The Premier League resumes with an absolutely loaded schedule this Saturday as 14 different clubs will be in action looking to improve their position in the table, whether it’s at the very top or just above the relegation line. The loaded slate creates an excellent opportunity to make some serious money on DraftKings, including the EPL $10K Striker that will feature $10,000 in guaranteed payouts. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s EPL Daily Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Artur Boruc, Bournemouth
Salary: $3,800
It’s somewhat tempting to roll with Manchester City’s Joe Hart as our goalkeeper but he is the most expensive option on the board and he might not be as good of an option as Boruc if Bournemouth can pick up from where they left off in their 3-0 win over Norwich. Bournemouth will clash with Sunderland this weekend and after the latter surprised with back-to-back victories it appears as though they have come crashing back down to earth in a hurry. Boruc has been solid for Bournemouth and that should continue with a favorable EPL Daily Fantasy matchup.
D: Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth
Salary: $3,500
Sticking with the idea that Bournemouth can make it back-to-back victories when it plays Sunderland, it only makes sense to plug in their best defender with a strong possibility he can earn a clean sheet bonus in addition to whatever he does on the field. Daniels has been as steady as they come this season and he should deliver another strong performance on Saturday.
D: Allen Nyom, Watford
Salary: $3,300
Watford is set to clash with a Newcastle side coming off its first win in quite some time and we are banking on the latter coming up short this week as they return to the loss column. Nyom has been very steady all season and he is worth the price tag for this weekend’s DraftKings action.
D: Kieran Trippier, Tottenham
Salary: $3,100
Tottenham got back in the win column with a 4-1 victory over Sunderland last week and now they get an excellent opportunity to keep the pressure on the top three teams when they take on Crystal Palace. Trippier is a strong option at a very reasonable price so it makes sense to use him at our final defender position.
M: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester
Salary: $8,200
After saving some money at the defender positions we can spend as much as we want on our top midfielder option and that means rolling with Mahrez, who looks very much like Leicester’s most talented player. Mahrez has been outstanding all season and that should continue in an important clash with Stoke City on Saturday.
M: Jason Puncheon, Crystal Palace
Salary: $5,000
Puncheon has not been the most productive midfielder of late but he has made four straight starts for Crystal Palace and does have an assist over that span so he is worth taking a chance on versus Tottenham with the relatively low price tag the key to plugging him in next to Mahrez.
M: Eric Dier, Tottenham
Salary: $3,500
Dier is ranked among the top defenders in the Premier League and his eligibility as a midfielder is key as we lock him in to our final midfield spot. Dier has played at the base of Spurs’ midfield this season and he has actually produced at a higher level offensively than Puncheon, with three goals and an assist to this point. Dier should have another strong performance versus Crystal Palace and he might very well be the best sleeper option on the board for this week’s action.
F: Jamie Vardy, Leicester
Salary: $6,900
Vardy’s production has slowed down dramatically since his record start as he has gone five straight games without a goal or an assist, but he is bound to break out of that funk eventually and there is a good chance that it happens in a key matchup with Stoke. We already have Mahrez plugged in as our top midfield option, so it only makes sense to double down for EPL Daily Fantasy.
F: Odion Ighalo, Watford
Salary: $6,900
Another player that has cooled off a bit of late but is also due for a breakout is Ighalo, who has gone four straight games without registering a goal or an assist after scoring 13 goals in his first 17 games overall. Watford has a very favorable matchup with Newcastle so look for Ighalo to break through this Saturday.
FLEX: Nicolas Otamendi, Manchester City
Salary: $3,100
Manchester City is rounding in to form, so it only makes sense that we have at least one entry from their side as they get set to clash with West Ham United. Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne are among the most expensive players on the board regardless of position, so we will stick with the reasonably priced Otamendi in our FLEX spot.
FLEX: Simon Francis, Bournemouth
Salary: $2,500
Not the sexiest option, but with the limited money we have left over to spend on our final FLEX position it only makes sense to go back to the well for another quality striker from Bournemouth that can help deliver the victory for us.
