This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Chelsea vs. Southampton
- 12:30 pm: Manchester City vs. Arsenal
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Manchester United
FORWARDS
Danny Ings, SOU at CHE (£25): If you want to win GPPs, you'll need Ings because he's going to score (I'm at @RotoZdroik if he doesn't). Chelsea don't have Edouard Mendy or Thiago Silva, and I'm betting on Southampton to score at last once. Ings is the best route to scoring for the Saints, as he already has three goals and at least one shot on target every match. Most relevant for this slate is that Ings has better odds to score than others like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£24).
Raheem Sterling, MCI v. ARS (£29): Man City are the biggest favorite on the slate and Sterling will have the best odds to score unless Sergio Aguero (£10) gets a surprise start. Sterling will have more on his shoulders and that's not a bad thing, though the absence of Kevin De Bruyne isn't going to help City as a team. Sterling has been fine through three matches, but his previous form against Arsenal is relevant even though it's not a perfect projection. In two league matches last season, he scored twice and produced seven shots (three on target) and seven chances.
Joelinton, NEW v. MUN (£13): Joelinton hasn't been very good in the Premier League, but he's the cheapest expected starting forward and that means something. He's started the last two, and while he's held minimal fantasy value, there's always the chance he sneaks one past David de Gea. I'd rather spend on a deep class of midfielders instead of spending up on guys like Callum Wilson (£27) or Timo Werner (£23), who need goals to hold any fantasy value.
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, MUN at NEW (£29): De Bruyne is out so Fernandes has the best floor on the slate. Fernandes hasn't been overwhelming this season, but that has a lot to do with Man United's overall form. Even after the international break, I think they start figuring things out Saturday, partly because Donny van de Beek (£17) could be the key piece to connecting the squad. Even if that doesn't happen, Fernandes had a floor of 9.60 fantasy points in the opening loss to Crystal Palace, so even if they lose to Newcastle, he could still rack up opportunities from set pieces.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. ARS (£25): Speaking of De Bruyne, Mahrez is set to take the majority of set pieces for Man City. He hasn't had much of a floor in two starts, but an uptick in successful crosses will likely help, and he's also a threat to score after playing as the top striker last match. He has five shots in two starts this season and is a nice stacking piece if you go with Sterling up front. Everything else depends on who else starts for Man City, and while Ferran Torres (£17) and Phil Foden (£20) are cheap and have upside, they have very low floors.
Christian Pulisic, CHE v. SOU (£20): Pulisic will undoubtedly be in a lot of lineups if he starts, partly because it's the first match and partly because he's American. Chelsea have struggled to create opportunities consistently this season, but Pulisic may end up having one of the better floors in their attack because of how much he creates for teammates and takes shots himself. It's unknown how he'll fit with new teammates, but he's cheaper than Timo Werner (£23) and I like him more than Kai Havertz (£17), who is oddly cheap.
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell, CHE v. SOU (£16): For being the best fantasy defender on the slate (maybe outside of Reece James, £18), Chilwell comes at a surprising discount. Sure, it's not a huge price difference, but he had 25.20 fantasy points in his first start and should be just as active against Southampton even if he doesn't score and assist again. Given his price, he should be on almost every squad. If you have the money, you can stack him with James and hope for all of the assists and set pieces.
Ruben Dias, MCI v. ARS (£14): No team on the slate has great odds for a clean sheet, but Dias is cheap and on the biggest favorite. In his first start, he had a solid 5.40 fantasy points without a clean sheet, and if Man City hold Arsenal scoreless, he'll be a nice value. I also prefer Dias because he's one of the cheapest starting defenders for any of the favorites.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, MUN at NEW (£15): Wan-Bissaka hasn't shown much upside with Man United, but his floor has been fairly consistent because of everything he does on the pitch. He's scored at least 4.55 fantasy points in his first two starts, neither a clean sheet. While he isn't getting forward much, he has five tackles won, three interceptions and three blocks, and as long as those stats continue, he's a nice floor play with decent clean-sheet upside against Newcastle. Eric Bailly (£15) and Aymeric Laporte (£15) come at the same rate, but neither make as many defensive stops.
GOALKEEPER
David de Gea, MUN at NEW (£14): It's not that de Gea is a good goalkeeper or that he's going to secure a clean sheet, it's that he's almost the cheapest goalkeeper on the slate despite being favored. If you're lucky, de Gea will make three saves and get a win, something that hasn't consistently happened for United in early matches. Otherwise, you could spend up on Karl Darlow (£17) for saves or Ederson (£16) because Man City are the biggest favorite.
