Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer: Saturday Perfect Million Picks

Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer: Saturday Perfect Million Picks

This article is part of our Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer series.

This week's Mondogoal Perfect Million contest includes just six Premier League matches, but there are still plenty of juicy matchups available that have the potential to yield serious fantasy points, including soft home matches for Everton and Chelsea, while sixth-place West Ham travel to take on Norwich. It should be noted that the Hammers played a 120-minute FA Cup tie against Liverpool on Tuesday, so squad rotations could be in store this weekend, but the potential is too great to ignore, should the regulars be included. Here are this week's selections who could help land you the perfect lineup:

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois, v. (£8.2M): Courtois has been excellent of late, allowing just two goals in his last four matches while saving 85 percent of the shots he has faced during that time. An in-form Chelsea will play host to a Newcastle side that have added some talent in recent weeks, but have still earned points from just three of 12 away matches this season, making Courtois one of the top fantasy keepers available.

Defenders

Simon Francis, v. (£6.4M): Francis has been a rock at the back for Bournemouth this season, making starts at fullback as well as center-half depending on the necessities of the squad. His ability to contribute hustle stats has led to a useful average of 5.97 fantasy points per game, which nearly matches his affordable £6.4M salary. The Cherries will play host to a Stoke side that have scored the second-fewest goals in the league this season, adding the possibility of a clean sheet to Francis' weekend prospects.

Seamus Coleman, v. (£8.8M): Coleman scored his first league goal of the season last week against Stoke, and he has now turned in an average of nearly 10 fantasy points per game over the last three. The 27-year-old is known for getting involved in the attack, and this weekend's matchup versus a West Brom side that have scored just eight times in 12 away matches also bodes well for his prospects of garnering defensive fantasy points. Only a handful of defenders average more than Coleman's 6.23 fantasy points per game, and his status as the sixth-most expensive defender makes him a worthy addition.

Aaron Cresswell, at (£8.3M): Cresswell has been a top-tier fantasy defender this season, and his average of 6.76 fantasy points per game over the last 12 rank near the top among defenders and illustrate the consistency he brings. West Ham will travel to take on a Norwich side that have been shut out three times in the last five matches, including last weekend to lowly Aston Villa. Cresswell's consistency, combined with the high ceiling his peripheral stats and defensive matchup create, makes him a top fantasy play versus the Canaries.

Midfielders

Ross Barkley, v. (£13.1M): Barkley has blossomed into an elite fantasy performer this season, as is evidenced by his price tag, which ranks tops among Saturday's options. It is hard to argue with Brakley's recent production, however, as he has four goals in his last four games and has averaged 15.31 fantasy points per game over that span. West Brom have stepped up their defensive play of late, but they will be hard-pressed to contain Barkley and the rest of the high-flying Toffees attack this weekend at Goodison Park.

Dimitri Payet, at (£11.4M): Payet has yet to demonstrate the consistent rate of production he supplied earlier this season since his January return from injury, but he has now turned in double-digit fantasy points in two of his last three games. This weekend's fixture with Norwich, who have allowed 19 goals in the last six matches, could present the Frenchman with the chance to come through with a big performance in the vein of his early-season form. He is the fifth-most expensive midfielder available on Saturday's slate, but his upside could be the highest of all at the position.

Willian, v. (£10.4M): Willian hasn't factored into a goal in his last five Premier League matches, but this weekend's home matchup versus 17th-place Newcastle could be the right opportunity to get back amongst the goals. The Brazilian scored against the Magpies in just 29 minutes as a substitute earlier this season, and they enter Saturday's matchup having allowed multiple goals in their last three away matches. Willian's depressed price ranks ninth among midfielders and adds to his appeal heading into a soft matchup.

Aaron Lennon, v. (£7.2M): Lennon is one of the top value plays available this week, as he has been a regular inclusion in the lineup over the last month and has tallied three goals and an assist in his last three matches in all competitions. Everton as a whole have also totaled 14 goals in Lennon's last five starts, increasing the likelihood that his run in the first XI continues against a West Brom side who have won just once in seven league matches.

Forwards

Diego Costa, CHE v. NEW (£8.6M): Costa has been red hot of late, scoring seven goals to go along with three assists in nine matches under new interim manager Guus Hiddink. The 27-year-old has played through a couple of minor injuries of late, but he has not missed a game since December and seems to be thriving on the continuity. Chelsea will host a Newcastle side who are allowing over two away goals per match this season, making Costa one of the most attractive forward options out there given his relatively low price.

Romelu Lukaku, v. (£10.1M): The Premier League's second-leading scorer needs little introduction and is especially attractive heading into Saturday's home match against West Brom due to his reasonable price. Lukaku endured a relatively quiet January and recently was pulledfrom a match because of a back injury, but last week's Man of the Match performance against Stoke indicates that he is back to full fitness. To sweeten the deal, Lukaku registered two goals and an assist versus the Baggies in September.

Enner Valencia, at (£6.6M): Valencia has been hot of late, with four goals and two assists in his last six league matches, and he could prove to be an extreme bargain this weekend versus Norwich. The Canaries have allowed more goals than everyone but Sunderland this season, and they have easily been the worst team in the league in that department over the last month, making Valencia a steal if he is fit enough to start after Tuesday's extra-time affair.

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. Tate McIntyre plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: DraftKings: tate10dt, Yahoo: mcintyre.tate.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tate McIntyre
Tate is a soccer writer for RotoWire who focuses primarily on the Barclays Premier League and La Liga. He also contributes to NFL, MLB & NBA coverage. He is a former college soccer player as well as an avid supporter of Arsenal, FC Dallas and America's team: The Dallas Cowboys.
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