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: West Ham v. Tottenham
10:00 a.m: Wolverhampton v. Watford
10:00 a.m: Manchester City v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Cardiff city v. Fulham
12:30 p.m: Huddersfield v. Liverpool
FORWARDS
Raheem Sterling, MCI v. BUR ($9,800): With Manchester City such big favorites at home against Burnley, there's a legitimate case to be made for taking two of their front-line attackers in cash games. Sterling and Sergio Aguero ($10,600) are more goal dependent than either Leroy Sane ($9,300) or Riyad Mahrez ($8,800) because of their roles on set pieces, though those aren't guaranteed this weekend now that Kevin De Bruyne ($9,600, midfield) is fit again and pushing for a start. Aguero comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, and while he failed to take a single shot in 66 minutes against Liverpool before the international break, he scored three goals on 20 shots (seven on goal) in the previous three games, including one goal in each match. Meanwhile, Sterling made the scoresheet in four consecutive Premier League starts before the scoreless draw against Liverpool, and he comes in second on the team in goals, shots, shots on goal and chances created while leading them in fouls drawn. Sane or Mahrez probably make more sense if De Bruyne doesn't start, but if the latter does then why not choose the goal-dependent players who are more reliable goal scorers? Speaking of those types of players, I think there's a good possibility that Harry Kane ($10,100) goes underowned Saturday because of the Manchester City options, not to mention Liverpool's Mohamed Salah ($10,400) playing away to Huddersfield. Sadio Mane ($9,000) is questionable after undergoing thumb surgery, and playing in the late game doesn't help his cause, but fantasy players could also turn to Roberto Firmino ($8,000) as even cheaper exposure to that Liverpool attack. However, I just view those guys as potential ownership takers away from Kane, who has scored four goals on 18 shots, including 11 on goal, and drawn 10 fouls in his last four games. The West Ham defense has been pretty good at home this season, but containing Kane is another story.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL at CAR ($6,800): Only Aguero has taken more shots than Mitrovic and no player on the slate has scored more goals this season. Cardiff City have been fairly good against non-top-six sides, and while Fulham are certainly closer to relegation than being in the top six, their attacking makeup keeps Mitrovic in play on almost any slate thanks to the shot volume that's seen him fail to take three shots in just one match, which was away to Manchester City. He's gotten 13 of this 34 shots on goal, and while he doesn't do much else in terms of peripherals, his GPP viability is high in this six-pointer. Teammate Andre Schurrle, who is only $200 less, is also a possibility, though 18 of his 29 shots, and seven of his 10 shots on goal, came in just two games. On the plus side, he does cross a little bit and wins a few tackles and fouls. I also wouldn't shy away, at least in GPP, from Callum Wilson ($6,900), who has gotten on the scoresheet in three of his last four games.
Danny Ings, SOU at BOU ($5,800): Yes, really. Ings has been one of the steadiest shot takers since moving into the starting XI, firing off multiple in each match while putting two on goal in four of his six outings. He's also drawn at least one foul in all but one, helping him to score no fewer than 5.50 fantasy points in each of his six starts, three of which included a goal that pushed him over 15.75. His reputation surely doesn't scream "cash consideration," but I think there's a reasonable case for Ings if you don't want to rely on the Manchester City goal lottery. The biggest problem with Ings is that getting six or seven points at this price would be okay on a lot of slates, but with Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham, we may need more from the position.
Adama Traore, WOL v. WAT ($6,000): If you want to know why you should play Traore, you can just read these.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohamed Elyounoussi, SOU at BOU ($6,300): Southampton have been poor this season, as they come in 17th in the table with the fourth-worst goal differential. However, they've actually scored the ninth-most fantasy points excluding goals, assists and clean sheets, with plenty of that peripheral production coming from Elyounoussi, who has taken at least two shots in every start while his 9.46 crosses per 90 minutes rank third in the league. Meanwhile, Bournemouth have allowed the fifth-most crosses among teams on the slate, potentially giving Elyounoussi a clear path to more peripheral stats.
Victor Camarasa, CAR v. FUL ($4,900): There won't be many times this season when Cardiff are favored, and not only does Camarasa give us exposure to their set pieces, he's also facing a Fulham side that's allowed the most fantasy points, including and excluding goals, assists and clean sheets. If there's a hesitation it's that Camarasa didn't start taking corners until two games ago, he averaged 0.29 crosses per 90 minutes in 24 appearances (14 starts) for Real Betis last season, and he's taken just five shots, won three tackles and drawn seven fouls in seven starts this term. The salary level is certainly helpful, but we really shouldn't be expecting a ton. If you're hesitant on Camarasa, you could also use Jonjo Shelvey ($4,800), who continues to have a role on set pieces, which gives him a decent crossing floor, and he shoots and wins a few tackles. However, the play in the price range may be Watford's Will Hughes ($5,000), who has taken some scattered corners this season but could take more Saturday because regular set-piece taker Jose Holebas is suspended. Unlike Camarasa, Hughes is actually productive without set pieces, as he's averaging 1.67 shots, 2.23 tackles won and 2.51 fouls drawn per 90 minutes this season, and he's reached 4.50 floor points in all but one match.
Junior Stanislas, BOU v. SOU ($6,600): Stanislas has the opportunity to regain his role on set pieces if Ryan Fraser ($8,100) is unable to play because of the hamstring injury that ruled him out if international duty. It's been quite some time since Stanislas was fully fit, but he was very solid last season, averaging 3.13 shots, including 1.39 on goal and 4.93 crosses per 90 minutes. The possibility of defender Diego Rico ($5,600) taking some corners is certainly there, but Stanislas is a main component of the Bournemouth attack when he starts. If you're not as concerned with set pieces, Cardiff City's Josh Murphy ($6,700) should certainly get a look if he starts, as he comes in averaging 3.46 shots, including 0.92 on goal, 4.85 crosses and 3.23 fouls drawn per 90 minutes this season. One worry is that the numbers are inflated because he's only started four games, but I'll counter that by acknowledging he's scored at least 9.00 in all of those instances, with that low match coming away to Tottenham. He's probably more fit for GPP against the horrible Fulham defense, but riskier cash players may not be disappointed.
DEFENDERS
Kieran Trippier, TOT at WHU ($7,100): This price is really high, but for a set-piece taker on the team with the third-highest implied goal total, it's not outrageous. Trippier is second in the Premier League in crosses this season, he's taken 25 of Spurs' 40 corners (Christian Eriksen is next with nine), and he's won multiple tackles or drawn multiple fouls in five of his last six games, including each of the last four. There are actually a number of high-priced defenders who can be considered, but Trippier has the most reliably high floor of the group, even with Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold ($6,500) and Bournemouth's Diego Rico ($5,600) possibly taking corners for their sides.
Adam Masina, WAT at WOL ($3,500): Masina has an opportunity to start in place of the suspended Holebas, and his limited play has pushed his salary down to the point where he could be the cheapest starting fullback Saturday. That being said, Watford are away underdogs and he's not really much of a crosser, averaging more tackles won and interceptions per 90 minutes than crosses for Bologna last season. Nevertheless, he's a cheap outside player who is filling in for one of the more prolific attacking fullbacks this season, so there's that.
Cedric Soares, SOU at BOU ($4,200): We've seen Cedric and Ryan Bertrand ($4,400) at much higher prices, and while they don't cross as much as they used to (which obviously led to their drop in prices), they're now facing that same side that Elyounoussi will face, one that's allowed the fifth-most crosses among teams on the slate. I actually don't think the optimal lineup even has a defender in this range, especially since there are a handful of worthy upper-tier options and a few cheaper fullbacks, but the Southampton guys certainly make sense if you find yourself around here.
GOALKEEPER
Jonas Lossl, HUD v. LIV ($3,700): Liverpool are dealing with a number of injuries to important attackers, and while they are still head and shoulders above Huddersfield, being at less than 100 percent will push a lot of people to fading the Reds, and if that's the case then why not take the goalkeeper against them? Paying up for Ederson ($6,000) is also a possibility, though it's a bit tough if you want to spend two roster spots on Manchester City attackers.
