This article is part of our DFS Soccer 101 series.
Recency bias is a very real phenomenon in daily fantasy sports. The definition of recency bias is having a short memory and targeting players who just had very strong performances in the last game they have played. Alternatively, recency bias also keeps us away from players who had a bad performance and may have cost our teams success.
An example of the first type would be targeting the Manchester City attack, which managed four goals this past weekend, while an example of the second is avoiding a forward who didn't accomplish much and was subbed off early. One thing people tend to overlook is the players from teams that don't play in the main Saturday DraftKings slate. These players routinely end up being under-owned due to being "out of sight, out of mind" the previous week. This week, I'll attempt to highlight some players that fit in one of the above categories in an effort to try to give an early look ahead at the coming week in the Premier League.
Jordan Ayew
Ayew fits in due to his performance last match against Chelsea. Yes, Aston Villa got absolutely demolished against a Chelsea team that is now on a 15-match league unbeaten streak (best in the Premier League this season). However, despite their relatively unorganized tactics, Villa will not go down without a fight. Ayew has taken 11 shots in the last three games, including six shots and five crosses against Chelsea. Look for Ayew to play in a very attacking manner against Bournemouth as both teams will be looking to get the nasty taste of a 4-0 defeat out of their systems.
Odion Ighalo
The Watford forward was pulled at the half as his team was already losing 2-0 to an Arsenal side that was on its way to a massive victory. Ighalo had just returned from playing a grueling home and home Africa Cup of Nations matchup with Egypt which saw Nigeria bow out of the competition. Ighalo looked out of sorts in the first half, and unless it is later revealed that he was substituted as a result of an injury, I believe he'll be very high on my radar next weekend as Watford battle Everton at home. This Everton squad has proven time and again their susceptibility to fast paced forwards, and Ighalo even has the history of scoring a goal against Everton in his first ever Premier League match this season.
Philippe Coutinho
Coutinho isn't a "under the radar" play as much as he is poised for a run of multiple goal weeks given recent history. For his career, Coutinho tends to score goals in bunches and this past weekend marks two in a row with goals scored. Coutinho is known for his inconsistencies, but you can predict that he'll take a lot of shots, and that he'll deliver crosses for his team through corners and open play. He is getting his confidence and that could be ripe for a ramp up in production this weekend.
Matt Ritchie
Ritchie started his season against this weekend's opponent, Aston Villa, and he gave us a preview of what to expect throughout the season with two shots, eight crosses and 13.5 DraftKings points. Ritchie is also coming off a run where he's shown his ability to deliver double-digit crosses, and with Bournemouth's defense looking vulnerable in their last three matches by conceding eight goals, they might be ripe for conceding an early one. How does this help Ritchie? If Bournemouth were to fall behind early, they would have to go all-out in the attack, which could lead to more shots for Ritchie.
Jesus Navas
Navas will be very under-owned this week after the return of Kevin De Bruyne this past weekend, and even more so after KDB scored the opening goal for a Manchester City squad that was desperate for a positive result. When David Silva returned from injury, KDB did not give up the corner and free-kick duties, and now that Navas has that role, he's going to hold on to them. If that's the case, his high-cross numbers should remain steady.
Willian
If you're reading this and thinking "of course I'm rostering Willian, you fool!" then you're already a step ahead of a good bit of DraftKings users who would take one look at the last match where Willian didn't play and come to the conclusion that he is returning from injury. Those that do their research will know that Willian returned from Brazil after a two-match, short-rest week in which he was able to deliver two assists as Brazil tied two matches 2-2 in World Cup qualifying. Willian is being recommended as the top play of the week, as he should be in all your cash lineups as well as all your tournament ones because he is bound to record double-digit crosses and a few shots on target. He's still on free-kick duty, and while his price may be very high, he's worth every penny.
