DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Super Sunday Picks

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Super Sunday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Home (win odds) (draw odds) Away (win odds)
Arsenal (1/6) (6/1) Aston Villa (16/1)
Chelsea (5/4) (5/2) Leicester (2/1)
Everton (8/11) (3/1) Norwich (10/3)
Man Utd (4/11) (4/1) Bournemouth (7/1)
Newcastle (16/5) (11/4) Tottenham (4/5)
Southampton (4/11) (15/4) Crystal Palace (15/2)
Stoke (9/4) (5/2) West Ham (23/20)
Swansea (5/1) (10/3) Man City (1/2)
Watford (21/20) (23/10) Sunderland (27/10)
West Brom (7/5) (5/2) Liverpool (9/5)

With Leicester already confirmed as the title winners and the trio of Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle United already relegated, what is there left to play for? European qualification for next season is far from settled. Leicester, Tottenham and Arsenal have already clinched spots in the Champions League though Arsenal needs at least one point against Aston Villa to solidify a top-three finish. Meanwhile, Manchester City needs just a draw to clinch the fourth spot ahead of Manchester United.

Now, Europa League qualification is a tad trickier. Manchester City, by virtue of wining the League Cup, has already claimed a Europa League spot, but because they are guaranteed to finish in the top-five, the Premier League will get an extra team, which is currently West Ham, who is in sixth. Manchester United could finish as low as seventh if they lose Sunday, coupled by a West Ham win or draw and a Southampton win.

Additionally, Sunday will not be Manchester United's last game of the season. Next Saturday they take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final with – yep, you guessed it – a Europa League birth on the line. So, there's a very good chance that seventh place in the league could also end up with a Europa League birth. Seventh is currently occupied by Southampton, who has a one-point lead on Liverpool, who themselves could move up to sixth with a win, West Ham loss and Southampton draw/loss. There's one more thing: Liverpool still has to play in the Europa League final, with the winner earning a Champions League berth for next season. So, if Manchester United beats Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final and Liverpool wins the Europa League final, the top eight teams in the table would all qualify for Europe.

So with all of that, here are some key players for the final day of the 2015/16 Premier League season:

GOALKEEPERS

Joe Hart, MCI at SWA ($4,200): Swansea shocked many last weekend by scoring four goals against West Ham despite missing a number of key figures in their attack. Do not expect a similar result Sunday as City looks to confirm their place in the Champions League next season after going down to Real Madrid in this year's semifinal. Hart's domestic performances have suffered while pulling double-duty with the Champions League, but with focus on this important result, expect a stout defensive performance. Plus, without a true striker for Swansea, the saves Hart does need to make figure to be on shots from more savable zones.

Adam Bogdan, LIV vs. WBA ($2,500): Bogdan could start Sunday, as the Reds look forward to the Europa League final. While this is an admonishment on the importance Liverpool may be putting on this game, the $2,500 price shouldn't be overlooked.

DEFENDER

Ivo Pinto, NOR at EVE ($2,700): Pinto's initial run with the first team didn't go so well, but now with three straight starts he has showed some maturation and development. He has 10 crosses, six tackles and nine interceptions over the past three games, which came against Arsenal, Manchester United and Watford.

Cedric Soares, SOU vs. CRY ($3,800): With 24 crosses and 12 interceptions over his past four starts, Cedric has re-established himself as a premier defensive option. In his last start, he delivered his second assist of the season on his way to 19 fantasy points.

Ikechi Anya, WAT vs. SUN ($2,800): A decent enough floor through crosses and defensive stats, Anya draws Wahbi Khazri of Sunderland. While talented with flair, Khazri tends to let the opposing defense pick up more tackles and interceptions than usual.

MIDFIELDER

Jack Wilshere, ARS vs. AVL ($2,800): After missing almost the entire season, Wilshere has returned to health in time to make a cameo at the end of the season at a cheap price. Arsenal is a 1/6 favorite against helpless Villa, and as long as Wilshere gets the start he represents exceptional value to get access to the Gunners' attack.

Dusan Tadic, SOU vs. CRY ($6,600): Southampton rates as the most stackable attack on the slate. The Saints have taken 16 points from their last five matches with a league-leading 14 goals in their last six. Crystal Palace's recent form hasn't been as bad as their second half form on the whole, but the Eagles' main objective now is the FA Cup final and Southampton is looking to turn their recent potent attack into a Europa League birth. Tadic's contributes across the stat sheet, not to mention he's contributed to eight goals (two scored, six assisted) over his last four appearances.

Dimitri Payet, WHU at STK ($8,100): With Europa still in the balance, West Ham hosts a Stoke side that has allowed 17 goals in their past six games while taking just two points. The Hammers ended their stay at Boleyn Ground with a storied late winner over Manchester United and look to carry that momentum against the struggling Potters. On a 10-game slate there's a lot of enticement to fade Payet, but I'll stand strong in saying he possesses the highest floor of any player – even away from home – and should not be discounted from contributing to multiple goals.

Wes Hoolahan, NOR at EVE ($3,600): Roberto Martinez was sacked and left Everton firmly mid-table and as defensively deprived as ever, allowing six goals over the past two games, including a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Norwich, despite a victory over Watford, had their relegation confirmed at midweek that's to Sunderland's win. Hoolahan had a fairly productive season, contributing four goals and eight assists in 29 appearances (many as a substitute). Hoolahan is optimal while Robbie Brady is on the bench, as he's taken over some of the corner duties. Everton may be favored, but apathy has taken over and Norwich may have some sort of momentum going into a pleasant ending to their one-year stay in the Premier League. Nathan Redmond is another good option within the Norwich midfield for a few hundred more.

FORWARD

Andy Carroll, WHU vs. STK ($5,300): Carroll hasn't scored in three matches following his run of five goals in three games, but he's still taking multiple shots and has managed double-digit fantasy points in two of the last three despite the lack of goals, while Stoke's defense has been riddled by goals of late. Diafra Sakho, playing a wider role of late, represents cheaper exposure to the Hammers' attack.

Shane Long, SOU at CRY ($6,000): After scoring double-digit fantasy point games in five consecutive games and seven of nine, Long threw up a minus-1 against Tottenham. The Southampton stack ranks very highly and affordable and is headed by the Long, who has five goals and four assists in his last 10 games.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Alex Spalding plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: ajump08, DraftKings: ajump08.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Spalding
Alex splits his expertise between College Basketball, NBA, NFL, MLB, and Saturday morning BPL. You'll find him under the username ajump08 on DraftKings and FanDuel.
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