This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- Saturday, 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Southampton
- Saturday, 10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Fulham
- Saturday, 12:30 pm: Cardiff City vs. Crystal Palace
- Saturday, 2:45 pm: Newcastle United vs. Liverpool
- Sunday, 9:00 am: Chelsea vs. Watford
- Sunday, 9:00 am: Huddersfield Town vs. Manchester United
- Sunday, 11:30 am: Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
FORWARDS
Daniel Sturridge, LIV at NEW (£16): This weekend's slate is really tough because we have a number of teams with something to play for in the Premier League while others are participating in European competitions that could force some rotation. Liverpool lost to Barcelona in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday, and the return leg at Anfield is Wednesday, which could have manager Jurgen Klopp rotating his side a bit for their trip to Newcastle. However, it's not like they're just going to go through the motions, as Liverpool will likely need to win their final two Premier League matches to have a shot at winning the domestic title. Sturridge or Divock Origi (£10) could start up front after neither did in Spain, and while Roberto Firmino (£21) wasn't in the first XI for that match either, his groin issue seems like it will keep him on the bench again so he's ready for the Barca game. Adding to the complications, Liverpool play in the latest game Saturday, and you could be in a bind if you budget for Origi or Sturridge and Firmino starts up front. Either way, Liverpool are big favorites in the match despite Newcastle playing well of late, and getting exposure to their attack in this price range would be great value.
David Junior Hoilett, CAR v. CRY (£13): Cardiff are another team on the slate that need three points, as anything less will guarantee their relegation from the Premier League. Hoilett has been their best attacking player of late, and while his goal upside has been minimal, they can't win without scoring, so they're likely to be on the front foot for most of the match. His spot in the starting XI seems very secure, and his low salary will allow spending up at other positions.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. BHA (£27): Arsenal can still qualify for a top-four spot in the table, but they are also in the semi-final of the Europa League, grabbing a 3-1 home win over Valencia on Thursday. It wouldn't be surprising to see some rotation, though it seems unlikely that both Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette (£24) would both be on the bench for their match against Brighton. You could make a similar case for rostering Eden Hazard (£26), who didn't start Chelsea's Europa League match against Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday but came on in the second half. With both clubs having to play their second legs Thursday, rotation or minutes-limits could be in their plans, but their matchups this weekend sure are attractive.
MIDFIELDERS
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, LIV at NEW (£16): Like Sturridge and Origi, Oxlade-Chamberlain could start if Klopp looks to rotate the side. He made the bench for last weekend's match against Huddersfield, playing the final 17 minutes in his first appearance of the season, though he was left out of the side for the Barca match. Well rested, Oxlade-Chamberlain could provide a huge spark for a team that could afford to rest stars Mohamed Salah (£27) and Sadio Mane (£24). Given the long injury layoff, a full 90 minutes might be asking too much, but he's an excellent all-around fantasy scorer who could make value in a match Liverpool are expected to dominate.
Paul Pogba, MUN at HUD (£23): Manchester United are big favorites against already-relegated Huddersfield, and while they are a long-shot to finish in the top four, they still have a chance of making it. Pogba has just two goals in his last 13 Premier League and Champions League matches, and they both came in the same game, but he's still been taking a decent number of shots and creating a decent number of chances while consistently drawing fouls. With so much lineup uncertainty elsewhere, it may be best to focus on Pogba and capitalize on those who jump at the potential early rotation from Liverpool.
Diogo Jota, WOL v. FUL (£13): Jota is in excellent form, scoring a goal in back-to-back games while also picking up an assist last week against Watford. His floor has been solid too, with 11 shots and eight fouls drawn in his last three. Up next is a matchup against already-relegated Fulham, who have been much better defensively but have still conceded more fantasy points than any other team in the Premier League.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at NEW (£17): Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute for the Barcelona match, with Klopp opting for the most defensively inclined Joe Gomez (£15) to try and slow down the Barca attack. It's obviously unknown if Alexander-Arnold will start the return leg as Liverpool try to make up a three-goal deficit, but he make lots of sense this weekend against Newcastle, who have allowed the second-most accurate crosses and corners among teams on the slate. Liverpool could rotate, but they won't let up, leaving Alexander-Arnold with plenty of upside for a defender, even if Andrew Robertson (£18) is the one who leads all defenders in assists this season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka, CRY at CAR (£14): Cardiff have more to play for than any other team on the slate, but that doesn't mean they'll have their way with Crystal Palace; there's a reason they are likely to be relegated, after all. Wan-Bissaka's attacking upside is almost nothing, as he hasn't even taken a shot since Boxing Day, but he provides a very strong floor thanks to his tackles won, fouls drawn, interceptions and corners won. His low salary is helpful as well, though remember he's more of a floor play than ceiling. If you're looking for more upside, Cardiff's Sean Morrison (£13) has been a target on set pieces recently and could be in line for a vital goal, if they can win a dangerous set piece.
Jonny, WOL v. FUL (£13): The Wolverhampton wing-backs are surprisingly cheap given they're big favorites at home against Fulham. Jonny, Matt Doherty (£15) or Ruben Vinagre (£12) would be decent options given the potential clean sheet, and Jonny has shown a solid floor recently thanks to his defensive work. The attacking upside is pretty inconsistent, but Jonny's ability to supplement his work up the pitch with defensive stats makes him quite attractive at a low salary.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson Becker, LIV at NEW (£17): Liverpool's title hopes are fully dependent, at least in the short term, on beating Newcastle on Sunday, so paying up for their goalkeeper and some defenders seems prudent. This isn't a case of a team desperate for a win like Cardiff, it's arguably the best team in the Premier League trying to accomplish a long-sought-after goal. The save upside probably isn't as high someone like Rui Patricio (£13), but there's safety in the likely Golden Glove winner.
