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Welcome back, RotoBallers! There was some midweek UCL action, but we're back to a full slate of EPL games on Saturday. There are five games Saturday on the main slate on FanDuel, and I have another full breakdown for you all here. Everton and Manchester United face off in the early game if you’re interested in that game. Keep reading this breakdown for my DFS soccer picks on RotoBaller and see how to have success on Saturday's slate.
The very large majority of my DFS content will be EPL-related, however, there is more soccer than just what is being played in England. If you want to chop it up with myself and other RotoBaller writers about non-EPL leagues or other sports, consider becoming a premium member and joining our ever-growing community of DFS and fantasy sports enthusiasts!
In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for FanDuel on 10/2/21 for the slate that locks at 10:00 am ET. Be sure to also check out our other DFS lineup picks for other active sports. You can always find me on Twitter @vdray5 if you have any questions. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Burnley vs Norwich
This is a matchup of the two teams at the bottom of the table right now. Neither team have won a game in the league so far this year, but Burnley (-115) have a great chance to do so at home. Burnley have lost only one of their last 11 league games against Norwich at home and have won 77.8% of their home league games against Norwich. Burnley are usually not a very popular DFS option, but they will garner some ownership on this slate. The goal total over/under is 2.5, which is high for a Burnley game.
Chelsea vs Southampton
Chelsea (-235) are the largest favorites on the slate at home in a great matchup against Southampton. Chelsea have dropped two straight games (to Manchester City and then Juventus) within the last week, but this is a wonderful bounce-back spot for them. Southampton have been struggling all over the pitch, and they have not won a league game yet this season. Even as a Chelsea fan, I am a little wary of fully stacking Chelsea in a lineup with their recent attacking struggles, but this is undeniably a good spot. The goal total over/under is 2.5, 3.
Leeds vs Watford
After a decent campaign last season, Leeds (-130) are without a win after six EPL games this season. They host a Watford team that is coming off two good results and who will be up for a possible upset on the road Saturday. Leeds continue to have massive issues defending - and if you combine that with their open style of play - leads to a nice game environment fantasy-wise. The goal total over/under is 2.5, 3 with the over at -115.
Wolverhampton vs Newcastle
Wolves (-140) have been better recently after a rocky start to their season. They just beat Southampton and Watford and now host Newcastle who have three draws and three losses this season. Newcastle have been horrid this year defensively, so maybe they will be a cure to some of Wolverhampton's scoring struggles. There could be some decent, low-owned GPP guys to target in this game. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Brighton vs Arsenal
The late game on Saturday has Arsenal (+145) on the road facing Brighton. Brighton have gotten a lot of positive results early this season as they sit in 6th place, but they are underdogs at home against an Arsenal squad that has won four straight games in all competitions. Vegas has this game with a pretty even spread and a low goal total over/under of 2, 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Romelu Lukaku ($23) got off to a tremendous start for Chelsea after re-joining the team over the summer transfer window. He has since cooled off with no goals in three games, but he is in a great spot to get back on track at home against Southampton. The Southampton defense has done a good job this season not allowing many chances or shots which hurts Lukaku's floor, however, he is -130 to score on this slate and needs just one opportunity. From a goal upside perspective, he's a top-tier play.
I am a huge proponent of playing Raul Jimenez ($21) on this slate. He finally got his first goal of the year last weekend against Southampton as he starts to round back into form following a severe head injury last season. Jimenez has been getting great attacking peripherals all season with three or more chances created in 66% of his games so far. Newcastle's defense has been very poor this year. They are allowing the second-most chances in the league which is great for Jimenez's floor. They're also giving up 2.33 goals per game. Jimenez is +115 to score, and I think he finds the back of the net here.
Wolves are not a high-scoring team, but the matchup they have Saturday puts a few of their cheaper attackers in my player pool. Ruben Neves ($15) would be my go-to cheaper guy if he's in the lineup, otherwise, Adama Traore ($14) and even Joao Moutinho ($9) are good values.
Burnley attackers have a super good matchup at home against the worse defense in the league. Norwich are allowing 2.66 goals per game right now. The problem is that Burnley don't have many attackers you want to roster right now. Chris Wood ($20) is the most obvious choice to knick a goal at +105, but he's pricey. Matej Vydra ($13) or Dwight McNeil ($15) would be the two cheaper guys to consider.
Lastly, let's hit on a possible game stack on this slate. There have been an average of 3.33 goals in the six league games Leeds have played this year. Unfortunately for them, they're on the conceding end most of the time. They're giving up 2.33 goals per game right now along with the most SOGs and chances created in the league. Watford attackers like Ismail Sarr ($20), Josh King ($18), and Emmanuel Dennis ($16) are all viable. You can run them back with some Leeds exposure starting with Raphina ($21).He's been awesome since he joined Leeds last season. He has a really strong floor/ceiling combination especially in a home matchup against an average Watford defense. Mateusz Klich ($16) is intriguing but slightly expensive when you have Daniel James ($15) - and maybe Jack Harrison ($11) - sitting there for cheaper exposure to this game environment.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
A good deal of the Chelsea exposure I'm going to recommend actually comes at defense on Saturday. Marcos Alonso ($15) is the only true elite attacking wingback and only good pay-up option at DEF on this slate. He had a tough game in a tough matchup last weekend against City, but he should be much more involved in Chelsea's attack Saturday. Chelsea will keep the ball for the majority of this game which will be good for Alonso's fantasy value. Chelsea defenders have a solid chance at keeping a clean sheet bonus at home against a low-scoring Southampton team as well. That's why Cesar Azpilicueta ($12) is also in my player pool for a few bucks cheaper than Alonso. Trevoh Chalobah ($8) is a fantastic price in this matchup too if he starts.
Finding a defender who racks up clearances playing against Burnley is always a strong strategy. Burnley has allowed 5.83 more clearance PER GAME than any other team in the league. Grant Hanley ($12) leads Norwich in clearances - and he should be a nice play with a few other defensive stats.
Leeds have also been allowing all of the different defensive peripherals at a high rate. Watford defenders have not been collecting many of those stats this year though. However, I would take a chance at Danny Rose ($8) at this price. He can get some solid defensive stats, but he also adds in a chance created here and there which Leeds allow at the highest rate in the league.
Jan Bednarek ($11) is too cheap for his production in combinaton with this matchup.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Chelsea should get back to their winning ways on Saturday. Their defense has been awesome under Tuchel partly with the help of Edouard Mendy ($13). He has only conceded two goals in five games this year (one each to Liverpool and Manchester City). He - and the Chelsea defense - should be able to keep Southampton out of the net as they are averaging just 0.66 goals per game. Mendy has a great chance at both bonuses and should finish in the 20s with a handful of saves.
Burnley's defense has not been great so far this year, but they're at home facing a Norwich defense that just cannot find the net. They have just two goals scored in their six league games this year. It's really easy to fade Norwich attackers which also makes it easy to play Nick Pope ($11) on this slate. Burnley plays solid defense at home. Pope has a fairly high ceiling if he can get both bonuses as he will likely make some saves as well.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
