This article is part of our TheSix Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
8:30 a.m: Stoke City v. Leicester City
11:00 a.m: Southampton v. Burnley
11:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Bournemouth
11:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. West Brom
11:00 a.m: Swansea City v. Brighton
1:30 p.m: West Ham v. Liverpool
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
STRIKER
Mohamed Salah, LIV at WHU (€13M): Salah comes in with four goals in his last four matches in all competitions, and he's done it by putting at least three shots on goal in each game over that span. His 2.48 shots on goal per 90 minutes leads the Premier League this season, and no striker on Saturday's slate averages more touches per 90.
Joshua King, BOU at NEW (€8M): King has missed the last two matches and he's a doubt for Saturday's against Newcastle because of a back issue, but he could provide some great upside at his cost if he's able to pass a late fitness test. He is averaging 42.58 touches and 8.52 duels won per 90 minutes this season, which are very solid returns for a striker-eligible player, though it's worth noting his value isn't as high if he starts up front instead of the no. 10.
MIDFIELDER
Oriol Romeu, SOU v. BUR (€12M): Romeu is a major part of how Southampton move the ball, as he leads their midfielders and forwards in touches per 90 and trails only Mario Lemina (€11M) in passes completed per 90, though the latter is out with an ankle injury. His attacking upside isn't overly high, but Southampton are solid favorites at home against Burnley and figure to have plenty of possession, making Romeu a strong foundation for any fantasy lineup.
Anthony Knockaert, BHA at SWA (€9M):Pascal Gross (€13M) has been the better fantasy performer over the course of the season, but Knockaert has closed the gap now that he's taken on a bigger role of set pieces. He scored 8.85 fantasy points last weekend against Southampton thanks to 70 touches, 35 completed passed and seven duels won, and he should be able to at least match that against Swansea, even in Wales, as the Swans come in having allowed the fourth-most passes and touches in the Premier League this season.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, LIV at WHU (€7M): Oxlade-Chamberlain played 90 minutes Wednesday against Maribor, but with Philippe Coutinho (€12M) doubtful, Georginio Wijnaldum (€9M) out and James Milner (€10M, defender) possibly getting rested, there could be another opportunity for Oxlade-Chamberlain to make the first XI. He is averaging 10.04 duels won per 90 minutes this season, and his 85.17 touches per 90 give him a solid floor for the away favorite.
DEFENDER
Virgil van Dijk, SOU v. BUR (€13M): Van Dijk is about as consistent as they come on The Six, scoring at least 11 fantasy points in each of his last four starts thanks to a plethora of accurate passes, touches and duels won. He contributes plenty on the defensive end with interceptions and tackles, but it's his high touch total (he leads all Saturday players in touches per 90) that will be key, especially against a Burnley side that ceded at least 60 percent possession in every away match this season. Southampton haven't had the most consistent centerback pairing for van Dijk, but Wesley Hoedt (€7M) would make a nice salary-saving partner if he gets the start.
Gaetan Bong, BHA at SWA (€8M): Bong has scored at least 7.9 fantasy points in each of his last three starts, and he showed some more attacking acumen in his last outing by racking up 37 completed passes, nine duels won and 77 touches. Swansea have some interesting fantasy pieces, but they are hardly an attack to be fearful of, while Bong provides a nice floor with attacking upside for a surprisingly solid Brighton team that sits ninth in the form table (last six games).
Ragnar Klavan, LIV at WHU (€7M): Klavan has been solid over Liverpool's last two matches, completing 196 passes and putting a shot on goal during their 3-0 win over Maribor on Wednesday. Liverpool's matchup at West Ham doesn't guarantee a clean sheet, but with the number of times Klavan will be on the ball, his salary should be easy enough to cover any other shortfalls. Playing in the late match makes it tough from a lineup perspective, but it's possible Andrew Robertson (€3M) gets a start at left-back over Alberto Moreno (€12M), who played the full 90 minutes Wednesday after coming in questionable because of a knock.
GOALKEEPER
Fraser Forster, SOU v. BUR (€8M): Burnley have been getting much better results than many expected this season, but that's no reason to shy away from Forster on Saturday. Burnley come in with just three goals over their last four matches (only two teams are worse: Huddersfield and Bournemouth), but only two teams on the slate have taken more shots over that span. It all lines up well for Forster to make a few saves and notch the clean sheet, which would be an ideal return on his fairly low salary.
