This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Newcastle
10:00 a.m: Brighton v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Tottenham v. Wolverhampton
10:00 a.m: Fulham v. Huddersfield
10:00 a.m: Leicester City v. Cardiff City
12:30 p.m: Liverpool v. Arsenal
With several matches in the past few days, there will continue to be a large amount of rotation. Be sure to check lineups as situations can change significantly with just one player being different.
FORWARD
Harry Kane, TOT v. WOL ($11,400) vs. Mohamed Salah, LIV v. ARS ($10,400): This looks like a slate that won't require a higher-cost lock like in past slates. Kane and Salah are the two most notable and have the highest goal-scoring odds on the slate, but they are comparatively lower than odds we have seen from other high-dollar players in recent weeks. The argument could be made that neither are required this week. Spurs are hot offensively, but the scoring has been more spread out, and Kane himself hasn't looked all that great this year despite his goal totals. Wolves are a decent, albeit boring, side that is surprisingly fourth-best in expected goals allowed, including first in away matches. Salah, on paper, actually has the better matchup of the two when removing the "name" associated with the matchup. Their counterparts, Son Heung-Min ($11,000) and Xherdan Shaqiri ($9,300), aren't much in the way of savings, with Son's price moving wildly higher and Shaqiri's not far behind after both have been scoring freely the past few matches.
The next step down in prices includes Gylfi Sigurdsson ($8,600) and Richarlison ($8,000) away to Brighton. Even with Sigurdsson losing some of his floor from fewer set pieces, he still takes penalties and is a main part of the attack. Richarlison is certainly paying off his transfer price this year with nine goals, more than Sergio Aguero, Romelu Lukaku, Jamie Vardy and Alvaro Morata. Meanwhile, Brighton have given up the second-most shots this season and Everton have been playing relatively wide open the past few weeks.
Cheaper options include Troy Deeney ($5,000), Demarai Gray ($4,600) and Steve Mounie ($5,800), all of whom are in plus matchups.
MIDFIELDERS
We could've cheated a little here and included some of the M/F options, but in terms of strict midfield-only plays the first place to start would be Christian Eriksen ($8,400). With a goal and an assist in the last match, Eriksen proved he is a much better play without Kieran Trippier. Wolves are an aforementioned more-difficult-than-expected matchup, but being the sole playmaker and a larger-than-normal share of set pieces would be a positive
James Maddison ($8,000) has a plus matchup home against Cardiff. In the past six matches, Cardiff have given up the most shots, shots on goal, chances created and touches in the box. Meanwhile, Maddison is tasked with being the sole playmaker for Leicester, and he has the most shots, shots on goal and chances created over the same period. Marc Albrighton ($7,500) would slot in here if Maddison is out.
Alex Pritchard ($6,700) has had a roughly a 10-point floor over the past three matches, including those without Aaron Mooy, and he has a decent matchup against Fulham. Matt Ritchie ($6,500) is another possibility with Ki Sung-yueng away at the Asian Games for South Korea; should have a larger share of set pieces against an average matchup in Watford.
M/F options are plentiful and include most of the players mentioned in the forward section, along with Sadio Mane ($7,900), Gerard Deulofeu ($7,400), Theo Walcott ($6,400) and Pascal Gross ($4,600).
DEFENDERS
Lucas Digne ($6,300) lit up the Boxing Day stage, and without him there was essentially no way to perform well in GPPs, as two goals along with eight crosses is a performance rarely seen out of a wingback/fullback. Fantasy-wise he has continued to grow over the season and has taken a roughly 50-percent share of set pieces. He will be a popular pick after his performance, but there isn't much to say he can't continue his league-leading floor average over the past six matches. Similarly priced Jose Holebas ($6,000) is also in the conversation given the plus matchup in Newcastle.
Chris Lowe ($5,000) has burned people recently by coming off prior to 45 minutes in the past two matches, but he remains on the fantasy radar. Both Florent Hadergjonaj ($4,500) and Erik Durm ($4,400) are also in contention with a better-than-average matchup against Fulham, who have conceded the fourth-most crosses over the past six matches.
Outside of the more expensive options, or going into the center-back roulette wheel, there aren't many great options. That being said, we could benefit from the rotation period we are in and see cheaper options appear when lineups are announced, which happened on Boxing day with Lee Peltier at near min price returning 3x value.
GOALKEEPER
There is really no slam dunk favorite on the slate to plug in a goalkeeper, but Hugo Lloris ($5,900) and Spurs should be able to continue their seven-match unbeaten streak in all competitions. Neil Etheridge ($3,800) has the most saves over the past six matches and face a resurgent Leicester City, which could provide a few additional chances for saves while the price allows you to pay up for two expensive forwards. Liverpool have put the most shots on goal among teams on the slate, though Bernd Leno ($4,000) hasn't really inspired the Arsenal faithful and is likely to give up at least one to the team with roughly the highest total on the slate. As a more general comment, goalies have been tougher to predict with large swings in points for similarly priced players; safety hasn't worked out with Manchester City, Man United and Chelsea all giving up goals, and lower-priced options have been hit hard as well. The best option may be to fill in goalkeeper last with whatever remaining salary.
