As a bit of a change, we’ve decided to bring you a full starting XI this week.
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Our XI has been chosen from the players taking part in Saturday’s games only, using DraftKings’ unique valuation system – all within the $50,000 budget.
Goalkeeper: Fraser Forster, Southampton ($4,200)
When Forster was out injured, the goalkeeper position was problematic for Ronald Koeman. Maarten Stekelenburg, Paolo Gazzaniga and Kelvin Davis all got game-time, but since the England international returned in January Southampton have been unbeaten in four games (with clean sheets in every one). They host a West Ham team missing attacking outlets Diafra Sakho and Manuel Lanzini in the 5:30 kickoff.
Defender: Pablo Zabaleta, Manchester City ($3,800)
We haven’t spoken to a single Man City fan who wasn’t delighted to see Zabaleta return last month after an injury-interrupted season. The Argentine has played just three league games this season, and City won those 6-1, 5-1 and 4-0 – that’s got to be worth something, right?
Happy to be back after a long period without playing. Great team performance to go trough to the next round. Thanks for your support!#FAcup
— Pablo Zabaleta (@pablo_zabaleta) January 9, 2016
Defender:Â Mamadou Sakho, Liverpool ($2,400)
Liverpool have lost just one of their last 12 meetings with Sunderland, keeping half a dozen clean sheets in that period. Sakho should have the tools to deal with the likes of Jermain Defoe and former team-mate Fabio Borini in the Anfield clash, having earned points with two interceptions in the reverse fixture in December.
Defender: Ashley Williams, Swansea City ($2,200)
Williams seems a bargain at just $2,200 considering how much more solid the Swans have started to look under Francesco Guidolin. The Welsh international has 32 points from his last three gameweeks, including a huge 20.5 in the 1-0 win over Watford.
Midfield: Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle United ($4,800)
Shelvey has looked a different player since trading South Wales for the North-East of England, playing every minute of Newcastle’s last three games and helping energise Steve McClaren’s team. He’s still waiting for his first Magpies goal, but that could come against a West Brom side without an away league win since October.
Midfield: Jordan Henderson, Liverpool ($4,600)
A meeting with a former club often provides players with extra impetus to succeed, and Jordan Henderson will hope that rings true against Sunderland. He’s picked up nine points or more in each of his last four games, and can offer plenty in both attack and defence.
Midfield: Mousa Dembele, Tottenham Hotspur ($4,000)
After nearly leaving in the summer, Dembele has been one of Spurs’ unsung heroes this season, rightfully earning a new contract. He has started to show some of the form that convinced Andre Villas-Boas to part with £15m to sign him from Fulham, and consistent tackling and intercepting stats mean he represents good value-for-money ahead of the visit of Watford.
Forward: Sergio Aguero, Manchester City ($8,800)
There are no dead certs in daily fantasy sports, but Aguero is probably as close as they come. The last three league games have seen the Man City striker really hit his stride, scoring five goals, and he’ll need to pull out a big performance as Manuel Pellegrini’s team take on title challengers Leicester.
Forward: Gabby Agbonlahor, Aston Villa ($3,400)
Now this might seem like a strange one. Agbonlahor has played less than 150 minutes since October and is yet to score this season. But Villa don’t have many other options up front with Jordan Ayew suspended and Rudy Gestede and Libor Kozak injured, and they’re up against a Norwich team who have shipped 14 goals in their last four games. And he’s dirt cheap, which means more money to spend elsewhere.
Utility Player: Andre Ayew, Swansea City ($5,600)
For all of Swansea’s struggles this season, Ayew has been one of the few bright sparks. He scored their first goal of the season against Chelsea, as well as netting a vital winner away at Everton, and another big performance against West Brom could help lift his team above this weekend’s opponents.
Utility Player: Roberto Firmino, Liverpool ($5,800)
It’s fair to say Firmino has blown hot and cold since his £28m summer move, but the Brazilian has shown what he’s all about in recent weeks. His last four games have gone two goals, no goals, two goals, no goals – let’s hope the pattern continues.
