With today providing such an enticing set of fixtures, we’ve got together with DraftKings to lay on a Sunday special to liven things further.
This is your chance to not only play DraftKings for free, you also get the opportunity to beat former Fantasy Premier League champion Tom Fenley and earn some cash.
The Sunday contest is FREE to enter and if your eight-player line-up beats Tom’s, you’ll win $5 of DraftKings credit.
For newcomers, DraftKings are also offering an extra free entry into another contest if you register and deposit $5 or more.
It’s easy to sign up and take Tom on: click on this link and draft your eight-man team from the three matches included on the slate. You get a $50,000 budget to play with and the deadline is 2.05pm on Sunday.
Tom’s cast his expert eye over the player list and analysed some of the key picks available. Four of the current top six sides are in action, so there’s some tough decisions ahead.
Pick wisely and there’s glory to be had – and you’ll be in the money as well.
Here’s Tom’s take on the Sunday slate.
Fixtures
Everton v Chelsea
Middlesbrough v Manchester City
Spurs v Arsenal
Key Picks
Hugo Lloris – Goalkeeper – Spurs – $5,100
The French stopper has secured scores of 12+ points in DraftKings in his last four league matches, with four successive clean sheets. Although both teams have scored in the last five North London derbies, that recent defensive form bodes well for Spurs.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side are favourites to emerge victorious, which would provide their keeper with a 5-point bonus in DraftKings. Arsenal’s recent travel sickness – they’ve lost four of their last five away matches – is another key factor.
Willy Caballero – Goalkeeper – Manchester City – $5,800
A calf injury to Claudio Bravo provides his team-mate with another opportunity to stake his claim on the keeper’s jersey. City have been resilient on the road of late against lower table opposition, keeping four clean sheets in six away matches and only conceding to Arsenal and Chelsea. They visit a struggling Boro outfit that have blanked in six of their last ten outings.
Leighton Baines – Defender – Everton – $4,600
Crosses are a key metric in DraftKings, with 0.75 points available for each, even when unsuccessful. The left-back has delivered 27 crosses over the last six Gameweeks – the most of any defender on this slate. Potential spot-kick and dead ball duties, a reasonable price-tag and his 7.8 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) make the veteran Toffee worthy of consideration in a likely busy shift against Chelsea.
Ben Davies – Defender – Spurs – $4,700
Danny Rose might have returned to training, but based on recent performances it’s likely his able stand-in will be utilised against Arsenal.
We also considered the Gunners’ Nacho Monreal ($4,400) from this match-up as the Spaniard could be deployed in a left wing-back role for the visitors. Davies is our preferred pick, though. Spurs’ stronger chances of a shut-out and the defenders’ 22 crosses and a 10.6 FPPG over his last six matches make him worth the extra outlay – if you can find the funds.
Marcos Alonso – Defender – Chelsea – $5,500
Despite being the most expensive player in his category, it’s difficult to overlook the Blues wing-back with his ability to accrue points at both ends of the pitch – 18 crosses and 11 tackles in six outings demonstrate that end-to-end influence. Furthermore, the Spaniard’s 39 goal attempts is top for defenders this season – that’s helped him to record 10 FPPG this season in DraftKings.
Eric Dier – Midfielder – Spurs – $3,000
There’s plenty of big-hitters to fit into our eight slots, so some budget-friendly picks are vital for building a balanced roster. The Spurs asset may be defensively-minded, but that should provide returns from interceptions (+0.5 points) and tackles (+1 point in DraftKings) as he attempts to nullify Alexis Sanchez and others. A pair of goals in his last five matches also highlights an attacking threat to go alongside his enabling price tag.
N’Golo Kante – Midfielder – Chelsea – $3,500
A trip to Goodison Park is the type of encounter the PFA player of the year tends to relish. The Frenchman ranks second for tackles among midfielders, tallying 73 this season. Opponent Idrissa Gueye ($3,400) is another option in this price bracket – he fulfils a similar role for Everton and is top for tackles with 93.
Kante also sits second for interceptions (76) this term – that combativeness will be key to restricting the supply to Toffees frontman Romelu Lukaku ($8,200, F).
Kevin De Bruyne – Midfielder/Forward – Manchester City – $9,000
The return of Gabriel Jesus ($8,600, M/F) to Pep Guardiola’s match-day squad could threaten forward Sergio Aguero’s ($9,700) pitch-time, so we’ve targeted City’s Belgian playmaker as a safer and more budget-friendly route into their attack.
De Bruyne’s 238 crosses this season is behind only Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 265, and 58 over the last six Gameweeks again ranks him second. Three assists in as many away matches hints he’ll be creating plenty of chances for the frontmen as they roll up to the Riverside.
Christian Eriksen – Midfielder – Spurs – $9,300
The Dane has returned five assists and a trio of goals in his last eight league outings. There’s no sign of that consistent form ending – he’s registered 20 crosses over the last six and his 27 shots (10 on target) are the most of any midfielder over that period.
Along with Sergio Aguero, he’s produced the most shots (worth one DraftKings point each) in the league this campaign (123) and is joint second with Alexis Sanchez for shots on target over the season with 42 (behind Sigurdsson on 45). Those impressive numbers reflect why he carries a hefty DraftKings price-tag – his free attacking role and set-piece responsibilities for Maurcio Pochettino’s side mean he’s very well-suited to the scoring matrix.
Alexis Sanchez – Midfielder/Forward – Arsenal – $8,400
If you suspect that Arsene Wenger can orchestrate a reversal of fortunes in the clash with their rivals, then it’s likely to be down to Arsenal’s top scorer.
The Chilean has been more effective on the road this campaign, netting 13 of 19 goals on his travels. He’s had more attempts at home (64 to 42), but he’s also more accurate away, with 22 shots on target compared to only 20 at the Emirates. That healthy record on the road provides some encouragement for those who invest in Sanchez at White Hart Lane.
Eden Hazard – Midfielder/Forward – Chelsea – $9,300
Only Wilfried Zaha (100) has won more fouls (an action worth a point apiece in DraftKings) than the Belgian (86) this campaign, and he should cause the Everton back-line problems from kick-off.
Chelsea’s main mischief maker has notched five goals and served up an assist over his last six run-outs. A 17.5 FPPG over that period suggests his salary is worth finding the funds for – particularly as 31 of his 67 shots this term have been on target. That accuracy is also worth an extra point per shot in DraftKings.
Harry Kane – Forward – Spurs – $8,900
We’re equally impressed by the Spurs striker’s recent quality in front of goal – he’s top for shots on target over the last six, with 13 from 24 attempts. After notching in five consecutive matches at White Hart Lane – tallying ten goals including a pair of hat-tricks – the forward has to be considered.
His 16 FPPG this season, and five goals in four league encounters with Arsenal, make it a brave move to overlook Kane on this slate.
Getting Started
1 – Sign up for a free DraftKings account
2 – Draft your 8-man lineup
3 – Deposit $5 or more in your account and enter one of the $3 entry contests for free
Click here to get involved. All teams must be drafted by Sunday at 2.05 PM.
Users from outside the UK, Germany, USA and Canada are now able to sign up for new 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.
You must be over 18 years of age, and of legal capacity to register with DraftKings and open an account. If you sign up, always play responsibly.
As a contributor at Fantasy Football Scout, Tom plays DraftKings using his personal account in the games that he offers advice on. Although he has expressed his own personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and he may also choose different players and strategies than recommended above.
