This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 2:30 pm: AFC Bournemouth vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 2:30 pm: Aston Villa vs. Watford
- 2:30 pm: Crystal Palace vs. Southampton
- 2:30 pm: Everton vs. Newcastle United
- 2:30 pm: Sheffield United vs. Manchester City
- 3:15 pm: Chelsea vs. Arsenal
FORWARDS
Gabriel Jesus, MCI at SHU (£23): I'm not using Sergio Aguero (£28) if he starts, but I'll use Jesus if he does, at least in tournaments. In addition to being the most popular forward, Aguero is overpriced in this matchup, whereas Jesus is somewhat cheap. I'm still not planning on stacking Man City despite being the biggest favorite on the slate again. Sheffield United already held Liverpool to one goal and kept Arsenal scoreless at home. When these teams met less than a month ago, Aguero barely saw the ball, completing seven passes in 81 minutes. If Aguero starts, I'd probably look to Tammy Abraham (£24) as a pivot because while he's been unpredictable, I think he has just as good of chance of finding the back of the net as anyone on Man City.
Troy Deeney, WAT at AVL (£17): Deeney scored a brace the last time these teams met and has nine shots in his last four starts, one of those a dud against Wolverhampton. He's Watford's best chance of scoring and I'm not sure I believe in Aston Villa's new defensive formation just yet. There are others who have better odds to score like Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£18) and Callum Wilson (£24), but I think Deeney is set to bounce back after missing a penalty late against Tottenham this past weekend. It also helps that Villa have allowed the most shots and chances created in the last 10 gameweeks.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, CHE v. ARS (£12): If you need to save money, Hudson-Odoi is a pretty chalky option, but his price oddly dropped after last weekend. He's gone a full 90 in each of the last two matches, producing 18 crosses (10 corners) and his first goal of the season. It'd be more helpful if he was listed as a midfielder, but he's the perfect option to combine with Aguero. If you like Watford, Ignacio Pussetto (£10) is an intriguing option if he starts for the injured Ismaila Sarr.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at SHU (£26): There aren't many reasons not to use De Bruyne, especially since price isn't a huge factor on this slate. He may be as popular as Aguero, but it's easier to back De Bruyne because of his higher floor, rarely falling below five fantasy points because he does a little bit of everything. While I think Sheffield United will be competitive, that won't stop De Bruyne from creating his usual work after scoring and assisting in the prior matchup. Riyad Mahrez (£24) and David Silva (£22) are viable options if they start, but that's about it in terms of midfielders above £20.
Leandro Trossard, BHA at AFC (£12): This may be the ugliest slate for midfielders I've seen, which is why Aguero is going to be highly owned if he starts. As for Trossard, he continues to be a playmaker in the attack for Brighton, creating nine chances and winning nine tackles in his last four starts. A lot of those numbers are coming without set pieces, which is why I'm fine using him no matter who else starts for Brighton. While they're away from home, I'm not sure that matters after Bournemouth managed 34 percent possession against Norwich City last match.
James McArthur, CRY v. SOU (£14): This is about as unexciting as it gets, but McArthur is at least consistent. He's almost guaranteed to hit three fantasy points, and he's done more during Luka Milivojevic's suspension, namely the 7.3 points accrued against Arsenal despite not having a shot or cross. All of his numbers will come from the defensive variety, and the same goes for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (£15) on the other end. There are more expensive players who will get more attention like Jack Grealish (£20), Rodri (£18) or Ryan Fraser (£17), but I'll stick with consistency and a hopeful five-point floor.
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne, EVE v. NEW (£16): Djibril Sidibe (£15) accrues more defensive stats, but Digne is the exclusive corner taker when Gylfi Sigurdsson is out. That's enough to roster him after six successful crosses last match to go with great odds for a clean sheet against a questionable Newcastle attack. There are a few other high-end defenders to go after, but I think Digne's role on corners takes precedence as the second-biggest favorite on the slate.
Cesar Azpilicueta, CHE v. ARS (£18): Azpilicueta's production has been all over, so I'm not sure he's worth the money, but unless you go all-in on Man City, you'll have extra salary to spend. He's shown a bit of upside in recent matches, though I'm backing him because of the seven tackles won and 10 interceptions in his last three starts. In addition to getting forward, that adds to an already solid floor, and Chelsea are in play for a clean sheet against Arsenal, who again won't have Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Reece James (£16) is another option if he can start following a knock, while Marcos Alonso (£17) is set to return from injury and could feature on a short week.
Matt Targett, AVL v. WAT (£13): Targett played as a wing-back last match and has at least 4.95 fantasy points in each of his last four starts. I don't believe in Aston Villa, but their defensive-heavy lineup could lead to a scoreless draw against Watford, who will be without Sarr. The other bonus for Targett is that he has five tackles won and eight interceptions in his last two starts, and that could give him another viable floor. Anyone could get a clean sheet on this slate, so there isn't a great defensive stack to use, which means almost every defender is viable as long as they consistently produce defensive stats, even Shkodran Mustafi (£14).
GOALKEEPERS
Jordan Pickford, EVE v. NEW (£16): You should have enough money for Pickford, who has been the best fantasy goalkeeper of late outside of Alisson Becker. He has great odds for a clean sheet and has at least six fantasy points in seven of his last eight starts because he either secures a clean sheet or makes enough saves to have fantasy value when he allows a goal or two. The other move is Ben Foster (£16), though plenty will look to cheaper options like Pepe Reina (£11) or Aaron Ramsdale (£11). Hopefully, everyone will use Ederson (£17) and then we'll benefit when that match finishes 1-1.
