This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 11:00 am: Arsenal vs. Brighton & Hove Albion
- 11:00 am: Aston Villa vs. Chelsea
- 11:00 am: Fulham vs. Newcastle United
- 11:00 am: Leeds United vs. West Bromwich Albion
- 11:00 am: Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- 11:00 am: Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace
- 11:00 am: Manchester City vs. Everton
- 11:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Burnley
- 11:00 am: West Ham United vs. Southampton
- 11:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Manchester United
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. CRY ($9,500): A 10-game slate is significantly bigger than what we've gotten this season in the Premier League, so our strategies should be a bit different because of the options available, particularly in GPPs. That being said, Salah figures to be very popular in cash games and tournaments, as Liverpool are the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds. His floor is based on shots, but with Liverpool needing a win to ensure they make the Champions League next season, we have to imagine Salah will be attacking as much as possible. Sure, they don't have to win by multiple goals, but Liverpool shouldn't be content with just one score. We could see plenty of Liverpool stacks, with Sadio Mane ($9,200) and Roberto Firmino ($7,500) likely to be popular too because of the team's implied goal total. For GPP players, fading Liverpool seems like a viable strategy from a leverage standpoint, especially because we have 19 other teams to get our goals. Or, because Salah will be so popular, a Liverpool stack without him could provide some leverage while still giving you exposure to the biggest favorite.
Adama Traore, WOL v. MU ($7,800): From a cash-game perspective, Traore represents a high-floor player who doesn't have to rely on set pieces and is playing for a home favorite that's up against a (likely) heavily rotated side. Manchester United have the Europa League final next Wednesday, leading everyone to believe that all their regular players will not start against Wolves. Traore's floor comes from shots, fouls drawn, chances created and crosses, and there is every reason to think he'll be able to get those against the United back-ups. From a GPP perspective, there are plenty of teams to target because we have a bunch of high totals, with West Ham and Leeds looking particularly interesting, with guys like Michail Antonio ($8,600), Raphinha ($8,900) and Patrick Bamford ($7,300) all capable of matching Salah's ceiling.
Ivan Cavaleiro, FUL v. NEW ($6,000): Cavaleiro has been taking set pieces recently for Fulham, who have already clinched relegation but are also home favorites against Newcastle, who have conceded the second-most crosses and third-most chances created this season. He's much more of a cash-game option because of his role and somewhat low upside, so GPP players in the price range seem more likely to consider players like Jamie Vardy ($5,800), Josh Maja ($5,600) or Matej Vydra ($5,500). Then again, Sergio Aguero ($6,600) would be pretty enticing if he gets a start in his last home game for Manchester City.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. CRY ($7,800): Alexander-Arnold's salary feels pretty high because he's the most expensive defender by $1,300, but as the most active crosser thanks to a role on set pieces for the biggest favorite on the slate, there's little doubt he's going to be extremely popular in cash games and tournaments. Teammate Andrew Robertson ($6,500) is the second-most expensive defender on the slate, but he too could be popular given the notion that fantasy players will be trying to stack the Reds. Alexander-Arnold will be more popular, so for those who want to play Liverpool while still getting some leverage, fading him for Robertson while playing Mane and/or Firmino instead of Salah could be a reasonable path.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, WOL v. MUN ($5,100): Manchester United's Alex Telles ($5,000) could be an option for some because he could have a share of set pieces as he likely starts in place of Luke Shaw ($5,800), but you have to wonder how many corners United will win as they play a bunch of youngsters as away underdogs. Instead, Ait-Nouri has been one of the more consistent attacking full-backs lately and should be a solid option in cash games if you have the salary. A three-defender build could be in play for cash games because the midfielder pool doesn't have any strong options, so affording Ait-Nouri shouldn't be a huge issue.
Max Lowe, SHU v. BUR ($2,700): Lowe isn't necessarily expected to start, but he represents a potential value that we could see pop up from rotated sides from teams that have nothing left to play for. Manchester United's Brandon Williams ($3,000) seems in line for a start in place of Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($4,600), making him another potential option, but the real key is just looking for the values when lineups are announced if they happen to be fullbacks who could attack on the wing.
MIDFIELDERS
Juan Mata, MUN at WOL ($3,100): I am legitimately embarrassed to be writing about Mata, but as a potential set-piece taker at his salary for a slight away underdog, he's going to be somewhat popular in cash games. You could make the argument that Manchester United may not win enough dead balls to justify including Telles because of his higher price, but Mata is just $100 more than the minimum for his position, which opens up salary at forward, defender and goalkeeper.
Jonjo Shelvey, NEW at FUL ($4,000): Shelvey has a share of set pieces for Newcastle, who are away underdogs against Fulham. His floor is sold because he mixes in some defensive stats to go with his set pieces, but his ceiling isn't really fun enough for tournaments. Sheffield United's John Fleck ($4,300) is also in this range and provides a little more attacking upside, but you just have to remember that he plays for the worst team in the league that was also the first to be relegated this season.
Mason Mount, CHE at AVL ($7,700): Chelsea play in the Champions League final next weekend, but a win Sunday against Aston Villa would ensure they qualify for the UCL next season. Mount's role on set pieces has been very fluid, so you almost have to go into this one expecting that he doesn't take any. He's still a valuable fantasy option without those dead balls, particularly with Chelsea in must-win mode. Additionally, because of all the attention being given to Liverpool, Chelsea's attackers could be less popular than they should be in a match against an Aston Villa side with nothing to play for.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson Becker, LIV v. CRY ($6,000): Allison has the highest win and clean sheet odds on the slate and isn't much more expensive than the goalkeepers behind him. As mentioned before, Liverpool need a win to ensure they make the Champions League next season, and while many don't like paying up for a goalkeeper, getting a good shot at 10 fantasy points at Alisson's price is something fantasy players will go for in cash games and GPPs. There aren't really any obvious pay-down options, so the important thing to consider when picking a goalkeeper other than Alisson is to ensure their upside doesn't interfere with the upside of your attacking players because that obviously limits your ceiling in tournaments.
