DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday EPL Targets

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

As a reminder, always check the lineups page to ensure your picks are starting. Due to the condensed holiday schedule, we could see significant roster turnover, which could lead to more values.

Goalkeepers:

David de Gea, MUN v. SWA ($4,200): Manchester United is allowing 0.33 goals per game at home this season. Swansea's goal scoring has been abysmal, ranking only better than league-bottom Aston Villa by a goal while taking a league low of just three percent of their shots from inside the six-yard box, and Swansea's conversion percentage stands at a league worst 7.2 percent. Clean sheet, win, save what shots do come his way, it's hard to argue against de Gea as the top cash option.

Vito Mannone, SUN v. AVL ($3,800): Mannone has taken the Sunderland job between the sticks and put in a solid five-save effort while allowing just one goal against Liverpool on Wednesday. Aston Villa is both league bottom in points and goals scored with just 15 scored in 19 games. To boot, they loose both Jordan Ayew and Ashley Westwood due to suspension, with Ayew being an especially substantial loss with his strong play in the attack of late. Mannone stands a very strong chance at a clean sheet.

Adrian, WHU v. LIV ($3,900): Liverpool visits Boleyn Ground to face the Hammers as the favorites, but they posses one of the worst shots-to-goals ratios in the league. Despite being second in the league in shots, trailing only Manchester City, Liverpool is tied for 11th in goals scored; their conversion percentage is just over seven percent. A big part of this low conversion percentage can be accounted by Liverpool taking just five percent of their shots from inside the six-yard box. All of this means is Adrian has high save upside with Liverpool taking shots in large quantities from locations that make them very capable of being saved.

Other goalkeepers to consider: Petr Cech, ARS v. NEW ($4,500); Kasper Schmeichel, LCY v. BOU ($4,300)

Defenders:

Matteo Darmian, MUN v. SWA ($3,300): Being slotted back into the lineup for the first time in three weeks last time out for Manchester United, Darmian accumulated six crosses in just 70 minutes. Prior to his injury, the Italian fullback was a consistent producer and figures to be so the rest of the season.

Patrick van Aanholt, SUN v. AVL ($3,400): Sunderland is coming off an extremely tough run of fixtures facing Arsenal, Watford, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in December. Van Aanholt held his own in these tough matches, but averaged 18 fantasy points in the three games prior to that run and now faces bottom-of-the-table Aston Villa with a very good opportunity to return to those numbers.

Cuco Martina, SOU at NOR ($2,400): Martina made his first start on Boxing Day and made headlines right away with a wonder goal as his side toppled Arsenal. He then followed that performance with a solid nine fantasy points in 70 minutes at West Ham. He's poised to start once again with his price only slightly elevated.

Other defenders to consider: Ryan Bertrand, SOU at NOR ($3,200); Craig Dawson, WBA v. STK ($3,400); Adam Smith, BOU at LCY ($3,100); Leandro Bacuna, AVL at SUN ($2,900); Danny Simpson, LCY v. BOU ($2,400); Alan Hutton, AVL at SUN ($3,500); Aleksander Kolarov, MCI at WAT ($5,400)

Midfielders:

Mesut Ozil, ARS v. NEW ($8,500): You are certainly paying for it with a hefty price tag, but it's hard to argue fading Ozil because of his current form and matchup at home against Newcastle's horrid away defense. Ozil scored one goal and supplied five assists in December. Being the corner taker, Ozil hit 11 crosses last weekend in conjunction with his goal and assist, summing up to 31 fantasy points.

Xherdan Shaqiri, STK at WBA ($5,400): After being relatively quiet through much of the early part of the season, Shaqiri had an awakening in December, totaling two goals and two assists despite a tough run of competition against Manchester City (two assists), Crystal Palace (15 crosses), Manchester United and Everton (two goals).

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at WAT ($7,800): Mentioning a lot of chalk here, but it's really hard to not at least mention De Bruyne, who is averaging 25.67 fantasy points per game over his last three outings. He does everything, contributing in just about every category.

Stephane Sessegnon, WBA v. STK ($3,500): In his first start in over a month, Sessegnon was spectacular last time out, accumulating 12 crosses (nine corners), five fouls drawn, two tackles won and an interception totaling an impressive 19 fantasy points without directly contributing to any goals. Stoke is a far more formidable opponent than Newcastle, but standing 13th in the table, West Brom only finds itself just three spots below Stoke and gets them at home.

Other midfielders to consider: Yann M'Vila, SUN v. AVL ($4,000); Manuel Lanzini, WHU v. LIV ($4,100); Steven Davis, SOU at NOR ($3,400); Philippe Coutinho, LIV at WHU ($6,500); Nathan Redmond, NOR v. SOU ($4,100); Darren Fletcher, WBA v. STK ($2,700); Marc Albrighton, LCY v. BOU (6,200); David Silva, MCI at WAT ($6,000); Riyad Mahrez, LCY v. BOU ($8,800); Matt Ritchie, BOU at LCY ($6,200); Yaya Toure, MCI at WAT ($6,100); Jordan Veretout, AVL at SUN ($4,300); Aaron Ramsey, ARS v. NEW ($5,800); Junior Stanislas, BOU at LCY ($4,900); Jonny Howson, NOR v. SOU ($2,800)

Forwards:

Jeremain Lens, SUN v. AVL ($4,900): Lens has not started in a Premier League match since Oct. 25 against Newcastle, but in the event he is slotted into the starting XI, he becomes a cash-game staple. His ability to accumulate peripheral stats as a forward may not be replicated within the Premier League. He's accumulated as many as eight crosses, five shots and five fouls drawn in a single game and posses great goal scoring and assisting upside against a weak Aston Villa defense.

Theo Walcott, ARS v. NEW ($5,700): At home in December, Walcott averaged 14.5 fantasy points per game. Despite his wide role, Walcott doesn't do much in the crossing department. Instead, he contributes heavily in shots, fouls drawn and, somewhat surprisingly, picks up some defensive stats too. Walcott has five goals in 17 appearances across the Premier League and Champions League this season.

Other forwards to consider: Fabio Borini, SUN v. AVL ($4,100); Sergio Aguero, MCI at WAT ($8,300); Duncan Watmore, SUN v. AVL ($3,100); Olivier Giroud, ARS v. NEW ($7,500); Anthony Martial, MUN v. SWA ($6,000); Christian Benteke, LIV at WHU ($6,100); Shane Long, SOU at NOR ($3,700); Jamie Vardy, LCY v. BOU ($7,600); Jermain Defoe, SUN v. AVL ($4,300); Raheem Sterling, MCI at WAT ($6,600); Andy Carroll, WHU v. LIV ($4,300); Bojan, STK at WBA ($4,300)