price is much higher than Fabianski, but it's still $900 less than Thibaut Courtois, and Bournemouth have forced the sixth-most saves over the past six weeks while being shut out in two of their last three. Meanwhile, Foster comes in with the second-most saves in the Premier League this season.
Heurelho Gomes, WAT v. WHU ($4,800): Gomes is the cheapest home goalkeeper, which coincides with Watford being the lightest favorite on the slate. He's had some notable performances of late, with 18 saves and only four goals allowed in his last three Premier League starts, though it's worth noting that West Ham have scored multiple goals in four of their last five league games, including scoring three thrice.
DEFENDER
Seamus Coleman, EVE v. SUN ($6,000): Coleman and Marcos Alonso ($6,600) make up the top options on the slate, as they are both attack-minded players who can cross in open play and take shots (neither takes enough free kicks to rely on them). While it would be easy to choose Coleman because he's cheaper, there are a few more granular points that work in his favor, such as Sunderland allowing the third-most crosses from right-sided players (where Coleman plays) over the last six games, while Swansea City, Alonso's opponent, have allowed the eighth-fewest crosses from left-sided players (where Alonso plays) over that same span. It works with shots as well, as Sunderland have allowed the second-most shots from players on the right side in the last six, while Swansea have allowed the eighth-fewest. It's a small difference, but one that helps tick the fantasy value toward Coleman among the upper-tier options.
Fabio, MID at CRY ($4,400): Other than Coleman and Alonso, there aren't many high-crossing fullbacks on Saturday's slate, which means it'll be tough to find a reliably high floor. However, Fabio has been able to supplement his crosses with a decent number of tackles won, which are worth one point each versus 0.75 per cross. Fabio has actually sent in the third-most crosses among defenders on Saturday's slate over the last six games (one more than Alonso), but his 19 tackles won over that span are the most at the position. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace have had the second-most tackles won against them this season.
Andrew Robertson, HUL v. BUR ($3,900): While his crosses have been inconsistent of late, sending in seven, one, one and seven in each of his last four league games, respectively, Robertson has still managed to score 14, eight, eight and nine fantasy points over that span, which is decent return for a sub-$4K player. He'll now face off against a Burnley side that have just one away point this season and have allowed the third-most crosses this season.
MIDFIELDER
Robbie Brady, BUR at HUL ($5,300): Burnley have been atrocious away from Turf Moor this season, but they also haven't had Brady most of that time. He's taken over set-piece duty and will now face off against a Hull side that have allowed the second-most crosses and most corners this season. He's also not hesitant to shoot himself, as evidenced by his goal against Chelsea in their last match.
Chris Brunt, WBA v. BOU ($5,900): Brunt comes in with two goals on seven shots and 39 crosses in his last six games, and while he continues to split corners with Matthew Phillips ($7,000), both players have solid upsides Saturday against a Bournemouth team that's allowed a league-high nine goals in their last three away matches. Brunt and Phillips are more likely to be assisting goals than scoring them, though Brunt's role on free kicks certainly puts him in a good position against the struggling Cherries.
Andros Townsend, CRY v. MID ($6,600): Townsend was a solid fantasy option earlier this season, leading the league in crosses through the first 12 gameweeks. After falling out of favor, he returned to the starting XI in the last gameweek, finishing with nine crosses, including five corners, which was preceded by a 12-cross effort in 45 minutes off the bench against Sunderland. Middlesbrough have been a solid defensive team this season, allowing the third-fewest goals on the road (tied with Tottenham), but they have also allowed the fifth-most crosses over the last 10 games.
FORWARD
Diego Costa, CHE v. SWA ($10,100): Costa is the most expensive player on the slate and hasn't scored in his last three league games. However, he has the best goal-scoring odds and is facing a Swansea side that have allowed 27 goals to center forwards this season, the most in the Premier League (four more than second-place Bournemouth), including the second-most (13) over the last 10 games. And if previous matchups doing anything for you, Costa scored twice on five shots and drew seven fouls in their previous game back in September.
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. SUN ($9,000): Lukaku has a similar setup to Costa, as he has the second-best anytime goal-scoring odds and he faces a Sunderland side that's allowed the third-most goals and shots, and most shots on target, to center forwards this season. Lukaku has also scored six goals on 13 shots (eight on target) in his last three home league matches, including an astonishing four against Middlesbrough two games ago. If there is anyone who can match Costa's upside it's Lukaku, and he comes at a decent discount. Oh, and he bagged a hat trick on nine shots (six on target) at Sunderland earlier this season.
Salomon Rondon, WBA v. BOU ($6,100): Only Costa, Lukaku and Eden Hazard have better goal-scoring odds than Rondon, who has taken multiple shots in four consecutive games and now faces a Bournemouth team that's allowed the second-most goals and most assists to center forwards this season, including the most goals and assists (tied with Sunderland) over the last 10 games. Rondon is very goal dependent, but he has an excellent setup to score Saturday.
Kamil Grosicki, HUL v. BUR ($5,900): It's not often that Hull are favored, but they get the distinction this weekend against a Burnley side that's earned one point in 11 away matches this season. Groscki sends crosses in from open play while also sharing corners, and he'll face a Burnley side that's allowed the third-most crosses and second-most corners this season. Midfielder Evandro ($4,200) is an option because he could take some corners, though his open-play upside isn't as high.
Editor's note: Evandro was ruled out after this article was posted.
