This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPERS
Tom Heaton, BUR v. TOT ($4,000): Spurs are obviously favorites in this match, but Burnley are no pushovers at Turf Moor, as their 2.07 points per home match are sixth-best in the Premier League, trailing only Chelsea (2.77), Tottenham (2.73), Liverpool (2.36), Everton (2.27) and Arsenal (2.23). Additionally, Spurs have forced the second-most saves in the Premier League this season, while Heaton comes in as the league-leader in saves. Finally, Spurs will be playing without star striker Harry Kane, which should make Heaton's job a bit easier.
Ben Foster, WBA at MUN ($3,700): Foster has a similar situation to Heaton, though he'll be away from home. Manchester United have forced the most saves this season, and they do so mostly at home, forcing a league-high 5.71 per game. Additionally, Foster comes in with 96 saves this season, second-most in the league. And while Heaton will be facing a Spurs side without Kane, Foster will get a game without having to deal with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (suspension).
DEFENDERS
Jose Holebas, WAT v. SUN ($4,400): Holebas has been sharing set-piece duty with Tom Cleverley ($3,400), but the former's been able to cross enough in open play to maintain a decent fantasy floor. He was an unused substitute in Watford's last match before the international break, but before that he had one assist and 21 crosses in his previous four starts. It's not huge upside, but he'll at least be facing a Sunderland side that's allowed the fifth-most crosses over the last six gameweeks, a stat made even heavier in Watford's favor when considering Sunderland have played only five times in that span.
Cedric Soares, SOU v. BOU ($5,200): A look at Cedric's recent game logs will show that he hasn't been crossing as much, though it's worth recognizing that the last three matches he's played have been away. With Southampton expected to control their match against Bournemouth, Cedric should get plenty of opportunities to move into the attack to send in crosses, which he could couple with a few tackles, as he's had at least three in three of his last five league starts.
Cesar Azpilicueta, CHE v. CRY ($3,700): Azpilicueta has been lining up as a center-back since manager Antonio Conte moved to a 3-4-3 formation, but he could be used as a wing-back if Victor Moses is unable to play because of a calf injury. The upside isn't all that high, but a wing-back at a center-back price is a tough one to ignore.
MIDFIELDERS
Christian Eriksen, TOT at BUR ($10,200): With no Gylfi Sigurdsson on the slate, we turn to Eriksen as the top cash-game option. He has one goal on 10 shots, two assists and 20 crosses in his last three Premier League matches, and he'll now face off against a Burnley side that's allowed the most crosses and most shots this season. Yes, Burnley are better at home, but Eriksen could be even more shot-happy with Kane out, and he comes in as one of only two players to reach 100 shots this season (Ibrahimovic is the other).
James Ward-Prowse, SOU v. BOU ($5,700): Despite Dusan Tadic's return to the starting XI, Ward-Prowse continues to take most corners and free kicks, giving him a much more solid floor. Tadic has been a strong fantasy option recently, with one goal on six shots (four on goal), three assists and 10 crosses in his last three Premier League matches, plus one goal on four shots, two assists and seven crosses for Serbia in a World Cup qualifier against Georgia, but his floor just isn't as secure. Ward-Prowse comes in with a productive last five games, putting up two goals on 13 shots (seven on goal), one assist and 32 crosses. Meanwhile, Bournemouth have allowed the second-most shots (one behind the league-leaders) and shots on goals, most goals and third-most crosses in the Premier League over the last six games.
Marc Albrighton, LEI v. STK ($6,100: Leicester's resurgence since sacking Claudio Ranieri has made Albrighton a solid fantasy contributor again, even with sharing corners with Riyad Mahrez ($7,200), who makes for a fine play this week against Stoke, though his floor isn't nearly as high as Albrighton's. Not only has he been crossing well, Albrighton has two assists and six tackles in his last three league games.
FORWARDS
Willian, CHE v. CRY ($8,300): Crystal Palace have been much better defensively of late, but facing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is another story. With Eden Hazard (calf) and Victor Moses (calf) possibly missing out, Willian should be able to keep his spot in the starting XI. He was excellent in his last league start, which came just before the international break at Stoke, finishing with a free-kick goal as well as four crosses (he took six corners). If he remains on set pieces, he makes for a strong play, particularly in the forward spot.
Kamil Grosicki, HUL v. WHU ($6,800): Grosicki didn't start Hull's last match before the international break, but he still finished with five crosses and a tackle in 26 minutes. Before that he was an excellent cash-game play, with 13 shots (three on goal) and 30 crosses in the previous three games. He'll now take aim at a West Ham side that's allow multiple goals in four of their last five, including eight in the last three.
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. STK ($6,600): Vardy is about as goal dependent as they come, but he's scored five goals in his last six matches (including one for England), while reaching double-digit fantasy points in six consecutive games. He has the fourth-best goal-scoring odds among players expected to start, and the three ahead of him (Diego Costa, Manolo Gabbiadini and Eden Hazard) are all questionable due to injuries.
