This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
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
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
FORWARDS
Alvaro Morata, CHE v. STK (£26): Morata broke through on Boxing Day after a three-game dry spell, topping 18 fantasy points and looking dangerous throughout. He now faces a Stoke defense that has allowed at least three goals in two games this month and -- with a boost of confidence in his back pocket -- Morata could show up with a multi-goal game in this spot.
Roberto Firmino, LIV v. LEI (£25): Firmino serves as a fine alternative to Mohamed Salah (£27), as seen by his 25.40 fantasy points, including two goals, on Boxing Day. With Liverpool once again an attractive team to target, Firmino can be looked to as a lower-owned pivot off a sure to be highly owned Salah, or as part of a Liverpool stack.
Anthony Martial, MUN v. SOU (£19): Martial was left out of the squad Tuesday, but he was back in training this week and could provide some value from the Red Devils' attack. He scored 7.40 points in his last start, and with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£15) failing to impress against Burnley, Martial's return would be a welcome boost.
MIDFIELDERS
Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. LEI (£27): Coutinho found the net for the third consecutive game and tacked on an assist to finish with 18 points in Tuesday's 5-0 thrashing of Swansea. The Brazilian continues to drive the Liverpool attack, and with the Reds scoring goals for fun, it would be a bold move not to find room in your lineup for him against Leicester.
Cesc Fabregas, CHE v. STK (£20): Fabregas made his way back into the lineup Tuesday, assisting on a goal and scoring 13.15 points. He earned nearly five points alone from a stat that often goes overlooked on Yahoo, completing 93 passes. In a match that Chelsea is expected to control possession in, there's a good chance he's collects a batch of points from pinging the ball around once again.
Matt Ritchie, NEW v. BHA (£16): Ritchie was given a breather Wednesday but is projected to be back in the starting lineup Saturday against Brighton. He's turned in several disappointing performances, but he's also been unfortunate not to be credited on several goals that he played a big part in. For £16, he's a salary saver who could very well turn up with a tournament-winning score.
DEFENDERS
Marcos Alonso, CHE v. STK (£17): As long as Alonso is available as a defender, he'll continue to be recommended if the matchup is right. Stoke City at home qualifies as a good matchup, and Alonso gives us nice attacking upside from a defender slot. He's topped 20 fantasy points in two of his last three appearances, with two goals and six shots on target over that span.
James Milner, LIV v. LEI (£15): Full disclosure: Milner was listed here earlier in the week and did not start, and it's anyone's guess who starts Saturday. With fixture congestion, I'll be watching for Milner when starting lineups are announced, and wouldn't be surprised to see him line up closer to goal in the midfield.
Andreas Christensen, CHE v. STK (£13): Christensen has scored at least five fantasy points in each of his last 10 appearances, including multiple games without earning clean sheet points. Chelsea have the best clean sheet odds on the slate, so chasing shutout points with Christensen or even Gary Cahill (£13) to save some cash is a viable strategy.
GOALKEEPER
Heurelho Gomes, WAT v. SWA (£13): While Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are the big favorites on the slate, Watford falls right behind them and are actually ahead of Liverpool in terms of clean sheet odds. Swansea haven't scored more than one goal in a match since mid-October, and given the savings Gomes provides he could prove more valuable than the available high-end goalkeepers.
