This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. West Bromwich Albion
- 12:30 pm: Liverpool vs. Everton
- 3:00 pm: Fulham vs. Sheffield United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. EVE ($10,500): There are a number of solid forwards on this slate with floors higher than Salah, but he could still be more popular in cash games because he's not much more expensive and has the highest ceiling. His anytime goal scorer odds are considerably higher than anyone else's, and Liverpool are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal today, even in a tough derby. Ademola Lookman ($10,000) and Dwight McNeil ($9,600) are the stand-out floor players in good matchups (the former at home against Sheffield United and the latter at home against West Brom), but they aren't that much cheaper than Salah, who has scored five goals in his last five games, including one in each of his last three. He will surely be more popular than Lookman and McNeil in GPPs, but there is definitely a path to him being that way in cash games too, simply because of his upside even though that's not always a consideration in those types of contests. Then again, there is a path to paying up for Salah and Lookman, so don't be surprised if that combo is popular in double ups.
Matej Vydra, BUR v. WBA ($4,300): Vydra's cheap price is what could make him a consideration in cash games for those who want to spend up at the other positions, though his floor is still kind of suspect. The good thing is that Burnley play in the first match of the slate, so we'll know if he's in against a West Brom defense that's allowed the most shots, shots on goal and chances created in the Premier League this season. The pay-down options are a bit light, but fantasy players may be tempted by Thiago Alcantara ($5,100), who is very much not a forward but has eligibility anyway. Consideration for him is simply because he fills a forward spot and plays for the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, but he's really not likely to produce much unless he sneaks his way onto the score-sheet.
MIDFIELDERS
Matheus Pereira, WBA at BUR ($7,800): Pereira continues to have a dominant role on set pieces, and while West Brom are away underdogs, they're going to have to attack because they really need points. On the plus side, Burnley have allowed the third-most shots, second-most crosses and second-most chances created in the league this season, so from a matchup perspective Pereira is in a solid spot. At the very least, he looks like a bargain next to Ashley Westwood ($7,400), who is priced as if he has a set-piece monopoly even though McNeil is likely to play and share those dead-ball opportunities.
Oliver Norwood, SHU at FUL ($4,000): Sheffield United are pretty awful themselves, but Norwood's role on set pieces makes him a viable play, particularly at his price, with Ben Osborn ($5,900) significantly more expensive. The mid-range midfielder pool is likely to be popular for those who spend up at both forward spots because it likely doesn't leave enough salary for guys like Pereira or Westwood. That puts Ruben Loftus-Cheek ($4,600), Robert Snodgrass ($4,200) and Matthew Phillips ($5,300) as possibilities, with the former more likely to play more minutes. And for those going even lower, Josh Brownhill ($3,700) could start out wide for Burnley, while Mario Lemina ($3,000) could be in central midfield for Fulham.
DEFENDER
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. EVE ($7,400): Alexander-Arnold is the most expensive defender on the slate, but a role on set pieces for the biggest favorite will likely make him the most popular player in cash games. Teammate Andrew Robertson ($6,800) could also be a popular play because he's the one who splits those opportunities with Alexander-Arnold, though he isn't the priority for those only looking to roster one higher-priced defender.
Semi Ajayi, WBA at BUR ($2,500): Spending up at forward and midfielder and Alexander-Arnold will require some salary savings, and no starter can save more than Ajayi because he's minimum priced. His floor is basically zero, and West Brom are away underdogs, so the clean sheet is unlikely, but crazy things can happen with center-backs and his low price is really what we're after.
GOALKEEPER
Sam Johnstone, WBA at BUR ($4,200): With many fantasy players potentially targeting Liverpool's attackers, Jordan Pickford ($3,800) doesn't seem like a great target when you can get Johnstone for $400 more. Aaron Ramsdale ($4,400) is only slightly more than that and playing in the game with the lowest total, but the point is really that it doesn't seem like a slate where paying up for a goalkeeper is the optimal path. The Burnley attack has scored multiple goals just four times all season, including twice in their last 11, which works in Johnstone's favor.
