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Week 18 Premier League Schedule
Boxing Day, Saturday Dec 26
Stoke City v Manchester United
Chelsea v Watford
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
AFC Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Tottenham v Norwich City
We hope everyone had a Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy everything. But now it's time for Boxing Day, so let's get to it! Here are the players that our pals at DFSportsGods think you need to have to take down Draft Kings this weekend.
Goalies
Joe Hart (Manchester City $4,500)- Hart is the obvious and chalk cash goalkeeper. Manchester City are 2/9 favorites at home against a bottom of the table Sunderland team. Vincent Kompany was spotted at training during the week. If the captain is in fact back in his starting CB position this gives Hart even more of a boost. Sunderland have also lost their last 5 visits to Etihad.
Jack Butland (Stoke City $3,200) – Butland had an unreal CS streak going until it was ruined by a Connor Wickham penalty kick. Anything other than a victory for Manchester United could spell the end of LVG as their manager. United have only scored 12 goals in their last 13 matches in all competitions. They have also allowed as many goals in their last 3 matches than they had conceded in their previous 10. In other words United is in panic mode and Stoke will look to jump all over them from the get go at home hopefully causing an LVG firing.
Wayne Hennessey (Crystal Palace, $3,700) – Alan Pardew have his men playing in sensational form with dreams of European nights in Fall of 2016. Hennessey hasn’t allowed more than one goal in eight consecutive outings and has proven to be their starting keeper for the remainder of the season. Palace has 3 victories and a draw in their last 4 matches combining that with the third best away record behind Leicester and Arsenal makes Hennessey a viable option in both tournaments and GPPS.
Other players to consider: Hugo Lloris (Tottenham, $4300), Boaz Myhill (West Brom, $3300), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester City, $3400)
Defense
Leighton Baines (Everton $4,300)- His price is climbing but is not matched to his statistical capabilities on the pitch. Baines had 11 crosses last week paired with 8 corner kick attempts as well as a couple free kick attempts. Baines as all the upside to be the best corner back In the premier league. Last year Baines had 2 goals and 9 assists in 31 matches. Look for Leighton to make his mark on this game against Newcastle.
Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea $4,000) – I believe Ivanovic is finally back to his form of last year. Coming off a goal last weekend off a spectacular header, he’s seem to of found his mojo. He’s had 18, 13.4, and 14 point in 3 of his last 4 outings. He’s had over 3 crosses, 2 shots and 4 interceptions in all of these games proving to be very active on both offense and defense. Ivanovic will be in most of lineups as Chelsea look to get big Gus his first win back in Stamford Bridge.
Joel Ward (Crystal Palace $3,300)- This is a GPP play. Ward is in an interesting player. He gets forward behind Zaha on the right side causing extreme pressure to the left side of the line. I had a funny vibe about him earlier in the year at Chelsea and he scored a goal then. I have that same kind of funny feeling on boxing day about Ward again. Something wants to tell me Ward is scoring again. Cabaye is set to miss this match again which will provide more action and fire power on the Bolasie, Zaha, Ward side of the field.
Other players: Danny Rose (Tottenham, $4200), Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, $2600), Charlie Daniels (Bournemouth, $2900), Seamus Coleman (Everton, $4400)
Midfielders
Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, $8600) -- We have faded this guy and it has bitten us. No more. Until he stops destroying the Premier League, he will find a way into the lineup. There are questions as to whether Jamie Vardy will play on Saturday, but all signs point to him being a go, which means Mahrez will constantly be a threat for goals and assists. He will face a Liverpool side that will be making chances in defense, so find a way to plug him in and enjoy the rewards
Erik Lamela (Tottenham, $4600) -- The winger has begun to return to form after a rough stretch of matches, as he has hit double value the past three weeks. Now he takes on a Norwich side that has allowed 29 goals on the season, so there will be plenty of chances for him to create and whip crosses in at White Hart Lane. Spurs should do well this weekend, and look for him to be involved.
Dele Alli (Tottenham, $4300) -- Speaking of Spurs, another one makes our list. Alli has scored double digits five of the last six matches, including 22 point performance last time out where he registered a goal and an assist. With the hosts looking to get after Norwich, he should once again be right in the mix and once again show that he is heavily underpriced.
Other players: Willian (Chelsea, $7000), David Silva (Manchester City, $5800), Jason Puncheon (Crystal Palace, $4800), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool, $4000)
Forwards
Mauro Zarate (West Ham, $4800) -- With four straight matches where he has recorded double-digit point totals, Zarate's low cost is almost criminal. That streak should easily go to five in a row when the Hammers take on the last-place Aston Villa team that has conceded over 30 goals this campaign. Look for plenty of crosses, a few shots, and possibly even a goal. At his cost, he is almost a must-play for both cash and GPP.
Christian Benteke (Liverpool, $6200) -- His return appears highly likely for Liverpool this weekend, and it comes at an important time, as injuries begin to add up for the Reds. The Belgian forward may not play the entire match but he should get plenty of chances in a match that likely will be an end-to-end affair. He has only played one full match this season, and registered six shots with three fouls drawn. Double digits should be on the cards for him Saturday.
Saido Berahino (West Brom, $3800) -- Another forward who is underpriced and should play a large role on Boxing Day, Berahino looks set to return for West Brom as they face Swansea. While he is distracted by the rumors of a possible move to Tottenham, a trip to face to Swans is a great way to get your head into the game. As West Brom struggle with injuries and suspensions, he will be the focal point of the attack, and is a terrific choice for GPP lineups.
Other players: Troy Deeney (Watford, $5300), Gerard Deulofeu (Everton, $5300), Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City, $3400--if Vardy is out), Divock Origi (Liverpool, $3500), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City, $8000)
Sample Lineup
GK: Butland
DF: Baines, Pieters, Zouma
MF: Mahrez, Alli, Lamela
FW: Benteke, Zarate
UT: Okazaki, Origi
That's it for this week's DraftKings DFS EPL preview, don't forget to check our their website to purchase our premium EPL packages and reach out to them on twitter @2DFSGODS. As always, good luck!