Manchester City extended its perfect record to 4-0-0 with an impressive 2-1 win over Manchester United in last weekend’s derby, sending a message to the rest of the Premier League that they are the team to beat this season. City will have an excellent opportunity to extend its perfect run when they host Bournemouth as one of five games on the schedule for Saturday. It should be no surprise that we have targeted that matchup as an excellent opportunity to load up on EPL fantasy talent in DraftKings tournaments this weekend. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s EPL Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Willy Cabaliero, Manchester City
Salary: $5,700
Cabaliero started each of City’s first three games before Claudio Bravo made his debut in their win over United last weekend. He should be back in goal this weekend with a chance to improve to 3-0 in a favorable matchup versus Bournemouth. Cabaliero has allowed just one goal through his first three starts so he should be a lock in most EPL fantasy lineups.
D: Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal
Salary: $3,900
The Gunners are coming off their first win of the season and looking to build on that result when they take on Hull City this weekend. Arsenal has scored two goals or more in three of its first four games and Koscielny flashed his offensive upside with a goal in last week’s 2-1 win over Southampton. Koscielny has been Arsenal’s best EPL fantasy defender so far this season so he is a bargain at just $3.9K.
D: Phil Jagielka, Everton
Salary: $3,100
Speaking of bargain EPL fantasy defenders, Jagielka certainly fits that bill at just $3.1K heading in to a favorable matchup versus Middlesbrough. Jagielka has played the full 90 minutes in each of Everton’s first four games including back-to-back clean sheet victories so he should be an excellent option for this weekend.
M: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Salary: $9,700
De Bruyne has been City’s best player through the first four games of the season with a goal, three assists and 19 shots in total. De Bruyne will be that much more important with Sergio Aguero sidelined with his versatility and playmaking ability at the center of City’s attack. At $9.7K, De Bruyne will be the most expensive option on our DraftKings roster but he is definitely worth the price.
M: Santiago Cazorla, Arsenal
Salary: $7,700
Cazorla has looked extremely dangerous early on for Arsenal, averaging a point per game with two goals and two assists in four contests. Cazorla should have every opportunity to add to his point total versus Hull City this weekend as the Gunners look to build off consecutive wins.
F: Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
Salary: $9,400
The defending Premier League champions are coming off a disappointing 4-1 loss to Liverpool but should be in a favorable position to get back on track versus Burnley this weekend. Even despite their overall struggles, Vardy is off to a decent start with goals in each of his last two games so we have no problem rolling with him as our top striker option.
F: Kelechi Iheanacho, Manchester City
Salary: $7,200
Aguero is serving a three-match ban for violent conduct, which means Iheanacho will be City’s top strike when they clash with Bournemouth this weekend. Iheanacho is off to a strong start including a goal and an assist in City’s 2-1 win over Manchester United last weekend. At just $7.2K, Iheanacho is an excellent value option at the forward position. He’s an easy add when you consider just how much Man City has been scoring this season. They’ve already notched 11 goals in just four games; not other team in the EPL has even hit double digits as of yet.
FLEX: Gareth McAuley, West Brom
Salary: $3,000
It might come as a surprise that McAuley is currently the third-ranked fantasy defender in the Premier League but that is the case. McAuley has a goal as well as two clean sheet bonuses to his name, and he has played a full 90 minutes in each of his four appearances. At just $3K, McAuley deserves to be in every single DraftKings lineup this Saturday.
