DraftKings
14 May 2016 3631 comments
Mark Mark
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Back in February we introduced you to the arrival of Draft Kings – a hugely successfully Daily Fantasy Sports site in the US – to the UK.

We’re delighted to announce that we’re all set to work with the game over the Euro 16 tournament, providing player recommendation articles prior to each set of matches.

With that in mind, we thought we’d bring the game back to your attention with a guide to playing their Premier League contests over the final day of the Premier League season.

As we stated in our introductory article, Draft Kings’ contests require an 11 player line-up to be selected with a fixed salary cap of $50,000, this squad or “roster” must include players from at least three different teams but beyond that there is no restriction on how many players from each club you can select.

The team must include a goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and two forwards. There are then two ‘utility’ spots that can be filled by players from any category apart from a second keeper.

The points are rewarded based on Opta data so if you’re a member, you’ll have the advantage of being able to scan our tables in order to gain a potential edge.

We’ve actually created a public stats table to this effect here, which offers a view on the per minute totals across some of the key elements of the Draft Kings scoring matrix. These include Interceptions, Tackles Won, Shots on Target, Fouls Won and, perhaps most significantly, Crosses.

The reward for a cross (via open play and set pieces) is particularly unique, making full-backs from mid-table teams that rely on aerial balls into the box a focus of your attention – it’s also the key reason why you’ll see the likes of Dimitri Payet at the top of the price list.

Be sure to peruse the full Draft Kings scoring matrix here.

Gameweek 38 Targets

As mentioned, we’ll be on hand to provide some pointers via future Draft Kings articles.

True to form, we’ve identified some key targets for Sunday’s clashes which look to have the potential to provide the nucleus of a successful Draft Kings XI.

At the back we’re getting sentimental and are currently looking at Everton’s Tim Howard as our stopper, although his price of $4000 is somewhat off-putting.

If you’re looking to save pennies, we favour Crystal Palace’s Julian Speroni at $3200 who should reap in points from saves given Southampton’s current form – he made ten stops in his only other league appearance against Manchester United this season.

At the back we like the look of Liverpool’s Brad Smith given that he can be acquired for just $2800. The second string left-back looks likely to get the nod in a much-changed Liverpool lineup at the Hawthorns and has averaged a cross every 18.5 minute and a tackle won every 25.5 minutes in his two league appearances so far.

We currently have Smith alongside the crossing and clean sheet potential of Everton’s Leighton Baines ($5000) and Southampton’s Ryan Bertrand ($4400).

In midfield we just couldn’t ignore the current hot property that is Dusan Tadic ($6600), a player featured in Tom Fenley’s Weekly Shop article earlier in the week.

Tadic is on fire and averaging a cross every 11.7 minutes over the season. His team-mate Steven Davis ($4600) is another option, however: he goes into the Palace meeting off the back of two goals at White Hart Lane having averaged a cross every 12.3 minutes over his last four Gameweeks, which surpasses even Tadic over the same spell.

Elsewhere in the middle of the park we’ve gone for Eden Hazard (who looks cheap at $5600), purely on form and his ability to draw fouls. We’ve liberated some funds for his acquisition by looking to his team-mate, Bertrand Traore.

He’s keenly priced at just $2700 and yet he looks guaranteed a start up front for Chelsea in the absence of Diego Costa. Traore’s statistics are also eye-catching. While his opportunities have been limited to eight appearances, mainly from the bench, he’s impressed in those matches: he ranks top amongst midfielders for minutes per shot on target 59.2, and, having fired in a goal attempt every 25.4, he’s ranked fourth.

Another Everton player – Kevin Mirallas ($3500) – is also tempting us.

The Belgian scored a superb individual goat at Leicester last time out and, over a stuttering season has averaged an effort on goal every 25.6 minutes (ranked fifth amongst midfielders) with a cross supplied every 23.8 minutes.

In attack, we’re currently looking at Southampton’s Shane Long ($6000), another player picked out in Tom’s Weekly Shop, with support from Olivier Giroud ($5900) and Christian Benteke ($4700).

Giroud looks a certain starter against the ultra obliging Aston Villa rearguard and boasts a strong minutes per shot statistic (25.5 ranking sixth for strikers).

Similarly, Benteke has produced some solid numbers when he’s had his opportunities, firing in an effort on goal every 26.4 minutes, and we fancy plenty of goals in the final day encounter at the Hawthorns.

Those are some of the names currently under consideration for our lineups. We’ll doubtless be tweaking our right up until kick-off and you can do the same – using the teamsheet announcements to pounce on any bargain acquisitions.

Your lineups can be submitted into contests for an entry fee and can be saved so that they can be imported easily into other games.

There are various formats on offer, the tournaments or leagues (often referred to as GPP’s or Guaranteed Prize Pots) are the large entry competitions which have the largest pots. The head-to-head section provides a list of stakes for one-on-one battles, you can choose how much you would like to risk and view available opponents. Double-ups or 50/50s are quite self-explanatory with half the entries getting a twofold return on their fee.

We’ll be submitting a few teams to the 15k Striker Finale with, as you’d expect, a $15k prize pot on offer, including $1k to the winner, with prizes dished out right down to 1175th spot.

If you’re lucky enough to have your Fantasy Premier League lineup sorted already, be sure to give Draft Kings a go in preparation for Euro 16.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,631 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Performance Series
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    whats this about payet?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 17 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Scout Tweets

  2. Poison Apple
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A. Stick - Payet carroll bench defoe (he play if payet is out though he is a rotational risk)
    B. Payet -> Kdb bench defoe (-4)
    C. Defoe -> long bench carroll (-4)

    Rest of front 8
    Hazard sanchez ozil tadic
    Deeney

  3. BlzE_94
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone else with Mane, Tadic and Long?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Someone will have them. Why?

      1. Optimus.
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Comfort in numbers

        0-1

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Got Mane & Taric I'm chasing by a large for 3rd (52) tempted to take a -8 and get Long for Carroll or Deeney.

  4. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Starting lineup is as follows with 1FT and lots ITB:

    Mannone (Robles)
    Smalling Bellerin Gabriel
    Hazard Townsend Payet Sanchez
    Deeney Defoe Carroll

    Thinking of Defoe and Payet to Aguero and KDB for a hit, thoughts?

    Also have the probable no keeper situation - should this take priority over one of the above?

    Thanks!

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Who is your 5th mid?

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Lingard...

    2. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Then defoe for aguero. Payet to a saint mid perhaps if you think payet is defo out

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, you prefer Saints mid over KDB?

        1. Poison Apple
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          If you gonna get kdb, a little saints cover will be gd. Its likely pardew will keep his eye on the cup final

  5. camarozz
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    17 points ahead in my ML for 500 euro --- or so I thought. Posted on Facebook that prize is shared between top 5 so I only get 170.

    So pissed off I hardly wanna pick my team this gw.

    1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      170 is a decent chunk of change

      1. camarozz
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not great wen for 37 wks ya thought it was 500. V disappointed to be fair.

        1. Burger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Shoulda read the rules properly then...

  6. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Repost - last post on previous page.

    Firmino + Nyom + Robles -> Tadic + Valencia + Howard for a -4.

    Sounds good?

  7. Lone Wolf FPL
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    If Payet is injured:
    A) play Townsend (mu rival has him and I'm chasing)
    B) take a hit to get ........... (my other mids are Alexis, Hazard & Tadic)

    1. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If purely chasing ML then I guess B, otherwise A

      1. Lone Wolf FPL
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        who to get?

        1. Garfield1001
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          I would go KDB if you have the cash

          1. Lone Wolf FPL
            • 10 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            he has him 🙂

  8. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Eurovision is getting worse

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Music*

    2. JK - Cønt ⭐
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      That girls name is actually Chunky

      1. the axolotl
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        chunky malteser

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      is that possible?

    4. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      lol, worse than what? 🙂

      1. Syd.
        • 17 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        My FPL performance if that is possible 😉

  9. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    For those with currently no keeper, would a replacement take priority over an attacking transfer?

    1. VS10_
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Depends who you have as outfield players. Someone like DDG or Cech is unlikely to get more than 6 points so you won't gain much with a keeper transfer.

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        True yeah thanks, just feels wrong not having a keeper!

  10. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Hi folks...Got 2m itb......good to go or anything worth a hit?.....chasing rival who is ten points ahead...

    Darlow (robles)
    Smalling bellerin Gabriel (pva Simpson)
    Sanchez (c) hazard payet radical (lanzini)
    Kun Defoe Carroll

    Thanks

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      how many same players U both have?

    2. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Looks set to me

  11. JK - Cønt ⭐
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Lucky I am working tomorrow so have to be up early, want to sleep on Mane v Tadic, keep flip flopping between them

  12. Lecky Legs FC
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Anybody going Mane as (C) if your chasing a place in the ML like I am? (52 pts)

    1. Lone Wolf FPL
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      52? captain ayew!

      1. Lecky Legs FC
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Really thin he'll be on the scoresheet tomorrow that would be some punt/gamble like one I'm tempted by though

  13. Scheister
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino or Payet out? For:
    A) Ayew
    B) Mane
    C) Mata
    D) Noble
    E) Arnie

  14. Jay_
    10 years, 1 month ago

    ------------Darlow---------------
    ---Bellerin VVD Cresswell---
    Sanchez Ozil Mane Hazard
    ----Aguero Martial Defoe-----

    Don't have a bench at all, already on a -4.

    Time to just sit back and hope all that XI start, right?

    1. Jazz!
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      yep

      1. Jazz!
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Defoe the only probable doubt there

    2. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe could be gametime risk, but all others look OK. Not worth another hit

    3. Kurtinho
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Nice team mate, good luck!

    4. Jay_
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers fellas, good luck to yous all too, particularly my ex Canada team mates!

  15. GoonerSteve
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Trying to get my head round some of these rumours. I have Payet and Defoe, also PVA and Mannone. Was planning to play them all but concerned over Payet injury rumours and also whether Sunderland will play a strong team. Should I be making changes?

  16. Rodgers's CHARACTER
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) KDB & Martial
    B) KDB & Long
    C) Tadic & Martial
    D) Tadic & Long

    1. Mighty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Sting in the Tail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      C

  17. Back on the horse
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    de Gea
    PvA* Smalling
    Tadic Mahrez Sánchez Payet* Hazard
    Kane Defoe* Giroud
    Subs: Gomes Azpilicueta Cresswell Moreno*

    With risks around Payet, PvA and Defoe. Only 2 likely subs. Do I need to take a hit?

    1. chinmusic
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Defoe gets a game I think - Big Sam will want him to have the chance to prove he doesn't deserve to be in the England squad.

      1. Back on the horse
        • 15 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        I agree

        1. chinmusic
          • 16 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          So you should be GTG. Nice time.

          1. chinmusic
            • 16 Years
            10 years, 1 month ago

            Team, even

  18. Mighty
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Leading a ML by 21 points. I've got Sanchez TC, he doesn't have him, but he has Iwobi, Bellerin and Aguero and I don't. Should I take a 12 point hit to get those three in and block him?

    1. Poison Apple
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Anyway you get aguero for a -4? He is the explosive one

      1. Mighty
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Nope.

  19. Optimus.
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Eurovision trying to be funny now

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      wasnt it always pretty funny?

      1. John Nerdelbaum
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        erm

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      If someone makes a song called Songy McSongface it's a guaranteed winner.

    3. the axolotl
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      and succeeding admirably. #greatestshowonearth

  20. Syd.
    • 17 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    These Swedish presenters are ruining my image of Sweden - Saunas, Hot Tubs and blondes

  21. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Ok lads - need reassurance I'm doing the right thing here.

    Despite being 11k OR, I'm still 32 points behind my ML leader. Need some serious differentials. Can't get Giroud as maxed out on Arsenal. Can't get Tadic as my rival has him. So thinking of going all out on Southampton for a -8...

    Robles > Forster
    Payet > Mane
    Defoe > Long

    Thoughts?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just the last 2.. Who is your other keeper?

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Darlow

    2. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Someone just namdropped Andre Ayew as a punt & (C) I'm 52 pts behind if I make that change might be worth a gamble if you wanna take over for 1st in the ML

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Ayew against City with everything to play for? Don't fancy it personally.

        The only mids I'm really looking at are S'oton.

        1. Lecky Legs FC
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah like I said I was debating will consider Payet > Tadic as I already have Mane best of luck.

    3. Jafalad
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Well, Gwk38 has proven the best week for the differentials so it's well worth a go.

      Problem is actually identifying them.

      What about Eriksen at NEW - he is high up Jonty's goals imminent table?

      Someone like Arne could go goal crazy too.

      1. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah I was looking at Arnautovic. Maybe. Would be nervous though. Sometimes he fails to turn up. Eriksen has never done me well in FF so I'm reluctant. I do like Jonty's GI and AI tables though...

        I'm just thinking Palace have nothing to play for and might be holding back slightly, not wanting to get injured before the final. Southampton are on fire and will want to give their fans a good send off, on top of which they have an outside chance of Europe.

  22. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Have 10.9m to spend on a midfielder to replace Payet

    Already have Sanchez, Hazard, Lanzini and Mahrez

    Can't be from Arsenal (3x Arsenal players owned)

    1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Eriksen. Tottenham will want to finish above Arsenal so I think they'll be fired up

    2. Numb
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      KDB

    3. Les Bleus
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      KDB

  23. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
    • 15 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Tadic or Mane?

    1. Lecky Legs FC
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Both

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Seems everyone is wondering this.

      Tadic is more secure for minutes and is in great form, so he'd edge it for me. Just pick one and move on.

  24. Jay_
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Best things I like about the Eurovision is in the no particular order:

    * The fantastic presenting and sideshows
    * The unbiased voting from neighbouring countries
    * The love the UK gets from rest of Europe

  25. FPL Panda
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Who to captian mane or ageuro ??

    Rival is 30 ahead and will have neither

    1. chinmusic
      • 16 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Just make the best choice. Aguero is the best pick for me of all the options. He's great and on form, Swansea are gash and on holiday and Man City need the points.

  26. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    Everyone loves a butter churner

    1. Optimus.
      • 15 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Is that what you call her?

  27. Jazz!
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    _____
    Smalling Cresswell Koscielny

    Play Forster or DDG (double up)?

    1. 1NVINCIBLES
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Forster

  28. BB-8
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A. Payet -> Mane/ Eriksen/ Arnie (-4)
    B. Defoe -> Long (-4)
    C. Neither. Hope one of them starts.

    Have only Lanzini as bench cover. Which move to make?

    1. blind faith
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 1 month ago

      Is Defoe a doubt too?!

      1. BB-8
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 1 month ago

        Not injured but Big Sam said he's going to play some young players.

  29. blind faith
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    A) Play Mahrez
    B) Payet to Mane c or -4 (already have Tadic)
    C) Keep Payet and hope he plays

  30. Camp No No
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 1 month ago

    That Zlatan shot map against Nantes! 😯

    He really wanted to leave as the goals record man. No can do, stayed 6 goals behind Skoblar's record, but with that shooting there was actually a chance he could have matched it. And I think he probably finished with 2nd best season total of all time with 38 goals.