This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Welcome to our Premier League coverage curtailed towards this Saturday's DraftKings contests. Your total available salary is $50,000 to build your best squad of eight players, which includes one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards and one FLEX. Points are awarded on DraftKings as follows:Goal = +10 PTs
Assist = +6 PTs
Shot = +1 PTs
Shot on Goal = +1 PTs
Crosses = +1 PTs
Fouls Drawn = +0.75 PTs
Red Card = -1 PTs
Saves (GK) = +2 PTs
Goal Allowed (GK) = -2 PTs
Clean Sheet (GK, D) = +5 PTs
One Goal Allowed (GK, D) = +2 PTs
Win (GK) = +5 PTs
Penalty Kick Save (GK) = +3 PTs
With that out of the way, here are the best available Premier League GPP contests for Saturday:
$7K Equalizer ($1,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $27
$6K Treble ($2,000 first prize), Entry Fee: $300
$4K Striker ($300 first prize), Entry Fee: $3
and many more…
DraftKings has announced the $100K Fantasy Soccer World Championship with a $20,000 first prize set to take place May 24. Saturday offers various opportunities to earn entry through contests with entry fees of $12, $33 and $55.
The following games are included:
Hull City at Crystal Palace
Leicester City at Burnley
Liverpool at West Bromwich Albion
Sunderland at Stoke City
Swansea City at Newcastle United
West Ham United at Queens Park Rangers
Aston Villa at Manchester City
We are in the homestretch of the Premier League season, with teams having six or seven games remaining on their schedule. Chelsea's Premier League triumph is all but concluded now as they are ten points clear of their closest rival, Arsenal. Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all are within two points of each other for the three remaining Champions League spots. Two of the teams will get byes to the group stages, while the team in fourth will be relegated to the qualifying stages. It should be noted that Arsenal has a match in hand on the two Manchester squads.
The fight for the Europa League spot is usually contentious. As things currently stand, there are three teams within a point of each other fighting for fifth place, which is normally the last European qualifying spot. However, the Premier League will already get six teams into the tournament because Chelsea won the Capital One Cup. Because Chelsea has qualified for the Champions League, the sixth-place team in the Prem will make Europa. Additionally, if Arsenal beats Aston Villa in the FA Cup final, Southampton, Liverpool and Tottenham would all be poised to take the three qualifying spots. Really, the most interesting battle at the end of the Premier League season looks to come at the bottom of the table, where the bottom five are all within three points of each other (the bottom three teams will be relegated).
All of the mid-table teams have the least amount to play for, so that's where some upsets are most likely to happen. The most important match of the seven-game set is probably Leicester against Burnley, believe it or not, as the result could very well move one of them out of the relegation zone. There is a bit of guesswork in projecting lineups until they are actually announced, so be sure to check the starting lineups upon their announcement approximately one hour prior to kickoff.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart ($5,400)
Manchester City are being given over a 75 percent chance to take the victory, by far the biggest favorites on the day. Aston Villa has some confidence coming off an FA Cup semifinal victory over Liverpool, but the odds don't lie as Manchester City will look to build on last weekend's win over West Ham as they try to fight for a guaranteed spot in the group stages of the Champions League next year. Christian Benteke's hot form poses at least slight concern though.
Asmir Begovic ($5,000)
Believe it or not, Stoke is actually the second heaviest favorites on the day against an out-of-form Sunderland squad. Begovic's lack of a clean sheet in his last five outings is a bit concerning, but his eight-save performance against Chelsea warranted notice along with his squad's impressive win over Southampton last time out.
Robert Green ($4,500)
It feels dirty to recommend anything from QPR on the defensive end, yet against a middling West Ham squad in bad form that simply doesn't seem to care anymore, QPR actually has an advantage as they desperately need this game if they hope to stave off relegation. Green has had some spectacular days in goal, and at a reasonable price, he has a lot of upside if he can make some saves.
Other Options: Outside of my clear-cut top three, Simon Mignolet ($5,300), Kasper Schmeichel ($4,500) and Tim Krul ($4,200) all warrant strong consideration.
Defenders
Aleksander Kolarov ($4,800)
Kolarov is the safest available play, but he may very well have the highest upside too, as he's reached double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive outings. His side is the day's biggest favorite, and Kolarov can be play confidently. Pablo Zabaleta ($4,200) is the likely partner of Kolarov, but he doesn't have the consistent high scoring of Kolarov even if he has managed twice the number of assists.
Geoff Cameron ($3,000)
The American looks to once again start at rightback and gets a very favorable matchup with his side being fairly sharp favorites with a good chance to collect some defensive bonuses. Cameron has some solid ability to get up field with crosses, making him a great deal at this price with a likely defensive bonus headed his way. Erik Pieters ($3,200) will man the other side, but doesn't appear to be any better to warrant his slightly higher price.
Alberto Moreno ($3,900)
In Liverpool's formation, Moreno actually sees a wide midfield role and benefits from the capability to attain stats in every category. His upside doesn't look as high as I'd like from a midfielder, but the defensive matchup is good enough to still make him a great play.
Kieran Trippier ($5,500)
Trippier still fires a ton of crosses every week, and this week should be no different except he has a decent chance to pickup a defensive bonus as well. Roll him out with confidence, again.
Daryl Janmaat ($3,400)
This is a wonderful price for Janmaat considering his side is the favorite against a Swansea side I always question offensively due to their lack of an actual striker. This is also why Krul is a solid play. Janmaat's stats have been down lately, but the form that saw him with six assists and numerous crosses could arise at anytime.
Clint Hill ($3,000)
Hill mans the left fullback position, has crossing ability and actually has a shot on goal in consecutive outings and a goal two back. The right fullback will likely be Isla, who is listed as a midfielder and won't get any defensive bonuses.
Midfielders
Matthew Phillips ($4,000)
Phillips' price simply hasn't gone up despite him consistently producing. He has two very nice goals and three assists in his last five matches. He crosses the ball consistently, and in this fantastic matchup against a slumping West Ham, he is absolutely lethal at this price.
Charlie Adam ($5,500)
Where Adam's sudden outburst of offensive production has come from is a bit of a mystery, but his past four games have fantasy point totals of 21, 15, 18 and 19. There's been a decent degree of variance as to where the production is coming from, but he has had as many as 17 crosses and seven shots while also having goals in two of his last four.
Remy Cabella ($5,200)
Cabella has had a tough time staying healthy this season, but he's been high on my list all season. With a high number of players out he will see a more forward and active role leading to offensive statistics in every category.
Wayne Routledge ($5,200)
With the depletion of available forwards in the Swansea camp, Routledge now features up front. He only totals three goals this season, but with his nice cross and fouls drawn numbers matched with his current position, he could finally get back on the score sheet. Gylfi Sigurdsson ($7,700) slots in just behind Routledge and is undoubtedly a good option at a higher price, with a high number of shots taken in accompaniment with his five goals and nine assists this season.
Steven Gerrard ($5,000)
If Gerrard gets a start, which is admittedly very questionable, he is a very interesting target. His eight goals this season in very limited playing time is impressive. With his Premier League career soon to be over as he's set to join MLS's Los Angeles Galaxy this summer, ol' Stevie will definitely want to make as big an impact as he can before bowing out.
Yaya Toure ($6,600)
This season has been a forgettable one for Toure, but this price is too good not to bite at once or twice. He shoots in high quantity, and his shot is a good one. He has premier free-kick and penalty-taking abilities, and it's just a matter of time before he gets back on the score sheet – and this is a price well worth gambling that it'll happen this weekend. If teammate Jesus Navas ($5,100) gets a start, he posses much more consistency in scoring than Toure with his high cross and assist numbers.
Yannick Bolasie ($7,500)
It's hard for me to pull the trigger at this price after getting such a good discount on him all season, but with his forward role and a lot of confidence in tow, Bolasie is dangerous to do just about any and everything. He's simply a pleasure to watch on the ball. Teammates Jason Puncheon ($5,400) and Wilfried Zaha ($4,200) provide much cheaper ways to buy legitimate members of the Crystal Palace offense.
Other Options: Both of the top-priced midfielders, Raheem Sterling ($8,600) and David Silva ($7,900), provide enough question marks where I'd prefer to allot my salary elsewhere.
Forwards
Sergio Aguero ($10,200)
Aguero is probably the best striker in the Premier League (despite being left of the player of the year voting). He has three goals and ten shots in his last two matches. His offensive prowess is not to be overlooked. Wilfried Bony ($7,800) could potentially start beside Aguero and is a serious option to consider.
Charlie Austin ($9,300)
Austin has scored 45 percent of QPR's goals this season, which is tops in the league in that category. Chelsea was able to slow down Austin last weekend, but he had two goals and two assists in the two previous matches. In a spot whn QPR is actually favored, Austin looks a big chance to add to his 17 Premier League goals.
Christian Benteke ($7,400)
The matchup with Manchester City is far from an easy one, but his five goals in his last three matches is not to be scoffed at. Not to mention his side comes in with some confidence after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup semifinal this past weekend.
Glenn Murray ($5,700)
Okay, the price is finally starting to normalize, but Murray has still be producing at high levels, hitting double-digit fantasy points in four consecutive outings and six of his last seven. Hull City is another weak side the suddenly potent Crystal Palace offense will look to exploit.
Dame N'Doye ($6,600)
N'Doye has gone scoreless in his past four, but in a match his side desperately needs, he could be an excellent play as his ownership likely won't be very high. He scored three goals in his first three Premier League starts, its only a matter of time before he gets back on the board. It's also worth mentioning he's been up against the stout defenses of Southampton, Swansea City and Chelsea over his last three, and Crystal Palace's defense is not on the level of any of those squads.
Mario Balotelli ($6,200)
Manager Brendan Rogers very well may leave Sterling as his striker, but with Daniel Sturridge (hip) still out, it seems like Balotelli could be at least given a chance. When he's of sound body and mind (which admittedly is rare) he is truly one of the better strikers in the world. If he starts, he may be worth giving a chance at this price.
Other Options: Omitted is anyone from Leicester. The team has been playing well, taking three in a row, but the source of the production is unpredictable. I won't talk you out of anyone from Leicester, I just really don't know who I'd recommend.
