This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Leeds United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Burnley
- 12:30 pm: Fulham vs. Chelsea
- 3:00 pm: Leicester City vs. Southampton
FORWARDS
Raphinha, LEE v. BHA (£22): Don't even bother looking at the odds for this slate, it's going to be a mess. One of the only players you can trust, no matter the odds, is Raphinha, who has at least 6.8 fantasy points in five of his last six starts. Even when he doesn't make the score-sheet, he does enough in all other facets, including take set pieces, to earn fantasy value. If you want the player most likely to score in this match, it's teammate Patrick Bamford (£27).
Jamie Vardy, LEI v. SOU (£25): If you want the same forward as everyone else in cash games, that'll likely be Vardy, who has the best odds to score on the slate. While he's a threat to score every match, he's also fairly easy to fade since his floor never goes above five points. Plus, Southampton haven't allowed a goal in their last three matches. If you fade Vardy, you can stack Leeds, Chelsea or even the biggest underdog on the slate, Fulham. Take your pick! And if that's your strategy, prepare yourself for a stoppage-time goal from Vardy.
Said Benrahma, WHU v. BRN (£10): Benrahma is at minimum price despite being a likely starter with a good chance to go close to a full 90. His floor is unreliable, but he should get opportunities because while Burnley are playing well, they're allowing shots. At best, Benrahma will have a few shots with defensive stats and hit a floor of five points. At worst, he'll be around two points and do nothing. For the price, it doesn't matter.
MIDFIELDERS
James Ward-Prowse, SOU at LEI (£22): Ward-Prowse is one of two midfielders who will likely be in every lineup, especially in cash games. He's not overly expensive, takes all set pieces and will be on penalties against Leicester City. He's hit at least six fantasy points in seven of his last eight starts because he's on the ball so much, and while in a tough spot, that won't stop him from hitting his usual numbers, especially given how inconsistent Leicester's back line has been.
James Maddison, LEI v. SOU (£19): Maddison is the other midfielder who will be in almost every lineup. He's oddly cheap for someone who takes set pieces and has made the score-sheet five times in his last six starts. While it's easy to fade Vardy because he doesn't have much of a floor, Maddison is cheaper and hits at least five fantasy points no matter the matchup. Throw in the 16 shots over the last six matches and he also provides nice upside.
Alexis Mac Allister, BHA at LEE (£10): If you don't want to save money on Benrahma, Mac Allister may be even more enticing. This match is expected to have goals, and Brighton manager Graham Potter complimented Mac Allister after his performance last match against Man City when he went a full 90 and scored 3.55 fantasy points. In a better matchup with goals expected, he should get more opportunities in front of net, and if you've seen him play, you know he loves to unleash from distance. If you want a Chelsea attacking player, Mason Mount (£17) is your guy in cash games. No one else has much of a floor for the Blues, so take your pick and guess who will score against Fulham.
DEFENDERS
Ben Chilwell, CHE at FUL (£15): Chilwell is oddly cheap despite having as high of a floor as any defender in the game. His numbers aren't close to what they were earlier in the season, but he's still getting forward and supplying consistent defensive stats. I also think Fulham and Chelsea will both struggle to score, so a clean sheet is in play. If you want to go all-in on the Chelsea back line, Reece James (£18) and the center-backs are also in play.
Luke Ayling, LEE v. BHA (£19): While I like Chilwell for his price, it's hard to ignore Ayling and Liam Cooper (£20), who don't need clean sheets to be fantasy relevant because they complete so many passes. Ayling has at least six fantasy points in each of his last six starts because he does a little bit of everything, whether it's completing passes or racking up blocks and interceptions.
Angelo Ogbonna, WHU v. BRN (£13): The West Ham defenders come at decent value with the best odds to secure a clean sheet on the slate. Ogbonna isn't as safe as the expensive players, but he's in play for a clean sheet and often accrues enough defensive stats to hit three or four fantasy points. If you wanted a West Ham defender who was a little safer with more upside, Vladimir Coufal (£15) is your guy. Also, fellow center-back Craig Dawson is the same price as Ogbonna.
GOALKEEPER
Lukasz Fabianski, WHU v. BRN (£14): Fabianski is one of the cheapest goalkeepers and has the best odds for a clean sheet. Sold. Alphonse Areola (£16) is a good bet if you're fading Chelsea because he has 20 saves in his last five starts, and even if he allows multiple goals, he should finish in the positive. That being said, Edouard Mendy (£15) is favored in that match and is cheaper. Every other goalkeeper is in play outside of the Leeds-Brighton match.
