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Below is the Team of the Week for Matchday 12. Using this information can help mend decisions for future DFS contests.
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DraftKings Team of the Week: Matchday 12
GK – Rob Elliot – Newcastle United – 20.0 Points - $3,200
1 Clean Sheet, 5 Saves, 1 Win
W, 1-0 vs. Bournemouth
Elliot has stepped up in a huge way since replacing Tim Krul four weeks ago. United have recorded seven points since putting Elliot between the posts, temporarily removing itself from the relegation zone. Saturday, Elliot recorded his first career clean sheet, well deserved after suffering through an onslaught of Cherry attacks for 90-plus minutes.
DF – Alberto Moreno – Liverpool – 20.0 Points - $3,800
13 crosses, 1 foul drawn, 4 Tackles won, 4 passes intercepted
L, 1-2 vs. Crystal Palace
Jurgen Klopp has taken the reigns off of the ex-Sevilla fullback, allowing him to venture up field more often than his managerial predessecor. Moreno has the pace to press the flanks in the offensive half, delivering those ever-valuable crosses into the opposing box.
DF – Aleksandar Kolarov – Manchester City – 18.0 Points - $4,900
2 Shots on Goal, 8 Crosses, 1 Foul Drawn, 3 Shots, 1 Tackle Won, 1 Pass Intercepted, 1 Cross, 1 Foul Committed
D, 0-0 vs. Aston Villa
It was a match Manchester City would love to play again, missing several opportunities to steal all three points away from the Villans. Result notwithstanding, Kolarov continues to be the top defender option in fantasy, averaging over 15 points per game.
DF – Danny Rose – Tottenham Hotspur – 12 Points - $3,300
4 Crosses, 1 Assist, 1 Foul Drawn, 1 Shot, 1 Tackle Won, 1 Interception, 3 Fouls Committed
D, 1-1 vs. Arsenal
Since wrestling the left back job back from Charlie Davies, Danny Rose has added width to the Spurs’ attack. As one quarter of the league’s best defense, Rose has been superb on the backline in addition to his pestilent presence in the offensive half of the pitch.
MF – Mesut Ozil – Arsenal – 25.50 Points - $6,700
14 Crosses, 1 Assist, 5 Fouls Drawn, 1 Tackle Won, 1 Foul Committed
D, 1-1 vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Ozil, even with all of his star power, has been the unheralded presence at the Emirates this season. Ozil masterful cross to Kieran Gibbs in the 76th minute stole two points away from Tottenham, salvaging the home draw. The assist was Ozil’s league leading 10th of the season, four ahead of his nearest challenger.
MF – Dusan Tadic – Southampton – 29.0 Points - $7,300
2 Shots on Goal, 14 Crosses, 1 Foul Drawn, 2 Shots, 1 Goal
W, 1-0 vs. Sunderland
Tadic’s penalty goal was the latest dagger in the tragedy that has been Sunderland’s season. In addition, the winger added 14 crosses, bringing his league-leading total in the statistic to 73.
MF – Michael Lanzini – West Ham United – 25.0 Points - $3,300
2 Shots on Goal, 4 Crosses, 3 Fouls Drawn, 4 Shots, 2 Tackles Won, 1 Goal
D, 1-1 vs. Everton
Lanzini’s performance this weekend should bring at least minimal solace to Hammer fans mourning the three-month loss of Dimitri Payet. His early strike to put West Ham up was nothing short of brilliant. With Payet player out with injury, Lanzini should be West Ham’s top fantasy option moving forward.
FW – Jesse Lingard – Manchester United – 20.0 Points - $2,500
1 Shots on Goal, 2 Crosses, 1 Foul Drawn, 3 Tackles Won, 3 Shots, 1 Goal
W, 2-0 vs. West Bromwich Albion
Louis Van Gaal’s give opportunity when opportunity is deserved and leaves it to the player to give merit to the decision. On Saturday, Lingard did just that. In his first Premier League start, the 22 year old scored a flawless goal to put an end to the Devils’ three game goal skid.
FW – Jamie Vardy – Leicester City – 19.0 Points - $7,200
2 Shots on Goal, 1 Cross, 1 Foul Drawn, 3 Tackles Won, 3 Shots, 1 Goal, 2 Fouls Committed
W, 2-1 vs. Watford
After a few minutes of deliberating, amidst feverous chants from fans, Leicester allowed Jamie Vardy to attempt the Foxes second half penalty kick. With a classy finish, not only did Jamie Vardy’s successful conversion give Leicester the win, but marked his ninth consecutive game with a goal, a Premier League record.
UT – Phillipp Coutinho – Liverpool – 19.5 Points - $6,500
2 Shots on Goal, 2 Crosses, 5 Shots, 1 Pass Intercepted, 1 Goal
L, 1-2 vs. Crystal Palace
Coutinho is getting back into form after missing a few games earlier in the year with injury. His fantastic strike however, show stopping as it was, was not enough to give Liverpool a positive result. Coutinho should take well to new boss Jurgen Klopp’s more wide-open style of play, making outputs like this a likely regular occurrence.
UT – Matt Ritchie – Bournemouth – 28.5 Points - $4,200
1 Shot on Goal, 21 Crosses, 2 Fouls Drawn, 5 Shots, 1 Tackle Won, 3 Fouls Committed
L, 0-1 vs. Newcastle
Matt Ritchie’s performance this weekend was a thin silver lining during the Cherries slide into the relegation zone. His staggering collection of 21 crosses was a weekly league high. Unfortunately for the Scotsman, none of his offensive partners could translate his opportunities into goals.
