This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. West Bromwich Albion
- 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Burnley
- 3:00 pm: Fulham vs. Manchester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Eberechi Eze, CRY v. WBA ($5,900): The Crystal Palace set-piece situation is a bit messy, but Eze has been fairly consistent on corners when he starts. He won't have a monopoly, and he's not a prolific open-play crosser, but people who are wedded to set pieces will surely be looking at Eze even though teammate Andros Townsend ($7,000) seems like the more viable play in cash games. Townsend is a solid open-play crosser who creates chances and takes shots, and given that West Brom have allowed the most crosses, most shots and second-most chances created in the Premier League this season, he surely profiles as the safer play, even at an elevated price versus Eze. Additionally, Wilfried Zaha ($7,300) is finally back from injury and could have a field day against West Brom, who he bagged a brace against earlier this season.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. BUR ($6,600): Calvert-Lewin is in a tough run of form, taking multiple shots in only four of his last six starts, but he comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds among expected starters and is facing the team that's allowed the second-most shots, including the fourth-most shots on goal, in the league this season. The absence of James Rodriguez won't help Everton's creativity in attack, but Calvert-Lewin's price is fairly low for his potential and matchup.
Dwight McNeil, BUR at EVE ($7,200): A likely bench role for Sergio Aguero ($6,900) makes McNeil look a little more enticing given his price and role on set pieces, even in an away match against Everton. The Manchester City lineup has a ton of questions, especially with a Champions League match Tuesday, which makes it tough to rely on guys like Sergio Aguero ($6,900) or Bernardo Silva ($6,700) because we don't know if they're starting until the last lineups of the slate come out. McNeil's spot is secure, and he's a solid open-play attacker who should be popular in cash games, with teammate Chris Wood ($4,900) an interesting tournament possibility because of his goal potential and low salary.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at FUL ($10,600): De Bruyne figures to be the most popular player on the slate because of his dominant role on set pieces for the highest-scoring team in the Premier League. There is certainly a possibility he's rested, or at least partially so, because of their upcoming Champions League match against Borussia Monchengladbach, but that would only open up salary for the other spots while most people turn to Phil Foden ($9,300). De Bruyne's presence makes it really tough to pay up for Matheus Pereira ($9,100) as an away underdog, even if he has a monopoly of set pieces for a team playing against Crystal Palace. Even though we'll know right away that Pereira is starting because he's in the first game of the slate, waiting on De Bruyne seems like the most reasonable path, especially in cash games.
Ashley Westwood, BUR at EVE ($5,900): One of the reasons you don't necessarily have to play McNeil is because Westwood also takes set pieces and is decently cheaper. The midfielder pool is pretty weak overall, both in terms of some guys who are a bit too expensive, like Conor Gallagher ($6,400), or others who just aren't very good. Westwood is far from flashy, but a role on set pieces will always make him a viable choice, even playing for a boring team that's an away underdog. If we knew Ferran Torres ($5,500) was starting for Manchester City then you could make the argument he'd be an easier play, but since they're in the last game it's a tough risk to take because otherwise you're stuck with Rodri ($4,600) if you don't want to burn salary.
Luka Milivojevic, CRY v. WBA ($4,000): Milivojevic becomes a much better play if Eze doesn't start, as he'd have a greater role on set pieces, but even a partial one at his price makes sense. Matthew Phillips ($3,900) is another option in this range that some fantasy players could look to, though Alex Iwobi ($4,100) could be starting on the wing for the team with the second-highest implied goal total and facing the team that's allowed the fourth-most crosses in the league.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne, EVE v. BUR ($6,800): The absence of James Rodriguez and potential absence of Gylfi Sigurdsson ($7,600) could give Digne a monopoly of set pieces against the team that's allowed the fourth-most crosses and second-most corners in the league this season. He is going to be very popular regardless of Sigurdsson's status, but Digne could be rivaling De Bruyne for the most popular player in cash games if the former is out.
Ruben Dias, MCI at FUL ($3,800): Other than Digne, there aren't any defenders who need to be prioritized, so paying down for the second spot seems like it'll be a popular strategy. There are fullbacks who are fine, but it seems that paying down for one of the Manchester City center-backs could be a move, if only because they have the best clean sheet odds on the slate. There isn't anything overly exciting about Dias other than he's cheaper than John Stones ($4,100), but if Aymeric Laporte ($3,400) is in for one of them then he could be more popular because he's cheaper.
GOALKEEPER
Alphonse Areola, FUL v. MCI ($3,700): Areola provides the most salary savings among goalkeepers because he's the biggest underdog, but if fantasy players are only using De Bruyne then it doesn't seem like a terrible strategy. That being said, with many of the Manchester City attackers so expensive, it definitely makes sense to hedge a bit and just pay all the way up for Ederson ($5,900) with the hope that a win and clean sheet makes up for any missed-out-on goals.
