While soccer fans can’t wait for Sunday morning’s Manchester derby but before that, there is a full slate of games for Saturday with a chance to make some serious money in DraftKings Premier League Daily Fantasy Leagues. There are six games to choose from on Saturday’s slate, which is the perfect number when it comes to assembling the best mix of star talent and sleeper value plays. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings Daily Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Jack Butland, Stoke City
Salary: $5,100
The matchup game is particularly important when it comes to finding the best possible keeper, so it’s no surprise we are going with Butland here as Stoke City prepares to host Watford. Stoke has strung together three straight wins – including consecutive clean sheet victories over Aston Villa and Swansea – and there is a good chance that trend continues this weekend at home with Butland. He’s the goalkeeper with the best potential for a clean sheet victory.
D: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Salary: $4,600
Consistency has been an issue for the defending Premier League champions early on this season but Azpilicueta has been a standout in their back four even when they have struggled. He’s bound to play a starring role when the tide turns. Azpilicueta was key to Chelsea’s clean sheet win over Aston Villa its last time out and will be just as important this weekend against West Ham United.
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D: Kyle Naughton, Swansea
Salary: $4,300
Naughton has been excellent when he’s been in Swansea’s lineup and there is every reason to expect him to show up and play at a high level this weekend. Swansea is up against an Aston Villa side that has struggled to score goals. Naughton doesn’t have much offensive flare but he is an integral piece of Swansea’s back line and should have a strong performance against Villa this weekend.
M: Marc Albrighton, Leicester City
Salary: $7,600
Leicester has been one of the pleasant surprise stories of the 2015-16 campaign with Albrighton playing a starring role in their midfield. He has four points through eight games. Leicester will be in tough against a Crystal Palace side that is just one point below them in the standings heading into this weekend and we expect Albrighton will be at his best at home.
M: Willian, Chelsea
Salary: $6,300
The last time we saw Chelsea, they had their way with Aston Villa in a 2-0 win. While they got off to a slow start this season, there is every reason to believe this team is talented enough to turn things around. The Blues will need to be at their best for a tough matchup against a surprising West Ham United side this weekend and that means we should be in for a strong performance from Willian in the midfield.
F: Diego Costa, Chelsea
Salary: $9,200
The Spanish striker found the back of the net for Chelsea in its 2-0 win over Aston Villa and will lead the Blues attack once again this week against West Ham. Costa received a lot of criticism for his slow start to the campaign but he has the potential to do some serious damage when he gets hot and we are banking on that happening this weekend.
F: Bafetimbi Gomis, Swansea
Salary: $8,500
Gomis is our second pick from a Swansea side that has a favorable matchup at Aston Villa this weekend. We’re hoping it will help him get back on track. Gomis has gone cold since opening the season with a goal in four straight games but this is the perfect situation for him to find his scoring touch once again.
FLEX: Russell Martin, Norwich
Salary: $4,000
Martin is the rare defender play that can also contribute at the offensive end of the pitch and that makes him a very dangerous weapon that should probably be priced at more than $4K on DraftKings. Factor in a relatively decent matchup for Norwich versus West Brom this weekend and it’s clear Martin is our best option with the remaining cap space we have left over to spend on the FLEX position.
