DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday Value Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Goal = +10 PTs
Assist = +6 PTs
Shot = +1 PTs
Shot on Goal = +1 PTs
Crosses = +1 PTs
Fouls Drawn = +0.75 PTs
Red Card = -1 PTs
Saves (GK) = +2 PTs
Goal Allowed (GK) = -2 PTs
Clean Sheet (GK, D) = +5 PTs
One Goal Allowed (GK, D) = +2 PTs
Win (GK) = +5 PTs
Penalty Kick Save (GK) = +3 PTs

With that out of the way, here are the best available GPP contests for Premier League soccer Saturday:



$8K Equalizer ($1,250 first prize), Entry Fee: $27
$5K Striker ($400 first prize), Entry Fee: $3
$5K Golden Boot ($2,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $200
and many more…



DraftKings has announced the $100K Fantasy Soccer World Championship with a $20,000 first prize set to take place May 24th. Saturday offers various opportunities to earn entry through contests with entry fees of $12, $27 and $55.

The following games are included: 


Aston Villa at Manchester United
Hull City at Swansea City
Queen's Park Rangers at West Bromwich Albion
Southampton at Everton
West Ham United at Leicester City
Stoke City at Chelsea

With a litany of fitness questions, being sure to pick players in the starting 11 is essential. There is a bit of guesswork in projecting lineups until they are actually announced, especially after a few picked up knocks over the international break. Nonetheless, be sure to check the starting lineups upon their announcement approximately one hour prior to kickoff.

And before we jump in, here's another look at the recent crosses leaders (table is sortable):

Kevin Davis ($4,300)
Davis is primed for his first start in goal for the Saints against an Everton squad facing many injury concerns, with offensive weapons Romelu Lukaku (hamstring) and Kevin Mirallas (dead leg) both in doubt. In the event both are unable to go, Davis' stock goes way up, as the replacements are simply not of the same quality. Southampton's 11 allowed away goals this season is by far the best in the league, with the next best being Liverpool and Manchester City five behind with 16 apiece.

Mark Schwarzer ($4,400)
I never thought I'd see the day when Leicester was favored in a Premier League game, and honestly I can't help but to question the oddsmakers. However, their home record isn't wretched, as their 17 goals allowed at home actually ranks in the top half of the league. The team somehow managed three goals last time out, though ultimately lost 4-3 to Tottenham behind a Harry Kane hat trick. The team owns a home win over Manchester United and Schwarzer in particular collected 12 saves and a clean sheet over his last two starts. Schwarzer won't necessarily get the start, as "first-choice keeper" Kasper Schmeichel got the start in the last gameweek. Schmeichel allowed four goals and had just one save, so I wouldn't feel as confident with him in goals (but I think whoever Leicester puts in goal may be the best off-the-pace discount option).

Other Options: De Gea is an excellent option if you don't want to go with Courtois. Boaz Myhill ($5,000) starting for the injured Ben Foster for West Brom is a decent choice, as his side is given a 57 percent chance to win, and if he collects a clean sheet, he will likely earn it as QPR does have some potency on offense. Allan McGregor ($3,700) of Hull City might be a decent punt in GPPs, hosting a Swansea side that relies on players other than their striker, Bafetimbi Gomis to provide goals.

Defenders:
Branislav Ivanovic ($5,200)
The defenders leave one wanting this Saturday. Ivanovic matches with the top goalkeeper play, he is averaging around 10 FPTs and has reached double-digit FPTs in six of his last nine Premier League games. Ivanovic's big concern always comes through the fact that he isn't a true crosser. He tallies up a few every game, but he really needs shots/assists/goals to make value. This being the fact, Ivanovic may not be considered a "safe" play for consistent points.

Ryan Bertrand ($4,400) and Nathaniel Clyne ($4,300)
The Southampton fullbacks have been an excellent pairing all season long. Bertrand has been a tad more active on the offensive (especially crossing) end lately, but both are solid threats to put up good scores – and make especially good sense for those that decide to go with Davis in goal.

Danny Simpson ($2,700)
I can't in good conscience recommend a goalkeeper with no corresponding defender. Simpson plays on the wings, racks up some crosses, and most importantly of all, is extremely cheap, making him a minimal risk. Matthew Upson ($2,000) looks a good chance to start, and while he won't rack up too many stats, if you want to gamble on an Leicester clean sheet, he's as cheap as it gets.

Andrew Robertson ($4,500)
I don't love how you are paying more for a Hull City player than players on the substantially better Southampton squad, but Robertson has been seeing much of his playing time in the midfield, which is reason enough to give him a look.

Other Options: Not many defenders jump out this week, so try to pair something with your goalkeeper, save a dime if you can and move onto the skill positions.

Midfielders:
Eden Hazard ($9,500)
He's the top-priced midfielder on the top team and has three goals in last four games. His crossing and fouls drawn stats have gotten pretty beefy lately, which really stand as a security blanket if he can bring his tally to four goals in five games. Hazard will be highly owned, but he truly has the most upside of any midfield option.

Matthew Phillips ($4,000)
I don't have an explanation why Phillips' price is so stagnant, but playing on the wing for QPR, he has boasted some beefy stats, scoring 16+ FPTs in four of his last six games. His place in the starting 11 is secure, even against a fairly solid defense in West Brom. His one goal this season is also frontrunner for goal of the year.

Yup, still watching this one pic.twitter.com/otPg8mCY2w

— Andrew M. Laird (@RotoWireAndrew) March 26, 2015

Wayne Routledge ($5,300)
Routledge is playing a much more forward role in the post-Wilfried Bony era for Swansea. His two shots on goal last time out against Aston Villa could very well be a preview of more offensive action going forward.

Forwards:
Diego Costa ($10,400)
Costa now has goals in consecutive matches, and its looking like he may have rediscovered the form that he showcased at the beginning of the season. He is a slight concern with a hamstring injury, but it is expected he'll be rested and ready after sitting out the international break.

Wayne Rooney ($10,000)
Rooney seems to making a pattern of scoring in every other match and this weekend's tie with Aston Villa falls into that other category and seems a prime contender to result in a goal. Manchester United's 33 home goals this season is tops in the league, and Rooney is the top contender to add to the tally.

Dame N'Doye ($6,500)
N'Doye might not have scored in his last two outings, but it was not without ample effort, as he still collected seven and eight FPTs, respectively, in those outings. He's quickly come into the Premier League and made his impact, one that has given Hull City a chance to win some games as the season begins to wind down.

Saido Berahino ($8,200)
Berahino's 12 Premier League goals this season is not to be scoffed at. Four goals in his last 10 appearances is solid, but it is the porous QPR defense that really makes Berahino extremely attractive. QPR has allowed 32 away goals this season, the most in the league.

David Nugent ($5,700)
Leicester's three goals last time out serve notice that they can be dynamic on offense. Nugent was clearly the most potent piece of the attack with a goal, an assist, five shots (two on goal) and two crosses. He played a right wing position, and another opportunity at that position could be prosperous for widespread production. Jamie Vardy ($5,600) and Andrej Kramaric ($4,500) both make plausible arguments to be used at discounted prices.