A pair of favorable matchups didn’t provide any relief for a pair of Premier League teams in the Champions League this week with both Chelsea and Arsenal falling. There will certainly be no reprieve at home when the season continues this weekend. Thousands of dollars will be up for grabs in Saturday’s DraftKings Premier League Daily Fantasy Leagues and with seven different games on the schedule, there is certainly no shortage of options to choose from. We have taken the time to break down the matchups and player values in order to create the perfect lineup for this weekend. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings Premier League Daily Fantasy Leagues.
GK: Adrian, West Ham United
Salary: $4,900
Adrian has – for the most part – been outstanding for West Ham United this season including six saves in a clean sheet win at Arsenal as well as seven saves in a road win over Manchester City. While he didn’t look great in a 2-2 draw with Norwich, we have no problem going back to him this weekend. Sunderland is one of two Premier League teams without a win and their -10 goal differential is the worst in England’s top flight. Don’t be surprised if West Ham bounces back and Adrian manages to record a clean sheet win as a strong play available at under $5K.
D: Cesar Azpilicueta, Chelsea
Salary: $4,700
The Blues followed up a 2-0 win over Arsenal with an uninspiring 2-2 draw with Newcastle United and if there isn’t a sense of urgency this weekend after being upset in the Champions League by Porto, then there probably won’t be for the remainder of the season. Chelsea has to find a way to beat Southampton at home this weekend and Azpilicueta is the best value defender available on their roster – especially when you consider that he has been able to contribute at the offensive end of the pitch early on.
D: Simon Francis, Bournemouth
Salary: $4,400
Bournemouth might not finish in the top four but they have certainly proven that they can be a competitive Premier League outfit. They should be able to hold their own at home against Watford this weekend. Bournemouth’s defense has looked shaky at time this year but Francis is a talented player that should be able to produce in a relatively favorable matchup as the second defender on our roster.
M: Kevin De Bruyne, Manchester City
Salary: $7,300
City’s stunning pace to open the season has come to a sudden halt as they have followed up five straight impressive wins with consecutive losses – including a lopsided defeat at the hands of Spurs. City should be able to find a way to get back on track against one of only two Premier League clubs that doesn’t have a win yet this season and after he impressed in his City debut, we will give De Bruyne a shot as a talented player on a good team that is available for a very reasonable price.
M: Bakary Sako, Crystal Palace
Salary: $6,000
Sako is the best fantasy option on a Crystal Palace team that has a favorable matchup at home against West Brom United this weekend. His value is too good to pass up. Sako leads Palace with two goals and 19 shots including 10 on target and he should be right in the middle of his team’s attack this weekend.
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F: Jamie Vardy, Leicester City
Salary: $9,000
Leicester has been one of the most exciting Premier League teams to watch early on this season and even though they were on the wrong end of a 5-2 score line against Arsenal in their last game, they still managed to score a couple of goals. Vardy is already up to six goals in seven games this season and it won’t be a surprise when he finds the score sheet again this weekend as Leicester travels to Norwich City.
F: Odion Ighalo, Watford
Salary: $7,500
Watford isn’t the most explosive offensive team but Ighalo has four goals in seven games this season and he is worth taking a shot on this weekend against Bournemouth. It’s hard to find a capable forward below $8K but Ighalo certainly fits that criteria as one of the underrated players on the board for Saturday’s action.
FLEX: Matthew Ritchie, Bournemouth
Salary: $5,500
Bournemouth has been in some high scoring games already this season and while Ritchie hasn’t lived up to his potential from a production standpoint so far, he certainly has the potential to do some damage. Ritchie has the highest ceiling of the players that we can afford with the money we have left over for our FLEX position and we feel completely comfortable locking him in here.
