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 am: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Watford
10:00 am: Burnley vs. Southampton
10:00 am: Chelsea vs. Huddersfield Town
10:00 am: Crystal Palace vs. Fulham
10:00 am: Everton vs. Wolverhampton
12:30 pm: Cardiff City vs. AFC Bournemouth

FORWARDS

Joshua King, BOU at CAR (£24):Callum Wilson (£21) has already been ruled out for Saturday's match, which will allow King to lead the line again. Bournemouth have struggled at times without Wilson, but that wasn't the case Wednesday as King lead his team with two goals and an assist in an emphatic win. On paper, Saturday's matchup with Cardiff looks like another opportunity for King to enjoy the attacking limelight. He's had at least three shots and two shots on goal in three of his past four starts, which gives his floor a boost even if he isn't able to find the back of the net. Eden Hazard (£26) has the highest goal scoring odds on the slate and hasn't hit 10 points in over a month. I still like Chelsea's matchup with Huddersfield and am in no way saying not to go with Hazard, I just prefer King near this price, while a pivot to Willian is a decent option due to his potential share of set pieces.

Danny Ings, SOU at BUR (£17): Chelsea are the clear favorites on this slate, which is evident when you look at the goal-scoring odds. Ings comes in just behind the Chelsea attackers and Wilson as he faces a Burnley's defense that allows the most shots in the league. Raul Jimenez (£17) is coming off two goals at West Ham and would be a potential pivot from Ings if you prefer his matchup with Everton more. Dwight McNeil (£18) was minimum priced one month ago but comes in at nearly £20, which is too much for me.

Ashley Barnes, BUR v. SOU (£14): While King and Hazard are the clear-cut options at the top end of the forward spectrum, Barnes appears to be the best way to save money. He's scored at least five fantasy points in seven straight outings, which includes four performances with at least nine. Investment in Barnes at this price will allow you to roster some of the more expensive options like Hazard and or Wilson. Michy's (£13) Tour de club continues after he joined Crystal Palace on deadline day. He'll boost a struggling Palace attack and likely won't be cheaper than this all season. The Belgian isn't guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, but if he does, I'd be willing to take a flier on him against the worst defensive team in the league.

MIDFIELDERS

Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. WOL (£19): Sigurdsson was the first name on the team sheet for me due to the suspension of Lucas Digne and injury to Leighton Baines, likely giving him a set-piece monopoly. Wolverhampton have been a top-six defensive side this season and it's unlikely to change Saturday, though Sigurdsson does enough outside of goals and assists to warrant consideration. He's taken seven shots in his past two matches (four on goal) while adding nine tackles. Saturday's slate is void of expensive options, which should make rostering him easier than previous slates. On the other side of the pitch, Joao Moutinho (£13) has provided two assists in consecutive matches but is unlikely to continue that trend against the Toffees, while Romain Saiss (£17) is coming off a goal against West Ham and has started three of the past four matches. Finally, Ryan Fraser (£19) taxes the budget the same as Sigurdsson and has a favorable matchup against Cardiff City, but I still lean Sigurdsson on this slate, though rostering both remains an option.

Diogo Jota, WOL v. EVE (£13): Jota has been partnering with Raul Jimenez at forward the past three matches. He's performed well enough to keep his place in the side, scoring a hat trick two matches ago and then providing an assist in Wednesday's win over West ham. A matchup with Everton isn't the worst spot to deploy Jota, especially if he keeps producing at this price. Other bargain bin options include Ashley Westwood (£12) and Philip Billing (£14), if he can return from his knee injury. Westwood has produced at least five fantasy points in four of his past five outings, including three games with at least 7.85 points. Billing could return from a three-week injury layoff and typically has a floor of around six points, though he's unlikely to play 90 minutes.

DEFENDERS

Antonio Rudiger, CHE v. HUD (£16): Chelsea's defense had arguably their worst performance of the season during Wednesday's 4-0 loss to Bournemouth, but they'll have an excellent opportunity to bounce back when they host Huddersfield, a team that has lost nine of their past 10 matches and sit firmly in last place. They've been shut out in five of their past six matches, including a 1-0 loss to Championship side Bristol City. If it isn't clear by now, Rudiger has a good chance at a clean sheet Saturday. He's by no means an attacking defender but should see plenty of the ball, which could equate to 100+ passes; anything extra gives him a floor of six points. David Luiz (£17) costs a bit more than Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta (£16) and has a similar profile to both players. Meanwhile, Marcos Alonso (£17) was left on the bench for the loss to Bournemouth but should come back into the side and replace Emerson (£13) at left-back.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, CRY v. FUL (£14): Somehow, Crystal Palace have the second-highest clean sheet odds on the slate. This isn't the reason I'm rostering Wan-Bissaka, but it certainly helps justify his inclusion. The Palace defender has a safe floor of around four points that is boosted by his defensive work with tackles won and interceptions. A clean sheet would easily justify his salary. James Tomkins (£13) is questionable for the match, which could allow Martin Kelly (£10) or Scott Dann (£10) to come in as his replacement if you're looking for another slice of the Palace defense.

Jonjoe Kenny, EVE v. WOL (£10):Lucas Digne (£17) is suspended and Leighton Baines (£14) is facing a late fitness test due to a rib injury, which could bring Kenny into the starting XI at left-back. This is a roll of the dice, but a move that could give plenty of budget flexibility if it works out. If Baines starts, he's could be on set piece duty, but a Kenny-Sigurdsson stack wouldn't be the worst move if Baines is sidelined.

GOALKEEPER

Kepa (£16) CHE v. HUD: Chelsea are far and away the biggest favorite on the slate, which makes sense given their matchup with the Premier League's worst team. I'm hesitant to roster Kepa (£16) after seeing Chelsea's 4-0 loss to Bournemouth, which was quickly alleviated when I saw that Huddersfield have scored only five goals away from home all season. I don't suspect another repeat of Wednesday, making Kepa a viable option again. An alternative option is Artur Boruc (£13), who started the previous two matches, recording eight saves and keeping consecutive clean sheets. Cardiff's attack doesn't pose much of a threat, which could allow Boruc to have another big day.

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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