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 (EST)
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Burnley
10:00 a.m: Southampton v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Everton v. Bournemouth
10:00 a.m: West Brom v. Stoke City
10:00 a.m: Hull City v. Liverpool
10:00 a.m: Crystal Palace v. Sunderland
12:30 p.m: Tottenham v. Middlesbrough
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Darren Randolph, WHU at SOT ($4,100): Randolph just got blasted by Man City on Wednesday, allowing four goals and failing to make a single save. He'll get a chance to bounce back against a Southampton side that's scored four goals in their last two games, though they were blanked in the two prior ones. Saints have scored multiple times four times this season (scoring thrice each time), and while the City match was obviously a setback, Randolph had made 22 saves and allowed five goals in his previous seven Premier League games.
DEFENDER
James Milner, LIV at HUL ($7,800): Liverpool figure to be attacking for much of this game, while should allow Milner to rack up the crosses. Hull have allowed the third-most corners and third-most crosses in the Premier League this season, including the most of both over the last 10 games. Milner's price is sky high for a defender, but no other player at the position has a higher floor.
Harry Maguire, HUL v. LIV ($3,600): How does a center-back on a team that sits 19th in the table and is now facing the highest-scoring team in the league nearly become a cash-game staple? He does it by taking 10 shots (three on goal) in the last four games (three more than any other defender), intercepting a league-high 17 balls and drawing the third-most fouls. Maguire has scored 16 and 13 fantasy points in the last two games, respectively, all without a goal or an assist and sending in just one cross. The matchup against Liverpool doesn't look great at first glance, but they've had the third-most interceptions against them and allowed the second-most shots on target and goals from center-backs this season.
Ben Davies, TOT v. MID ($4,500): With Danny Rose ($5,300) sidelined because of a knee injury, Davies figures to get the start at left-back opposite Kyle Walker ($5,100). Davies came on for Rose in the first half of Tuesday's match against Sunderland and finished with six crosses in 52 minutes. Up next is a Middlesbrough defense that has allowed the fourth-most crosses, including the second-most to left-backs, in the last six games.
MIDFIELDER
Christian Eriksen, TOT v. MID ($9,900): On the subject of Boro's tendency to allow crosses, Eriksen has sent in the fourth-most over the last six games while also taking the seventh-most shots in the Premier League. While Harry Kane and Dele Alli have higher expected goal odds, they also combined for five fantasy points during the midweek scoreless draw with Sunderland while Eriksen had 17 thanks in large part to his crosses.
Robbie Brady, BUR at WAT ($4,600): Brady averaged nearly five crosses per 90 minutes during his time with Norwich City this season, and he could see that figure grow if he's able to take over set-piece duties for Burnley following his move this week. Scott Arfield, Steven Defour and Johann Berg Gudmundsson have each taken corners over the last few weeks, but it's a job Brady should take over soon enough, with his fairly reasonable salary low enough to take the risk.
Chris Brunt, WBA v. STK ($5,400): Phillips has lined up at left-back in each of the last four games, but he's still managed to score two goals on six shots (four on target) and send in 25 crosses. Teammate Matt Phillips ($6,800) is also worthy of consideration, as he has one goal, two assists and 24 crosses in his last five games. Both players have been splitting corners over recent weeks, but that's not too much of a deterrent against a Stoke side that has allowed the second-most corners this season.
FORWARDS
Wilfried Zaha, CRY v. SUN ($7,300): Zaha returned from Africa Cup of Nations and put in a classic Zaha game, finishing with three shots (one on target), six crosses, three fouls drawn, two tackles won and two interceptions en route to 13 fantasy points. Up next is a Sunderland defense that has allowed the most shots, most shots on target, most chances created and fifth-most crosses over the last six games.
Ademola Lookman, EVE v. BOU ($4,600): Lookman scored off the bench against Manchester City in his Premier League debut three games ago, and manager Ronald Koeman has indicated that he could give Lookman a start thanks to his solid play in training. Kevin Mirallas ($6,500) is the safest forward play from Everton because he's on set pieces (or at least has been), and Romelu Lukaku ($8,000) has the second-best goal-scoring odds on the slate, but Lookman could be a key piece for GPP lineups.
Kamil Grosicki, HUL v. LIV ($5,400): While we're on the topic of fliers, let's hit on Grosicki, who transferred from Ligue 1 side Rennes earlier this week. His spot in the starting XI is far from guaranteed, but he's one to look out for just in case, as he left France as the ninth-highest crosser this season, averaging 9.28 per 90 minutes. If he's not in the starting lineup this week, he's at least a name to keep in the back of your head for when he finally does break in.
