This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 7:30 am: Everton vs. Crystal Palace
- 12:30 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Watford
FORWARDS
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. CRY (£19): This is likely the first and only time I'll write, "Calvert-Lewin has the best goal-scoring odds on Saturday's slate," so drink it in if you're a supporter of the young forward. He's been on a decent run of form lately, scoring five goals in his past seven matches. Even without the goals, his floor has been propped up because he's been able to find space to take shots, taking at least three in eight of his past 10 starts. Neal Maupay (£22) has the second-best goal scoring odds and is the most expensive player on the slate. If you wanted both players, you wouldn't have a problem fitting them in your side. Richarlison (£21) is the alternative to Calvert-Lewin, while Wilfried Zaha (£19) is another option in the price range but has scored only three goals in 25 Premier League matches this season.
Christian Benteke, CRY v. EVE (£14): You could take all of the most-expensive forwards and feel relatively good about your potential Saturday, but that won't get us to first place. Rather than go with Zaha, who's been disappointing for long stretches, let's make the move to Benteke. He's started the past three matches, and while he hasn't been overly impressive, he took at least two shots and put one on goal in each outing. If he scores against a middling Everton backline, you'll see yourself shoot up the leaderboard. Moise Kean (£13) is another cost-effective option who could be a differential play if he starts, though keep in mind he dropped back to the bench in Everton's previous match. Glenn Murray (£15) scored in the wild 3-3 draw against West Ham, but I should note my stomach gets queasy putting him in this article.
MIDFIELDERS
Pascal Gross, BRI v. WAT (£18): Gross averages 2.52 accurate crosses per 90 minutes, which leads all players on the slate. He's taken two shots in consecutive matches and returned to full set-piece duty in last week's draw against West Ham after sharing the duties with Aaron Mooy (£16) for the previous two matches. Gylfi Sigurdsson (£19) is the most-expensive midfielder and will likely be the highest owned given Everton's match up against Crystal Palace. There aren't any particularly eye-popping midfielders I have to have, but Gross looks like the safest play, followed by Sigurdsson.
Etienne Capoue, WAT v. BRI (£16): This is for the sake of filling out the roster with enough exposure to each team. Do I feel particularly good about it? No, not really. Capoue leads the slate in interceptions per 90 minutes with 2.43 and connects nearly 52 passes per match. Brighton concede the most interceptions of the four teams playing Saturday, giving Capoue a platform for consistent defensive work. Roberto Pereyra (£17) has been feast or famine and isn't a guaranteed starter, though he plays in more of an attacking role than Capoue and scored in last weekend's 3-2 loss to Everton.
DEFENDERS
Lewis Dunk, BRI v. WAT (£18): Dunk is priced like a midfielder but in this four-game slate, spending up shouldn't be a problem with no player costing more than £22. Dunk's production has made him a top-tier defensive option despite playing on a relatively poor Brighton side. He's hit 6.65 or more points in six of his past eight outings, making him one of the more consistent defenders on the slate. Adam Webster (£17) could be a consideration, though I'd rather spend the extra £1 on Dunk. Then again, Bernardo (£11) could be the differential needed to win on such a small slate.
Lucas Digne, EVE v. CRY (£16): Even when there's a seven-match slate, Digne is typically the chalk play at defender. With a mere four teams, Digne's selection becomes more obvious. He's third in the league in accurate crosses (53) and chips in 1.31 corners won per 90 minutes. This gives him a solid floor that is boosted by his role on set pieces, which he's shared with Sigurdsson when the Icelandic midfielder is fit. If Sigurdsson is out of the lineup, Digne should take all of the dead-ball opportunities. Additionally, Everton have the best clean sheet odds, making Digne an easy selection. Djibril Sidibe (£16) is another option for Everton, as he's averaging 2.23 interceptions and 2.56 tackles won per 90 minutes. It may be the optimal play to take both Everton outside-backs.
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford, EVE v. CRY (£15): Ben Foster (£15), Vicente Guaita (£15), and Pickford all come in at the same price, while Mathew Ryan (£13) is the one exception. Pickford has the best clean sheet odds at home against Crystal Palace, followed by Ryan at home against Watford. There isn't a huge difference between Ryan and Ben Foster, with Brighton sitting three points above Watford. Neither side has been particularly good defensively, which makes banking on a clean sheet or win from either goalkeeper risky. Of the four sides, Crystal Palace have been the best defensive side, conceding 29 goals in 25 matches. In all honesty, I'm not sure I see any of these four sides keeping a clean sheet, but Pickford is the most talented goalkeeper of the group and is playing for the biggest favorite.
