This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. West Ham United
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Burnley
- 10:00 am: Chelsea vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Norwich City
- 10:00 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Watford
For detailed stats and odds, check out the DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Cheat Sheet.
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, TOT v. SOU ($10,900): Kane is the most expensive player on the slate, which generally happens when you have the highest anytime goal scorer odds for the biggest favorite. He comes in with a goal in three of his last four games, and he was able to pick up an assist in the only non-goal game during that span. He still doesn't cross much or create many chances, but 14 shots, including seven on goal, and eight fouls drawn over this four-game run isn't a bad floor. Then again, his salary all but requires at least one goal, which is pretty much the case anytime you consider him. Tottenham certainly have alternatives for GPPs like Son Heung-Min ($9,400) and Lucas Moura ($8,100), though Erik Lamela ($8,900) could be a viable cash pivot because he has a role on set pieces. It's not a monopoly, and he becomes less viable if Christian Eriksen ($9,800, midfielder) also starts. Additionally, there doesn't seem to be an easy path to rostering Lamela and Kane, at least in cash games, together because Tottenham aren't overwhelming favorites, and there is another team on the slate worth considering because of their win odds and implied goal total. That team is Chelsea, who's attack is likely to be led by Tammy Abraham ($8,400), scorer of seven goals on 14 shots (nine on target) in his last four games. Willian ($8,700) and Pedro ($8,600) should get some attention for GPP players as well, but Abraham has really been the striker Chelsea have longed for over the past few seasons.
Wilfried Zaha, CRY v. NOR ($7,300): The Crystal Palace attack has really struggled this season, scoring just four goals in six matches while getting shut out three times (and, of course, they beat Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford). While he hasn't gotten on the scoresheet yet, Zaha has had a solid last three games, scoring 8.2, 12.9 and 10.8, respectively, thanks to a combination of shots, fouls drawn, crosses and tackles won. His next opponent is a Norwich City side that plays very open, a style that has had them allow the second-most shots, most shots on goal, second-most chances and most tackles won among teams on the slate. If you're more interested in set-pieces for cash games, Burnley's Dwight McNeil ($7,000) fits that and is facing an Aston Villa side that's allowed the second-most crosses and most chances created among teams on the slate.
Gerard Deulofeu, WAT at WOL ($6,300): In a surprising turn of events, Deulofeu took all of Watford's set pieces last week against Manchester City despite Jose Holebas ($4,000, defender) playing 90 minutes. Granted, the match ended in an 8-0 loss for Watford, but Deulofeu still managed 8.1 fantasy points thanks to putting all three of his shots on goal and adding four crosses. In fact, it could have been even better had it not been for a yellow card. He leads Watford in fantasy points this season, including the most floor points, and surprisingly no player on the slate is averaging more shots per 90 minutes (4.34) than Deulofeu, and only three players who have played more than 180 minutes are averaging more chances created per 90. Watford are away underdogs, so we can't expect too much, though they'll be facing a Wolves side that went to penalties against Reading in a Carabao Cup match on Wednesday and will be traveling to Turkey to face Besiktas in the Europa League next Thursday.
MIDFIELDERS
Mason Mount, CHE v. BHA ($9,000): Mount is the primary set-piece taker for the co-biggest favorite on the slate, and while he has scored three goals in six Premier League starts this season, his floor remains high because he takes shots, creates chances, sends in crosses and even wins tackles. His 4.9 fantasy points last Sunday against Liverpool was a season-low in the Premier League, but the matchup against Brighton should allow for a bounce back, even if they haven't conceded many shots, crosses and chances this season. Tottenham's Eriksen is likely to get some consideration for those looking to pay up at midfielder, but the Chelsea attack has been more prolific and Eriksen doesn't have as big of a share of set pieces as Mount.
Ryan Fraser, BOU v. WHU ($7,900): The positive for Fraser is that he generally has a big role on set pieces when he's on the pitch. The negative is that he's been used off the bench in Bournemouth's last two Premier League matches, so there's no guarantee he starts Saturday (thankfully all games kick off at the same time, so we'll know before lock if he's in). Only five teams have conceded fewer goals than West Ham while only four have scored more than Bournemouth, so we'll get a fun contrast Saturday, one that can be advantageous to Fraser. Teammate Harry Wilson ($8,000) has shown some solid upside with his free kicks, though he seems to have lost corners to defender Diego Rico ($5,300). There are actually a number of very viable cash-game midfielders in this range, with Crystal Palace's Luka Milivojevic ($7,800) at home against Norwich, and you can never ignore Emiliano Buendia ($7,100) no matter the opponent. However, the pair of teammates that could make more sense is the Aston Villa duo of Jack Grealish ($6,800) and John McGinn ($7,000), the McGinn of whom leads all players on the slate in floor points (total fantasy points without goals or assists) this season, while Mount is the only other one ahead of Grealish. McGinn doesn't have the set pieces that Grealish does, but he takes more shots and puts more on target. In fact, 10 of his 17 shots this season have been on target while Grealish has yet to put any of his seven on frame. However, his 15 chances created are the most of any player on the slate (third-most in the Premier League), and he's the league-leader in fouls drawn (McGinn is fourth).
Pablo Fornals, WHU at BOU ($5,500): Fornals has taken on most of West Han's free kicks while Manuel Lanzini ($6,400) has been sidelined, and while Felipe Anderson ($8,400) has been the much better fantasy producer, it's a tough price to pay for West Ham away, even against a leaky Bournemouth back line. Meanwhile, Fornals hasn't really been doing a whole lot with his open-play chances, but he did average 2.10 shots, 1.63 shots assisted and 1.56 fouls drawn per 90 minutes last season for Villarreal, and his cheap price at least comes with set-piece exposure. Nevertheless, there are a number of viable cash-game builds this week that include three higher-priced midfielders, so Fornals may be in a bit of a forgotten price range. For those paying up for Kane, going down to Philip Billing ($4,500), Roberto Pereyra ($4,600), Will Hughes ($4,300) or Morgan Gibbs-White ($3,900) might be required.
DEFENDERS
Diego Rico, BOU v. WHU ($5,300): The opportunity for Rico is there if Fraser doesn't start, as he's been taking corners in the latter's absence, helping him score more than 14 fantasy points in back-to-back matches thanks to assists in each. However, the floor points are solid regardless, and while his salary isn't cheap, we've learned that you need to pay for the set-piece opportunities. One name that might jump out further down the salary scale is Holebas, who is pretty worthless without corners. Rico isn't the only defender worth paying up for, as Chelsea's Marcos Alonso ($6,300) is the most expensive but also arguably the most attacking player at the position. A matchup at home against Brighton shouldn't cause any worries other than needing to find salary relief elsewhere. Tottenham's Danny Rose ($5,500) fits in the same mold, and he even occasionally takes corners, though it's not a situation you can totally rely on, even at home against Southampton.
Frederic Guilbert, AVL v. BUR ($4,400): Guilbert has no role on set pieces, but he's still been a solid fantasy-point scorer, reaching 6.1 in all four of his starts, including more than 8.0 twice. Playing at home against Burnley should allow him to move forward, something he does much better than fellow Villa fullback Neil Taylor ($3,700), who failed to take a shot in five of six games and has sent in seven total crosses over that span.
Kiko Femenia, WAT at WOL ($3,700): I consider Holebas a total non-consideration if he's not taking corners, and while he could regain those at any moment, I'm not willing to take the risk this week. Instead, let's focus on Kiko, who actually produces in open play thanks to his defensive and attacking work. He isn't likely to be moving up a ton against Wolves, but Watford players seem somewhat underpriced, so it's reasonable to take advantage with Kiko at less than $4,000. If you're hesitant about the Hornets, Norwich City's Sam Byram ($3,600) isn't bad for his salary, even if Norwich don't use their fullbacks significantly in their attack.
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WAT at WOL ($4,100): Fresh off a minus-10.4-point outing while giving up eight goals to Manchester City, Foster has a bounce-back opportunity against a Wolves side that is competing in a number of competitions which could cause some rotation. It's tough to learn much from an 8-0 drubbing at the hands of the best attacking side in the Premier League, but Wolves aren't close to that level and Foster offers a salary discount while not having to rely on Angus Gunn or Mathew Ryan against Tottenham and Chelsea, respectively.
