This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 10:00 am: Southampton vs. Manchester City
- 12:30 pm: Everton vs. Arsenal
- 3:00 pm: Newcastle United vs. Fulham
FORWARDS
Richarlison, EVE v. ARS (£23): The matchup against Arsenal isn't the easiest one, but that shouldn't trouble Richarlison, who has scored at least 8.50 fantasy points in five straight games, with only one goal and one assist in that span. He's a consistent shot-taker who wins corners and draws fouls, giving him a solid floor on a slate with not many good floor options. Teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£27) has the highest anytime goal scorer odds among expected starters, though he really needs a goal to make that price worth it.
Dwight Gayle, NEW v. FUL (£19): It seems a bit silly to focus on a game between Newcastle and Fulham when we have teams like Manchester City, Everton and Arsenal on the slate, but Gayle is a solid attacker for a favored team against one with just two clean sheets all season. Teammate Callum Wilson (£24) actually has the third-highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate and is in charge of penalties, but his increased price makes Gayle a worthy alternative. Then again, given that Manchester City are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, it seems most fantasy players will just target Gabriel Jesus (£21) if he starts since he has the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at SOU (£29): De Bruyne is tied with teammate Raheem Sterling for the highest price on the slate, but as the primary set-piece taker for the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, he makes sense. He has made the score-sheet in six of his last nine starts, but he also has a solid floor thanks to shots, accurate crosses and corners won. There are likely to be plenty of people trying to stack Man City, who offer some cheaper options such as Phil Foden (£23) and Riyad Mahrez (£22), who both get their floor points from shots and have decent anytime goal scorer odds.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. ARS (£19): With James Rodriguez ruled out due to injury, Sigurdsson will likely continue getting all of Everton's set pieces, including penalties. He isn't a prolific shot taker (certainly not on De Bruyne's level), but with valuable attackers around him like Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin, his potential for assists is high enough to warrant his price against an Arsenal side that's been a bit of a mess recently.
Jonjo Shelvey, NEW v. FUL (£13): The Newcastle lineup could be shaken up after their 5-2 loss earlier this week, which should include Shelvey coming back into the starting XI. His role on set pieces is certainly a plus, but Shelvey has a solid floor because he combines attacking stats with defensive work. The attacking ones could see a bump Saturday against Fulham, though they still have enough decent attackers to make sure Shelvey has opportunities for winning tackles, interceptions and blocked shots.
DEFENDERS
Joao Cancelo, MCI at SOU (£17): Manchester City have the highest clean sheet odds on the slate, though they aren't overwhelmingly high that we have to stack their defenders. Cancelo will get clean sheet points if they shut out Southampton, but he's been a solid contributor through defensive stats that he warrants consideration even if they concede. Each of the Man City defenders should have a solid baseline of points because they'll control possession, but Cancelo is the most versatile point-scorer of the group.
Tosin Adarabioyo, FUL at NEW (£11): There isn't a whole lot to love about Adarabioyo, but we shouldn't ignore a near minimum-priced defender who is likely to start in the game with the lowest implied total. There could be some cheaper options when lineups are announced due to rotation, but Adarabioyo is worth a look because he's so cheap. Playing someone on the other side of this match is certainly an option too, especially with how toothless the Fulham attack has been recently, with Federico Fernandez (£12) and Emil Krafth (£10) the cheaper options there.
GOALKEEPER
Karl Darlow, NEW v. FUL (£14): Darlow got absolutely lit up in his last start, conceding five goals to Leeds United while making five saves. However, that was preceded by back-to-back wins, allowing just one goal in that span, and he now faces a Fulham attack that has just one goal in it's last three games. Paying up for Ederson (£19) is certainly a possibility because he has the best clean sheet odds, but it seems more beneficial to target a cheaper option and use the extra funds for the outfield positions.
