Daily Fantasy Premier League 2015: EPL Week 26 DraftKings Matchups to Exploit
One full weekend without the Premier League is long enough of a break, as Week 26 offers a return to England's' top-flight league that couldn't come soon enough.
Following an enticing midweek slate of Champions League and Europa League fixtures, the EPL is set to return in full force with seven matches on Saturday and a three-match slate for Sunday. Here's a look at the most favorable matchup plays for the weekend on DraftKings.
West Brom F Brown Ideye: $5,600 (at Sunderland)
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The month of February began with West Brom striker Brown Ideye on the verge of a deadline-day move, per James Whaling of The Mirror, which was apparently just what he needed to find his form.
Ideye has scored in two straight EPL matches, and followed that up with a brace in last weekend's FA Cup win over West Ham. After being one of the strikers to stay away from in the EPL, he's becoming one of the hottest names on the market.
West Brom visits Sunderland, who have given up more goals (36) than all but four EPL clubs this campaign. Ideye's impact fantasy-wise is almost exclusively tied to scoring goals, which he'll have chances to do Saturday.
Manchester City M Samir Nasri: $6,500 (vs. Newcastle)
Following an increase in consistency and on the heels of his best showing of the season, Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is the most affordable City attacking player amid a favorable matchup at home to Newcastle.
Nasri is still in a midfield logjam with other options like Jesus Navas available, but City should go with Nasri due to his chemistry with Yaya Toure—who is returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. Nasri dazzled the last time out in EPL play at Stoke City, notching a goal, assist, three shots and two crosses completed for 22 fantasy points.
Newcastle rank in the bottom half of the league in tackles per game, which should help open up the in-form Nasri and City as they look to bounce back from a rough recent stretch.
Arsenal M Tomas Rosicky: $4,200 (at Crystal Palace)
The Gunners are entering a do-or-die stretch of the season with midfielder Aaron Ramsey set to miss a couple of weeks, per James Olley of the London Evening Standard. The opening in the midfield offers the perfect opportunity for Tomas Rosicky to continue his strong play.
Not that Arsenal have a shortage of midfielders with Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil both playing well, but the Gunners need a nifty presence behind them and Rosicky will be just that. He performed well in a full 90-minute performance last time out in the EPL against Leicester, and he only logged 18 minutes last weekend against Middlesbrough.
Crystal Palace ranks 17th in shots per game, so Rosicky and Arsenal should have plenty of chances of their own Saturday.
Everton D Seamus Coleman: $4,800 (vs. Leicester City)
From his stalwart status on the back line to his offensive touch, Everton defender Seamus Coleman is quickly becoming one of the EPL's most prolific fantasy defenders.
| 2/11 at Chelsea | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2/7 Liverpool | 2 | 5 | 13 |
| 1/31 at Crystal Palace | 1 | 1 | 8 |
| 1/19 West Brom | 0 | 9 | 15 |
With Leighton Baines still out, Coleman has been in the fold and invaluable for the attack lately. Prior to netting a goal in Thursday's Europa League win, he led Everton with two shots against Liverpool. His prowess in creating crosses (two fantasy points apiece) has led to big fantasy totals in recent fixtures.
Facing a Leicester City attack that ranks 16th with just 11.2 shots per game, Coleman and Everton should have their way defensively while the attacking-minded defender racks up fantasy points on crosses and the occasional scoring chance. Their offense looked more prolific than ever Thursday night with a 4-1 win over Young Boys, and Coleman will be counted on to help keep that up.
Liverpool GK Simon Mignolet: $4,500 (at Southampton)
Liverpool's recent turnaround has also brought a change of fortune for embattled goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The Belgian international has only lost one match in net since way back on Dec. 14, and recently saw a four-match streak of clean sheets snapped in a win over Tottenham last week in EPL play. He's logged double-digit fantasy totals in five of his last 10 matches and is averaging 12 fantasy points per game in his last five.
Southampton have been held scoreless in two of their last three in league play, and the Reds' stingy defensive presence should keep that trend going into Week 27.
Club and player rankings and stats are courtesy of WhoScored.com unless otherwise stated.
Steven Cook covers Daily Fantasy soccer for Bleacher Report, and is on Twitter like the rest of the world. Check out his EPL Week 26 rankings for the top goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards on PlayTogga.com.
