This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Middlesbrough v. Everton
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. West Brom
10:00 a.m: Sunderland v. Southampton
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Tottenham
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Vito Mannone, SUN v. SOU ($4,300): Sunderland are the second-biggest underdogs on the slate despite coming off back-to-back clean sheets, which came against Tottenham and Crystal Palace, and they are at home. That being said, there's a reason Sunderland are underdogs, as they've allowed the third-most home goals (fifth-most overall), as well as the second-most shots and most shots on goal overall this season. Southampton have been more attacking of late, taking the third-most shots (93) over the last six games, but they haven't been terribly accurate, with their 25 shots on target the ninth-most over that span. To cap it all off, Saints have scored just six goals (fourth-fewest) in those games, three of which came in a home game against Leicester, so there shouldn't be much concern that Mannone will get lit up without making enough saves to compensate for the goals allowed (if there are any).
DEFENDER
Antonio Valencia, MUN v. WAT ($5,900): Despite taking just one corner, Valencia has sent in 53 crosses in the last six games, the most in the Premier League over that span. While James Milner (51 crosses in the last six games) has some security because he takes corners, Valencia has been offering just as many crosses but costs $1,900 less. Oh, and Milner's opponent, Tottenham, has allowed the third-fewest crosses and corners this season, while Valencia's has allowed the fourth-most crosses.
Cedric Soares, SOU at SUN ($5,100): Sunderland have allowed the most crosses this season, including the fifth-most over the past six games. Going even more granular, they've allowed the fourth-most crosses to right-backs, which fits in well for Cedric, who has sent in the fourth-most crosses in the Premier League over the last six gameweeks, which is even more impressive when you see he's only started five of those games. Additionally, he's scored double-digit fantasy points in four of his last five starts, winning 13 tackles total in those matches.
Antonio Barragan, MID v. EVE ($3,900): Barragan has been a very inconsistent fantasy producer this season, as he's had games with eight crosses and one tackle and then ones with seven tackles and one cross. Oh, and some with one cross and one tackle. He'll now face an Everton side that's had the fifth-most tackles won against them this season, while Barragan is coming off a solid game last weekend against West Brom when he had seven tackles and four crosses. The upside isn't huge, but neither is the salary.
MIDFIELDER
Robert Snodgrass, WHU v. WBA ($7,900): Snodgrass took every corner for West Ham in their 3-1 win at St. Mary's last weekend (granted, it was only two), but it seems likely that he will take on that role full time. He finished with five crosses overall in that match and will now face off against a West Brom side that has allowed the second-most crosses and third-most corners in the last six weeks. West Ham haven't been crossing a ton lately, which is mostly because of the lack of Dimitri Payet, but Snodgrass should be able to bring them up now that he's acclimated to the club.
James Ward-Prowse, SOU at SUN ($5,800): Sunderland have allowed the most crosses and fourth-most corners this season, and Ward-Prowse appears to have taken over corner duties for Saints, especially with Dusan Tadic struggling to get consistent minutes. Ward-Prowse has sent in 30 crosses in the last four games, while also taking eight shots (six on target), and he'll face a Sunderland side that has allowed the second-most shots and most shots on goal this season.
Charlie Adam, STK v. CRY ($4,900): As long as Adam is taking corners for Stoke, he has to be in consideration at less than $5,000, and especially so against a Palace team that has scored two goals in their last four games. Stoke's cross numbers at home have been very inconsistent of late, sending in 40, 33, seven and 22 in their last four, respectively. A review of their opponents should help explain it, as they played Leicester, Watford, Manchester United and Everton in each of those games. With Palace up next, Adam should get plenty of opportunities to send in crosses and possibly take multiple shots for the fifth time in the last six games.
FORWARD
Kevin Mirallas, EVE at MID ($6,400): Mirallas' eligibility as a forward is a big bonus because it's tough to find corner takers who can slot into that position on DraftKings. Mirallas did not start last weekend but makes for a decent play against Middlesbrough despite their solid defensive record. However, Boro have actually been better defensively away from home this season, and they've allowed the third-most crosses in the Premier League over the last six games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN v. WAT ($9,700): Ibrahimovic is very goal dependent to produce enough value to pay off the most expensive salary on the entire slate, but he also comes in with the best goal-scoring odds of any player. In fact, his odds for scoring twice are better than single-goal odds for players like Ross Barkley and Wilfried Zaha. Ibrahimovic has three goals and an assist in his last six games, and he now faces a Watford side that's allowed the sixth-most shots and sixth-most goals over the last six games.
Wilfried Zaha, CRY at STK ($7,300): Zaha has scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his last four Premier League matches despite scoring just one goal, as he consistently finishes with either multiple shots, crosses, fouls drawn or tackles. If he can find the back of the net, or even help another teammate do so, he'll provide a ton of value for a non-top-tier forward price.
