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 Sniper 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 @Sniper_DFS
Starting XI Breakdown
Crystal Palace (+214) @ Newcastle (+138)
Draw (+202) | Total: Over 2 (-131)
With the lowest total on the slate, we are starting with a game where I think just about every piece that is usually viable is way overpriced. We need to watch the injury news for Newcastle because if Jonjo Shelvey is out Sean Longstaff becomes a solid mid-range option. Based on some other injuries Christian Atsu and Max Meyer could be okay value plays but I’m not excited about it while I’ll never totally write off Andy Carroll in GPPs. Easily my least favorite game on Saturday.
CRY5-Star Plays: None.
CRY 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: On the road…meh, why? Mayyyybe you can roll out Benteke or Ayew at low ownership.
NEW 5-Star Plays: None.
NEW 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: Carroll is viable because I feel like when he finally does score he’s going to off. Could pair him with Longstaff if he starts.
Sheffield United (+240) @ Brighton (+114)
Draw (+221) | Total: Over 2.25 (-121)
The rest of these games are really solid but this is the one I think will go the most overlooked. Brighton at home is full of fantasy points and Pascal Gross projects as one of the best floor plays on the slate. Neal Maupay is on a roll right now but his price makes him GPP only while I’m always down for the floors of Leandro Trossard and Aaron Mooy. Sheffield will be without the suspended John Fleck who has been everything for them this season but I think that will be a huge boost to Oliver Norwood. Mo Besic is scheduled to start in his place and while no where near the same player offers some good salary relief. You can also look at the fullbacks here, specifically I think Enda Stevens is priced too low on DraftKings.
SHU 5-Star Plays: Norwood
SHU 4-Star Plays: Stevens
GPP Note: Brighton doesn’t scare me so I’ll have a couple of two mans with Norwood and whatever forward starts, especially of Lys Mousset gets the nod.
BHA 5-star Plays: Gross
BHA 4-Star Plays: Maupay (GPP)
GPP Note: They are priced a little high across the board and probably better floor plays as this game still has a low total. You can run out Gross in any format.
Southampton (+181) @ Aston Villa (+131)
Draw (+250) | Total: Over 3 (-104)
Highest total game on the slate, going to be plenty of action here, especially from the favored Aston Villa. Jack Grealish will be my favorite play on the slate as he’s put up a huge floor all year. John McGinn is more of a floor play for Villa along with Ahmed El Mohamady as a DK defender. El Ghazi and Hourihane are strong tournament options. In a game with this high of a total James Ward Prowse is a great cash game play but I’m a little skeptical of his ceiling. Redmond is a punt forward if you need it (barf) and Cedric is in contention to fill a spot as a cheap defender.
SOU 5-Star Plays: None.
SOU 4-Star Plays: Ward Prowse
GPP Note: I’ll also mix in the forwards but I’m much more interested in Villa
AVL 5-Star Plays: Grelish
AVL 4-Star Plays: Houriahne, McGinn, El Mohamady
GPP Note: Yep, all about this team today, this is the side I will have the most stacks and/or mini-stacks off.
Burnley (+195) @ Bournemouth (+131)
Draw (+234) | Total: Over 2.5 (-117)
Man, I hate having to play Burnley but Bournemouth is a total disaster right now. Before I get there though…Bournemouth has a great option in mid priced Ryan Fraser as a home favorite, if he starts, I love him. You can also go Diego Rico or build a ‘Burnley sucks’ stack and play Josh King or Callum Wilson. Burnely’s main man is Dwight McNeil while Ashley Westwood or either of the fullbacks will be last-man in options.
BUR 5-Star Plays: None.
LIV 4-Star Plays: McNeil
GPP Note: I will pretty much never stack this team because they just don’t attack enough, but Bournemouth is so bad that one-offs are fine
BOU 5-Star Plays: Fraser
BOU 4-Star Plays: Rico
GPP Note: I will continue to pick on Burnley and Fraser starts I will have a TON of him.
Wolves (-109) @ Norwich (+268)
Draw (+265) | Total: Over 2.75(-105)
This is usually a spot where I’d jam in Moutinho but at 8.0k on DraftKings, that price is just too much swallow. Luckily, Adama Traore has stepped up as a cash option and can be paired with either of the other forwards, most likely Jimenez. Norwich will likely just come down to if Emiliano Buendia starts who even on a bad team has been match up proof for DraftKings. I’ll like (not love) him in this spot and mix in the cheap fullbacks.
NOR 5-Star Plays: None.
NOR 4-Star Plays: Buendia
GPP Note: Nah, just Buendia…maybe McLean as value.
WOL 5-Star Plays: Traore
WOL 4-Star Plays: Moutinho (DK), Jimenez (GPP)
GPP Note: Pretty much exactly what I listed above.