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: Brighton v. Leicester City
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Cardiff City
10:00 a.m: Fulham v. Southampton
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Liverpool
10:00 a.m: West Ham v. Manchester City
12:30 p.m: Tottenham v. Chelsea
FORWARDS
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. CAR ($9,000): Despite plenty of big-name players from Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea, Sigurdsson is likely to be the most popular player in cash games, if he can overcome the ankle injury that forced him from playing for Iceland in their recent international matches. He is the second-highest scoring player on DraftKings this season, trailing Chelsea's Eden Hazard ($10,400), while Sigurdsson has the most floor points (total fantasy points minus goals, assists, clean sheets and cards). In fact, the 18.50-point gap between Sigurdsson and second-place James Maddison ($8,100, midfielder) of Leicester City is almost the same as the difference between Maddison and Kieran Trippier ($6,300, defender), who has the 11th-most floor points. Sigurdsson's role on set pieces has decreased over the past few weeks (more on that later), but that hasn't slowed him much, even if he struggled in his last match, which was away to Chelsea. Home to Cardiff City is a ripe opportunity for Sigurdsson, as they've allowed the second-most goals, second-most assists, second-most shots on goal and second-most corners among teams on the slate. Sigurdsson's potential injury absence opens up a huge opportunity for another player, but it's not Richarlison ($8,600), who still has a very solid matchup in his own right, though Sigurdsson's set pieces certainly won't go to him.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI at WHU ($8,200): Manchester City are the biggest favorites on the slate despite playing away to West Ham, and while he's gotten on the scoresheet at least once in five consecutive starts in all competitions, Mahrez comes in cheaper than Sergio Aguero ($10,200), Raheem Sterling ($9,700) and Leroy Sane ($8,700). There is little doubting the Man City attackers' upsides in GPPs, but Mahrez may be the most cost-effective way, at least in a forward spot, to get exposure in cash games because of his shared role on set pieces and consistent shooting, as he comes in averaging 2.99 shots, including 1.28 shots on goal, and 4.28 crosses per 90 minutes over his last five, with three goals and four assists in that span.
Andros Townsend, CRY at MUN ($5,200): Townsend's matchup isn't ideal, but it's worth recognizing that he's scored at least 10.00 fantasy points in three consecutive matches, which came against Arsenal (home), Chelsea (away) and Tottenham (home). Surely there is some trepidation about facing Manchester United at Old Trafford, but they're still a team that's allowed the sixth-most crosses and seventh-most tackles to be won against them, two stats that work in Townsend's favor. If you're uneasy with the matchup but still need a player in this price range, Danny Ings ($5,700) plays the second-worst defense (at least from a fantasy perspective) in the league, though they now have Claudio Ranieri at the helm, while Demarai Gray ($5,800) could have a role on set pieces if Maddison sits with an injury.
MIDFIELDERS
David Silva, MCI at WHU ($8,000): Silva's floor has always been a bit questionable because of his reduced role on set pieces, but it's worth recognizing that he's taken eight of Manchester City's 14 free kicks in the past two games. He comes in second in the league in chances created, and while he has just two assists in his last six starts (and it's five consecutive matches without an assist), he's found the back of the net in four of his last five, putting six of his 14 shots on goal in that span. Silva's upside is pretty questionable, even with those goals, but he makes for one of the cheapest paths into the Man City attack, albeit without forward eligibility.
Rachid Ghezzal, LEI at BHA ($4,100): While many fantasy players turned to Marc Albrighton ($6,800) for Leicester's match against Burnley before the international break, Ghezzal was actually the one who took on Maddison's set pieces, helping him to rack up 15 crosses while also taking three shots in 90 minutes. Granted, Albrighton was great before coming off at the 60-minute mark, putting one of three shots on goal and sending in 10 crosses, but Ghezzal could be a key piece for cash games Saturday if Maddison is unable to play again, especially at such a low price compared to other set piece takers. It's also worth pointing out that Ghezzal will be lining up against a Brighton defense that has allowed the most shots, most crosses, most corners and most fouls drawn this season among teams on the slate. There are a number of Leicester options worth considering, depending on the lineup, and I'd also give a long look to Wilfred Ndidi ($3,500), who despite playing mostly as a defensive midfielder has taken 10 shots, including three on goal, while winning five tackles, drawing four fouls and intercepting eight passes in his last three games, not to mention the goal he scored against West Ham in the first match of that set. Of course, Maddison becomes a serious consideration if he starts, a move that significantly alters lineup construction because of his high price, enough so that I'd probably take him over Silva and try to get Manchester City exposure in a forward spot. If Ghezzal doesn't start and you're still looking for a cheaper set-piece taker, Cardiff City's Victor Camarasa ($4,200) is an option after he had eight shots (two on goal), 14 crosses and three fouls drawn in his last two games, but his matchup isn't ideal against Everton, who have allowed the fifth-fewest shots and fourth-fewest crosses.
Mohamed Salah, LIV at WAT ($10,000): I'm cheating a little bit here because you'd most likely play Salah in a forward spot, but with so many potential cheap midfielders, there's every reason to consider Salah at least in the utility. Manchester City, Manchester United and Everton are all bigger favorites than Liverpool, though the latter actually has the same implied goal total as Everton. Watford have strong defensive stats this season, but it's worth seeing that they allowed two goals each to Arsenal (away) and Manchester United while conceding once to Tottenham, and they haven't played Manchester City (or Liverpool, obviously) yet. Meanwhile, Salah continues to have a role on set pieces, and he comes in with five goals on 31 shots, including 14 on target, two assists on 10 chances created and 22 crosses in his last seven games. His price probably requires a goal for it to really pay off, but he also has the best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate other than Aguero.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne, EVE v. CAR ($6,200): Digne's ownership in cash games likely explodes if Sigurdsson is held out, as he's actually been the one taking a majority of Everton's set pieces lately, helping him to reach double-digit crosses in five of his last seven games. He's also taken multiple shots and/or won multiple tackles in four of his last five Premier League games, and with Everton heavily favored at home to Cardiff, who concede plenty of shots and corners, Digne's floor is about as safe as they come.
Matt Targett, SOU at FUL ($3,800): Expected to start in place of the suspended Ryan Bertrand ($4,700), Targett has not only taken set pieces previously, but he's starting for the player who has been the most consistent set-piece taker for Southampton this season. Nailing down the Saints' set pieces has long been a frustrating exercise, and there's no guarantee Targett even gets them because James Ward-Prowse ($5,100, midfielder), Nathan Redmond ($4,800, midfielder/forward), Mohamed Elyounoussi ($5,400, midfielder), Stuart Armstrong ($4,000, midfielder), Cedric Soares ($4,600) and even Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ($4,900, midfielder) have taken at least one set piece this season. However, Targett's low price makes it worth the risk, especially because he has open-play value as well.
Jose Holebas, WAT v. LIV ($6,100): The matchup stinks, but totally discounting Holebas is a mistake, as he's had plenty of solid games against good opponents, including two assists against Tottenham, 10 crosses against Manchester United and 15 crosses away to Arsenal. Watford at big underdogs, but they are at home and Holebas comes in with double-digit crosses in seven of 10 starts, including five of his last six. Digne is the clear top expensive defender, and a lot of players will likely pair him with Targett if the latter starts, but Holebas is even in consideration for the ultility spot because of how much he's used in the Watford attack, one that has scored 10 of their 17 goals this season at home.
GOALKEEPER
Wayne Hennessey, CRY at MUN ($3,800): I don't think there is a clear-cut top option worth paying up for, though if you have the money then Jordan Pickford ($5,400) home against Cardiff City feels slightly safer than either Ederson ($5,900) away to West Ham or David de Gea ($5,700), who has one Premier League clean sheet this season, home against Crystal Palace. In fact, facing de Gea is Hennessey, who has struggled of late thanks to consecutive matchups against Everton (away), Arsenal, Chelsea (away) and Tottenham. Playing at Old Trafford is no cakewalk, but he'll at least be facing a side that has forced the second-most saves in the Premier League while scoring the sixth-most goals.
