There are only four games on the schedule in the Premier League for this Saturday. That will mean much lesser room for error when it comes to building the optimal winning lineup in DraftKings contests. We took the time to break down the ideal combination of strong star options and sleeper value plays in order to maximize your potential to win this weekend. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings EPL fantasy leagues.
GK: Artur Boruc, Bournemouth
Salary: $4,400
Boruc has been one of the busiest goalkeepers in the Premier League early on this season and he has certainly done his part to keep Bournemouth at a respectable 2-1-3. Boruc, who is ranked second among all Premier League goalkeepers in EPL fantasy points so far this season, has secured clean sheet wins in two of his last three starts. We are banking on him to produce another when Bournemouth takes on Watford on Saturday.
D: Gareth McAuley, West Brom
Salary: $3,400
McAuley ranks seventh among all Premier League defenders in Premier League points so far this season, which makes him an excellent value pick on DraftKings at just $3.4K. McAuley should have a good chance at maintaining his EPL fantasy point pace when West Brom takes on Sunderland this weekend.
D: Ben Gibson, Middlesbrough
Salary: $3,300
Gibson is another Premier League defender that has emerged early on this season with an EPL fantasy score that ranks in the top-10. Middlesbrough will clash with West Ham United on Saturday so that should provide a strong opportunity for Gibson to add to his point total. Middlesbrough has allowed nine goals through six games this season.
M: Etienne Capoue, Watford
Salary: $6,600
It’s incredible that Capoue ranks third in Premier League scoring behind only Kevin De Bruyne and Alexis Sanchez so far this season. Capoue has certainly held his own in the Watford midfield with four goals and an assist through six appearances. At just $6.6K on DraftKings, he is definitely a strong value option in the midfield. On the season, Watford has tallied 10 goals. Only four teams have scored more than 10 so far.
M: Nacer Chadli, West Brom
Salary: $6,400
Chadli is another intriguing playing based on his DraftKings price tag and his production so far this season. Chadli exploded for two goals and two assists in West Brom’s 4-2 win over West Ham United and he has played the full 90 minutes in two of his three appearances this season. Chadli will have another opportunity to add to his point total in a relatively favorable matchup versus a Sunderland side that is currently buried at the bottom of the table.
F: Diego Costa, Chelsea
Salary: $9,200
It seems pretty clear that Chelsea is destined to go as far as their star striker can take them this season and Costa has clearly done a quality job to this point. Costa has five goals and an assist through six league games and will be looking to get back on track after he was held without a point for the first time in a league game this season in last week’s loss to Arsenal. Chelsea is currently sitting in eighth place in the standings with 10 points. They are eight points out of first place but are only four points back of second-place Tottenham.
F: Jermain Defoe, Sunderland
Salary: $8,600
Sunderland is still looking for its first win of the season but Defoe has quietly been excellent with four goals through his first six games. Defoe currently ranks third among Premier League strikers in fantasy points behind only Sergio Aguero and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and this could be the week that his work up front actually helps Sunderland earn a victory. Sunderland is in last place in the standings as they have registered just one point through six games so far.
FLEX: Alvaro Negredo, Middlesbrough
Salary: $7,800
Negredo has shown flashes of his potential so far this season but with just one goal and two assists he has yet to break through with that one explosive performance that could put him on the radar for DraftKings fans. We will try to stay ahead of the curve by using Negredo as our FLEX play for this weekend with the hope that he can break out and exceed expectations with a strong performance.
