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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel EPL DFS lineup picks for English Premier League Soccer on 1/4/26 (Matchweek 20). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to "The Kick-Off," and welcome to the 2025-2026 season! Happy Holiday season from the Rotoballer Family! The plethora of fixtures is back for another round! Expect rotation given the lack of rest between this last weekend's fixtures and the midweek fixtures. Let's kick off Matchweek 20!!
The top favorite for this week is Newcastle United (-150) vs. Crystal Palace FC (+430). I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 10:00 A.M. EST on Sunday, January 4.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Robin Roefs - DK $4K || FD $9
Opponent - at Tottenham Hotspur
There is no single goalkeeper who is safe on this slate; however, Robin Roefs offers the most consistency, aside from Jordan Pickford. Roefs and Sunderland AFC are coming off a big 0-0 draw versus Manchester City during midweek play. In that performance, Roefs made four saves. Over his last five domestic starts, he has now made 16 saves, conceded four goals, and recorded three clean sheets.
Sunderland AFC have struggled defensively in their last five domestic matches from a Per 90 Against perspective, but Roefs continues to keep them in matches. It is expected that he will see plenty of shot volume in this away fixture, and it comes down to his ability to make saves and maintain value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Jordan Pickford (DK $4.9K || FD $10) vs. Brentford FC
- Dean Henderson (DK $3.8K || FD $8) at Newcastle United
EPL DFS Forwards
Kevin - DK $5.6K || FD $13
Opponent - vs. Liverpool FC
When fantasy players look at this fixture, few would consider Fulham FC players, despite the home advantage. However, if you look at Liverpool’s last five away domestic fixtures, you realize that they have the worst road defense on the slate. In Liverpool’s most recent five domestic fixtures, they have conceded ten goals. Brentford FC ranks second-worst, having conceded eight goals. Liverpool’s defense is no longer a stronghold, and they rank in the bottom three in In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90, Goals Against Per 90, and Penalty Area Defense.
Kevin is projected to get his fourth straight start for Fulham this weekend. In his most recent five domestic appearances–three starts–he has produced six shots, four chances created, seven crosses, one corner, four tackles, and one interception. Considering Liverpool’s poor defense and Kevin’s role on the flank, he is expected to maintain value at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Cody Gakpo (DK $10.8K || FD $19) at Fulham FC
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (DK $6.2K || FD $18) at Newcastle United
EPL DFS Midfielders
Dominik Szoboszlai - DK $8.8K || FD $20
Opponent - at Fulham FC
There is only one other midfielder on the slate, not named Dominik Szoboszlai, that is as consistent a fantasy point producer, and it is Everton FC midfielder, James Garner (DK $7.7K || FD $20). In Szoboszlai’s last five matches in all competitions, he has amassed two goals, seven shots, 12 chances created, 26 crosses, 15 corners, four tackles, four interceptions, and six clearances.
Fulham FC is another club struggling defensively in their last five matches. From a Per 90 against perspective, they are bottom-three in Goals, Big Chances Created, In-the-Box Goals, and Penalty Area Defense. They are also bottom-five in Shots, Chances Created, and In-the-Box Shots. Szoboszlai is projected to slot into the right wing position for this matchup, only further boosting his value with open-play production.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Harry Wilson (DK $9.3K || FD $19) vs. Liverpool FC
- Yéremy Pino (DK $5.4K || FD $14) at Newcastle United
🏴🥇 Harry Wilson (28) is Fulham's top goalscorer in the Premier League this season. He is also their 2nd highest assister! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/F4lMSyNyHH
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) December 16, 2025
EPL DFS Defenders
Defenders
Pedro Porro - DK $6.4K || FD $13
Opponent - vs. Sunderland AFC
The set piece role has started to shift back to Pedro Porro over the last month or so. In Porro’s previous five matches in all competitions, he has produced four shots, five chances created, 25 crosses, eight corners, 11 tackles, four interceptions, and 13 clearances. The wingback continues to show his value at both ends of the pitch, and with the majority of set pieces, he has a ‘safe’ floor.
As mentioned above, Sunderland AFC has struggled defensively in their last five matches, and Robin Roefs continues to keep the club in matches they perhaps should not be competing in. In those five matches, from a Per 90 Against perspective, they are bottom-three in Shots, Chances Created, Big Chances Created, and In-the-Box Shots. They are also bottom-ten in Goals, In-the-Box Goals, and Penalty Area Defense. Porro is projected to maintain value at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Trai Hume (DK $4.5K || FD $11) at Tottenham Hotspur
- Nathaniel Clyne (DK $3.1K || FD $8) at Newcastle United
Corner Takers
- Newcastle United: Lewis Miley/Lewis Hall/Sandro Tonali
- Crystal Palace FC: Yéremy Pino/Adam Wharton
- Everton FC: James Garner/Dwight McNeil
- Brentford FC: Mikkel Damsgaard/Vitaly Janelt
- Fulham FC: Harry Wilson/Saša Lukić
- Liverpool FC: Dominik Szoboszlai
- Tottenham Hotspur: Pedro Porro/Muhammed Kudus
- Sunderland AFC: Granit Xhaka/Enzo Le Fée
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
