Top plays for Friday’s two-game English Premier League slate

Friday’s English Premier League lineup will feature a two-game main slate on DraftKings. Burnley and Brighton will kick off the action at 12:30 p.m. ET. The second match between Newcastle United and Southampton will get started at 3:00. We’ve identified a couple key plays worth considering for DFS lineups.

Forwards

Chris Wood, Burnley, $5,200

Wood hasn’t done much since he scored in the season opener against Tottenham but has yet to sub off for Burnley. I’m giving him the edge over Ashely Barnes ($4,800), who has yet to play a full 90 minutes. Either forward could have a breakout performance against a Brighton defense that could be without the suspended Lewis Dunk and wingback Tariq Lamptey, who is expected to be a game-time decision because of a knock. Wood has led Burnley in scoring twice in his last three seasons with the team and could flourish in this dream matchup.

Callum Wilson, Newcastle United, $9,000

Wilson has scored in bunches this season and has six goals in seven starts. The former Newcastle United striker will be up against a Southampton side that conceded three goals to Aston Villa in a shootout on Sunday and will be without left back Ryan Bertrand (hamstring). Wilson has gotten his fair share of penalties but can score during the flow of the game as well. He always seems to find a way to make the net bulge and has just as much upside as Neal Maupay ($9,700) for less.

Midfielders

James Ward-Prowse, Southampton, $9,300

Ward-Prowse is worth paying up for as the most expensive player in this slate. The free kick maestro scored on three set pieces in his last match and should be even more involved in the attack now that Danny Ings is expected to be out of commission until December with a knee injury. Ward-Prowse sends in a healthy helping of crosses in most matches and I wouldn’t be surprised if he got some penalty kick action with Ings out of the picture.

Ashley Westwood, Burnley, $5,600

Burnley is one of the least productive offensive teams in the EPL this season but has an ideal matchup against a Brighton side that’s conceded 14 goals in seven matches. Only Liverpool and West Brom have been scored against more and Westwood is one of the players most likely to be involved in goals for Burnley. Westwood handles set pieces and takes corners for Burnley. He’s also completed more passes (373) than any of his teammates this season. He’s played every minute for his squad so far this year and his price is hard to beat.

Defenders

Charlie Taylor, Burnley, $4,800

Taylor is one of the best under-the-radar defenders in the EPL when it comes to fantasy production. He’s averaging just under five crosses per game and should be very involved in Burnley’s attack on the wings.

Jannik Vestergaard, Southampton, $4,200

This is pricey for a center back but Vestergaard is performing at a very high level. He has two goals on three shots this year and has been getting involved in the attack by crashing the box. Every shot he’s taken this season has been on target and he’s cracked five DKFP in four straight games. There aren’t a ton of wing backs with high ceilings in this slate, so you could have to get creative.

Goalkeeper

Karl Darlow, Newcastle United, $4,200

No team appears to have an easy route to a clean sheet, but Darlow could get a ton of action. He’s had to make nearly five saves per game. If he gets his usual amount of action and gets a win against Ings-less Southampton, he could easily exceed his season average of 10.2 DKFP per game.

Utility

Dwight McNeil, M/F, Burnley, $6,500

There are goals to be had in the Burnley-Brighton matchup and McNeil is an impact player who could have a breakout performance. His team hasn’t created many goals but only three players have sent in more crosses than him in the EPL this season. He fired off a season-high 17 crosses against West Brom earlier this season and could be just as aggressive against another below average defense. If Ashley Barnes or Chris Wood can finish their chances McNeil could have a monster game.