After shocking the soccer world with an unlikely march to the top of the Premier League, it only made sense that Leicester City would stumble at some point and back-to-back games without a win opened the door just enough for Arsenal to move in to a tie with the intriguing underdogs for top spot in the table. Both teams have favorable matchups this weekend so it’s no surprise that a couple of players from the Premier League co-leaders have found their way on to our optimal fantasy roster. Here is a look at the best bets for Saturday’s Premier League DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues.
GK: David de Gea, Manchester United
Salary: $4,200
United snapped a three-game slide with a 0-0 draw with Chelsea but they haven’t won in six matches and they are bound to snap that winless drought eventually. There is a very good chance it happens this weekend with United set to host a Swansea City side that still sits just above the relegation line despite earning points in three straight games. Only Aston Villa has scored fewer goals than Swansea this season so we feel very good about plugging in de Gea as the top goalkeeper on the board.
D: Matteo Darmian, Manchester United
Salary: $3,300
It only makes sense to roll with at least one United defender based on the favorable matchup and the potential for Darmian in particular to produce from the back end and the price point isn’t nearly high enough to scare us away from using him as our top defender option.
D: Billy Jones, Sunderland
Salary: $2,500
Speaking of favorable matchups, Sunderland will match up with the team that has scored the fewest goals in the Premier League this season and sits dead last in the table right now in Aston Villa. Jones has been consistent enough to trust him in this spot as Sunderland should at least find a way to earn a point.
D: DeAndre Yedlin, Sunderland
Salary: $2,300
Yedlin isn’t the best option on the board but considering the matchup and that we want to save some money for other positions it only makes sense that we will take advantage of having him at a very reasonable price for our final defender position.
M: Riyad Mahrez, Leicester City
Salary: $8,800
Jamie Vardy received the majority of the attention based on his epic goal scoring run to start the season but Mahrez has been just as good for Leicester and there is an argument to be made that he is the most talented player on their squad. Leicester is coming off consecutive games without a win so we like Mahrez’s potential to put up some big numbers as the highest priced midfielder on the board when they match up with Bournemouth on Saturday.
M: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Salary: $7,800
De Bruyne has been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season and as long as he continues to produce at such a high level it’s impossible to overlook him. He is probably worth just as much as Mahrez right now and the fact that he is listed at $1K less makes him an absolute steal in Saturday’s Daily Fantasy League action.
M: Ashley Young, Manchester United
Salary: $4,000
Young continues to play at a high level for United and with such an emphasis on jumping up and helping in the attacking third this could be the week he produces some offensive numbers. Young is a solid option regardless and we feel very comfortable plugging him in at just $4K.
F: Odion Ighalo, Watford
Salary: $7,100
Ighalo has been one of the most consistent strikers in the Premier League this season as he continues to carry Watford’s offense with 14 goals in 18 games. Offense will be at a premium when they match up with Manchester City on Saturday so look for Ighalo to deliver once again this weekend.
F: Jermain Defoe, Sunderland
Salary: $4,300
Defoe has struggled at Sunderland this season but the team will play in its most favorable matchup of the season this weekend so it’s worth taking a chance on him in this spot. Defoe is listed at just over $4K so the upside is certainly there with a chance to break through against Aston Villa.
FLEX: Kieran Gibbs, Arsenal
Salary: $2,900
Gibbs has played some decent minutes for Arsenal of late and considering we don’t have much money left over to address the FLEX position we certainly want to lock him in to this spot.
FLEX: Cuco Martina, Southampton
Salary: $2,400
Martina is another deep sleeper option with the potential to perform at a much higher level than his price tag would indicate and considering we only have $2.8K available for this final spot he looks like the best option here to complete our lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings Daily Fantasy League action.
