Daily Fantasy Premier League 2015: EPL Week 24 DraftKings Matchups to Exploit
The Premier League is back for a crucial Week 24 slate, and both evenly matched showdowns and lopsided affairs should produce some enticing fantasy action.
The derbies on tap, such as Tottenham-Arsenal and Everton-Liverpool, promise to deliver the most gripping action, but a look across the weekend schedule offers plenty to choose from. Here's a glance at a handful of can't-miss matchups to exploit at various prices on DraftKings.
Manchester City M David Silva: vs. Hull City ($8,800)
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No Daily Fantasy lineup is complete without its big-money signing, so let's get this one out of the way now.
When it comes to top-dollar players for Week 24, none are playing at the caliber of Manchester City midfielder David Silva. Five of the attacking-minded player's goals in league play have come in his last seven appearances.
What's even more striking about Silva's play is how it trumps last season's, per Squawka Football:
In last week's match against Chelsea that looked doomed for City, Silva rescued them with a splendid goal to draw. Three points will be on tap against Hull City, who have lost four straight by a combined 9-0, and Silva will account for at least one of the scores.
Sunderland F Jermain Defoe: at Swansea City ($5,900)
It's no coincidence at all that the arrival of forward Jermain Defoe at Sunderland has signaled a club turnaround.
Sunderland are 2-1-1 since Defoe joined the fold, and both wins have come in succession. The 32-year-old got them going with a goal in a 2-0 EPL win over Burnley last matchday, getting back to scoring in a league he knows all too well, per Squawka Football:
This same column picked Defoe to get on the board last weekend, and he should be accountable for a similar performance in Week 24. Swansea City shut out Southampton the last time out, but they gave up a combined eight goals in their two previous appearances.
Liverpool M Philippe Coutinho: at Everton ($6,200)
Playing some of his best football since joining Liverpool, midfielder Philippe Coutinho's stock is soaring—and for good reason.
Coutinho has been all over the place lately, notching an 8.46 rating with two assists in last week's 2-0 win over West Ham United. Against Bolton during the week, he scored a wonder goal to help push the Reds through in the FA Cup.
The potential of Coutinho isn't lost on Neymar, per the Daily Mirror's David Anderson: "He can be the star player in England. This season I think everybody in England is seeing how talented he is - and I know he has a lot more to show."
Everton's lack of midfield presence will allow Coutinho to run wild. Liverpool's Merseyside rival makes just 16.5 tackles and 11.5 interceptions per game, both of which rank in the bottom two in the EPL. If those numbers are any indication, Coutinho will have another big day.
Chelsea D John Terry: at Aston Villa ($3,800)
In a matchup that promises a clean sheet for the Chelsea defense, captain John Terry figures to be among the best of defensive buys in Week 24.
The Blues travel to face Aston Villa, who are in the midst of a historic goal drought. They haven't scored since Dec. 20, and they are another goalless half away from moving their drought to fourth worst in league history.
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Terry's offensive presence makes him an even more attractive option. After scoring just twice in league play last season, he's already netted three during the 2014-15 campaign and has the final third of the season to add to that tally.
Southampton G Fraser Forster: at QPR ($4,900)
Only three goalkeepers average more fantasy points per game than Southampton's Fraser Forster, and it's not hard to see why. Their defense has dominated the EPL, having given up just 17 goals in 23 matches—by far the best clip in the league.
Forster has three clean sheets in his last eight appearances, and he hasn't conceded more than one goal since facing Manchester City on Dec. 8. Against a QPR side that hasn't scored more than once since Dec. 20 and ranks 15th offensively, Forster should be counted on for another clean sheet.
Stats via WhoScored.com unless otherwise noted.
Steven Cook is a Daily Fantasy soccer writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
