The Starting XI - EPL Preview: March 21-22
With all of the PL having crashed and burned out of European cup competition and Chelsea having one hand on the league trophy, the main focuses shift to the race for the top four and Champions League berths and the battle to avoid relegation. Luckily for us soccer fanatics, both of these races have a lot to still be decided, giving us the drama we often crave during this portion of the season. The titanic match at Anfield this Sunday between Liverpool and Manchester United is the perfect example of this, as two of England’s historic clubs jockey for Champions League places next season. It doesn’t hurt that both sides have turned up their respective forms in recent weeks giving this rivalry matchup a little more juice than the previous encounter in December.
This week, Ernestiko takes a different approach in looking at this weekend’s action on DraftKings picking a “Starting XI” of top picks to fill lineups in this weekend’s contests (3 FW, 3 MF, 3 D, 2 GK).
GK Hugo Lloris $5,800
When trying to select GK, it’s always a juggling act in choosing someone who makes a lot of saves, but also isn’t letting in three or four in the process. With Spurs facing a woeful Leicester side, who have taken 6 points from 9 games in 2015, this gives Lloris the opportunity to balance both aspects mentioned above. Lloris is fourth among PL GK’s in total saves, meanwhile, Leicester have only managed to score 11 goals in 15 road matches. While Lloris is the priciest GK this weekend, he should see good returns especially since Spurs will want to make up for last week’s 3-0 drubbing to Man United.
GK David Ospina $5,500
I know, not exactly breaking news or going out on a limb with these GK selections, but safe is better than sorry. Ospina and Arsenal have pitched three clean sheets in their last four PL matches and face a Newcastle side who have lost three of their last four. Ospina is usually a good bet to hit double figures and Arsenal have been in great form since the loss to Monaco in the Champions League a few weeks ago.
DEF Danny Rose $4,500
With Spurs facing Leicester (who have scored the second least amount of goals this season), Rose has a good opportunity to get clean sheet FPTS while also whipping in several crosses. In his past two matches, Rose has delivered five and seven crosses respectively, so he should be able to combine both elements and yield good returns. An assist isn’t out of the question, either, with four to his name this campaign.
DEF Branislav Ivanovic $5,400
With Chelsea boasting the best defensive record in the league (and for once having a rest in midweek) and facing Hull, Ivanovic brings (as usual) a good combination of good defense and potential offense. We’ve noted here just how impressive Ivanovic’s goal scoring record for a defender is, so no need to belabor that point, but he rarely is out of double digits and should enjoy another fine game this weekend.
DEF Ryan Bertrand $4,600
It can be forgiven that Bertrand had a poor game in terms of output against Chelsea, however, he should get back to positive ways against Burnley this weekend. Facing off on the same flank as Kieran Trippier, who also loves to get forward, it should give Bertrand plenty of space to get up and down the pitch and deliver a good amount of crosses for his forwards to get on the end of.
MF Aaron Ramsey $6,100
Ramsey had a huge game against West Ham the last time out for Arsenal (goal and assist) and even managed to score off the bench in Tuesday’s win against Monaco in the Champions League. Back healthy and at a reasonable price, Ramsey will be hard to overlook for Arsene Wenger and DFS players this weekend
MF Eden Hazard $9,400
Hazard putting in a good shift has been about the only thing in the Chelsea side that can be deemed predictable in the past month or so. The Blues have been pretty ordinary as of late, given their high standards, but Hazard (13 goals, 7 assists) has been a bright spot and should have success against a Hull side fighting to keep their heads above the relegation zone.
MF Ross Barkley $6,100
Considering Everton’s form in the PL during Europa League weeks, this is quite the flyer, but I like the way Barkley has looked his last two times out. He scored a goal in the match against Newcastle a week ago and may have been the only bright spot in what was otherwise a dreadful performance in Kiev on Thursday night (hit the crossbar with a superb effort). QPR have conceded the most goals in the league, so Barkley should have plenty of opportunities to use his pace and dribbling and have success taking on opposing defenders.
FW Harry Kane $10,100
It’s pretty rare these days for Kane to be held scoreless, so the fact that Spurs face Leicester should have ol’ Harry licking his lips. He was largely frustrated against Manchester United last weekend, but still comes into the game holding third position on the leading goalscorers list and should be buzzing with confidence thanks to being selected to Roy Hodgson’s England squad earlier in the week for the first time.
FW Sadio Mane $6,700
He’s become a fixture in Ronald Koeman’s Southampton starting XI and for good reason. Since Boxing Day, Mane has only been out of double figure FPTS twice, and one of those performances being a 33-minute cameo against Liverpool. Pretty consistent, if you ask me. Mane comes in having notched FPTS of 11, 18, and 10 in his last three games and given his price is a good play at home facing Burnley.
FW Charlie Austin $9,300
Charlie Austin and his thunderous boot are definitely in play this week for QPR as they face a tired and emotionally drained Everton side. Everton gave up five in the Europa League earlier in the week and their form during European cup competition weeks is pretty poor. Even if Austin doesn’t get on the scoresheet, he typically takes plenty of shots and racks up FPTS in the process.