The Premier League returns next weekend with a full slate of games for Saturday and that means plenty of EPL fantasy league tournaments available on DraftKings. With seven games on the schedule, soccer fans will have 14 teams to choose from when building a winning lineup for DraftKings tournaments. Here is a look at our optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings EPL Fantasy Leagues.
GK: John Ruddy, Norwich City
Salary: $3,900
Norwich City is grinding to stay in England’s top flight and they enter this weekend just two points up on Sunderland above the relegation line. Norwich has earned four of a possible six points in its last two games including a big 1-0 win over West Brom last week, but they must capitalize on another favorable home game versus Newcastle United in order to stay above water. Newcastle has struggled to score goals and with Norwich playing for its Premier League lives Ruddy should be a strong choice at the goalkeeper position.
D: Sam Byram, West Ham United
Salary: $2,600
West Ham United has earned at least a point in five straight games including three wins and they will have the opportunity to capitalize on a favorable matchup versus Crystal Palace this weekend. Byram isn’t the best defender on the board, but his price tag is low enough to take a chance on him as a high upside value option.
D: Timm Klose, Norwich City
Salary: $2,400
It didn’t take long for us to move back to Norwich’s favorable matchup versus Newcastle with a very reasonably priced option at the defender position. Klose won’t factor much offensively, but there is a very good chance his EPL fantasy score benefits from a potential clean sheet bonus in this matchup.
D: Sebastien Bassong, Norwich City
Salary: $2,300
Speaking of strong value options with high upside, Bassong could be an excellent play at just $2.3K. We are already banking on a strong performance for Norwich so it makes a lot of sense to roll with Bassong in order to save money that is better off spent elsewhere.
M: Phillippe Coutinho, Liverpool
Salary: $5,800
Liverpool has been among the toughest Premier League teams to forecast this season as they continue to be plagued by inconsistency. They outscored Aston Villa, Manchester City and Crystal Palace by a combined 11-1 score before losing to Southampton last week, but even in that loss they scored twice in a 3-2 loss. Liverpool’s attack begins with its loaded midfield and Coutinho is a very strong value option at this position.
M: Adam Lallana, Liverpool
Salary: $4,500
Lallana should also factor in to the mix for a tough game versus Tottenham. Liverpool has averaged just over three goals per game over their last four games so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they played another high scoring game against Hotspurs.
M: Jason Puncheon, Crystal Palace
Salary: $4,200
Crystal Palace will be in tough against West Ham United, but Puncheon has been a constant factor in their attack this season and he should be very active in this game. Puncheon isn’t the most explosive midfielder option, but the upside is there for a player that is available for just $4.2K.
F: Harry Kane, Tottenham
Salary: $8,700
There is a good chance Tottenham’s matchup with Liverpool is the highest scoring game of the weekend and after punching in the top two midfield options from the Reds it only makes sense to spend big on the best forward option on the board. Kane has been on an absolute tear for Hotspurs and that should continue in a shootout this weekend.
F: Alexis Sanchez, Arsenal
Salary: $7,800
The money that we saved at other positions allows us to spend big on both of our forward positions and Sanchez is the perfect compliment to Kane. Arsenal continues to rely on its firepower up front to win games and that trend will continue with a favorable matchup at home versus Watford.
FLEX: Yaya Toure, Manchester City
Salary: $5,400
City has had plenty of problems in the Premier League of late and any chance they have at getting back in the win column will mean relying heavily on a strong performance from Tour. City has the potential to score goals in bunches and after a 1-0 loss to rival Manchester United they should come out firing on all cylinders with Toure leading their attack through the midfield.
FLEX: Damien Delaney, Crystal Palace
Salary: $2,200
After spending $5.4K of our remaining $7.8K for our FLEX spots on Toure, we are left to rely on one of the most inexpensive options that will start in the Premier League this weekend in Delaney. Crystal Palace will be in tough as they look to hold off West Ham United at home, but with Delaney priced at just $2.2K he is worth taking a chance on to fill out our lineup for Saturday’s EPL fantasy.
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