This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Southampton v. Swansea City
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: Chelsea v. Burnley
12:30 p.m: Brighton v. Manchester City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Lukasz Fabianski, SWA at SOU ($4,100): The two most expensive expected starting goalkeepers, Thibaut Courtois ($6,000) and Ederson ($5,800) are near locks to get the five-point win bonus, and both could certainly add the five points for a clean sheet. However, neither are likely to make many saves, if any at all, and one little defensive mistake can cost them the clean sheet. How does paying $6,000 for five fantasy points feel? On the other hand, Fabianski faces a Southampton side that forced the fifth-most saves last season, trailing only Tottenham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City. Additionally, Swansea posted clean sheets in three of their last five league matches last term and return all of their starting defenders. They aren't likely to shut out Southampton at St. Mary's, but the save upside is there for Fabianski at nearly $2,000 less than the top of the salary list.
DEFENDER
Cedric Soares, SOU v. SWA ($5,600): Cedric is one of the best open-play crossing fullbacks in the Premier League and he's playing a side that many expect to be relegated. If Charlie Austin gets the start up front, Southampton could be sending plenty of crosses into the box, a responsibility that will fall on Cedric and left-back Ryan Bertrand ($5,100), as their midfielders aren't big crossers.
Cesar Azpilicueta, CHE v. BUR ($4,300): Though he traditionally lines up as a center-back in Chelsea's three-man back line, Azpilicueta could get the start as a right wingback Saturday in place of the suspended Victor Moses. Chelsea should comfortable control this match from start to finish (they are the biggest favorites on the slate), which should allow Azpilicueta to move up in the attack on occasion. He isn't a high-volume crosser, but he also has a great opportunity for a clean sheet.
Simon Francis, BOU at WBA ($2,900): If Steve Cook is fit enough to start alongside Nathan Ake in central defense, Francis could be given the start at right-back, which would make him significantly more valuable, particularly at his salary. Sending in crosses to Jermain Defoe is probably not part of manager Eddie Howe's game plan, but if Benik Afobe gets the start up front, Francis will have a reason to send in more balls from the wing.
MIDFIELDER
Willian, CHE v. BUR ($8,300): With Eden Hazard (ankle), Pedro (ankle) and Victor Moses (suspension) out, Willian is almost assured a start. He is known to take set pieces when he's in the lineup, though Cesc Fabregas ($7,500) is also likely to play and traditionally takes a majority himself. Fabregas isn't a bad play either, as his floor is probably a bit safer than Willian's, though the latter's ceiling is higher.
Jason Puncheon, CRY v. HUD ($4,700): Puncheon's role on set pieces, even if he shares some of them, gives him a solid floor for a Palace side that's a strong favorite against newly promoted Huddersfield. Puncheon's role is still to be determined due to some injuries in the back, but if the formation puts him in a more attacking position he should be ripe for sending in crosses to target forward Christian Benteke, who led the league in aerial duels won last season.
Tom Carroll, SWA at SOU ($3,300): Carroll is expected to take over for Gylfi Sigurdsson ($9,900), who will not play as he angles for a transfer out of Swansea. Carroll's upside isn't nearly as high as Sigurdsson's, and Swansea are big underdogs at Southampton, but paying just $3,300 for a set-piece taker means Carroll doesn't have to do much to make value.
FORWARD
Sergio Aguero, MCI at BHA ($10,200): Manchester City are the second-biggest favorites on the slate and no one has higher anytime goal-scoring odds than Aguero, who scored 20 goals in only 31 league appearances last year. Teammate Gabriel Jesus is also a solid pick at $9,800, enough so that Aguero's ownership percentage may be a bit lower because of people looking to save a few hundred bucks.
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at BHA ($10,400): De Bruyne, who can also be used into the midfield spot, plays a much different role than Aguero and Jesus, which is why it would be okay to stack him with one of those attackers. Responsible for most, and sometimes all, set pieces, De Bruyne has a very solid floor because of his crosses while also taking a decent number of shots from his position. Man City should firmly control this match, making KDB one of the safest picks available.
Tammy Abraham, SWA at SOU ($3,500): Abraham, who is on loan from Chelsea, is expected to lead the line in place of the injured Fernando Llorente ($6,100). Playing at St. Mary's isn't an ideal situation, especially without Sigurdsson, but like teammate Tom Carroll the salary is low enough where a goalless outing doesn't kill a fantasy lineup.
