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: Leicester City v. Hull City
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Middlesbrough
10:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Crystal Palace
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Arsenal
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Heurelho Gomes, WAT v. SOU ($4,600): Gomes hasn't posted a clean sheet since Jan. 14 against Middlesbrough, but he's also made at least four saves in three of five matches since then, including a solid nine-save effort against Manchester United. He's made 22 saves over the past five games, and he'll now face a Southampton attack that's forced the fifth-most saves over the past six gameweeks despite playing just five times. And while Manolo Gabbiadini has improved their finishing of late, they have still only scored multiple goals twice in their last eight.
DEFENDER
Cedric Soares, SOU at WAT ($5,300): The defender crop is pretty ugly Saturday, especially with James Milner ($7,500) now splitting corners with Philippe Coutinho. Cedric continues to be a reliable option, as he's reached double-digit fantasy points in four of the last five games. What's been helpful of late is that he's winning more tackles, as not only has he sent in 24 crosses over his last four games, he's also won 13 tackles. Southampton are favored in this match despite playing away, and Cedric will be lining up against a Watford side that's allowed eighth-most crosses and had the second-most tackles won against them over the past four games.
Andrew Robertson, HUL at LEI ($3,800): Robertson split corners with Kamil Grosicki last week, though that's unlikely to continue with Sam Clucas returning from suspension. Nevertheless, Robertson has sent in 13 crosses in the last two games, and he'll now face a Leicester side that's allowed the most crosses to left-backs this season (as well as the most per-90 to the position). Hull are rightfully not favored in this match, but Leicester aren't a high-possession team, so Hull should be able to get their chances in attack.
Kyle Naugton, SWA v. BUR ($4,100):Martin Olsson has been a popular fantasy option of late, but $4,900 seems a little steep, even against Burnley. However, Naughton's $800 discount feels a bit reasonable, especially considering he's scored nine, seven, seven and nine fantasy points in each of his last four home matches, respectively. Sure, those figures don't jump off the page, but it's a reliable floor for a player who will be facing a Burnley team that's allowed the third-most crosses to defenders in the last six games, as well as the second-most tackles.
MIDFIELDER
Robbie Brady, BUR at SWA ($6,300): Brady has turned into a (very) poor man's Gylfi Sigurdsson, as he takes all set pieces for a lower-table squad and isn't afraid to let a few shots fly. He scored 14 and 18 fantasy points in his last two games, respectively, and he'll now get a chance to extend his double-digit streak against a Swansea side that's improved lately but has still allowed the third-most goals over the last six games.
Chris Brunt, WBA v. CRY ($6,100): Brunt split corners with Nacer Chadli ($5,300) last week, but he was still able to send in nine crosses, with one just narrowly missing out on being an assist. With Matt Phillips ($7,000) questionable to play, Brunt could keep his spot in the midfield (he's usually a left-back), and should have no problem moving up against a Palace side that has struggled defending this season.
Andros Townsend, CRY at WBA ($6,700): Townsend's 42 crosses over the past six weeks are the fourth-most in the Premier League, a pretty impressive total given that he's only started three of those games. He split corners with Yohan Cabaye ($5,000) last week, but he sends in enough crosses in open play that it's not a big hindrance. His price continues to creep up thanks to his solid outings recently, but it's still not prohibitively expensive when facing a West Brom side that's allowed the third-most crosses over the past six games.
Marc Albrighton, LEI v. HUL ($5,400): Ugh. Albrighton has been tremendously disappointing this season, but he's still a decent crosser and takes some corners for Leicester. Ideally he doesn't start and Demarai Gray ($5,200) does instead, but whoever it is, they'll be facing off against a Hull side that's allowed the second-most crosses (most of any team on this slate) over the past six games, including the third-most over the past four. Albrighton's value is solely about crosses, as he shoots so rarely that any goal he possibly scores is likely just a mis-hit cross.
FORWARD
Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA v. BUR ($9,300): Sigurdsson has taken the second-most shots and sent in the second-most crosses among all players on Saturday's slate. He'll take all set pieces for Swansea, who are in the rare situation when they are actually favorites. Additionally, Burnley have allowed the second-most crosses this season, including the fourth-most over the last six games. Sigurdsson does it all and will likely be extremely highly owned, especially because he is forward eligible. Fading him in GPPs is a risky strategy, doing so in cash is just dumb.
Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. ARS ($9,400): The first matchup between these two sides was a seven-goal thriller on opening day, and while a repeat of that performance is unlikely, it's tough to see this being a scoreless match. Coutinho has been splitting corners with James Milner of late, which gives him a solid floor, but it also hasn't limited his shooting at all, as he's taken 14 shots, including five on goal, in the past three games.
Kamil Grosicki, HUL at LEI ($6,500): Grosicki took advantage of Hull being without Evandro and Sam Clucas last week, taking five shots and sending in 12 crosses. The shots were a bit surprising given that he didn't take a single one in his first two starts, but if he can keep that going, he should easily provide value against a Leicester side that has allowed the most corners, fifth-most crosses and third-most shots, including the second-most on goal, over the past six games.
