Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EST)

10:00 a.m: Bournemouth v. West Ham
10:00 a.m: Liverpool v. Crystal Palace
10:00 a.m: Manchester United v. Brighton
10:00 a.m: Newcastle v. Cardiff
10:00 a.m: Southampton v. Everton
10:00 a.m: Watford v. Burnley
12:30 p.m: Arsenal v. Chelsea

FORWARDS

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. CRY (£27): Liverpool have the highest implied goal total and Salah has the best anytime goal-scoring odds on the slate. You'll likely need a goal from Salah at this price, but Liverpool haven't had a problem scoring at Anfield, finding the back of the net at least three times in their previous three matches. Sadio Mane (£24) offers some savings and has eight goals in 20 league matches, but Roberto Firmino (£21) is my preferred pivot from Salah if I still want a slice of the Liverpool attack, though he's been goal dependent all season.

Marcus Rashford, MUN v. BRI (£21): All Manchester United players have benefitted from the departure of Jose Mourinho, with Rashford and Paul Pogba being the two biggest beneficiaries. Rashford has scored at least 7.8 fantasy points in his past five outings, including four goals in that span. He's considerably cheaper than Eden Hazard (£26) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£27) but has a much better matchup and has been outperforming both players over the past month.

Ademola Lookman, EVE v. SOU (£10): This week in the bargain bin, Lookman makes his debut at a minimum price. He made the starting XI for last weekend's 2-0 win over Bournemouth as Theo Walcott (£17) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£14) were dropped to the bench. Lookman impressed with 8.50 fantasy points thanks to an assist, and he performed well enough to earn another crack at the first XI against Southampton. Lookman's starting place isn't a lock, though he could provide huge budget savings if he does get the nod.

MIDFIELDERS

Paul Pogba, MUN v. BRI (£23): Pogba has scored at least 9.00 fantasy points in five straight games, including two with more than 30.00. Over that span, he's averaging 4.4 shots and three shots on goal per 90, while contributing four goals and four assists. You can get Pogba cheaper than the top-five forwards, which is helpful since he's performed better than all of them lately.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, SOU v. EVE (£15): After serving a four-match suspension, Hojbjerg is available to come back into the side, which may move James Ward-Prowse (£14) back to the bench. Hojbjerg's propensity to pick up cards has been an issue, though he's typically able to help his floor with shots and interceptions, and Southampton are actually favored in this match

Luka Milivojevic, CRY v. LIV (£14): A matchup with Liverpool isn't typically the best spot to deploy an opposing midfielder, but Milivojevic operates defensively enough to have a serviceable day against the Reds. Palace aren't expected to get forward much, though if there are any opportunities for penalties, Milivojevic will be on them. He's cheap enough where six fantasy points will justify his inclusion in your team. Another cheap midfield option is Matt Ritchie (£13), who is in the top-five for accurate crosses and will face a Burnley side that allow the most accurate crosses among teams on the slate.

DEFENDERS

Lucas Digne, EVE at SOU (£16): There are a few solid options in this price range, but ultimately I thought Digne had the best chance for a big day. The Chelsea defenders have a tough trip to the Emirates, making me weary of their upside against a striker of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's quality. Digne's floor is boosted by his share of set-piece duties, while Everton have middle-of-the-road clean sheet odds against Southampton. Digne averages 2.59 accurate crosses per 90 minutes, which is the highest of any player on the slate.

Jose Holebas, WAT v. BUR (£15): Burnley allow the most shots and shots on goal on the slate, while conceding the most accurate crosses and chances created. Holebas trails only Digne and Kieran Trippier in accurate crosses by defenders and is expected to have plenty of opportunities against Burnley due to his complete ownership of Watford's set pieces.

Sol Bamba, CC at NEW (£13): Newcastle are the second-worst attacking team in the Premier League, managing just 16 goals over 22 matches. Meanwhile, Cardiff have allowed just three goals in their past three away matches, which all came in a loss to Watford. Newcastle are a poor attacking side and the Cardiff defense has been stingy of late. Bamba won't offer much of anything in attack, but his defensive floor is around four to five points, as he comes in with top-three spots in interceptions and blocked shots in the Premier League. His outlook is boosted in a match with the lowest implied goal total and potential for a Cardiff City clean sheet.

GOALKEEPER

Neil Etheridge, CAR at NEW (£13): As noted above, Newcastle are a terrible attacking team that strike little to no fear in Premier League defenses. Etheridge, on the other hand, has averaged four saves per match over his last four, while keeping three clean sheets in that span. The two goalkeepers with the high clean sheet odds are David de Gea (£20) and Alisson (£17), and while the former is outrageously expensive after his 11-save outing in last weekend's win over Tottenham, the latter doesn't offer much budget savings but has been a rock at home. Julian Speroni (£10) will start in net for Palace at a minimum price but will need to have large number of saves against Liverpool, as a clean sheet is unlikely.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Owen plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: owenc8888 (DraftKings, FanDuel), RotoCrook (Yahoo!).
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Owen
Chris covers fantasy soccer for RotoWire. In his free time he enjoys watching Jurgen Klopp celebrate goals on the touchline and beyond.
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