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: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Burnley
10:00 am: Manchester United vs. Leicester City
10:00 am: Sheffield United vs. Southampton
10:00 am: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace
10:00 am: Wolverhampton vs. Chelsea
12:30 pm: Norwich City vs. Manchester City

FORWARDS

Son Heung-Min, TOT v. CRY (£22): With the understanding that you'll need one of Sergio Aguero (£28) or Raheem Sterling (£27) in your starting XI, it'll be important to save a couple bucks where you can. With that in mind, I'm fading Harry Kane (£28) and opting for SOn. While Kane has been feast or famine this season (23.3, 2.00, 1.00, 15.85 fantasy points in four games, respectively), Son has hit 8.55 in both of his starts. At £28, Aguero is a better option than Kane due to his prolific form (six goals in four matches) and the fact that Manchester City are facing a Norwich side that have been decimated by injuries. It turns into a discussion between Aguero and Sterling if you do opt for the City attack. Electing to go with Son still allows you to target Tottenham's home matchup against Crystal Palace but gives you the savings that you wouldn't have if you paired the City attack with Kane. All in all, I expect Manchester City to obliterate Norwich City more than I expect Tottenham to take it to Palace, and Son gives us the savings we need to target the Citizens.

Raul Jimenez, WLV v. CHE (£17): The Chelsea back line has been anything but impressive this season, conceding four goals to Manchester United and allowing two goals to promoted sides, Norwich City and Sheffield United, while failing to keep a clean sheet through four matches. Jimenez is averaging 2.51 shots per 90 minutes (1.25 on goal) and has scored in consecutive matches. His price hasn't moved from £17 this season, which is reasonable for a player with top-15 goal scoring odds. Tammy Abraham (£24) is in terrific form with four goals in his past two matches, which is the reason for his price rising from £10 the first two gameweeks. I'm not doubting Abraham's potential against Wolves, it's that he offers zero savings for a slate where he's arguably the seventh-ranked forward. Willian (£20) and Pedro (£20) have yet to produce a noteworthy performance this season and don't do enough to warrant their prices.

Neal Maupay, BRI v. BUR (£15): Leandro Trossard has been ruled out this weekend, which should keep Maupay in the starting XI at forward. He scored on his debut for Brighton but has had a mixed bag since (2.8, 5.4, 2.1 fantasy points, respectively). A matchup against Burnley has been fruitful for opponents because the Clarets allow the third-most shots and shots on goal of the 12 teams on the slate. Brighton are home favorites, though it's worth noting this match has the second-lowed implied goal total. Glenn Murray (£16) is always an option, but you'll have to do that without much enthusiasm. Ashley Barnes (£16) was kept in check by the Liverpool defense in his last outing but had at least 15 points in the three games prior to that. While we're in the bargain bin, keep an eye on Oliver McBurnie (£10), who made his first start for Sheffield United in the Premier League just before the international break and could keep his place due to multiple injuries to their front line.

MIDFIELDERS

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at NOR (£26): Our top-tier midfield selections shrunk with Paul Pogba (ankle) ruled out, making it easier to target De Bruyne or Christian Eriksen (£25). De Bruyne has been a juggernaut this season, scoring double digits in three of four starts (he scored 9.15 in the other outing), and he leads the league in assists (five). As noted above, Norwich City have been decimated by injuries and will have to turn to a few backups in a clash that was already going to be lopsided. Plug De Bruyne in and keep it moving to more differential picks. Eriksen is also an attractive option due to his most recent performance, which included four shots (all four on target) and a goal during the draw with Arsenal. Daniel James (£24) is cheaper than both and, similar to De Bruyne, has hit double digits in three of four appearances. He'll be playing at home and could be operating as a forward due to Anthony Martial's absence.

James Ward-Prowse, SOU at SHE (£14): I like both Ward-Prowse and Oliver Norwood (£13) in this matchup due to their responsibilities on set pieces. Neither offer a spectacularly high ceiling, but they give us solidity, as Norwood has had four matches with 5.5 fantasy points, while James Ward-Prowse has close to a set-piece monopoly for the Saints. If I had to select between the two, I'd opt for Norwood due to his consistent defensive work to start the season.

Joao Moutinho, WOL v. CHE (£13): Moutinho has been a consistent starter during the majority of his time with Wolves but was left on the bench against Everton before subbing on in the second half. Romain Saiss (£13) replaced him in the lineup but will likely have to take over for the suspended Willy Boly at center-back. Moutinho and Ruben Neves (£14) appear ready to split set-pieces, though Moutinho has been able to boost his values with tackles won and accurate crosses.

DEFENDERS

Jannik Vestergaard, SOU at SHE (£16): As far as expensive defenders go, Vestergaard has been one of the more impressive center-backs. He's fifth in the league in interceptions (11) and has provided performances of 6.4, 2.1, 7.6 and 16.3 (he scored a goal), respectively. This matchup against Sheffield United has the lowest implied goal total, which could set up either side for a clean sheet. Enda Stevens (£12) is another defender to target in this matchup having provided an assist in his last outing. His ceiling isn't all that high but the savings and potential for a clean sheet make him worth the risk.

Emerson Palmieri, CHE v. WOL (£14): After four rock solid performances, Emerson's price has finally seen a slight bump. He's the most cost effective defender who hasn't been dependent on goals, assists or clean sheets. Despite failing to earn any of those bonuses, Emerson has hit at least 6.55 in all four of his starts. He's been winning 2.25 tackles and making 2.5 interceptions per 90 minutes, which is where most of his value comes from. Fikayo Tomori (£12) took over for Andreas Christensen (£12) at center-back in the 2-2 draw against Sheffield United, with both center-backs having the potential to provide value at such a low price.

Ben Chilwell, LEI at MUN (£15): Chilwell returned to the starting XI prior to the international break after missing two matches due to injury. He's scored at least 7.45 points in both starts and will be facing a Manchester United side without Paul Pogba, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£14) and Jesse Lingard are facing late fitness tests. Manchester United concede the most interceptions on the slate (16), which could benefit Caglar Soyuncu (£14), who has had two interceptions in three straight matches and is averaging two tackles won per 90 minutes. Ashley Young (£16) has taken over the majority of set-piece duties from Marcus Rashford, making him the most viable defender for United.

GOALKEEPER

Nick Pope, BUR v. BRI (£10): Only Hugo Lloris (£17) has more saves (19) than Pope this season. Burnley's propensity to concede shots keeps Pope busy, which has helped him to four matches with positive scores. You'll have a tough time saying that about most mid-table goalkeepers. Brighton have the third-best clean sheet odds in a match with the second-lowed implied goal total, and it helps that Pope is a minimum-priced goalkeeper. If you do want to spend up, Ederson (£18) and City have the top clean sheet odds followed by Lloris.

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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