Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Targets

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Saturday EPL Targets

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (ET)

FORWARDS

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SHU (£30): Salah has the best goal-scoring odds playing for the top favorite and has been in top form in the Premier League. His price reflects the six goals he's scored, in addition to Liverpool's favorable odds. Sadio Mane (£28) is slightly cheaper with the second-best goal-scoring odds and found the back of the net in the Merseyside Derby last weekend. Both Salah and Mane were kept in check during Wednesday's win over Ajax, but they could benefit from having only played 60 minutes before being subbed off. Roberto Firmino (£22) hasn't had much impact to begin the season and could be dropped to the bench with Liverpool possessing greater depth in attack following the addition of Diogo Jota (£18, midfielder) and a bright showing from Takumi Minamino (£12) in Wednesday's match. The next two top options are Timo Werner (£28) and Marcus Rashford (£27); Werner opened his Premier League account in last weekend's draw against Southampton, while Rashford has scored in three of his last four, including the last two. 

Wilfried Zaha, CRY at FUL (£24): Zaha has already matched his goal total from last season with four goals in five matches and will face a Fulham side that has conceded 12 goals to begin the season. His floor is helped by the number of fouls he draws, as his 16 are the third-most in the league. Aleksandar Mitrovic (£24) is an option for Fulham because of the number of shots he takes (third in the league with 21), though he did miss a penalty in last weekend's draw with Sheffield United and will hope to keep those duties moving forward. Ivan Cavaleiro (£14) is a budget friendly option who has a share of set pieces for Fulham and continues to see consistent time in the starting XI. 

Oliver McBurnie, SHU at LIV (£14): Liverpool's defense hasn't met it's standards from last season, conceding the most goals in the league. In McBurnie's two starts, he's taken three shots (two on goal) in both performances and could provide cost savings at forward. Takumi Minamino (£12) is another cheap option who has an outside shot at playing time in this match, especially with Liverpool having a short turnaround following Wednesday's Champions League match against Ajax. 

MIDFIELDERS

Hakim Ziyech, CHE at MUN (£24): After dealing with a knee injury to begin the season, Ziyech has appeared as a substitute in consecutive matches and took over set-piece duties during his short time on the pitch. His price is friendly enough to play him if he makes the starting XI. Although the sample size is small, Manchester United concede the most shots of the teams on Saturday's slate, further benefiting Ziyech. Kai Havertz (£21) is another player worth a look but hasn't had a slice of Chelsea's set pieces. If you were inclined to take a Chelsea attacker, Christian Pulisic's lack of goals in two starts has kept his price down and could be something to take advantage of. On the other side of the pitch, Bruno Fernandes (£30) has goals in four straight matches and is a huge beneficiary of his place on penalties for United. 

Diogo Jota, LIV v. SHU (£18): There's been a fair bit of discussion about Roberto Firmino being dropped from the starting XI, which would likely bring Jota in as his replacement, like we saw when Sadio Mane was sidelined against Aston Villa. Despite Jota consistently featuring as a forward, he's classified as a midfielder by Yahoo, which offers more lineup fluidity if he does start, and you can take another player from Liverpool. In his lone start against Aston Villa, he took four shots (three on goal), finishing with 9.2 points. Thiago Alcantara (£17) missed Wednesday's match against Ajax and is questionable against Sheffield United, while the rest of Liverpool's midfield is anyone's guess, especially with Fabinho filling in at center-back due to Joel Matip's injury. Oliver Norwood (£13) is Sheffield's most viable midfield play.

Andros Townsend, CRY at FUL (£18): If paying more than £20 for a set-piece taker doesn't tickle your fancy, there's ol' reliable Townsend, who is tied for second in the Premier League with 12 accurate crosses to go along with one goal and two assists. Tom Cairney (£16) has scored at least 5.5 points in three straight starts and is another cheaper midfield to consider if the higher-end options aren't in your budget. 

DEFENDERS

Andrew Robertson, LIV v. SHU (£19): Robertson leads all players in crosses, which has led to 10 corners won and six accurate crosses to go along with a goal and two assists. He and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£18) still share set-piece duties, giving both defenders value. Robertson has been more productive and is worth spending the slight bit more. It's tough to bank on a clean sheet from Liverpool given their defensive woes, but if you are, Joe Gomez (£15) is an option, followed by Joel Matip (£14) is he's able to shake off an injury. 

Ben Chilwell, CHE at MUN (£19): Chilwell is off to a flying start for Chelsea, scoring a goal and providing two assists in his first three matches. The attacking power in this matchup isn't conducive to a clean sheet for either side. If Ziyech does start, Chilwell's value may take a slight dip due to Ziyech likely taking over set pieces. Along with Chilwell, Reece James (£19) has also been productive at right-back. 

Alex Telles, MUN v, CHE (£14): Telles got the start in Tuesday's Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain and should stay in the lineup against Chelsea. His lack of production against the Parisians lowered his price for Saturday's match and could make him more appealing after he was able to get his feet wet. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£18) is his alternative and is relatively expensive for a player who isn't heavily involved in attack. 

GOALKEEPERS

Alphonse Areola, FUL v. CRY (£11): This match has the lowest implied goal total and Areola is the cheapest expected starter. The number of quality attackers means you have to find savings somewhere, so might as well do it in the most uncertain position. Aaron Ramsdale (£12) is another cheap option and should be in line for plenty of save opportunities against Liverpool. Adrian (£17) has the best clean sheet odds, though it's tough to trust a side that has conceded the most goals in the league. Edouard Mendy (£18) has kept clean sheets in both of his starts and is worth a look against United. 

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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