RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! The English Premier League is back! This is a competition that I know a lot about, in fact here across the pond we just call it the Premier League!
In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for DraftKings on 7/4/20 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.
The DraftKings DFS slate is for three games, and below I'll give a quick preview of each of them (so you know what to expect) and then move onto some names to consider for your lineups. If you aren't familiar with how players score in soccer on DraftKings take a look at their scoring methodology. And to submit a lineup you need to select one goalie, two defenders, two midfielders, two forwards and a utility player (most likely a midfielder/ forward). You can always find me on Twitter @RichKingFF if you have any questions. Good luck RotoBallers!
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English Premier League DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Leicester v Crystal Palace
Leicester haven't been the same team since the league restarted. It's hard to explain why they just don't look to be moving the ball in the same way. However, with the players they have means that it is only a matter of time until they return to their early-season form.
Crystal Palace are an effective team, build on a solid defense, but with the team having little to play for this could be the game where Leicester get back on track.
Manchester United v Bournemouth
Manchester United seem to have enjoyed the time to reset, as they are now clicking on offense. Combining that potency in attack, with the inability of Bournemouth to defend, and this game seems like it is only likely to go one way.
Bournemouth just seem like they are destined to be relegated now, with the team struggling to get anything going in attack.
DraftKings DFS Midfielders / Forwards
You'll see as we go through the slate that there are lots of players that have dual eligibility to be in your midfield or forward slot. Here you are looking for players that are constant scoring threats, as well as players that get involved in wide areas where they can put in crosses.
For a short slate, there are a lot of players that are worth considering. At the top of the slate, you have the midfield duo of Bruno Fernandes ($11,000) and James Maddison ($10,100). Fernandes is in the form of his life and has single-handily dragged his team to some results, which leads him to be the most expensive player on the slate. Equally, Maddison pulls the strings for Leicester and is likely to be given plenty of the ball to orchestrate a way through Crystal Palace's defense. However, you will need to monitor Maddison's outlook, as he could miss the game with a hip injury.
Forming a middle-tier there are a number of forwards. There is the Manchester United duo of Anthony Martial ($9,400) and Marcus Rashford ($9,100) who both have been getting into good positions for the team. However, Martial seems like he is the one that has been getting the rub of the green when it comes to getting on the scoresheet. Rashford has been getting into the right areas, but just hasn't converted the chances he has been getting into goals, that has to change at some point and this game is a perfect opportunity.
After a mini tier-break, you have Jamie Vardy ($7,400), Jordan Ayew ($7,200), and Wilfred Zaha ($6,700). All of those players have the ability to score with their pace. Vardy is always a threat to break away from defenders and steal a goal from nothing, although truthfully he hasn't looked at his best since the league restarted. Ayew and Zaha are the two attacking threats for Crystal Palace and are both utilised in a similar way. The difference between the two is that Zaha can sometimes go missing in games with his work-rate, whereas Ayew works hard regardless of how the game is going, meaning he has a safer floor.
If you want a true dart throw, then you could opt for Paul Pogba ($5,600) or Joshua King ($5,100). Pogba has been mixed into the lineup for the team, as part of a return from injury. However, when he has been on the field he has had an immediate impact on the game. King is simply the only guy that the team has in the attacking third that has the ability to threaten a defense. His pace allows him to really punish defenders if he is given space, and has a real outside shot at scoring a goal if Manchester United have a lapse in concentration.
DraftKings DFS Defenders
Defenders are where it starts to get interesting. In an ideal world, you want a defender who has a good chance of keeping a clean sheet while getting involved in attacking play. This slate doesn't have a team that looks like it will have a good chance to keep a clean sheet, so it's a case of looking at wing-backs.
As with previous slates, we are targeting players that get forward and put in crosses. On this slate, I'm most interested in Patrick van Aanholt ($5,700) and James Justin ($5,300) as premier options. Both get forward often for their team in the wide areas of the field, meaning plenty of opportunities to get points from crosses. van Aanholt has a slightly safer floor, due to his involvement in taking corners.
As a mid-point option, you could opt for Harry Maguire ($4,400). Manchester United should get a decent result against Bournemouth, who have struggled to make an impact in the final third. That potential for a clean sheet, with Maguire's ability to get a goal from a corner could lead to him breaking the slate.
There are also some cheaper plays that could be considered if you need to try and save some salary for attacking options, and by now you should be familiar with their names. Jonny Evans ($3,800) and Nathan Ake ($3,300). Evans is an important part of the Leicester defense, and is reliable. Ake continues to try and get his team on the front foot from the back of the field, operating more as a defensive midfielder than a center back.
DraftKings DFS Goalkeepers
With only two games, it's really a case of if you pay up for a better option, or save salary and hope you manage to get a decent amount of saves. If you want to pay up then its a decision between David de Gea ($5,900) or Kasper Schmeichel ($5,500). I think between the two I'd tend to try and spend that little bit more and get de Gea, but I think, on balance, I would look to pay down. Aaron Ramsdale ($3,600) therefore is the guy I'd opt for in my lineups. Manchester United are going to be putting pressure on the goalkeeper, but that could lead to a number of saves for him.
And that's it! Any questions, you know where to find me otherwise Good Luck RotoBallers.
