This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Saturday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: West Ham v. Leicester City
11:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Watford
11:00 a.m: Everton v. Hull City
11:00 a.m: Stoke City v. Chelsea
11:00 a.m: Sunderland v. Burnley
1:30 p.m: Bournemouth v. Swansea City
CASH GAME CONSIDERATIONS
Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA at BOU ($11,200): Sigurdsson's price continues to soar, as he's one of only two players on the slate over $10,000, and he's a full $1,000 more than the second-most expensive player, Chelsea striker Diego Costa. However, Sigurdsson has scored fewer than 10 fantasy points only three times this season, which is remarkable consistency over 27 starts. Additionally, he's on a great run of form, as he's picked up an assist in each of his last four games, which was preceded by a three-match run with a goal. Up next is a Bournemouth side that's allowed 15 goals in their last six games while allowing the six-most crosses over that span.
Andros Townsend, CRY v. WAT ($7,300): Townsend led the Premier League in crosses over the first 13 games, and while he fell into Sam Allardyce's doghouse for a bit, he's come out of it looking just as good as he did in the fall, as he's sent in 28 crosses and scored one goal on six shots in his last three Premier League starts (he had 12 crosses in 45 minutes off the bench in the game prior). He split corners with Yohan Cabaye in their last league match, but the plus for Townsend is that he is a prolific open-play crosser, which means he'll still likely have a good foundation of points even if more corners go to Cabaye's side.
Robert Snodgrass, WHU v. LEI ($8,300): The price is certainly high, but Snodgrass continues to be an excellent source of crosses for a West Ham team that is favored and playing against a Leicester side coming off an emotional win over Sevilla in the Champions League on Tuesday. Additionally, Leicester have allowed the fifth-most crosses per game over the past eight gameweeks (they've played seven times) and they've allowed 14 goals in that span. It's worth noting that Snodgrass has been battling ankle and knee soreness recently, and if he does not start, Manuel Lanzini ($7,100) could take over on free kicks.
Seamus Coleman, EVE v. HUL ($6,100): Coleman is the defender worth paying up for, as he's reached double-digit fantasy points in seven of his last nine Premier League matches and now faces a Hull side that's allowed the third-most crosses per game this season. He hasn't been shooting much (or at all, really) lately, but he's always capable of attacking the net, which gives him solid upside for a defender.
Jose Holebas, WAT at CRY ($4,200): Holebas has been splitting corners with Tom Cleverley ($3,400), which is a bit ridiculous because it's Tom Cleverley. Either way, Holebas has 24 crosses and five shots over his last five matches, which is solid production from a defender, especially one that's almost $2,000 less than Coleman (Cleverley has 14 crosses and one shot over that span). The upside is fairly limited on Holebas, but the lower salary accounts for it while still giving some safety.
Jordan Pickford, SUN v. BUR ($4,900): Stoke City's Lee Grant ($4,000) is the cheapest home goalkeeper, but he's also facing a Chelsea side that's scored multiple goals in four of their last six matches and has only forced 13 saves over that span. Meanwhile, Pickford will host a Burnley side that's been atrocious away from home this season, scoring just nine times in 14 games. He's also been solid of late, making 26 saves while allowing eight goals in his last five games, which came against Chelsea (H), Watford (H), Manchester United (A), Everton (A) and Manchester City (H). Obviously those sides are likely to force more saves than a traveling Burnley, but the Sunderland defense is weak enough that a few shots should still make it to Pickford's hands.
TOURNAMENT OPTIONS
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. HUL ($9,600): Lukaku comes in as arguably the hottest goal-scorer in the Premier League, finding the back of the net seven times in the last five games. He also comes in with by far the best anytime goal-scoring odds, as he'll attack a Hull side that's improved but still allowed the third-most goals per game this season, including seven in their last four (five in the last two away matches).
Diego Costa, CHE at STK ($10,200): After a quick three-game Premier League run without a goal, Costa has scored in back-to-back league matches, and he comes in with the second-best goal-scoring odds on the slate. Playing at Stoke in mid-March isn't the easiest of tasks, but Chelsea come in with multiple goals in five of their last seven league matches.
Joshua King, BOU v. SWA ($6,200): It always feels lazy recommending a guy one week after he scored a hat trick (after missing a penalty, no less), but King has been hot for a while, scoring seven goals on 15 shots (eight on goal) and adding seven fouls drawn and six tackles in his last five games. Up next: a home match against a Swansea side that's allowed the most goals this season.
Jermain Defoe, SUN v. BUR ($6,000): Defoe has only scored in one of his last six league starts, but he'll be lining up against a Burnley team that has just two away points this season while allowing 30 goals on the road, one fewer than the most in the league. And while he hasn't been finding the back of the net, Defoe has still taken multiple shots in five of his last six, which have come against tough opponents including West Brom (A), Tottenham (H), Southampton (H), Everton (A) and Manchester City (H).
Michail Antonio, WHU v. LEI ($7,700): Antonio contributes in multiple stat categories, but he doesn't do any one enough to be an easy cash game play. However, he's finished with multiple shots, crosses and fouls drawn in three consecutive games, which means he'll provide a bigger score if he does find the back of the net as opposed to other goal-dependent players who don't do much other than shoot. While his goal odds aren't spectacular, they are better than players like Eden Hazard, Joshua King, Jamie Vardy and Ross Barkley.
Ross Barkley, EVE v. HUL ($8,500): Barkley's price makes him a tough cash game target, as his role on set pieces is no longer guaranteed (Gareth Barry shared corners with Kevin Mirallas last weekend - yes, that Gareth Barry, I can't believe it either). Nevertheless, Barkley is still a key cog in the Everton attack, with double-digit fantasy points in nine of this last 10 games, which certainly sounds like it's safe enough for cash. Just be warned that the safety of free kicks isn't a sure thing.
Luciano Narsingh, SWA at BOU ($3,700): Narsingh has found playing time hard to come by since his transfer from PSV Eindhoven, but we saw two games ago that he's a solid source of open-play crosses when he gets the minutes. If he can get a start against Bournemouth, he could be worth a flier thanks to his low salary.
Adnan Januzaj, SUN v. BUR ($4,000): If you subscribe to the theory that any set piece taker playing at home against Burnley is worth targeting, well, here's your guy this week. Januzaj's game log is littered with mediocre (at best) performances, he doesn't cross much in open play, and he's splitting corners with Sebastian Larsson ($3,200). Frankly, Januzaj is really here as a warning more than a recommendation. On the other side of this match is Robbie Brady, who has shown some solid upside at points this season but isn't the cash-game play he was only a few weeks ago despite a seemingly attractive $6,500 salary.
