This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace
- 12:30 pm: Manchester City vs. Chelsea
- 3:15 pm: Liverpool vs. Southampton
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SOU ($9,700): Liverpool are the biggest favorite on the slate and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Salah, who scored a goal in five of his last seven starts. Southampton have been a bit of a mess defensively lately, allowing multiple goals in five of their last six, and Salah could be very popular in GPPs and cash games even though he doesn't have the highest of floors. Liverpool offer plenty of GPP alternatives like Sadio Mane ($8,700), Diogo Jota ($8,500) and Roberto Firmino ($6,700) in their attack, though you need to be cautious because they are playing in the late game. In reality, it's just relying on Firmino that could cause issues if he's your only forward spot left, which likely leaves you with getting someone from Southampton as an alternative, something that's unlikely to pay off.
Eberechi Eze, CRY at SHU ($6,600): Eze has had a solid role on set pieces for Crystal Palace, who are away favorites against the already-relegated Sheffield United. He's definitely more of a floor play considering this match has the lowest implied goal total on the slate, but for those who need some floor points at a fairly inexpensive price, Eze fits the bill. Teammates Wilfried Zaha ($7,800) and Christian Benteke ($5,600) have higher anytime goal scorer odds (in fact, only four expected starters have higher anytime goal scorer odds), so they aren't poor options for tournaments.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. CHE ($9,200): Manchester City can win the Premier League title with three points Saturday, but they face a tough matchup against Chelsea, who they will also play for the Champions League trophy later this month. Both sides played tough UCL matches earlier this week, and the implied goal total is similar to Sheffield United v. Crystal Palace, which could make some people fade the game completely given you still have to pay premium prices for the Manchester City attackers. That being said, Mahrez makes sense for those willing to trust this match, as he has a solid floor from shots, chances created and crosses while also bringing in the upside that saw him make the score-sheet in three of his last four starts. There's also cheaper access to Manchester City goals, with Sergio Aguero ($6,900), Gabriel Jesus ($8,000) and Raheem Sterling ($8,100) each available for less.
MIDFIELDERS
Phil Foden, MCI v. CHE ($9,600): Kevin De Bruyne ($10,000) is likely to be very popular in cash games if he starts, but it's possible that he is rested because of the congested fixture list. If he does sit, Foden will have plenty of fantasy players looking his way because of his role on set pieces when De Bruyne is out. It's worth noting he's unlikely to have a monopoly, as players like Bernardo Silva ($7,900, midfielder/forward), Ilkay Gundogan ($7,700) and Mahrez can poach from time to time. You're not getting much discount by fading De Bruyne or Foden, but there are legitimate questions about how much they'll play and how much manager Pep Guardiola will want to show Chelsea before their UCL encounter in a few weeks.
Oliver Norwood, SHU v. CRY ($3,200): There is nothing sexy about Norwood, but a shared set-piece taker for a home team at his price will probably get some looks in cash games. If you'd like some more open-play upside, John Fleck ($3,900) is an option as well and could be more attractive since he's the one who shares those dead balls with Norwood. You can't expect much from them as home underdogs for a team that's already heading to the Championship next season, but for salary savings you could do worse. Teammate Sander Berge ($3,000) isn't a bad look either since he provides a little more salary relief, but he isn't going to get any set pieces and is definitely more of a defensive presence.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. SOU ($7,000): Despite being the most expensive defender on the slate, Alexander-Arnold could be the most popular player in cash games because of his set-piece duties and open-play crossing for the biggest favorite. Fading him in tournaments is a possibility, but in cash games it just seems silly, especially given the prices of the set-piece takers from the other teams combined with the fact that he's the only one who could get clean sheet points. Teammate Andrew Robertson ($6,000) hasn't been as prolific, but he's still be extremely reliable and we could see plenty of cash lineups with both Liverpool full-backs. That strategy probably works for GPPs too as part of a Liverpool stack considering they're tied for the team-lead in assists.
Tyrick Mitchell, CRY at SHU ($3,800): Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has intimated that he will rotate his squad for some reason, which could bring Mitchell in at left-back in place of Patrick van Aanholt ($4,200). Either one could be a viable option given how bad Sheffield United have been, as the Blades have allowed the second-most crosses among teams on the slate (Palace are actually first). The upside is fairly limited, and it's not like the floors are great, but Mitchell and van Aanholt represent an opposition play at a cheap price. Otherwise, paying all the way down makes sense because there aren't any lower-priced impact options, so even someone like Jairo Riedewald ($2,800) is viable because he's so cheap.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson Becker, LIV v. SOU ($5,900): Alisson is the most expensive goalkeeper because he has the highest win and clean sheet odds as he faces a Southampton team that scored one or zero goals in four of their last five matches and will be without their top goal-scoring threat in Danny Ings (thigh). There is always a risk in paying up for a goalkeeper because they don't usually pay off if they concede a goal, but Alisson makes plenty of sense as a cheaper path to 10 fantasy points if they do keep Southampton at bay. For those who want to pay down, Edouard Mendy ($4,400) is a decent price and has already shut out Man City this season.
