This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Everton vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Leicester City vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Aston Villa
FORWARDS
Timo Werner, CHE v. CRY (8,100): Chelsea are the biggest favorite on the slate and have the highest implied goal total. They should dominate play and create plenty of chances against a Crystal Palace team that notoriously struggles in possession. Werner was a goal-dependent forward for Germany at the Euros, but he actually has sneaky-high floor for Chelsea, especially in this matchup. It's also worth noting that he hasn't played fewer than 87 minutes in his last 10 league starts. Considering the other forward options, who have lower upside than Werner and are in less favorable spots, the $8,100 salary seems a bit too cheap. His teammate, Kai Havertz ($8,200), is expected to play as the center forward and makes for a worthy option as well. Both have anytime goalscoring odds of +137.
James Rodriguez, EVE v. SOU ($7,700): I'd expect James to be chalky in cash games, and rightfully so. He has an affordable salary and will have at least a share of set pieces for Everton, who are home favorites against a Southampton side that looks to have taken a step backward. As someone who likes to fade James, I'll add that he topped 10 floor points only once in his last 10 starts and rarely plays the full 90 minutes. If you're targeting this game in tournaments, Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($6,400) is a good option; the $6,400 salary is too cheap for a player with some of the highest anytime goalscoring odds on the slate.
Pascal Gross, BHA at BRN ($6,800): If this were last season, a matchup against Burnley and a $6,800 salary would've made Gross a near-lock for cash games. However, his monopoly on set pieces is likely to be halved with the return of Solomon March. Gross is still a viable option based on the favorable matchup and salary. He's a player who always seems to get there, but if he lines up in a defensive midfield role, I'll be looking to fade him in tournaments. His teammates, Neal Maupay ($5,200) and Aaron Connolly ($3,700), are definitely too cheap for a matchup against Burnley because Brighton should dictate the majority of play and create more chances. That game has the lowest total on the slate and fading it seems fine as well. If you're looking for a less-popular option with considerable upside, Ismaila Sarr ($6,500) could be that player. Watford were fortunate to hang onto the talented winger and a home matchup against a new-look Aston Villa isn't the worst spot to target. If you're spending up at both midfield spots and are looking for a full punt, Southampton's exciting youngster Nathan Tella ($4,500) has the pace and skill to be dangerous on the counterattack.
MIDFIELDERS
Mason Mount, CHE v. CRY ($9,000): The midfield position is unusually weak, especially for a five-game slate. If Mount were on set pieces then he'd be the top overall play. That looks increasingly unlikely, however, after he gave way to Ben Chilwell and Reece James at the end of last season and didn't take any in Chelsea's Super Cup win Wednesday. Even without set pieces, I still prefer Mount over the other top options at the position based on the ideal matchup with Crystal Palace. Emiliano Buendia ($8,600) will be eager to impress for his new team, but the set-piece situation at Aston Villa is anything but clear. One-time fantasy golden boy James Maddison ($8,000), having lost corner duties, has turned into just another player with sub-risk, while James Ward-Prowse ($7,700) is dealing with a knee issue and Southampton face a difficult test away to Everton. If I'm targeting this range for GPPs, Harvey Barnes ($7,800) seems most appealing. He'd become Leicester City's most dangerous attacking player before a knee injury cut his season short, but he looked good in the Community Shield win last weekend.
Solomon March, BHA at BRN ($5,900): As mentioned above, March is on track to return following a knee injury and should assume his role on left-sided corners. Brighton have a favorable matchup against Burnley and March likely has the highest floor of any midfielder in this range, making him a decent option for cash-games. Joao Moutinho ($5,700) is a similar vein, but I wouldn't target him or any underdog defensive midfielder for tournaments. This seems more like a one-midfielder slate, as plenty of forwards have dual eligibility. One player worth mentioning is Imran Louza ($5,700); Watford paid €10 million to sign the promising 22-year old from Nantes in Ligue 1. He took set pieces for them and, being that he's left-footed, should assume some of that responsibility for Watford. If you're looking for a minimum-price punt, N'Golo Kante ($3,300) would make sense in Chelsea stacks.
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell, CHE v. CRY ($6,200): This slate features a number of good options at defender, and it could be optimal to roster three of them. Chilwell likely has a role on set pieces and offers plenty of open play value as well. I've mentioned that Chelsea's matchup against Crystal Palace is Saturday's best spot to target, and Chilwell chipped in with three goals and five assists in just 27 appearances last season while projecting for the most raw points at the position.
Reece James, CHE v. CRY ($5,800): James should also have a role on set pieces and, assuming he lines up on the wing, has similar open play value to Chilwell. We saw him play as part of a back three at times toward the end of last season, so keep an eye out for the formation. Though less appealing, he'd still be viable there based on corner duty and his propensity to take shots from distance when lined up deeper and more central.
Ryan Bertrand, LEI v. WOL ($4,300): Bertrand took corners from both sides in the Community Shield last weekend, and if that happens again then he's arguably the top point-per-dollar option on the slate. The salary is much too cheap, especially with Leicester City being significant home favorites over Wolverhampton. He's basically a lock for cash games and makes for a great option in tournaments as well.
GOALKEEPERS
Edouard Mendy, CHE v. CRY ($5,900): On an opening weekend slate with soft salaries and lots of uncertainty, it might make sense to spend up for at goalkeeper. Chelsea are whopping -380 favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook and have the highest clean sheet odds of any team. Mendy had 16 shutouts in 31 league starts last season, and Crystal Palace don't figure to create many chances. Some people never pay up at goalie, but for me it's slate dependent; a shutout win for Mendy is worth the same as a goal and when that happens, $5,900 doesn't seem too expensive.
Nick Pope, BRN v. BHA, ($4,600): Pope and the Burnley defense were stingy last season, allowing just 37 goals in his 32 starts. He also kept 11 clean sheets, with the majority coming when Burnley were underdogs. Their opponents, Brighton, notably struggle to score at times. You can always roster cheap home 'keepers against mediocre teams, and Watford's Daniel Bachmann ($4,500) against Aston Villa is another good option, especially for tournaments because I'd expect him to be less popular than Pope.
