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: Huddersfield v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Chelsea v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Liverpool v. Leicester City
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Swansea City
12:30 p.m: Manchester United v. Southampton
FORWARDS
Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. LEI ($11,400): Coutinho is heading to be the chalkiest forward once again, as Liverpool are big favorites and he has a role on some set pieces. Oh, and he has a goal in three straight games while picking up assists in two of those. Teammate Mohamed Salah ($11,200) is more of a GPP play than Coutinho because he doesn't take as many set pieces, but it's tough to ignore two goals on 12 shots (seven on goal) and two assists in his last three games.
Willian, CHE v. STK ($9,200):Willian's cash-game value is wholly dependent on being in the first XI without Cesc Fabregas ($7,600), as the former will likely take most corners and indirect free kicks if the latter doesn't start. He doesn't come cheaply, but with Chelsea expected to dominate possession and create lots of chances, Willian will be in great positions to succeed. For those looking for more GPP upside, Alvaro Morata ($10,300) has two goals on 18 shots (eight on goal) in his last four starts. We also can't ignore Eden Hazard ($10,000), who would be a great cash play if Willian and Fabregas sit, as he'd likely take over on corners; otherwise, he's very goal dependent to make value and he hasn't scored since Dec. 2 despite 14 shots (four on goal) in his last six games.
Richarlison, WAT v. SWA ($8,300):Richarlison was a lot more fun to roster when he was under $6,000, but at least we don't have to pay five figures for him this weekend. The matchup against Swansea is ripe for a solid performance, as Richarlison is back to drawing fouls (12 in his last three games) and taking shots (10 in his last three). He probably shouldn't sniff a cash lineup given he'll need a goal to pay off this salary, but he'll be a nice GPP option against one of the worst defensive sides in the Premier League.
Jordon Ibe, BOU v. EVE ($5,800): Ibe shared corners with Ryan Fraser ($6,200, midfielder) on Tuesday against West Ham but still finished with a strong performance, taking four shots (two on goal) and sending in seven crosses. He's likely to keep that role again with Junior Stanislas ($6,000, midfielder) out, and while Ibe's upside isn't too high, he makes for a strong cash play because of his role on set pieces, fairly low salary and forward eligibility.
Others to Consider
A case can be made for Johann Berg Gudmundsson ($7,300) in cash games, and the same can be said about Pascal Gross ($6,900). Both take set pieces for their teams, though Gudmundsson has more of a monopoly. They are both playing away and are underdogs, which makes it a little tougher to justify them over someone like Ibe (tougher but not impossible). For those willing to get a bit riskier, Jordan Ayew ($4,700) has taken five shots (three on goal), won two tackles and drawn six fouls in his last two starts. It's not a lot, and relying on Swansea with a new manager while playing away is probably too much. On the GPP side, Romelu Lukaku is likely to be pretty low owned because of the Liverpool and Chelsea option (plus Richarlison), and he's always capable of putting up a big score.
MIDFIELDERS
Cesc Fabregas, CHE v. STK ($7,600): Fabregas's 96 corners taken this season lead the Premier League, a 29-corner gap over second-place Robbie Brady. Corners don't automatically lead to crosses, as Fabregas is actually 15th in the league in the latter category, but he should have his opportunities at home against Stoke, who have allowed the most corners in the Premier League this season (not to mention the most goals and assists). Fabregas' value doesn't take as big of a hit if Willian starts, as opposed to the opposite.
Tom Cleverley, WAT v. SWA ($5,700): I haven't been the biggest Cleverley guy, but it's tough to argue against a set piece taker at home against Swansea. Heck, I'd play Tom Hanks, Tom Cruise or Tommy Lee Jones at home against Swansea if they were taking corners. Cleverley's cross upside takes a hit if Jose Holebas ($5,900, defender) starts, and it may be enough to push me more toward Ryan Fraser ($6,200), who is not guaranteed to start for Bournemouth and will likely be splitting corners with Ibe. If Cleverley's high-ish floor and low ceiling isn't what you're looking for, Tom SelleckTom Ince ($5,900) has a ripe opportunity at home against Burnley, who have allowed the most shots and crosses this season. Ince scored his first goal of the season on Boxing Day against Stoke City, his second game with six shots in his last four starts, and he drew eight fouls over his last two.
Others to Consider
Matt Ritchie ($7,700) is in a good spot at Brighton, who have all allowed the third-most shots, sixth-most corners and seventh-most crosses over the past six matches. However, his price is a bit high given a number of other options on the slate. The same could be said about Aaron Mooy ($7,800) at home against Burnley, who have allowed more crosses than any other team this season. On the GPP side, Marcos Alonso ($6,800) has two goals on 12 shots (seven on goal) in the past three games, an impressive return for a wingback. Because he plays as a defender, people tend to shy away from him due to his midfield eligibility, lowering his ownership for GPPs.
DEFENDERS
Chris Lowe, HUD v. BUR ($4,100): The Burnley attack is hardly one to be worried about, and Lowe has been a solid crosser of late, sending in seven in each of his last two starts when he's played at least 70 minutes. He continues to take a few corners each match, and playing a Burnley side that allows a bunch of crosses only helps his case.
Simon Francis, BOU v. EVE ($3,600): Due to a number of injuries along the Bournemouth back line, Francis could get the start at right-back, where he has shown a penchant for crossing while still winning tackles and intercepting passes. He has played more games as a center-back, which is why he's priced down, but he provides a solid floor against an Everton side that's allowed the most crosses over the past six gameweeks.
Markus Suttner, BHA at NEW ($4,300): Suttner isn't crossing as much this season as last (3.09 per 90 minutes this season v. 5.36 last term for Ingolstadt in the Bundesliga), but he's been active of late, sending in 16 crosses while winning nine tackles in the past four games. The Newcastle attack has also been struggling of late, so don't rule out the extra three points that comes with a clean sheet.
GOALKEEPER
Mathew Ryan, BHA at NEW ($4,400): Ryan has made at least five saves in three of his past four games, allowing four goals in that span (two at Tottenham and two at Chelsea). He'll now face a Newcastle side that's been shut out in three of their past four games, with their lone scoring match in that span a 3-2 win at West Ham. David de Gea ($5,700) was a giant disappointment on Boxing Day, allowing two goals and making no saves in a draw with Burnley, and his salary is a bit prohibitive on a slate with attackers to pay up for.
