This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 10:00 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Arsenal
- 12:30 pm: West Ham United vs. Wolverhampton
- 2:45 pm: AFC Bournemouth vs. Crystal Palace
FORWARDS
Raul Jimenez, WOL at WHU (£22): There is nothing exciting about this slate except that Premier League Saturdays are back. After Arsenal's performance Wednesday, Wolverhampton moved up to the biggest favorite on the slate, though not by much. Jimenez is only behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£28) in terms of goal odds, but the Arsenal man went 90 minutes against Man City. Jimenez is already on 13 goals and six assists this season and has taken at least four shots in each of his last four league starts. He's not an overwhelming price, Wolverhampton are favored and West Ham's back line has been a mystery all season. If you prefer stacks, Adama Traore (£18) is cheap and should make your roster if you already have Jimenez.
Nicolas Pepe, ARS v. BHA (£21): I assume Pepe starts after not featuring Wednesday. He's expected to be on sets for Arsenal after a nice run of form prior to the shutdown. He has 12 shots (six on goal) and 15 chances created over his last seven league starts, resulting in two goals and three assists. Even if Aubameyang also starts, I'd still prefer Pepe because he's more likely to go a full 90 and should have a higher floor, albeit smaller upside. Alexandre Lacazette (£24) is the other option if you don't want Aubameyang, while Gabriel Martinelli (£18) could be considered for the XI, as well.
Christian Benteke, CRY at AFC (£16): I'm not saying I like Benteke, but he's the cheapest expected starter and has managed multiple shots in each of his last seven starts. That has to count for something, as does a matchup against Bournemouth, who lost the first meeting 1-0 despite Palace going down a man in the 19th minute. Benteke doesn't have as high of a floor as Wilfried Zaha (£18), and he's made the score-sheet just twice this season, but when he scores Saturday, you'll be one of the few who have him and you'll reap the benefits.
MIDFIELDERS
Harry Wilson, AFC v. CRY (£19): When Tomas Soucek is the most-expensive midfielder, you know the slate isn't great. Wilson at least has a few things going for him and could even get a couple set pieces without Ryan Fraser in the squad. Wilson does a little bit of everything and has 13 shots in his last four starts. Combine that floor of around five points with a couple added set pieces and he could be one of the better cash plays as a home favorite against Palace. Jefferson Lerma (£14) is also an option, but he usually plays in a deeper role for the Cherries, limiting his upside.
Aaron Mooy, BHA v. ARS (£15): If Brighton use a similar lineup to the one just before the pandemic hit, it should feature Mooy and Leandro Trossard (£13). While Trossard can be a viable option in more of an attacking role, Mooy could take the majority of set pieces for Brighton, assuming Pascal Gross (£16) remains on the bench. Arsenal's odds to win this match have dipped almost every day this week, and there's a chance they start Rob Holding at center-back despite not starting since November. Brighton will get opportunities and Mooy should take the majority of sets.
Joao Moutinho, WOL at WHU (£17): Diogo Jota (£20) is the same price as Soucek, but that's mostly because he had a couple big matches before the shutdown. Jota is a boom-or-bust player, which is the opposite of Moutinho, who takes all set pieces for Wolverhampton. He's not going to have a brace like Jota and surpass 20 fantasy points, but he's usually good for at least five, and there's always the possibility of an assist from one of those set pieces. The other option in this match would be Robert Snodgrass (£16), who plays almost the same role for West Ham. Even as an underdog, Snodgrass probably has more upside than Moutinho.
DEFENDERS
Lewis Dunk, BHA v. ARS (£18): Unless you plan on going big with all of Arsenal's forwards, you should have money to spend at defender. On a normal slate, there's little reason to spend up on Dunk, but when you can get a center-back who gets forward on corners, you should do it. He's averaging close to one shot and half a chance created per 90 minutes. Throw in a variety of defensive stats and he's usually around five fantasy points before a possible clean sheet. Patrick van Aanholt (£19) has a bit more upside, but most of that was seen in the last three matches when Palace secured three-straight 1-0 wins. If you really want to fade the Arsenal attack, Adam Webster (£17) and Dan Burn (£14) are also in play.
Shkodran Mustafi, ARS at BHA (£14): On the other end of that, if you're high on Arsenal, Mustafi is oddly cheap despite being another center-back with a consistent floor. If you throw out Wednesday's match, Mustafi hit at least five fantasy points in each of his last six matches in which he went the full 90. He should see a decent amount of work because you never know what to get from Arsenal as a whole. I'd consider Hector Bellerin (£16) and Kieran Tierney (£12), but I'm not sure both will start and even then, both could be subbed off early.
Matt Doherty, WOL at WHU (£16): Doherty should probably be one of the more expensive defenders since he plays as a wing-back. He has four goals and one assist in league play, averaging 1.26 shots and 1.47 crosses per 90 minutes to go with consistent defensive stats. Even as the favorite, most of the Wolves defenders are cheaper for some reason, with Willy Boly (£14) and Conor Coady (£13) possible stacking options.
GOALKEEPER
Aaron Ramsdale, AFC v. CRY (£13): Ramsdale is favored in the match with the lowest implied goal total and he's $6 cheaper than Vicente Guaita on the other end of the pitch. Bournemouth's back line has been bad, but Palace's attack has been worse, scoring just 26 goals in 29 matches. Even better, Ramsdale has made at least three saves in each of his last nine starts. In terms of odds, Rui Patricio (£16) is the best bet to secure a win and clean sheet against West Ham.
