This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Everton vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 12:30 pm: Leeds United vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Burnley
FORWARDS
Raheem Sterling, MCI at LEE (£27): Manchester City are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total on the slate, and no player has higher anytime goal-scorer odds than Sterling. He is expected to start as City's central striker in place of the injured Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, but if you want cheaper access to their attack, Phil Foden (£22) is also a possibility and much cheaper than a few guys we'll get to later in the midfield, and the same applies (to a bigger degree) to Ferran Torres (£16), who would be a surprise starter and doesn't have as much goal upside.
Allan Saint-Maximin, NEW v. BRN (£17): There's definitely risk in relying on Saint-Maximin because Newcastle are in the last game of the slate, though it seems likely that Joelinton would start if Saint-Maximin doesn't, and that actually allows us to save £5. Unfortunately, you won't be able to use that for more Man City pieces, but it's still beneficial if you want to upgrade another spot from this game. This game has the lowest implied goal total on the slate, but that doesn't mean we can't get value out of Saint-Maximin or even Chris Wood (£18) on the other side. Wood actually has better odds to score than Foden, and he certainly should be less popular, with teammate Matej Vydra (£12) likely to be overlooked by most fantasy players too.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE v. BHA (£29): Calvert-Lewin is the co-most expensive player on the slate, which is a bit surprising because there are Manchester City options. The Everton striker has scored hat tricks in two of his last three games in all competitions, and only Sterling has higher anytime goal scorer odds among the slate's six teams. Teammate Richarlison (£23) will have to pass a late fitness test because of an ankle injury suffered earlier this week, but he could be a cost-saving pivot from Calvert-Lewin, especially because he's on penalties for Everton.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at LEE (£29): Speaking of penalties, De Bruyne takes them for the team with the highest implied goal total, though most people will look his way because of his high floor, which comes from shots, accurate crosses, and corners won. As the driver of the Man City attack, De Bruyne is likely to be heavily involved in they score a bunch, which is certainly what the oddsmakers expect. Teammate Riyad Mahrez (£27) is also a very worthwhile target, and while he's much more goal dependent, Manchester City are expected to score multiple goals.
James Rodriguez, EVE v. BHA (£24): Fading at least one of the Manchester City midfielders is an option because of James' huge role in the Everton attack, one that has the second-highest implied goal total. He takes a big share of their set pieces, and while his price is high if he doesn't get on the score-sheet, he's such a big part of the Everton attack that he's likely to be involved if they find the back of the net. The other Everton midfielders aren't likely to attack as much, though injuries there could give us a start for Gylfi Sigurdsson (£16), who isn't likely to have a role on set pieces but could be on penalties, especially if Richarlison sits.
Ezgjan Alioski, LEE v. MCI (£10): It's tough to get excited about a player going up against Manchester City, but Alioski at least provides us with a minimum salary. Expected to start in place of Jack Harrison, who is ineligible to face his parent club, Alioski was solid last season in the Championship, averaging 2.36 shots, including 0.60 on target, 1.44 tackles won, 1.20 interceptions and 1.44 fouls won per 90 minutes, and while that level of return would be excellent against Man City, even half that should be enough given the salary flexibility. Other lower-priced options that could pay off include Jonjo Shelvey (£13) and the Burnley duo of Dwight McNeil (£16) and Ashley Westwood (£14), while Leandro Trossard (£17) is in a decent spot, especially because he's taking a share of set pieces.
DEFENDERS
Aymeric Laporte, MCI at LEE (£16): The Manchester City defense has been horrific to start the season, allowing one goal to Wolves and five (!) to Leicester City last week, but they haven't had Laporte and Nathan Ake (£18) start together yet. It seems unlikely that Ruben Dias (£12) would get his first start after joining the club earlier this week, which would leave Laporte and Ake together. Dias would easily be rostered if we knew he was starting, though at least playing in the second game allows us to reorganize a bit if you don't budget for Laporte. Additionally, we could get a somewhat cheap Eric Garcia (£14), so there are options. Either way, Man City should win this game and have the best clean sheet odds, so access to their back line is worth it.
Javier Manquillo, NEW v. BRN (£12): Manquillo is strictly a clean sheet play, as Newcastle are favored at home in the game with the lowest total on the slate. No one would be shocked if this one ended scoreless or in a 1-0 win on either side, and getting cheap clean sheets is always helpful. And if you want to double-down on the clean sheets, Kevin Long (£12) is the cheapest defender for Burnley as long as he keeps starting.
GOALKEEPER
Nick Pope, BRN at NEW (£12): Pope is the cheapest goalkeeper on the slate, and while Burnley are underdogs away to Newcastle, it's the game with the lowest implied goal total. Newcastle have just one goal in their last two Premier League games, and they have a number of attacking players out with injuries, so Pope shouldn't be blasted, by any means. At the least, he seems more affordable than Mathew Ryan (£13) and Illan Meslier (£15), that latter of whom has the best chance to get blown up.
