This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 pm: Everton vs. Wolverhampton
- 1:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Sheffield United
- 1:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Son Heung-Min, TOT v. AVL ($10,700): Son is the most expensive player on the slate, but it's understandable as a set-piece taker for the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal odds. Teammate Harry Kane ($10,500) seems more suited for GPPs, as he has the highest anytime goal scorer odds, but he also has been taking plenty of shots and creating chances, giving him a solid floor for cash games. With some available values at the other positions, it's not impossible to play both Son and Kane together with the expectation that they blast Aston Villa, who conceded three goals in two of their last three games.
James Rodriguez, EVE v. WOL ($7,200): Rodriguez continues to take some set pieces for Everton and is their most creative attacker, so it's a bit surprising to see him so cheap when the Toffees are favored at home when they can still snag a Europa League spot. If there's a concern it's that he played 78 minutes this past weekend and has dealt with injuries throughout the season, but at least we'll know before lock if he's starting because all the games start at the same time.
Adama Traore, WOL at EVE ($7,900): Moving away from set pieces will surely push you into Traore, who provides a high floor thanks to shots, chances created and crosses. His open-play production is one of the highest in the league, and he could even be a valuable GPP piece if the slate ends up being a bit lower scoring. If you'd rather focus on the favored side, Rodriguez's teammates Richarlison ($6,900) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($7,700) are solid options, with the latter coming in with the second-highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate (the former is fourth among expected starters).
MIDFIELDERS
Giovani Lo Celso, TOT v. AVL ($5,000): Lo Celso has been sharing set pieces with Son recently and provides cheaper access to the Tottenham attack, along with some correlation to Son and Kane. His playing time is almost guaranteed to be less than 90 minutes, but he still provides enough fantasy points during his time on the pitch to make him a worthwhile target given his role and team situation. That being said, he probably makes more sense in cash games than GPP because of a somewhat limited upside.
Jonjo Shelvey, NEW v. SHU ($4,100): Shelvey is another midfielder more likely to be helpful in cash games than GPPs, as he's been sharing set pieces recently with Matt Ritchie ($6,000), who has a higher floor but is also quite a bit more expensive. Newcastle are the second-biggest favorite on the slate in a match that means nothing for both sides (in fact, Sheffield United have already clinched relegation), so we may even see the game open up because why not? Sheffield United truly have nothing to lose, so if you want to play around with guys like John Fleck ($4,200) or Oliver Norwood ($3,700) against the team that's allowed the second-most crosses in the Premier League this season, I can't fault you.
Vitinha, WOL at EVE ($4,200): Joao Moutinho ($6,300) has been taking nearly all of Wolverhampton's set pieces recently, but Vitinha has been a solid all-around fantasy-point scorer, hitting at least 7.5 in two of his last three games. His crossing numbers are down since Moutinho regained his role on corners, but Vitinha is still taking shots and creating chances. His lower salary is really what's enticing here, and it's not like Everton have been good enough recently where we shouldn't target them at all.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne, EVE v. WOL ($6,300): Digne has been sharing set pieces with Rodriguez recently, which makes him a solid cash-game option with Everton favored at home. However, if Rodriguez is not in the starting XI then Digne could end up being one of the most popular players in double-ups because of his increased role on dead balls, even if Gylfi Sigurdsson ($7,800) is presumably around to take a few too. It's a high price for sure, but Digne is by far the best defender on the slate.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, WOL at EVE ($4,700): On the other side of Digne's match is Ait-Nouri, who was rested this past weekend but scored at least 8.2 floor points in five consecutive starts. He did take a few corners during that span, but he's a solid attacking wing-back who comes in at a decent price. If he doesn't start, we could get Ki-Jana Hoever ($3,800), who is cheaper but unlikely to match Ait-Nouri's potential.
Japhet Tanganga, TOT v. AVL ($3,400): With Serge Aurier ($5,900) unlikely to play because of a groin injury, Tanganga could get another start at right-back, providing a very cheap winger from the biggest favorite with the highest clean-sheet odds. It's worth noting that his production is more likely to mimic a center-back, but at least you're paying a center-back price as opposed to getting center-back production out of Sergio Reguilon, who costs $1,200 more.
GOALKEEPER
Rui Patricio, WOL at EVE ($4,300): Patricio is the cheaper goalkeeper in the game with the lowest implied goal total. The Everton attack has really struggled of late, scoring one goal in three of their last five games, including getting shut out in back-to-back matches, and even if you roster someone like Digne, you can get a high floor game from him and still recognize upside from Patricio.
