DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

As always, Step 1 in building a good lineup: make sure your players are starting. There is a bit of guesswork in projecting lineups until they are actually announced, and all recommendations and projections are subject to change based on this. All said, be sure to check the lineups page approximately one hour before kickoff.

Goalkeepers:

David de Gea, MUN v. WHU ($4,200): West Ham's away form is impressive, but Manchester United's home defense is awe-inspiring (from a statistical perspective at least). One goal against in six matches, two against in nine when including their Champions League campaign; and not one match where they came up with anything less than a draw.

Jack Butland, STK v. MCI ($3,400): Arguably the best keeper in the Premier League this season at home in a high upside matchup. Manchester City looks to be full strength on offense, and probably the top offense in the League when so. Manchester City is also averaging just under 1.2 goals per game on the road. Butland is a cheap GPP option on the all-day slate with extremely high upside from a save standpoint.

Other goalkeepers to consider:Thibaut Courtois, CHL v. BOU ($3,500); Petr Cech, ARS v. SUN ($4,600); Heurelho Gomes, WAT v. NOR ($3,700); Hugo Lloris, TOT at WBA ($3,900); Giedrius Arlauskis, WAT v. NOR ($2,500)

Defenders:

Kyle Naughton, SWA v. LEI ($3,200): The Swansea back paired eight interceptions with five crosses, three fouls drawn and two tackles won last weekend on his way to 14 fantasy points. He did this away at Liverpool, so home against Leicester should be at the very least as good of a set-up to match this production.

Christian Fuchs, LEI at SWA ($3,600): When you just look at Fuchs' 14-fantasy-point total from last weekend you assume business as usual. Well, he managed to reach this total with just one cross. He combined for 29 in the four games prior.

Kieran Gibbs, ARS v. SUN ($2,700): Arsenal can't keep anyone healthy as they currently have six players out including regular starters Alexis Sanchez, Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin. I don't really love Gibbs, but he's a defender that could once again feature in an attacking role.

Other defenders to consider:Nacho Monreal, ARS v. SUN ($4,100); Virgil van Dijk SOU v. AVL ($2,800); Nathan Ake, WAT v. NOR ($2,400); Erik Pieters, STK v. MCI ($3,800); Bacary Sagna, MCI at STK ($3,500); Aleksander Kolarov, MCI at STK ($5,500); Cedric Soares, SOT v. AVL ($3,500)

Midfielders:

Willian, CHE v. BOU ($6,100): Willian is easily a top-5 midfielder with contributions in literally every category offensively and defensively, but he's 11th in price. He does everything for Chelsea these days including an impressive six free-kick goals across the Premier League and Champions League. He's hit 20 fantasy points in three consecutive outings and the matchup couldn't be much better at home against a lesser Bournemouth side that conceded three goals at home against Everton last time out.

Dusan Tadic, SOU v. AVL ($7,600): After coming on as a sub last weekend, the well-rested Tadic will return to starting and fantasy lineups. He's the top crosser in the league, contributing them through both corners and open play, takes free kicks, is designated for penalties, and is frankly just a very talented player.

Ben Watson, WAT v. NOR ($3,400): Watson is still new to the Premier League scene, but he has hit double-digit fantasy points in three of his last five performances. Why is this? He takes all of Watford's corners, left and right side. He took nine last weekend.

James McClean, WBA v. TOT ($3,600): Our leading crosser from Matchday 14. He's not good for much else other than the occasional assist, but his floor is really good, reaching double-digit points in five of his six last games (the lone exception being against Manchester United).

Daley Blind, MUN v. WHU ($3,100): If Blind were listed as a defender I'd probably call for 100 percent exposure. He remains at centerback but takes Manchester United's corners, as odd as that sounds. He threw in an assist on top of seven crosses last weekend.

Other midfielders to consider:Ashley Young, MUN v. WHU ($4,300); Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA v. LEI ($5,300); Mesut Ozil, ARS v. SUN ($7,400); Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at STK; Robbie Brady, NOR at WAT ($5,700); Matt Ritchie, BOU at CHE ($6,000); Sadio Mane, SOU v. AVL ($7,200); Aaron Ramsey, ARS v. SUN ($5,200); Bastian Schweisteiger, MUN v. WHU ($3,400); Riyad Mahrez, LEI at SWA ($8,100); Christian Eriksen, TOT at WBA ($6,700); Marc Albrighton, LEI at SWA ($6,200); Son Heung-Min, TOT at WBA ($4,700); Jefferson Montero, SWA v. LEI ($4,400); Dele Alli ($3,600

Forwards:

Troy Deeney, WAT v. NOR ($4,900): Watford has quietly been having a very good season, as they are only 10 points behind league-leaders Manchester City and Leicester City, and one point behind Southampton. Deeney comes into this favorable home matchup against Norwich City with goals in three consecutive games. It's unsustainable, but while he's hot there's no reason not to ride him. His floor is higher than teammate Odion Ighalo despite the lesser price.

Odion Ighalo, WAT v. NOR ($5,700): Eight goals this season! That's a big number. Harry Kane has the same number yet is $2,000 more expensive.

Other forwards to consider:Harry Kane, TOT at WBA ($7,700); Graziano Pelle, SOT v. AVL; Joel Campbell, ARS v. SUN ($4,000); Olivier Giroud, ARS v. SUN ($6,700); Pedro, CHL v. BOU ($5,900); Sergio Aguero, MCI at STK ($7,800); Diego Costa, CHL v. BOU ($6,700); Memphis Depay ($6,600); Jamie Vardy, LEI at SWA ($8,000)*

*Vardy beat me again, I can't tell you to fade him anymore – even if I'm stubborn and will continue to do so.