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Fantasy Free Kick: Saturday's top daily soccer plays

Reuters

The international break has mercifully come to an end, and the Premier League is set to return with a full slate of action this weekend. That means, among other things, the chance for you to get back into the world of daily fantasy. Here's a quick look at the best plays for Saturday's seven-match EPL schedule.

All values courtesy of DraftKings.

Goalkeeper

Adrian ($4,000) - West Ham vs. Everton

The West Ham train will, at some point this season, go off the rails. But until that point, hop aboard and continue to enjoy the ride. It should be another smooth adventure this weekend against Everton.

Managing five shots on target per match, Romelu Lukaku and company sit fifth in the Premier League in that metric. While that may seem like a deterrent for picking the Spanish shot-stopper this weekend, consider that the scoring system puts a heavy emphasis on saves (2 points each). Also, Everton could be missing a host of players, including Leighton Baines, and you could be looking at a situation in which Adrian racks up points for keeping the ball out of his net with routine stops. Should Baines be unavailable, the Toffees would lose a massive outlet from which many of their best chances are created.

The Hammers also come into the contest on the back of five consecutive matches without a loss, and with plenty of their own impressive attacking talent could help Adrian pick up the five bonus points for a victory. Go back to the well with confidence.

Others to consider: Tom Heaton ($3,800) - Burnley vs. Stoke City, Robert Green ($3,500) - QPR vs. Newcastle

Bargain play: Lukasz Fabianski ($3,400) - Swansea City vs. Manchester City

Defender

Branislav Ivanovic ($4,800) - Chelsea vs. West Brom

Sometimes, the most straightforward selection is the best. Don't over-think this one.

West Brom has scored just three goals away from home this season, and those came against Tottenham, Liverpool and Leicester City - not exactly a murderer's row of defensive solidity. Chelsea, meanwhile, has conceded just 11 tallies in as many matches, and five of those came in two unusual outings (Everton and Swansea). You should be hearing the clean sheet alarm going off in your head right about now.

In addition, there's always the possibility the Serbian fullback, built like an armored tank and boasting the necessary lung capacity to get forward and join - or sometimes lead - the attack, could chip in with a goal from a set piece. Or open play, for that matter. He'll cost slightly more than others of his ilk, but all things considered, it's a worthwhile gamble this weekend.

Others to consider: Aaron Cresswell ($3,700) - West Ham vs. Everton, Pablo Zabaleta ($4,500) - Manchester City vs. Swansea City

Bargain play: Ashley Williams ($2,900) - Swansea City vs. Manchester City

Midfielder

Victor Moses ($6,300) - Stoke City vs. Burnley

This isn't your grandfather's Stoke, and Rory Delap isn't the star of this squad. Mark Hughes has the Potters playing some attractive football (relatively speaking) and Victor Moses's attacking ability has been a crucial part of that.

Important note: Burnley is the opposite of good, which makes Moses an ideal candidate to assume the role as a value play in your midfield this weekend. He's producing 10.9 fantasy points per game on average this season, and should have plenty of opportunities to maintain that number - or improve on it - against a Burnley team that concedes the third-most shots per match (15.8) in the top flight of English football.

If you can put morals aside for a moment and forgive the diving, the Nigerian winger will deliver on the scoreboard.

Others to consider: Ander Herrera ($4,900) - Manchester United vs. Arsenal, Sebastian Larsson ($5,800) - Sunderland vs. Leicester City

Bargain play: Leroy Fer ($3,900) - QPR vs. Newcastle

Forward

Alexis Sanchez ($12,500) - Arsenal vs. Manchester United

You have to make a splash somewhere. This is the place to do it.

Arsenal's marquee summer signing has been nothing short of a one-man team this season, and with five goals in his last three Premier League matches, it's safe to say Sanchez is not only comfortable in his new surroundings, he's thriving. The Gunners have sputtered through the early part of the campaign, but if there was ever an opportunity to break out, a home match against an already porous - and criminally undermanned - United defense would quantify as such.

Aside from the goals, Sanchez has the potential to fill up the stat sheet in a multitude of categories. He already has a pair of assists on the campaign, and with Danny Welbeck eager to find the net against his former team, is there anyone else you would bet on to provide the gangly striker with opportunities to fulfill that desire? Yeah, me neither.

The Chilean is firing off 2.9 shots per match, and his dribbling ability (3.1 dribbles per match) is an added bonus that should draw some fouls from a United side that will undoubtedly need to resort to last-ditch tackles to make up for some lacklustre defensive positioning.

This weekend, you're a Gooner.

Others to consider: Danny Welbeck ($11,600) - Arsenal vs. Manchester United, Eduardo Vargas ($5,500) - QPR vs. Newcastle

Bargain play: Connor Wickham ($4,800) - Sunderland vs. Leicester City

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