Welcome to the first of a series of articles that will be looking at DraftKing’s contests and key picks throughout the season.
In a selection of weeks we’ll be putting forward a roster of eight players who, based on DraftKing’s scoring rules, we think should prove profitable picks.
We’ll also be providing Focus articles for some of the Champions League contests that DraftKings offer, starting next week.
DraftKings has a fantastic new welcome offer this week that gives new players the opportunity to get four free entries for just £5.
Read on for details of how to take advantage of this offer and the chance to take part in a contest with £20,000 worth of prizes.
DraftKings Saturday contests take place over two different slates of Premier League games this weekend. The biggest prize pools are offered on the seven matches starting at 3pm, with additional contests offered on the eight fixtures starting at 12:30pm.
DraftKings have recently added a new feature where certain players, such as Alexis Sanchez, have dual classification, so they can be selected as either Midfielders or Forwards. This allows more flexibility in your selections and, combined with the Utility spot, means playing five midfielders is now a possibility.
To form a water-tight strategy ahead of DraftKings Saturday contests, check out our player selection guide before you sign up for an account at this link.
We’ve also set up a Fantasy Football Scout League to allow you to track and join our contests and take on the team and the community.
Join our league via this link.
My Team
GK Tom Heaton $5,000
D Hector Bellerin $4,700
D Alvaro Arbeloa $4,000
M Andros Townsend $7,600
M James Milner $7,000
F Salomon Rondon $6,700
F Alexis Sanchez $9,400
UTIL Ben Davies $3,600
Key Picks
Between the sticks, only Hull City’s Eldin Jakupovic ($4,800) has a better average points per game score than Burnley number one Tom Heaton. The two shot stoppers face each other on Saturday and we prefer the Clarets keeper’s home comforts for this one – Heaton has made 18 saves already, worth two points each on DraftKings, and kept a clean sheet against Liverpool in his previous outing at Turf Moor.
Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin offers excellent value at $4,700. The Gunners faced Liverpool and Leicester in the opening two matches and lacked several first team players before building momentum with a 3-1 win at Watford. The full-back has registered seven crosses and created three chances in that run, which he should continue against Southampton.
If West Ham’s new signing Alvaro Arbeloa starts, the right-back should have plenty of opportunity to raid down the flank as Watford visit the Olympic Stadium. Only Hull (60) have allowed more crosses on their left flank than the Hornets’ 47 over three matches. We’ve left some funds in the bank so that if the former Real Madrid player doesn’t start we can swap in Hammers right-back Arthur Masuaka ($5,100) who has produced seven crosses this term.
Andros Townsend appears ideally suited to the DraftKings scoring matrix. Crosses are an integral part of the game, each being worth 0.75, and the former Spurs man has already racked up 25 crosses this term. Combined with his propensity to fire in shots – he’s had 12 attempts (worth a point each) – we are confident of returns ahead of a trip to Middlesborough.
There are a few more options in the $7k to $8k price range we’re considering for the second midfield spot.
James Milner‘s 16 crosses over two matches makes the Liverpool midfielder a tempting prospect for the visit of Leicester City, and there’s the added advantage that he takes penalties, as illustrated against Spurs. Another player on set-pieces, Santi Cazorla ($7,400), has also netted a penalty, whilst a total of 15 crosses bodes well for the Gunners midfielder, who has had a promising start to the season, averaging 14.1 fantasy points per game (FFPG) on DraftKings so far.
After scoring in back-to-back matches, Michail Antonio ($7,600) is another option, an in-form and cheaper alternative to Dimitri Payet ($9,400).
As we mentioned in the Weekly Shop, Salomon Rondon has been a favourite of ours this season, averaging 9.5 FFPG points and firing 17 attempts on goal. The Baggies striker scored against Bournemouth in Gameweek 37 last season and will fancy his chances of a repeat performance against the Cherries, who have conceded 33 shots inside the area- only Burnley have allowed more.
Alexis Sanchez is our big-hitter this week. The Chilean’s goal and two assists at Vicarage Road demonstrated his ability to bring in explosive hauls and we’re hoping for more of the same when the Saints visit North London.
Register Now for Four Free $3 Entries
Haven’t signed up for DraftKings yet? Get online this weekend, sign up for an account with your first £% deposit to get four FREE entries.
Right off the bat you can use this to enter this weekend’s Golazo contest that has a £20,000 price pool.
New account holders who deposit funds ahead of this weekend will get four free tickets that can be used in any $3 contests.
You will get your first free entry once you register and deposit funds. You will then be sent an email each week instructing you on how to redeem your next free $3 entry.
Be sure to opt in to receive communications from DrafKings when you sign up.
This Week’s Games
Saturday EPL 3pm – 7 games
As mentioned above, DraftKings’ biggest pot this weekend is the £20,000 “Golazo” contest which has a $3 entry-fee and can be entered multiple times – the first prize is £3,700. Entries are filling up fast with just under 4000 of the 11,000 spots left available at the time of writing.
There’s also the $16,000 Golden Boot game which has a $27 buy-in – top spot is worth $2,000 and this has a 685-player limit.
You’re also allowed up to 3 entries into a $3,000 contest ,which costs $3 to enter.
If you prefer double-up contests, there are two available with $4,000 in guaranteed prizes. Entry costs $5 or $25 depending on the contest.
Saturday EPL 12.30pm – 8 games
For those keen to include players from the Manchester Derby, there are several contests that include the early kick-off. The $2,500 Striker contest has a $3 buy-in, 980 places and a top prize of $250.
If you have more funds to play with, the $2,000 Golden Boot has 85 places left and a $27 entry fee.
Once again, don’t forget to sign up for the Fantasy Football Scout League and this week’s FFS contests.
Free $100k NFL Contest
In addition to our brand of football, DraftKings offer contests on a raft of different sports, including NFL which happens to have a huge $100,000 free to enter contest over the weekend.
Registering With DrafKings
You can sign up for your DraftKings account via this link.
Users from outside the UK, USA and Canada can now sign up for accounts.
You’ll be directed automatically to the US site and asked to register – and then DraftKings will be in touch when your option to play is up and running.
*All figures are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
