This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 10:00 am: Arsenal vs. Sheffield United
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa
- 10:00 am: Manchester City vs. Crystal Palace
- 10:00 am: Norwich City vs. AFC Bournemouth
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Wolverhampton
- 10:00 am: West Ham United vs. Everton
- 12:30 pm: Newcastle United vs. Chelsea
FORWARDS
Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. CRY (£21): Palace have been one of the top defensive sides but when you travel to Manchester City, you're likely in for a long day defensively. Sergio Aguero (£28) broke the Premier League record for hat tricks (12) last weekend and is back at full speed following consecutive starts with a goal. He has the top goal scoring odds, followed by teammates Jesus and Raheem Sterling (£27). Jesus is the most cost-effective option and has scored six goals and provided two assists in his past seven matches. Sterling should come back into the starting XI after being left on the bench against Aston Villa, while it remains to be seen whether manager Pep Guardiola will start Aguero and Jesus together again. Wilfried Zaha (£18) is Crystal Palace's top option but is likely worth looking over in a matchup against City. Tammy Abraham (£24) is the next priciest option following Aguero and Sterling and travels to Newcastle having scored two goals in his past six games.
Danny Ings, SOU v. WOL (£22): On Dec. 2, Danny Ings was +6600 to win the Golden Boot. Six weeks later he's +1400. He's in a three-way tie (14) for second behind Jamie Vardy (17) with 16 matches to go. Ings is a man possessed, scoring 10 goals in his past 11 matches with a conversion rate of one goal per three shots. Raul Jimenez (£19) is the top forward option for Wolves, while Adama Traore (£16) is a bit more cost effective and Pedro Neto (£14) has seen significant playing time due to Diogo Jota's injury. Aston Villa concede the most shots and third-most shots on goal, making Neal Maupay (£20) a consideration in this price range.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, EVE at WHU (£16): Calvert-Lewin has taken at least three shots in three of his past four matches, scoring three goals over that span. He's the most budget-friendly starting forward on a favorite while having actually been productive recently. His running mate, Richarlison, (£21) has scored at least 13 points in his past three outings and will face a struggling West Ham. Sebastien Haller (£18) has been hit or miss (mostly miss) and is the only forward option for West Ham in what the odds makers' deem the most even matchup.
MIDFIELDERS
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. CRY (£24): Kevin De Bruyne (£26) has been the best midfielder all season as he continues to chase Thierry Henry's single-season assist record. Again, he's the best option but also the most expensive. Over the past five matches, Mahrez has scored three goals and provided three assists while hitting at least 10 points in four of those five outings. As is the case most weeks, a City stack is certainly an option, though you'll need to be strategic, which may mean going with Jesus over Aguero and Mahrez over De Bruyne. Rodri (£18) has been a consistent starter, while David Silva (£22), Bernardo Silva (£22), and Ilkay Gundogan (£18) are all in play.
Emiliano Buendia, NOR v. BOU (£17): There are few players who have as big of a set-piece share as Buendia, which has helped him to seven straight outings with at least 5.5 points. He's Norwich's most influential and consistent player and will have the benefit of facing Bournemouth, who concede the fourth-most shots and tackles won, along with the third-most corners. His price and consistency allow the most flexibility as you go higher up the budget scale. Todd Cantwell (£19) has a higher ceiling and is more expensive due to his goal-scoring exploits and is another consideration. Finally, I prefer Harry Wilson (£16) over Ryan Fraser (£17) because he's cheaper and scores more goals.
Pascal Gross, BRI v. AVL (£16): Aston Villa concede the most shots and accurate crosses among teams on the slate, and they have generally been a good team to face for opposing players, having conceded 15 goals in their past six matches. This is a great spot to deploy Gross, who takes set pieces for Brighton. Jack Grealish (£19) and Anwar El Ghazi (£16) are Aston Villa's top two midfielders, though the injury to Wesley Moraes has forced them to play as forwards. Grealish is the better option of the two, though with both players in advanced roles, you may want to roll with El Ghazi because he's cheaper and likely lower owned. Tom Davies (£10) is the cheapest projected starting midfielder if you need salary relief.
DEFENDERS
Reece James, CHE at NEW (£17): Chelsea have the second-best clean sheet odds despite playing away to Newcastle. They kept a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over Burnley last time out and face a Newcastle attack that ranks in the bottom four of goals scored. Unfortunately, James is no longer a secret, as evidenced by his price. He's finished with at least six points in five of his last six starts and could have a solid day if Chelsea can keep a clean sheet. Cesar Azpilicueta (£17) is another option and has scored 14 or more points in consecutive matches.
Diego Rico, BOU at NOR (£14): Although Bournemouth are hardly considered a defensive juggernaut, Rico has been a good source of defensive points. He's second in the Premier League in interceptions (55) and adds 1.63 accurate crosses and 1.38 tackles won per 90 minutes. Nathan Ake (£16) is a more expensive alternative to Rico, while Chris Mepham (£12) is cheap and has been productive when starting.
Ahmed Elmohamady, AVL v. BRI (£12): Elmohamady and Frederic Guilbert (£12) have shared time at right-back over the past two months and both players have been serviceable, though Elmohamady has seen more playing time lately. Elmohamady has at least four points in four of the past five starts, while Guilbert averages 2.12 interceptions and 2.18 tackles won per 90 minutes.
GOALKEEPERS
Dean Henderson, SHE v. ARS (£13): Ederson (£17) and Manchester City have the best clean sheet odds against Crystal Palace, while Kepa Arrizabalaga (£17) and Bernd Leno (£15) aren't far behind. Jordan Pickford (£16) has finished with eight points in five of six matches and Martin Dubravka (£15) paces the league in saves and will have plenty of opportunities against Chelsea. Pepe Reina (£12) could make his first start for Aston Villa against Brighton after joining on loan for the rest of the season. Sheffield United are tied with Leicester City for the most clean sheets (eight) in the league, making Henderson an interesting option.
