Welcome to the DFS Army Soccer Starting XI! This is the place to start your research as we’ll go game-by-game breaking down every match-up. For this week, the game-by-game breakdown is for VIP members along with coaches notes from both theDFSniper and TreyJ989, complete with player picks, confidence ratings, and in-depth advice for each slate. If you’re not a VIP member, join today and use code SNIPER for 20% off!
If you’re new to DFS Soccer and want to get a better handle on the basics, watch this introductory video as we get you ready to start cashing in your soccer contests. I also put together a five-step guide to constructing cash game lineups, give it a quick read before heading into head-to-heads and double-ups.
One last thing before we get rolling, Follow me on Twitter @theDFSniper
Starting XI Breakdown
Liverpool (-206) @ Southampton (+600)
Draw (+366) | Total: Over 2.75 (-120)
Our first chance to roster Liverpool! You have to downgrade them slightly on the road but as -206 favorites they will definitely be a strong consideration…especially because they have the best matchup of any of the typical power teams. It’s also worth noting that they will be without their goalkeeper Alisson but I’m not sure how many shots Adrian will face anyway. The issue is going to be the elevated price tags for their playmakers, specifically Salah.
LIV 5-Star Plays: Salah (GPP), Alexander-Arnold
LIV 4-Star Plays: Salah (Cash), Origi (GPP), Firmino
GPP Note: We know where their offense comes from (the front line, not the midfielders), lots of interesting 2-3 man stacks we can build.
SOU 5-Star Plays: Stephens (FD)
SOU 4-Star Plays: None
GPP Note: Pass, maybe a value midfield one-off but it’s not likely.
Bournemouth (+205) @ Aston Villa (+141)
Draw (+253) | Total: Over 2.50 (-120)
Bournemouth was a total disappointment last week…looking at you Ryan Fraser. Okay, he wasn’t a travesty but this team started the year poorly and are now road underdogs to another recently promoted side. I liked what I saw from Villa as well and while I’m not interested in a few pieces, I won’t be heavily invested. I’m actually hoping everyone jumps off the Bournemouth train and I can take one more shot with the more seasoned team.
BOU 5-Star Plays: Fraser
BOU 4-Star Plays: Rico, Wilson (GPP)
GPP Note: Like I said, I’m riding this train one-more time…hope I don’t get burned.
AVL 5-Star Plays: None.
AVL 4-Star Plays: El Ghazi, Trezeguet, Wesley (GPP), Taylor (DK value)
GPP Note: I actually think this side provides for some well priced one-offs for your lineups but you can also pair a couple to run along side a Liverpool or Man City stack.
West Ham (+192) @ Brighton (+162)
Draw (+231) | Total: Over 2.25 (-128)
West Ham is a team we haven’t really gotten a look at because they’ve only played Man City in a 5-0 blood bath. Lots of uncertainty with this team and a lot of it depends on the lineup we see Saturday morning (be in VIP Chat!). However, with the projected lineup there are some guys who are just too cheap. Brighton blew me and everyone away last week with a stunning 3-0 stomp of Watford. Even though they are home, I still don’t live some of their prices.
WHU 5-Star Plays: Lanzini
WHU 4-Star Plays: Anderson, Haller (GPP)
GPP Note: Road team with a lot of pieces up in the air early in the season, minimal interest.
BHA 5-Star Plays: None.
BHA Plays: Murray (GPP)
GPP Note: I know, they are home and favored and in good form but I just can’t justify playing too many of them at their prices in a low-total game.
Watford (+400) @ Everton (-140)
Draw (+307) | Total: Over 2.50 (-124)
Wow, this line. The book makers are jumping off Watford quick after their terrible start to the year. I’m not sure agree with the amount of movement but Watford is definitely the more attractive side in this game. Especially with how these two teams like to set up, I think Everton enjoys a fair amount of success here. The prices are elevated but they are still plenty palatable in this matchup and should go low(ish) owned as people try and jam in Liverpool and Man City.
WAT 5-Star Plays: None.
WAT 4-Star Plays: Hughes, Holebas
GPP Note: No thanks on the stack, I think the guys listed above are fringe 4-star players that I’ll probably have listed as 3-stars on my full notes. Okay one-offs.
EVE 5-Star Plays: Digne (DK), Sigurdsson
EVE 4-Star Plays: Calvert-Lewin (GPP), Richarlison (GPP)
GPP Note: I think this game could really open up and if the Watford defense plays like they did last week, I have no trouble seeing Everton put up 3-4 goals
Newcastle (+247) @ Norwich (+125)
Draw (+240) | Total: Over 2.50 (-100)
Yes, Newcastle finally has enough defenders to play Ritchie slightly advanced up the pitch. Even if Newcastle is bad this will be a great thing for fantasy value. Norwich is another new team who only has one game this year, which was against another powerhouse in Liverpool. They scored a goal and had some moments in that one. They are the favored side at home and I will have some shares here as a sneaky GPP target.
NEW 5-Star Plays: Ritchie (DK)
NEW 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: Don’t mind a forward as a one-off for GPP but even their best player in Ritchie is more suitable for cash games.
NOR 5-Star Plays: Buendia, Cantwell (value)
NOR 4-Star Plays: Pukki (GPP)
GPP Note: The favored side at home in a game with a mid-range total but still priced down. Yep, that will get my attention. Cantwell feels silly underpriced.
Tottenham (+774) @ Manchester City (-276)
Draw (+449) | Total: Over 3 (-118)
The big boys collide! And holy crap Manchester City is still a massive favorite. While these games are usually competitive the odds show that Man City is still the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest total. The problem is we never really know who’s going to produce for them, DeBruyne, Sterling, and Aguero top the list for me. Tottenham provides a problem because Eriksen is still on the roster but they are trying to sell him and he didn’t play last week. Luckily it’s not too big of an issue because they are the road dog in the late game.
MCI 5-Star Plays: De Bruyne, Sterling, Aguero or Jesus
MCI 4-Star Plays: Mahrez, Silva
GPP Note: Yep, they will be very popular but I’ll have both stacks and one-offs in my other stacks from the biggest favorite on the board.
TOT 5-Star Plays: None.
TOT 4-Star Plays: Kane (GPP leverage)
GPP Note: Against Man City? I won’t be lighting too much money on fire.