Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (ET)

10:00 am: AFC Bournemouth vs. Burnley

10:00 am: Huddersfield Town vs. Leicester City

10:00 am: Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace

FORWARDS

Jamie Vardy, LEI at HUD (£23): Our options are limited on a three-match slate, which makes some roster decisions clear-cut. Leicester have the three most-expensive players on the slate with Vardy and James Maddison (£23) just behind Youri Tielemans (£24). Vardy has the best goal-scoring odds for the biggest favorite and is riding a good bit of form, scoring five goals in his last seven matches. A matchup against the Premier League's worst team is favorable for most forwards, let alone a player like Vardy, who's been in top form over the past month and a half. Callum Wilson (£21) and Joshua King (£20) face a Burnley side who broke a four-match losing streak last weekend against Wolves and would be the alternative to Vardy with a similar matchup.

Salomon Rondon, NEW v. CRY (£19): Rondon is one tally away from a double-digit goal haul this season, which would be his first time scoring 10 goals in a Premier League season. He's found the back of the net in two of his past three starts and has scored at least nine fantasy points in four of his last six . His baseline score is boosted because he averages nearly three shots (2.92) and 0.91 shots on goal per 90 minutes. Oddsmakers have Saturday's clash as the most even matchup of the slate, with the two sides sitting next to each other in the table at 12th and 13th. Of the other forward-eligible options in this match, Wilfried Zaha (£20) is the pivot from Rondon and has a slightly higher floor due to the number of fouls he draws.

Ashley Barnes, BUR at BOU (£14): Barnes and Michy Batshuayi (£13) are pretty much the only cheap forward options expected to start. Neither are particularly attractive  due to their lack of floor, but a goal from a cheap forward could be the difference maker on this slate due to the more expensive options all expected to be highly owned.

MIDFIELDERS

James Maddison, LEI at HUD (£23): This slate is void of any sure things in defense and a few tough decisions at forward. Luckily, Maddison has been a chalky play for much of the season due to his role on set-pieces and will retain that classification in a favorable matchup against the bottom club in the table. Youri Tielemans (£24) is slightly more expensive and has scored at least 8.6 points in four of his past six starts. There's certainly the potential to play both midfielders, though I prefer Maddison over Tielemans if it came down to it. Aaron Mooy (£16) has made three straight starts for Huddersfield and takes the majority of set pieces, which could provide a differentiation for Maddison owners.

Ryan Fraser, BOU v. BUR (£17): Much like Maddison, Fraser takes nearly 100 percent of Bournemouth's set pieces and will have a favorable matchup against Burnley. The Clarets allow the most goals, shots and shots on goal of any of the six teams, while also conceding the most corners, which bodes well for Fraser's share of free kicks. The Scotsman has just one performance of 10 or more fantasy points dating back to January, but he consistently hits six or more. David Brooks (£17) is the same price but lacks the production and consistent value that Fraser offers, while Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£13) is a cheap midfield option and could see a share of set pieces if he makes the starting XI for Burnley.

Matt Ritchie, NEW v. CRY (£13): Ritchie operates as a wing-back in Newcastle's defensive system, which limits his attacking upside as he's not a true winger. He consistently produces accurate crosses and is tied for third with Ryan Fraser as both midfielders have 53 this season. Newcastle have a couple injuries in their midfield, which could allow Jonjo Shelvey (£15) to make his first start since October, which would affect Ritchie's role as Newcastle's primary set-piece taker.

DEFENDERS

Terence Kongolo, HUD at LEI (£16): For a defender who rarely earns a clean sheet bonus, Kongolo consistently finds ways to reach five fantasy points. He rarely produces in the attack, so you'll depending on his ability to make blocks, interceptions and tackles. Christopher Schindler (£16) has a similar fantasy profile to Kongolo due to Huddersfield being a poor attacking side that doesn't score all that much but is able to rack up defensive stacks.

Harry Maguire, LEI v. HUD (£15): Maguire is available following a one-match ban and should see a lot of the ball with Leicester expected to enjoy most of the possession Saturday. He connected 66 passes in the first meeting, which gives him a floor of around three points and could easily improve upon that with any defensive work. Ricardo Pereira (£18) is the most expensive defender on the slate and is someone I'm steering clear of due to his lack of value. A clean sheet bonus is definitely in play here, but not something to bank on.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka, CRY at NEW (£14): No defender has won more tackles (74) than Wan-Bissaka, and he has a lead he's unlikely to relinquish even if he were to miss the rest of the season. He's also ranks in the top five in interceptions, which is a reason he's been one of the most consistent fantasy defenders. His ceiling isn't realistically higher than 10 points, but he's shown his floor to be around five  due to tackles and interceptions. Patrick van Aanholt (£17) is pricier but doesn't produce defensive stats like Wan-Bissaka does.

GOALKEEPER

Kasper Schmeichel, LEI v. HUD (£14): Schmeichel has the highest clean sheet odds against a club that took only 32 matches to be relegated to the Championship, coming after losing each of their last four, including three times being shut out. Schmeichel is unlikely to see that many shots due to Huddersfield's lack of attacking play, so it may be worth looking elsewhere if you don't think Leicester can secure a clean sheet . Martin Dubravka (£14) has the second-highest clean sheet odds, though there isn't much difference between he and Vicente Guaita.

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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