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Welcome back, RotoBallers! After some fun mid-week European competitions and yesterday's EPL single-game slate, we have a bigger five-gamer Saturday. 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 10/23/21 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
Crystal Palace vs Newcastle
Crystal Palace (-105) pulled off a decent 2-2 draw against Arsenal in their first game back from the international break, while Newcastle lost their 5th game of the year and still sit winless in 19th place. Palace are not a very good attacking team, but Newcastle's defense has been horrid, so we can target some Eagles in this game for once. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Leeds vs Wolverhampton
Wolves are on a heater right now with three straight league wins. However, they will be underdogs as they travel to take on Leeds (+155). Leeds got their first win of the season right before the break against Watford, but followed it up with a disappointing 0-1 loss to Southampton coming out of the break. Wolves are the better team as a whole here, but Vegas has this as a pretty even game. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Everton vs Watford
Everton (-150) are one of the larger favorites on the slate at home against Watford. Everton have had a mixed bag of results this year; some good, some bad. They are a better team than Watford through-and-through, and playing at home should help them Saturday. Watford have been struggling as of late with three losses in their last five including two straight. Everton should take care of business at home, and we can target some exposure to their attackers. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Southampton vs Burnley
Burnley are still one of the three teams without a league win so far this season as we enter late October. They travel to take on a Southampton (-105) side that just got their first win of the EPL season last weekend against Leeds. Southampton will look to build a winning streak in a nice home matchup against a weak Burnley team. The goal total over/under is 2.5, but the under is -122.
Brighton vs Manchester City
Manchester City (-230) are the largest favorites on the slate and will be very popular. They travel to take on Brighton who have been the surprise of the year so far. They have lost just one game in all competitions this year which was a 2-0 loss to Everton. While they will benefit from playing at home, stopping Manchester City's attack is no easy task. It will be imperative to get Manchester City exposure right if you're going to play them on this slate. I don't see a full stack being necessary with City on the road against Brighton's strong defense. The goal total over/under is 2.5 with the over at -122.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
I mentioned how bad Newcastle's defense has been this year in my breakdown of that game. They're giving up 2.38 goals per game right now, and they're only one of two teams in the league giving up that many. Crystal Palace attackers are not priority plays often, but they will be on this slate. Palace have scored two goals in each of their last two games and have a prime matchup to score multiple goals again Saturday. Odsonne Edouard ($19) has been a nice signing for Palace so far with three league goals in five games including a goal last weekend against Arsenal. He's the most likely any time scorer in this game at +150. Wilfred Zaha ($18) is another strong play in this matchup. He has two goals, an assist, and a good number of chances created in his last four games.
Raul Jimenez ($19) got a rest last weekend, but he was on a roll before the international break. He has just one goal this EPL season, but he has had a strong fantasy floor for a striker with double digits in every game but one (and he had 9.9 in that one). He has an elite matchup Saturday against Leeds. Leeds has the league's third-worst defense with 1.88 goals allowed per game. They are also still allowing a league high in both shots on goal and chances created. Jimenez has a high floor/high ceiling combination in this game.
A second - or cheaper - Wolves attacker is a solid way to save some money here with this incredible matchup. Adama Traore ($14) has been quiet enough to lower his price, but he is in a bomb spot on Saturday. The open style of this game should benefit him a lot, and Leeds are so leaky defensively. Ruben Neves ($13) has solid goal upside at +350 for this price tag. Plus, Joao Moutinho ($9) is underpriced for what he can do in this matchup. There are several ways to attack Leeds' porous backline.
Manchester City will be another popular team for people to get exposure to on this slate - but personally - I am not super high on them on Saturday. Defense has been Brighton's strong suit this year with only five goals allowed in eight games - that's only behind Manchester City and Chelsea. They don't allow many shots on goal or chances created either - and playing at home is way different than playing at The Etihad. However, City is still City, and you can get some exposure to them. Kevin de Bruyne ($22) is coming off a goal in two straight games and is almost always a strong play. Gabriel Jesus ($21) has been more productive on the field and fantasy-wise lately with two goals, four assists, and a handful of chances created in the last six league games for City. He's a decent pivot off KDB at lower ownership. Bernardo Silva ($16) is a solid cheaper option for some City exposure.
Andros Townsend ($19), Nathan Redmond ($16), and Maxwell Cornet ($15) are three other attackers to try and find some lower ownership goals with on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
A lot of the top-end defenders on this slate are pretty average plays at best. I'm essentially off all defenders $12 and above on FanDuel on this slate.
The first guy I'm looking at here is Matt Ritchie ($11). He has solid upside in this game with his ability to create chances. Newcastle will also be able to actually hold some possession in this game against Crystal Palace because Palace doesn't hold much possession themselves. Palace also allow the most tackles in the league and third-most interceptions which just helps boost Ritchie's floor in this game.
I like Lucas Digne ($11) at the same price. He has no goals or assists yet this year, but he's still playing a solid fantasy game. He has five straight double-digit performances. On average, he scores more fantasy points in home games, and he has a nice home matchup on this slate against Watford. Watford don't allow as many defensive peripheral stats as Palace, but Digne has a better chance at a clean sheet bonus.
Matthew Lowton ($10) has a good matchup against Southampton for a very fair price. Southampton allow a lot of clearances and tackles, both of which Lowton gets at a solid rate. Burnley might also have some cheap defenders starting with two of their backs in doubt for this game. Stay tuned and check my Twitter (@vdray5) in the morning for updates on that situation.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Alex McCarthy ($11) is not often easy to trust, and the thought of playing him Saturday makes my stomach turn a little. However, you can't deny the good matchup he has here. He's at home taking on a Burnley team that is struggling to score big time to begin this season. They have just five goals in eight games. Southampton's defense has been solid too with 1.25 goals allowed per game. They can definitely keep a weak Burnley team out of the net in this game, and Southampton is favored at home, so a win bonus is realistic as well.
I don't hate Robert Sanchez ($6) for near-minimum either. Sure, he has a tough matchup against Manchester City, however, Brighton's defense has been strong this year. He should be able to make a good number of saves which is huge for his floor. I'm not saying he will come away from this game with either bonus, but $6 is too cheap especially at home.
Jordan Pickford ($12) and Ederson ($13) are solid plays as well, and it's easy to fade their opposing attackers.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
