This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: Burnley vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Brentford
- 10:00 am: Norwich City vs. Southampton
- 10:00 am: Watford vs. Manchester United
- 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. West Ham United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Leandro Trossard, BHA at AVL ($8,800): With six games to choose from Saturday, there are multiple options at each position and the decisions are anything but clear cut. I've highlighted Trossard at the top assuming that Pascal Gross isn't in the lineup. It's possible that Solomon March isn't in the lineup, either, and that would see Trossard take the majority of set pieces. He's played 90 minutes in nine-consecutive games and has a floor based on shots, fouls drawn, chances created and crosses. He also converted from the penalty spot in Brighton's last game (with Neal Maupay on the bench). Jarrod Bowen ($9,000) is a similar option. He's been splitting set-piece duty while playing between 85-90 minutes. Trossard is playing away to Aston Villa, while Bowen is away to Wolves, and those matchups can be considered a wash. If you'd rather target goals, Cristiano Ronaldo ($8,700) has the best goalscoring odds on the slate at -145. Manchester United have a favorable matchup away to Watford and Ronaldo seems a bit too cheap for this spot.
Milot Rashica, NOR vs. SOU ($7,400): Rashica's floor is among the highest on the slate as he fills up the stat sheet in a variety of ways while sharing set pieces. Norwich City are playing their first match under new manager Dean Smith and a home matchup against Southampton is a good opportunity for a positive performance. Leon Bailey ($7,800) is another option in this range. He's been splitting corner kicks and played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season last time out. Aston Villa are home against Brighton and I don't see much difference between Bailey's matchup and Rashica's. Looking for goals in this range, Ivan Toney ($7,500), Callum Wilson ($7,300) and Raul Jimenez ($7,200) have similar odds. If I had to choose one, it'd be Wilson, playing at home against Brentford in Eddie Howe's debut as Newcastle manager. You can find the same goalscoring odds for $1,000 cheaper with Danny Ings ($6,400) at home against Brighton. I'd prefer going all the way down to Chris Wood ($4,900), who's +165 to score at home against Crystal Palace.
MIDFIELDERS
James Ward-Prowse, SOU at NOR ($9,100): We're spoiled for options at the top of midfield for a change. Ward-Prowse has sent in double-digit crosses in three of his last four games and his role as penalty-kick taker is an added boost to his upside. Southampton's matchup against Norwich is one of the more favorable spots in the league. Conor Gallagher ($9,200) is a similar option to Ward-Prowse, assuming that Luka Milivojevic isn't in the lineup. Gallagher has been taking a near-monopoly of Crystal Palace's set pieces and he's shown plenty of open-play upside, as well, with four goals to his name already this season. Palace are slight favorites away to Burnley, who routinely allow a lot of fantasy points. You could argue that Bruno Fernandes ($8,900) has more upside than Ward-Prowse and Gallagher. Manchester United are the biggest favorite on the slate and have the highest-implied goal total. Fernandes has been splitting set pieces but likely isn't on penalty kicks anymore.
Ryan Fraser, NEW vs. BRE ($4,100): It's unclear whether or not Fraser will start, but there are rumors that new manager Eddie Howe plans to use him like he did at Bournemouth when Fraser was routinely one of the most appealing fantasy targets. His price is cheap no matter what his role is and it's safe to expect a few set pieces. Newcastle are in a nice spot at home to Brentford, who have struggled of late. If Fraser doesn't start, Mathias Jensen ($5,500) and Ashley Westwood ($5,000) are other floor options in this range. Both have been taking the majority of set pieces and have decent matchups.
DEFENDERS
Matt Ritchie, NEW vs. BRE ($5,900): Similar to forward and midfield, there are multiple options in the top range at defender. Ritchie will lose some open play value if Eddie Howe opts for a back four, but he will still take at least half of the set pieces in a favorable home matchup with Brentford. Luke Shaw ($6,000) has gone six games without scoring double-digit fantasy points but a matchup against Watford will be a good opportunity to change that. It's concerning to see that Aaron Cresswell ($5,500) didn't take any corners last time out being that he doesn't offer much from open play. Sergi Canos ($5,400) probably has more upside than any defender on the slate. He took five shots and sent in 10 crosses last game and playing on the wing against Newcastle should offer plenty of attacking opportunities. I'd have no argument if you prefer him over Ritchie. If Ritchie is in a back four and Ryan Fraser starts, I'd side with Canos.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, WOL vs. WHU ($4,900): Ait-Nouri continues to share set pieces and he's always looking to get forward playing on the left wing. A home matchup against West Ham shouldn't be a concern from a fantasy perspective. Exciting youngster Tariq Lamptey ($4,100) is fit again and looked great in his first start of the season two weeks ago. He had seven crosses and two shots in 75 minutes of action playing on the right wing. If you're looking for a full punt you could do worse than Victor Lindelof ($2,900). He's under $3,000 and Manchester United have the best clean-sheet odds on the slate.
GOALKEEPERS
David de Gea, MUN at WAT ($5,700): I normally don't pay up at goalkeeper on bigger slates unless there is an abundance of cheap value at other positions. Manchester United are the biggest favorite and have the best clean-sheets odds but 37 percent is far from a guarantee. That being said, I'd rather roster de Gea than target Southampton or West Ham away from home.
Nick Pope, BUR vs. CRY ($4,500): Burnley have 28-percent clean sheet odds in a pick'em matchup at home against Crystal Palace. If you rather target saves, Ben Foster ($3,900) should have plenty to make against Manchester United. There are plenty of viable options in this range. Jose Sa ($4,300) and Tim Krul ($4,100) are both at home against non-big six clubs. Go with whoever correlates best. On a six-game slate, there is no reason to roster a keeper with a forward or midfielder from the opposing team.
