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Welcome back, RotoBallers! Professional sports are becoming very messy due to lots of positive Covid tests recently, and the EPL is not exempt. I originally began writing this article when there were five games still on the main slate. Then Thursday afternoon it got announced that five games this weekend would be postponed due to Covid outbreaks, and it just so happened that three of them were on this slate. That brought us down to two games; one early, one late. For a long time, FanDuel just had the single-game slate for the late game up, so I wrote an article just for that (which is also up on the site). However, now they have made a full roster slate for both games which I will break down here. 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 12/18/21 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
Aston Villa vs Burnley
I thought this game might get canceled originally with some Covid cases within Burnley's club. However, it will proceed as scheduled with Aston Villa (-135) favored at home. Burnley currently sit in 18th and have been pretty poor this year - especially attacking. Aston Villa have not been all that good this season either with a lot of mixed results, however, they sit firmly in the middle of the table. Burnley's defense has been considerably worse on the road this year, so we can target some Villa attackers in this one. It will be the late game that you want to get most of your exposure from with just a handful of recommended plays in this game. The goal total over/under is 2.5 with the under at -122.
Leeds vs Arsenal
After a dreadful start to their season where people were talking about relegation, Arsenal (-105) have climbed the table quickly up to 4th place. Arsenal have won two straight games and head to Leeds to take on a side that just got absolutely steamrolled 7-0 by Manchester City. This game should be a good environment for the fantasy game - as are most Leeds games. The goal total over/under is a slate-high 2.5 with the over pretty likely at -133.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Alexandre Lacazette ($21) will be a strong fantasy option going forward with Aubameyang and Arteta not seeing eye-to-eye. It was announced Friday that Aubameyang will not even be available for selection to make the squad on Saturday. Lacazette looks to have finally found his form in his last two games with a goal, an assist, three chances created, and four shots on goal among other defensive stats. He has a top-tier matchup Saturday and the slate's best anytime scoring odds at +140 against a Leeds defense that just got scored on seven times in one game. They've been bleeding goals and other meaningful peripherals to opposing attackers all season long. Emile Smith-Rowe ($18) is another Arsenal attacker in a plus spot on this slate who you should consider for your captain spot. His matchup is great, and ESR has goals in his last two games for Arsenal.
Following just behind Lacazette in anytime scoring odds on this slate are a pair of Aston Villa attackers in my player pool on this slate. Ollie Watkins ($19) has been playing well lately and is coming off a goal and a massive 51.2 point game against Norwich earlier in the week. He's in a nice spot to start a goal streak. Danny Ings ($16) looks like he'll be back to the starting lineup for Aston Villa this weekend. He's way too cheap for the goal upside that he has. He actually has the best odds to score in this game at +150. I see no reason to play both Villa attackers, but choosing the one that works best with your lineup build is nice to take a breather from Arsenal and Leeds players.
Two players in the mid-tier that I will be looking at on this slate are Martin Odegaard ($16) and Bukayo Saka ($17). Arsenal have a sweet matchup with how many goals, shots on goal, chances created, and other peripherals that Leeds allow. Stacking up 2-3 Arsenal players is a smart strategy on this slate. I'll take Odegaard over Saka, but both are viable.
Jack Harrison ($10) and Granit Xhaka ($7) are my two value attackers on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Leeds give up way more combined defensive action than any other team on the slate, so we'll continue picking on Arsenal players at DEF. Kieran Tierney ($10) is a cheap way to get exposure to this matchup as one of the cheapest expected starters on the slate regardless of position. He is averaging 16.9 FanDuel points in his three games since returning to the regular starting lineup. Ben White ($11) can score pretty well in this matchup too with his ability to get tackles and interceptions, and he's also reasonably priced on Saturday.
Burnley allow the most clearances in the league, and it's not close. That should benefit Tyrone Mings ($13) a ton. His best defensive stat in clearances. He can definitely rack up double-digit clearances in this matchup and has great upside with a clean sheet bonus also possible. Burnley only have six goals in eight road games. Ezri Konsa ($9) can be a cheaper way to get someone on Aston Villa who can collect clearances, but I might prefer Mings if you can find the salary.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martinez ($12) is my favorite GK on this slate. I just mentioned how low-scoring Burnley is on the road. They are averaging 0.75 goals per game away from Turf Moor. Villa's defense has not been rock solid this year, but it does not take a whole lot to keep Burnley out of your own net. Martinez should get a win bonus as well if Aston Villa come out ready to play at home.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
