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
Burnley (+242) @ Brighton (+112)
Draw (+225) | Total: Over 2.25 (-125)
A low scoring game but a chance to find some very attractive mid-priced players, particularly on the Brighton side at home. Leandro Trossard is listed as questionable but I think it’s closer to probable and he becomes a great forward pay down option on this slate. On the Burnley side, it’s pretty hard to ignore the way Dwight McNeil has been playing…again, if he starts. I’ll also have a handful of cheap dart throws in GPP of both teams center forward. In summary, bad game, good prices.
BUR 5-Star Plays: None
BUR 4-Star Plays: McNeil (DK)
GPP Note: I’ll be considering both Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood as one-offs in GPPs.
BHA 5-Star Plays: Trossard (DK), Gross (only if Trossard sits)
BHA 4-Star Plays: Trossard (FD), Montoya (DK), Maupay or Murray (GPP)
GPP Note: I’ll have both one offs and two-man stacks of this potentially underowned but cheap team at home.
Leicester (+309) @ Manchester United (-121)
Draw (+262) | Total: Over 2.5 (-126)
This will be the first time James Madison has his floor tested on the road against a top side. But United was slightly unsteady to start the season and while they are pulling out of it, I’m definitely not ruling out the primary Leicester player. But outside of that my interest lies with the favorite in this matchup. Daniel James has been filling up the stat sheet and he’s a solid play but his price has come up, making him less of slam dunk priority, especially with Tottenham on the slate. I do like both the fullbacks (Young and Wan-Bissaka) and if Andreas Pereira draws the start I think he’s well priced on DraftKings. Rashford and Martial are also squarely in play as pay up options.
LEI 5-Star Plays: None.
LEI 4-Star Plays: Maddison (DK), Evans (FD), Soyuncu (FD)
GPP Note: Nope, just a couple of one-offs for me, they are priced up after last week.
MUN 5-Star Plays: James (DK), Rashford or Martial (FD), Young (DK)
MUN 4-Star Plays: Wan-Bisaka (DK), Rashford (DK)
GPP Note: I’ll have quite a few three-player MU stacks as the second highest favorite on the slate.
Southampton (+191) @ Sheffield United (+147)
Draw (+211) | Total: Over 2.25 (-111)
Both teams have played better than I anticipated to start the season but it’s the newly promoted Sheffield United side that has the more interesting DFS plays for me. Norwood is super attractive on DK at just 6k and Robinson, McBurnie, and Sharp are cheap GPP plays. We also can’t forget about Baldock and Stevens at defense though they aren’t must plays with the pay up options not as hard to get to. On the Southampton side, the injury of Redmond opens up space for Adams and Ings together up top but it’s James Ward Prowse who will see the biggest benefit. Still, I don’t trust him enough to even make him a four-star play, but he’ll be in the pool come Saturday.
SOU 5-Star Plays: None.
SOU 4-Star Plays: Adams (GPP), Soares (DK value)
GPP Note: Low total game and on the road, meh. But the forwards are viable one-offs…mostly Adams.
SHU 5-Star Plays: Norwood (DK)
SHU 4-Star Plays: Baldock (DK), McBurnie (GPP)
GPP Note: I’ll have plenty of Norwood because I think his floor gets damn near GPP value, and yes I’ll have him paired with one of his forwards in a handful of lineups.
Crystal Palace (+668) @ Tottenham (-277)
Draw (+386) | Total: Over 3 (-101)
Biggest favorite on the slate time, where I tell you to load up…except, maybe not. Look, Christian Eriksen is the first guy in my cash lineup if he starts. Harry Kane may be the most likely to break the slate but it’s hard to justify in cash games most weeks. If he’s every in play it’s this week but don’t force him. After that, Son, Moura, and Lamela are all priced up and I think more suited for GPPs but I don’t think this is a 4-0 or 5-0 demolition where you can full stack. Get your pieces, but I’m not treating this as a get every piece you can handle type situation. Uh, yeah, no interest in the Palace side.
CRY 5-Star Plays: Kelly (FD), Cahill (FD)
CRY 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: Nope, keep it moving.
TOT 5-Star Plays: Eriksen, Kane (FD or DK GPP)
TOT 4-Star Plays: Kane (DK), Lamela, Moura Son (GPP), Rose (DK)
GPP Note: I don’t hate a three-man stack here but I actually think I’ll have more pairs than anything. My three mans likely include one of the fullbacks.
Chelsea (+143) @ Wolves (+184)
Draw (+225) | Total: Over 2.25 (-106)
I’m a little surprised at the total for this game but Wolverhampton has been a brutal place to play for top sides since they came back into the Premier League last season. Abraham is a little priced up for a road matchup but I like him in this spot and I’m definitely a believer in Mason Mount, who is solid despite being on the road. I also think Azpilicueta could be sneaky and get forward a fair amount, exploiting Jonny on that side of Wolves. As much as I like Joao Moutinho, I can’t pay that price for him, the same can be said of a few other Wolves players. The options I’m looking at come down to Jimenez in GPP and Jonny for defense on DK. After that, maybe Gibbs-White if he draws the start, which isn’t projected.
CHE 5-Star Plays: Mount
CHE 4-Star Plays: Abraham (GPP), Azpilicueta (DK)
GPP Note:
WOL 5-Star Plays: None.
WOL 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: I almost made Jimenez a four-star GPP play but I don’t think he’s quite there. Unfortunately, if Wolves win I think it’s likely 1-0. Not much of a stacking situation here.
Manchester City (-666) @ Norwich (+1301)
Draw (+698) | Total: Over 4 (-107)
ATTENTION! THIS GAME IS NOT ON THE DK MAIN SLATE! DraftKings has moved to the 10 am ET games only (which I like) but FanDuel is still giving us the hammer match. And what a hammer match it is…Norwich may be the take of the newly promoted teams but huh, give me all the City. Seriously, it’s another typical Manchester City load up situation. I’ll list my preferred plays in order below. Defense only for Norwich.
MCI 5-Star Plays: Aguero, Sterling, De Bruyne
MCI 4-Star Plays: B. Silva, D. Silva
GPP Note: I’ll have a crap ton of three-mans on FanDuel.
NOR 5-Star Plays: Zimmerman (FD), Godfrey (FD)
NOR 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: No, don’t get cute.