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 (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. Chelsea
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Cardiff City
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Fulham v. Crystal Palace
12:30 p.m: Wolves v. Everton
FORWARDS
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE at WOL ($6,400): Sigurdsson figures to be the highest-owned player in cash games despite being an away underdog. He's expected to take all set pieces for Everton, and his price is significantly cheaper than the most expensive options. His forward eligibility is a plus, though there are a number of forward-eligible players who have good floors for cash games. Everton's addition of Richarlison ($5,600) has made many enthusiastic that we'll see the guy who started last season with five goals, three assists and 40 fouls drawn in his first 12 starts (they coincidentally came before manager Marco Silva was fired, and Silva now manages Everton), and while he makes for a decent GPP play, his ability to draw fouls helps Sigurdsson in terms of set pieces.
Andros Townsend, CRY at FUL ($7,200): Another away underdog who is a set-piece taker, Townsend is likely to be on most corners, with the possibility that Luka Milivojevic ($4,900, midfielder) poaches a few. Townsend is a solid open-play crosser, something that could be even better if Christian Benteke ($6,300) leads the line because he's a big target in the box. I also always have to give a long look at Wilfried Zaha ($8,300), who averaged 2.26 shots, including 0.92 on goal, 2.68 crosses and 2.68 fouls drawn per 90 minutes last season, equating to 7.87 fantasy points. Fouls drawn aren't as consistently predictable as crosses, which is why Townsend gets the slight nod, not to mention he's $1,100 cheaper, but Zaha is tempting.
Ivan Cavaleiro, WOL v. EVE ($8,300): Cavaleiro's viability changes greatly if Joao Moutinho ($4,800, midfielder) starts because the expectation is that he'd take set pieces, or at least they would split. Cavaleiro averaged 6.3 crosses per 90 minutes last season, partially aided by his 2.5 corners, but he was also well rounded by adding 2.2 shots, including 0.9 on goal, 1.7 fouls drawn and 2.3 chances created. Wolves are unlike most promoted teams given how much they have invested since being promoted, so there shouldn't be much hesitation in that respect. Cavaleiro's price is high, but the lack of Moutinho would make him an attractive option.
MIDFIELDERS
Ryan Fraser, BOU v. CAR ($8,900): Fraser's price jumps out as really high on first look, but there aren't a plethora of expensive players worth paying up for (mostly because they won't be playing), and fitting in his salary isn't as hard as it initially seems. He is expected to take most set pieces for Bournemouth, though Jordon Ibe ($7,000, midfielder/forward) could take some as well, but it's Fraser's ability to draw fouls and take a few shots that makes him worthy of consideration. Bournemouth are actually the second-biggest favorites on the slate, as Cardiff come in with the highest odds in the league to be relegated, so getting the main set-piece taker for cash games is a good idea.
Cesc Fabregas, CHE at HUD ($7,600): Oh, look, another set-piece taker. Fabregas provides a safe floor for the biggest favorite on the slate, though it's worth mentioning that the floor isn't quite as high if Willian ($10,100, midfielder/forward) starts as well. It's not that the two will evenly split the corner opportunities, but even a 70/30 split will hurt Fabregas because a majority of his crosses come from set pieces. The name many people will be on the lookout for when lineups are announced is Callum Hudson-Odoi ($3,300), who started in the front three against Manchester City in the Community Shield last week. He wasn't exactly a productive fantasy option, but his minimum-priced salary surely opens up space elsewhere.
Jean Michael Seri, FUL v. CRY ($4,700): There are a few players who could take corners for Fulham, but Seri appears to be the most likely of the group who will start against Crystal Palace. He's not a volume shooter playing as a holding midfielder, but he is good at drawing fouls and his crosses will come from those set pieces. Fulham are favored at home despite being newly promoted, and while Seri's upside isn't overly high, his lower salary makes him a safer choice than Ryan Sessegnon ($7,400), who is a much more active attacker in open play, though he could be limited in that respect if he lines up as a left-back.
DEFENDERS
Jose Holebas, WAT v. BHA ($6,200): Holebas is the most expensive defender on the slate, but with a role on set pieces, he has arguably the highest floor at the position. There is money to spend on Holebas and another higher-priced defender if you save elsewhere, but even if there was just one to pay up for, Holebas is the safer choice (just be warned that he's always on the verge of getting a yellow card until he ... actually gets the yellow card). He had seven matches last season with at least 10 crosses, and while he doesn't shoot often, he creates enough chances that an assist isn't out of the question in terms of upside.
Davide Zappacosta, CHE at HUD ($5,500): Zappacosta is no guarantee to start, but he's the Chelsea defender I'd want if he's in the first XI. Chelsea used a three-man back line for all 38 games last season, which is why Marcos Alonso ($8,000) is classified as a midfielder despite the expectation he'll be a left-back this season. Zappacosta is a crossing machine, which is why he gets consideration if he starts, but it's important to recognize that his crossing upside is player-dependent and not team-position-dependent, which means you won't get the same attacking wing play from Cesar Azpilicueta ($4,800), who primarily played as a center-back last season and is more likely to start at right-back Saturday.
Jeffrey Schlupp, CRY at FUL ($3,700): If you're looking to pay down for an attacking full-back, Schlupp jumps out because he's actually been playing as a midfielder during recent preseason matches. Starting left-back Patrick van Aanholt ($5,200) gets more attention because he's scored a few goals, but that price takes him out of consideration for cash games. Some might look to the other side at Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($4,400), but he doesn't really join the attack nearly as much as van Aanholt and Schlupp. I don't necessarily think you have to pay down for a defender, and if you're looking for a goal you're better off targeting a big center-back, but Schlupp's price at least puts him in play.
GOALKEEPER
Ben Foster, WAT v. BHA ($5,100): Paying up at goalkeeper was a popular strategy during the World Cup, and while it's one that can work during Premier League play, our top options this week have question marks. Willy Caballero ($5,500) could get the start in goal for Chelsea if they decide to wait on giving Kepa Arrizbalaga his debut after he joined the club Thursday, but Caballero is error-prone enough to make me really hesitate on paying that much. The same applies for Bournemouth's Asmir Begovic ($5,300), who is playing a poor Cardiff team while also coming off a season when he co-lead the league in goals allowed (he was tied with Jack Butland, whose Stoke City team was relegated). That pushes me down to Foster, who is facing a Brighton side that scored the fewest goals last season (34) among teams on the slate. Watford aren't a strong defensive side, but that only makes me feel better about Foster's save upside. Then again, it's goalkeeper, so just roster whoever isn't facing your attackers.
