This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Leeds United vs. Manchester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
THE CHALK
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at LEE ($11,100): De Bruyne is the most expensive player on the slate, but as the primary set-piece taker for a giant favorite with the highest implied goal total, who else should be? It also doesn't hurt that he takes penalties, a role that should keep his popularity just as high in GPPs as it will be in cash games. He had a relatively modest game in last week's 5-2 loss to Leicester City, but he still finished with 11.6 fantasy points, showing once again that he has the best floor in the Premier League while still having a high ceiling, as we saw against Wolves on Sept. 21 when he had 36.7 fantasy points thanks to a goal and an assist.
James Rodriguez, EVE v. BHA ($8,300): James took all of Everton's corners last week against Crystal Palace, and while he didn't make the score-sheet, he still finished with 12.6 fantasy points thanks to two shots, six crosses and three chances created. It was his third straight game with at least 12.6 fantasy points, and he now faces a Brighton side that's allowed six goals in the past three games. One hesitancy is that James won't be able to create as many chances without Richarlison, who left Wednesday's match due to an ankle injury, but there should still be opportunities against Brighton.
FORWARDS
Riyad Mahrez, MCI at LEE ($9,800): There are likely to be plenty of Manchester City stacks because they are such big favorites after losing big last week, and Leeds have allowed seven goals in their three games since re-joining the Premier League. Teammate Raheem Sterling ($9,200) actually has the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, but Mahrez isn't that far behind while providing a significantly higher floor thanks to shots, crosses and chances created. Manchester City are huge favorites, but they were also huge favorites last week when they got smoked by the Foxes, so I can't fault anyone who sees their defensive frailties and targets Patrick Bamford ($6,000), Helder Costa ($5,400) or Rodrigo Moreno ($4,800), who theoretically could make a cash lineup if only because of the savings and difficulties filling two forward spots.
Leandro Trossard, BHA at EVE ($6,900): Trossard has taken some set pieces this season, helping him to 13 crosses, seven chances created and eight shots in three games, a run that included a goal against Chelsea, an assist against Newcastle and 9.0 floor points against Manchester United. Everton have improved defensively, though they could be without defensive midfielder Allan for this one, which only boosts Trossard's case. Neal Maupay ($7,700) would be the GPP player to target from Brighton, as he comes in with three goals and one assist in the past two games, though it's really the opponent that will see some popularity, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($8,100) bagging five goals in the past three Premier League games and having the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate other than Sterling. Richarlison ($8,900) would also be a possibility, though the ankle injury suffered Wednesday could hold him out, potentially opening up some cheaper access to the Everton attack like Moise Kean ($7,100), Theo Walcott ($6,300), Bernard ($4,400) or Alex Iwobi ($3,800), though the latter three are only midfield eligible.
MIDFIELDERS
Kalvin Phillips, LEE v. MCI ($5,500): The matchup against Manchester City is far from ideal, though neither was the one against Liverpool at Anfield when Phillips scored 13.0 fantasy points, his lowest scoring output this season. While he has taken just a single shot in three games, Phillips stands over most of Leeds' set pieces, which has led him to 17 crosses and nine chances created, and he does enough dirty work to win tackles and draw fouls. Given the high salaries at multiple positions on the slate, the price break on a set-piece taker like Phillips will be beneficial.
Solomon March, BHA at EVE ($5,800): March has been sharing set pieces with Trossard, but he comes at a discount at a position that might be a little harder to fill. He's coming off a huge game against Manchester United, scoring one goal on five shots while sending in 11 crosses and drawing three fouls. March's floor hasn't been as consistent as Trossard's, and the five shots were definitely an outlier, but his salary is solid for his situation and matchup, at least for cash games. Not to be overlooked, teammate Tariq Lamptey ($5,300) isn't a bad play either, though it feels a bit unfortunate that he's not classified as a defender anymore. Lamptey gets more of his floor points from fouls drawn than crosses, which means he's putting himself in fewer situations to get on the score-sheet compared to March. And, as mentioned earlier, if Iwobi, Walcott or Bernard start in Richarlison's place, they could be effective GPP plays in a game that could still have goals in it despite having a significantly lower total than Leeds v. Manchester City. And speaking of that one, Phil Foden ($7,500) isn't priced that highly for a potential front-line player in the match with the highest total.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne, EVE v. BHA ($6,600): Digne was a bit of a disappointment last week, scoring only 8.8 fantasy points against Crystal Palace, and most importantly not taking a single corner. He still sent in two free-kick crosses, so it's not like he's lost his role on set pieces, it's just that the corners went to the other side of the field for James to take. His salary is more attractive this week, and he'll still be popular in cash games because of his excellent floor, but anyone who plays him will have the thought in the back of their minds that maybe he won't be as prolific as long as James is there to take free kicks too. Paying down for right-back Seamus Coleman ($4,600) doesn't get you nearly the opportunities, and he doesn't cross as much in open play anyway, but it's not a terrible price considering none of the Brighton wing-backs are classified as defenders.
Stuart Dallas, LEE v. MCI ($4,100): It's tough to get overly excited about a defender who costs more than $4,000 playing against Manchester City, but Dallas has shown an ability to score points through winning tackles and drawing fouls, two things that should be available Saturday. Additionally, Dallas started as a central attacking midfielder last week against Sheffield United, and getting a player like that at $4,100 could be fun. That being said, it probably makes more sense to look at Benjamin Mendy, who is just $300 more, as he's much more of an attacking player and on the team that's expected to score more goals.
GOALKEEPER
Mathew Ryan, BHA at EVE ($4,000): The clean sheet chances on this slate aren't that high, so it feels unnecessary to pay up for Ederson ($5,900) or Jordan Pickford ($5,500). There will surely be people who play Illan Meslier ($3,800) simply because he's the cheapest and likely to get plenty of save opportunities, but Ryan at least provides a little less potential for getting absolutely blown up.
