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: Burnley v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Wolves
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. Cardiff City
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Bournemouth
12:30 p.m: Manchester United v. Newcastle
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, TOT v. CAR ($11,000): Playing in one of his easiest matches of the season, Kane figures to be highly owned Saturday because of Tottenham's overwhelming win odds, high implied goal total and Kane's own anytime goal scorer odds. The slate as a whole isn't expected to be very high scoring, and even though Tottenham's odds for a blowout are moderate, it may be tough making up the lost ground if Kane scores even one goal. Kane isn't the only forward worth paying up for, and he's more goal dependent, but his shot floor has been higher recently and he now faces a side that's allowing the most shots on target and goals per match among teams on the slate.
Johann Berg Gudmundsson, BUR v. HUD ($9,100): Gudmundsson could be the highest-owned player in cash games, as he has a monopoly of set pieces for Burnley and is facing a Huddersfield side that's allowed the second-most goals and chances created per match among teams on the slate. He has scored at least 8.25 fantasy points in each start this season, other than Aug. 26 against Fulham when he left after 19 minutes due to injury, and he's scored at least 8.25 points without a goal or an assist in all but one start (two if you count the Fulham game). His floor is as high as they come, and while his salary is not cheap, there will be plenty paying up for him.
Adama Traore, WOL at CRY ($5,600): Another week, another Traore bit, though this time he has a clearer opportunity to start because Helder Costa ($4,700) looks likely to miss out. Traore's per-90 stats took a hit last week after he was fairly ineffective (at least from a fantasy-point perspective) in 38 minutes off the bench against Southampton, leaving him only averaging 3.21 shots, including 2.68 on goal, 5.36 crosses, 3.75 fouls drawn, 0.54 tackles won and 1.61 interceptions, equating to 15.00 fantasy points per 90 minutes. Again, his limited playing time is greatly helping his averages, but he's an excellent attacking player in this scoring system and should more than produce at this price if given enough minutes.
MIDFIELDERS
James Maddison, LEI v. EVE ($8,500): No player in the Premier League has scored more fantasy points, excluding goals and assists, than Maddison this season, while only Sergio Aguero and Eden Hazard have more overall fantasy points than the Leicester City midfielder, and they coincidentally aren't on Saturday's slate. Maddison's been incredibly consistent thanks to shots, crosses and fouls drawn, but he's also made the scoresheet in five of seven matches, including each of the last four. Up next is an Everton side that's allowed two goals in each of their three away matches this season, which came against the murderer's row of Wolverhampton, Bournemouth and Arsenal, making Maddison the clear top midfielder for cash games and GPPs.
Jonjo Shelvey, NEW at MUN ($3,700): Shelvey's partial role on set pieces and low price put him in consideration, even with a seemingly tough matchup against Manchester United at Old Trafford. He seems to have a reliable spot in the starting XI, but there's always a possibility that he doesn't make the lineup, which obviously makes his selection a bit risky because he's playing in the late game and has poor pivots in his price range. Nevertheless, his lower price makes him an attractive target for those paying up for Kane (and/or a few other high-priced players), and he has a little more upside because he could be sending in corners. Staying in this price range, Wilfred Ndidi ($3,400) isn't a bad option either, as he's taken at least one shot in every match this season (only twice having fewer than two), and his defensive work has helped him to win 15 tackles over the past four games. Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma ($3,200) has been shooting a bit more recently as well, and he's playing in the game with the second-highest implied goal total.
Aaron Mooy, HUD at BUR ($5,100): Mooy isn't exactly an attacking juggernaut, and Huddersfield come in with only three goals in seven Premier League matches this season, but he now gets to face a Burnley side that's allowed the most shots, shots on goal and chances created, plus the fourth-most crosses per match. As much as I love Philip Billing ($4,900), his new price after scoring at least 7.00 fantasy points in five of seven matches has me more willing to roster Mooy because of his role on set pieces.
Paul Pogba, MUN v. NEW ($7,900): Would you be willing to pay $7,900 for a player on the second-biggest favorite on the slate who has scored at least 7.25 fantasy points, not including goals and assists, in five consecutive matches, with his only match failing to reach that level included a missed penalty? Despite all of the ridiculousness surrounding Jose Mourinho and Manchester United, Pogba has quietly been their best fantasy producer with two goals on 14 shots (eight on goal), two assists on 10 chances created and 18 fouls drawn in his last five games, and he'll now face a Newcastle team that's allowed multiple goals in five of seven matches, and has given up the second-most shots and committed the most fouls among teams on the slate. I'm not saying Pogba is a great cash play, but plenty of people scoff at the possibility and I think it's a lot more viable than that. Then again, I'd probably only play him in GPP because I think Maddison is the better cash play anyway.
DEFENDERS
Jose Holebas, WAT v. BOU ($6,700): Tottenham's Kieran Trippier ($7,400) will surely get some attention as the main set-piece taker for the biggest favorite on the slate, not to mention the one with the best clean sheet odds, but he'll be playing his third game of the week and he's totally assist-dependent to make value. The assist is obviously in play, but it's worth noting he has just one in his past five games despite sending in 38 crosses and creating 10 chances. If there's a further hesitation it's that he has taken one shot over that span, and I'm just struggling to see a monster 15-cross performance that will be needed at his price. Meanwhile, Holebas comes in with at least 10 crosses in five of seven starts this season, and his 2.16 chances created per 90 minutes average is actually higher than Trippier's. Pairing them together is always a possibility, though if you're paying up at both forward spots it becomes really difficult without at least two midfield punts. In fact, I would be more likely to pair Holebas with Ben Chilwell ($5,400) because I don't think the gap between him and Trippier is worth $2,000.
Erik Durm, HUD at BUR ($3,700): Durm hasn't been crossing like the guy he replaced in the lineup, Florent Hadergjonaj ($4,300), but he still likely qualifies as the cheapest starting fullback. That sounds just as unglamorous as it is, so while he provides some decent salary relief and the positional upside for a few crosses, but don't expect peak Hadergjonaj-level production. That being said, Chris Lowe ($4,600) should be worth the increase in price versus his fullback teammates because his shared role on set pieces actually gives him opportunities for crosses.
Diogo Dalot, MUN v. NEW ($4,900): The Manchester United left-backs are more expensive than Dalot and Antonio Valencia ($4,800), which makes sense because they cross more and are generally more involved in the attack. However, against a Newcastle side that's really struggling offensively this season, whoever starts at right-back should be able to move into the attacking half of the field. Given the uncertainty around the Manchester United lineup, just be sure you leave enough salary for Dalot in case he gets the start, though the real kicker from Mourinho would be to have Luke Shaw ($5,800) on the left and Ashley Young ($5,900), who was held out of the midweek Champions League match with a knock, start on the right just to screw us.
GOALKEEPER
Martin Dubravka, NEW at MUN ($3,800): If you want to play into the "Manchester United are in shambles" narrative then rostering Dubravka makes sense. You could also use the excuse that you're likely not rostering anyone from Manchester United, but narratives are more fun and easier to blame when it blows up in your face. If you're looking to pay up, I think going all the way to Hugo Lloris ($6,000) is the way to go even after getting blasted by Barcelona for four goals on Wednesday. As a reminder, Cardiff City are not Barcelona. The save upside may not be there, but the Tottenham defense is significantly better with Lloris in goal.
