This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 pm: Manchester United vs. Fulham
- 1:00 pm: Southampton vs. Leeds United
- 2:00 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Manchester City
- 3:15 pm: Chelsea vs. Leicester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Riyad Mahrez, MCI at BHA ($8,400): The Manchester City lineup could be heavily rotated once again after they did so this past weekend, but Mahrez makes for an interesting option if he starts. The difficulty is that we're unlikely to get a confirmed lineup before the slate locks, but Mahrez's high salary at least allows us to pivot to other Manchester City options if we want. He doesn't have a huge role on set pieces, though it could be a little bigger if Kevin De Bruyne ($9,000, midfielder) is held out or doesn't start. The other more expensive option who could be popular in Leeds' Raphinha ($8,800), the highest-priced forward on the slate, and while he has a very solid open-play floor, his recent loss of a near set-piece monopoly hurts his cash-game viability in a bit. Raphinha's higher salary may make it tough to play him, and it wouldn't be surprising to see some fantasy players move to Rodrigo ($5,500) because he's much cheaper and has similar goal odds to Mahrez.
Nathan Tella, SOU v. LEE ($4,400): Tella is a bit of a wildcard when it comes to fantasy production, but being able to fill a forward spot with a cheap winger is a strategy some people use in cash games, especially because Tella is playing in the game with the highest total. He had a goal and an assist off the bench this past weekend, so it's not like he has no upside; the only issue will be how many minutes he plays. Of course, at this price anything over 65 is probably worth it. Southampton's actual forwards are likely to be over-looked on this slate, but Danny Ings ($7,700) and Che Adams ($7,600) each make for very viable GPP plays, with the latter likely to be less popular because why pay $7,600 for a guy with +210 anytime goal scorer odds when you can add $100 and move the odds to +125, the second-highest odds among expected starters?
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, MUN v. FUL ($9,200): Manchester United are the biggest favorite on the slate, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Fernandes, who also has a shared role on set pieces (though that share has been fairly small of late). There is some lineup uncertainty to consider, but United also play in one of the first matches, so we'll know if Fernandes is starting. There are a number of very good midfielders on this slate, but Fernandes has arguably the highest floor and ceiling because of his open-play contributions and the fact that United are such heavy favorites against a Fulham side that allowed multiple goals in each of their past three matches.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU v. LEE ($8,600): Southampton are slight home underdogs, but they're playing in the match with the highest implied goal total and Ward-Prowse has a monopoly of their set pieces. While Fernandes may have a higher floor overall, Ward-Prowse's cannot be ignored, with only one expected starter averaging more crosses per 90 minutes this season. With the forward pool a bit questionable, there could be plenty of cash-game lineups with Fernandes and Ward-Prowse despite their high salaries.
Stuart Dallas, LEE at SOU ($6,100): Leeds are favored in the game with the highest implied goal total, and Dallas has been taking a decent number of set pieces recently, making him a solid cash-game target. He's in a similar price range as Leicester City's Youri Tielemans ($6,800), who will certainly be starting as opposed to Dallas, who could be rested. An absence for Dallas could push fantasy players toward Jack Harrison ($8,000) or Raphinha ($8,800, midfielder/forward) depending on who might be standing over most of Leeds' dead balls, but Dallas could be a solid third midfielder if he's in the starting XI.
DEFENDERS
Luke Shaw, MUN v. FUL ($5,800): Shaw has been taking a vast majority of Manchester United's set pieces recently, and given that he plays for the team with the highest clean sheet odds on the slate, he figures to be extremely popular in cash games and GPPs. There are a number of solid (usually) high-floor defenders, including Reece James ($5,200), Ben Chilwell ($5,800) and Joao Cancelo ($6,000), but none have been as consistent as Shaw recently, nor do they have as good a matchup. And even if Shaw is rested, fantasy players can easily pivot to Alex Telles ($5,100), who would be starting in his place at left-back.
Eric Bailly, MUN v. FUL ($2,600): Piling onto Manchester United's clean sheet potential, Bailly is only $100 more than minimum price, offering plenty of access to the shutout bonus. Fellow center-back Victor Lindelof ($2,800) doesn't cost much more, but it's worth considering that neither player has much of a floor and likely won't produce much if United concede. If you want to focus on the other Manchester club, Ruben Dias ($2,900) is a cheap option for a clean sheet, along with possibly Nathan Ake ($2,900) or Aymeric Laporte ($3,300), depending on who starts.
GOALKEEPER
Ederson, MCI at BHA ($5,500): Ederson was rested for last weekend's match, but manager Pep Guardiola has stated his regular No. 1 will play the last two games. This match doesn't mean anything for Man City, but they are still heavily favored and have some of the best clean sheet odds on the slate. David de Gea ($5,700) is also a possibility for those looking to pay up, while others could look at someone like Kasper Schmeichel ($4,200), who is the cheaper goalkeeper in the match with the lowest implied goal total.
