DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday Targets

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Adding to the silliness of the slate, two of the three home teams are underdogs:

But don't worry, a lack of goal scorers doesn't mean there's a lack of fantasy points to be had. We just have to be a bit more creative in finding them.

Goalkeepers

Wayne Hennessey, CRY at AVL ($4,000): The second-highest priced keeper on the slate, Hennessey will face off against a Villa side that is last in the table, has scored three goals in their last five matches and has won just once this year, which came in the first week of the season.

Adrian, WHU at BOU ($3,700): West Ham have allowed just two goals in their last six matches, with four clean sheets over that span. Adrian has scored at least 10 fantasy points in four of the last five, and the Cherries have failed to score a goal in three consecutive league matches.

Robert Elliot, NEW v. MUN ($3,200): You could pay the $4,500 to get Manchester United's David de Gea, as the Red Devils have the highest win and highest clean sheet odds, while Newcastle have been shut out in three consecutive league matches. However, United have hardly been a dominant force of late, scoring just four goals in their last six matches (yes, they did score twice last weekend against Swansea). Newcastle may sit 18th in the table, but they've allowed just five goals in their last six matches, never allowing more than one.

Defenders

Adam Smith, BOU v. WHU ($3,300): Smith has scored at least 10 fantasy points in six of the last seven league games, but he's only sent in more than two crosses twice. He is a true stat-sheet stuffer, as he had two shots, six tackles won and three interceptions as part of his 14 fantasy points against Leicester last time out, and he also put up a 19-point effort at Chelsea a few weeks back by sending in three crosses, drawing five fouls, picking up six tackles and intercepting four passes. On a small slate where the number of crossers is limited, Smith provides solid production across multiple categories.

Daryl Janmaat, NEW v. MUN ($3,900): If you haven't bought into Manchester United's resurgence after scoring twice last gameweek, then Janmaat should fit. Not only does Newcastle have a decent shot at a clean sheet, but Janmaat has been crossing the ball much more recently, sending in 22 over his last three games, including 11 last week at Arsenal, along with three tackles and two interceptions.

Pape Souare, CRY at AVL ($3,500): Crystal Palace got smoked 3-0 by Chelsea last gameweek, but they posted back-to-back clean sheets in the prior two matches. While Souare was only able to send in three crosses in that drubbing, he had 17 in the two clean sheets, including 11 against Swansea.

Aly Cissokho, AVL v. CRY ($2,400): Cissokho was recalled from his loan spell at Porto and immediately joined the starting XI, scoring six fantasy points in his season debut Jan. 2 against Sunderland. He's unlikely to send in a ton of crosses, as he only had four in that last match, but it's hard to pass on a starting fullback below $2,500, even if he plays for the worst team in the Premier League.

Other defenders to consider: Matteo Darmian, MUN at NEW ($3,400); Paul Dummett, NEW v. MUN ($2,700)

Midfielders

Dimitri Payet, WHU at BOU ($6,200): Tied for the highest-priced midfielder with Yohan Cabaye and Juan Mata, Payet has the upside of a player who should be priced in the $8,000-$9,000 range. After missing significant time with an ankle injury, Payet returned off the bench in the last gameweek and should reclaim his starting spot Tuesday. He takes all of West Ham's free kicks and corners, he crosses in open play, he takes shots, he draws fouls, he intercepts passes and he wins tackles. Payet has the biggest upside of anyone on this slate, as evidenced by his fantasy scoring totals of 40, 31, 27 and 24 that he had earlier this season.

Yohan Cabaye, CRY at AVL ($6,200): Yes, I know, I'm suggesting the two highest-priced midfielders, but on a short slate with fairly affordable prices, it should be easy to roster both. Cabaye has not played a Premier League match since Boxing Day due to a heel injury and a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation, but he should be back in the first XI on Tuesday. Similar to Payet, Cabaye takes free kicks and many corners for Palace, while also chipping in with other peripheral stats. He's scored 49 fantasy points in his last three games, and he now goes up against a Villa side that is last in the table and has allowed 10 goals in their last six matches, including five in their last two.

Georginio Wijnaldum, NEW v. MUN ($4,800): As mentioned above, no one playing Tuesday has scored more goals this season than Wijnaldum. However, he is extremely goal dependent, as he is highly unlikely to score double-digit points without finding the back of the net. On the plus side, he's facing a United squad that has allowed seven goals in their last four league matches, including two each in their last two away from Old Trafford.

Jordan Veretout, AVL v. CRY ($4,600): On the opposite side of the spectrum is Veretout, who has scored at least 10 fantasy points in five of his last seven, with no goals over that span. Veretout gets most of his value from crosses, sending in 39 over his last four games (including just three in his last one). Wijnaldum may have the higher ceiling, but Veretout's floor is significantly safer.

Bakary Sako, CRY at AVL ($3,700): A starting spot for Sako is not guaranteed, but with Crystal Palace playing without Yannick Bolasie (hip), Sako could get a chance to redeem himself after a bit of a down spell. Having fully recovered from his hamstring injury, Sako could also lead the Palace line if Connor Wickham (hamstring) isn't deemed fit enough to play 90 minutes. Sako started off the season very well for Palace, and given his goal upside and decent crossing numbers, he could be a solid value play given his injury-adjusted low price.

Michail Antonio, WHU at BOU ($3,700): Antonio has scored in back-to-back matches, taking eight shots over that span, including four on goal. With Bournemouth having to deal with the presence of Payet, Antonio could find even more space for an opportunistic goal. His peripheral stats leave plenty to be desired, but the goal run can't be ignored.

Other midfielders to consider: Wilfried Zaha, CRY at AVL ($4,800); Ander Herrera, MUN at NEW ($3,600); Moussa Sissoko, NEW v. MUN ($4,200); Dan Gosling, BOU v. WHU ($3,700); Matt Ritchie, BOU v. WHU ($6,100)

Forwards

Andy Carroll, WHU at BOU ($4,600): Carroll has scored in back-to-back matches and has taken 12 shots in the last three games, nine of which have been on target. Those checking game logs will surely be intrigued by Mauro Zarate ($4,900), but the significant number of crosses he was taking will now go to Payet, which is a big hit to the former's fantasy production.

Connor Wickham, CRY at AVL ($3,900): Wickham recently recovered from a hamstring injury, so it's worth noting that he's no guarantee to start. That being said, the Palace attack is much better when he does, as he's able to hold the ball in an advanced position, which opens up lanes for the attacking midfielders. Similar to the other forwards on the slate, he's fairly goal-dependent, which is a bit scary given that he's scored just once for Palace, but it doesn't get much better than returning to face the worst team in the Prem.

Anthony Martial, MUN at NEW ($6,300): No forward playing Tuesday has scored more goals than Martial this season. Unfortunately, that number is only five. On the plus side, three have come in his last six league matches, including their last fixture when he had a goal and an assist against Swansea. Paying up for a forward on this short slate seems a bit unnecessary, but Martial at least gets the call over teammate Wayne Rooney ($6,400), who has scored fewer than seven fantasy points in three of his last five games. Yes, he scored 26 against Swansea, including a goal, but it was the first time he found the back of the net in a Premier League match since Oct. 17.

Other forwards to consider: Enner Valencia, WHU at BOU ($4,100); Jordan Ayew, AVL v. CRY ($4,000); Ayoze Perez, NEW v. MUN ($5,100); Joshua King, BOU v. WHU ($3,800)