This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
Saturday, 10:00 a.m: Huddersfield v. Chelsea
Saturday, 10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. Cardiff City
Saturday, 10:00 a.m: Watford v. Brighton
Saturday, 10:00 a.m: Fulham v. Crystal Palace
Saturday, 12:30 p.m: Wolves v. Everton
Sunday, 8:30 a.m: Liverpool v. West Ham
Sunday, 8:30 a.m: Southampton v. Burnley
Sunday, 11:00 a.m: Arsenal v. Manchester United
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. WHU (£28): Last season's Premier League Player of the Season is fully recovered from the shoulder injury he suffered in the Champions League final, and he signed a lucrative deal in the offseason. Salah won the Golden Boot with 32 goals in 36 games last season, and he's in prime position to kickstart the new season at home against West Ham.
Xherdan Shaqiri, LIV v. WHU (£17): Shaqiri is no guarantee to start considering he's featured off the bench during preseason, but he's certainly shown his worth when he's on the field and has Reds fans clamoring for him to be included. If he's given the start he'd be a shoo-in at this price in a forward slot, but the problem is that since Liverpool play Sunday, there may not be many viable pivots at that price point if he's on the bench. It's a risk that I think is worth taking in the utility slot to give us more options to fall back on, just in case.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL v. CRY (£16): Mitrovic is neck-and-neck with Chelsea's Alvaro Morata at the top of the anytime goal scorers chart among Saturday's projected starters. Mitrovic bagged 12 goals in 17 English Championship appearances last season, and while he's mostly goal dependent, he gets a good matchup at home versus Crystal Palace.
MIDFIELDERS
Sadio Mane, LIV v. WHU (£26): Mane is one of the most expensive midfielders on the board, but he jumps out as a player who could be a slate-changer given his high fantasy ceiling. He notched 20 goals and added eight assists in 40 appearances last season, and as a key ingredient to the potent Liverpool attack, he's sure to be just as involved this season.
Naby Keita, LIV v. WHU (£18): Keita showcased his abilities over the preseason and looks ready to be a key contributor in the Liverpool midfield this season. His game suits the Yahoo scoring format to where he can supply a serviceable fantasy score even if he fails to make a contribution on the scoresheet.
Diogo Jota, WOL v. EVE (£16): Jota led newly-promoted Wolverhampton with 17 goals in the Championship last season, and he'll be looked to for continued production this term. Wolves are playing a Premier League game in front of their fans for the first time in over nine years, and I expect Jota to have multiple opportunities to open the season with a goal or an assist to send the Mulineux Stadium crowd home happy.
DEFENDERS
Andrew Robertson, LIV v. WHU (£14): Robertson is another player coming off a strong preseason, with four assists in limited minutes over nine appearances. He's one of the best fullbacks in the Premier League, and he checks in with a very manageable salary in a favorable matchup to start the season.
Jose Holebas, WAT v. BHA (£14): Holebas takes the majority of Watford's set pieces, giving his fantasy appeal a nice boost considering each accurate cross is worth 0.5 points. It also wouldn't be surprising to see Watford open the season with a clean sheet at home against Brighton, putting Holebas in play with the potential to earn both attacking and defensive points.
Tim Ream, FUL v. CRY (£10): Salary relief should be in abundance on this slate if we really need it, with several minimum-priced defenders projected to start. There's nothing overly appealing about Ream other than his bargain salary, but at this price we're not asking for much as it's more about opening up the funds to spend up elsewhere.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson, LIV v. WHU (£16): With so much value on the board, we should have the cash to splash on whichever goalkeeper we want on this slate. Liverpool are the biggest favorite on opening weekend and they'll get to show off their shiny new toy at goalkeeper. Alisson looks like the best best for the four-point win bonus, with a good shot at another six for a clean sheet, too.
