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After a day’s break, the Premier League resumes on Saturday with another packed schedule of games. Here is a look at studs and value plays from each position for DraftKings’ four-game slate.
Set your DraftKings lineup here: EPL $35K Counter Attack [$10K to 1st]
Forwards
Studs
Jamie Vardy ($8,600)
After he was rested for Leicester’s FA Cup game last weekend, manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed Vardy is available for Saturday despite his current questionable status. Currently, Vardy is tied for fifth in the EPL in goals scored (11). He might not play the entire duration of the game with the quick turnaround, but he’s definitely worth the risk.
Values
Patrick Bamford ($7,800)
Bamford is Leeds’ most important offensive player. Leeds is a team that runs more than any other team in the Premier League (in terms of cumulative distance covered per game). That means there are more gaps and opportunities in the final third. Bamford has scored 10 goals this season on 65 shots taken, comfortably leading his club in both metrics.
Other to consider: Christian Pulisic ($8,000)
Midfielders
Studs
Michail Antonio ($8,500)
Antonio has missed several games due to injury this season. Still, he has been one of the most influential offensive players in the Premier League. He has scored three goals — third-most for West Ham. As he gets into his work as the solitary striker, he should start scoring frequently and consistently instead of only sporadically.
Values
Mason Mount ($7,900)
Mount is the playmaker for Chelsea. He takes most free kicks and corners, entrusted with picking out Chelsea’s center-halves in a dead-ball situation. When not playing that role, he can be a handful in open play with his speed and dribble penetration. He has taken 30 shots this season, second-most for Chelsea.
Other to consider: Timo Werner ($7,400)
Defenders
Studs
Aaron Cresswell ($6,700)
Cresswell is leading his team in assists this season with four. It’s important to look for offensive capabilities in defenders in fantasy soccer because that can ultimately be the differentiating factor in evenly-matched lineups. West Ham is also up against Burnley, a team that has scored the fewest goals this season (9).
Values
Ben Chilwell ($5,800)
Here’s an interesting stat: Chilwell is leading Chelsea in assists this season (4), like Cresswell. It’s interesting because you wouldn’t expect him to have such a tangible, direct hand in goals as a defender. It isn’t surprising, though. He likes to trudge down the left flank and chip deliveries into the box for Chelsea’s forwards or midfielders.
Goalkeepers
Edouard Mendy ($5,700)
Mendy has kept six clean sheets this season, tied for fourth-most in the Premier League. Against Fulham — a struggling team that has scored just 14 goals this season — Mendy will be keen to add to that tally on Saturday. He is currently averaging 6.8 DKFP per game, not bad for a goalkeeper.
Other to consider: Kasper Schmeichel ($5,500)
Set your DraftKings lineup here: EPL $35K Counter Attack [$10K to 1st]
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Nikhil Kalro is the Founder and CEO of Altletics Esports.