RADIO
Happy weekend, RotoBallers! After a fun week of UCL, the domestic season continues this weekend. Games remain more spread out than they have been in the past, which leaves us with some smaller slates where games all kickoff at different times. Saturday's main slate is three games, but you can get up early for the all-day slate if you want a fourth game available. Let's take a look at the main EPL slate this 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! Our soccer Slack chat was constantly going during both UCL slates this week, and our members had plenty of success. In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for FanDuel on 10/24/20 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. You can always find me on Twitter @vdray5 if you have any questions. Good luck, RotoBallers!
EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Crystal Palace vs Fulham
Fulham plays hosts for Palace on Saturday in the first game on the main slate. The spread in this game is even at 0.0, but Vegas gives the away side an advantage on the money line at +165. Fulham sit dead last in the Premier League right now as one of the four winless teams. They just got their first EPL point last game with a draw against Sheffield - the 19th place team who is also without a win. Palace are the better team here, and that will still likely show even on the road in this one. Palace attackers will make for some nice value on this slate. The goal total over/under is a slate-low 2,2.5. However, we are learning that it is difficult to cross games off our list with three-game slates instead of six or seven.
Chelsea vs Manchester United
The middle game on Saturday is a blockbuster matchup of fierce, long-standing PL rivals. Like the first game, this game also features a spread of 0.0, but now with the home side (Manchester United) slightly favored on the money line at +145. Manchester United is coming off a great week with wins against Newcastle and PSG, while Chelsea is rolling into this fixture with two straight draws against Southampton and then Sevilla. This game could be a goal-fest. Chelsea have the third-most goals in the league so far, and their defense can't keep anyone out of the net. Manchester United's backline is allowing plenty of goals too and they seem to be out of their scoring drought with six goals already this week. Past Chelsea EPL game stacks have led to fabulous DFS lineups, and things are set up for that again on this slate. The goal total over/under is 3.0
Sheffield United vs Liverpool
In the late game on Saturday, we have both our slate's largest favorite (Liverpool -400) and our slate's highest goal total (3,3.5). Sheffield have not started their season well at all with only one point from a draw with Fulham in five games. They're not scoring goals at all with only two in those five games. However, they are still defending well, but keeping Liverpool scoreless is no easy task. Liverpool should dominate all aspects of this game. A full stack is a reasonable strategy, but make sure to get at least some exposure to Liverpool's potent attack.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Fade Mo Salah ($22) at your own risk on Saturday. He has massive anytime scoring odds at -200 (don't see that often) and a great matchup. He has multiple-goal upside and should be able to collect plenty of shots on goal and chances created as well. He has scored three goals in his last two EPL games, and he's averaging nearly 40 FDP per game. Sadio Mane ($21) is another elite play on Saturday with anytime scoring odds at -143 which would lead most slates. Mane is in awesome form as well with four goals in three games. Playing the star duo together is a very fair strategy on this slate as well.
Fade Bruno Fernandes ($19) at your own risk, too. The man keeps churning out incredible fantasy performances game in and game out. He has scored 22+ fantasy points in all four of his EPL games this year, and he's coming off a 38.8 point game against PSG on Tuesday. He should have his way with Chelsea's defense in this game. Even without a goal, Fernandes has upside into the 30+ point range. Secondary Manchester United players are tough to come by right now, but if Edinson Cavani ($15) starts, get him in for that price against a weak Chelsea defense.
If you're running with the Chelsea/Man U game stack, pair Fernandes with some Chelsea pieces. Timo Werner ($21), who opened his EPL goal account with a brace last weekend, and Kai Havertz ($18) are both nice ways to do that. However, you might find more bang for your buck with Christian Pulisic ($17). Unfortunately, it does not appear as if Hakim Ziyech ($15) has the fitness to play a full game should he start, so Werner, Havertz, and Pulisic are the top three Chelsea pieces.
Wilfred Zaha ($18) is bound to go overlooked on this slate. He quietly has four goals for Palace so far this year, and now he takes on one of the league's worst defenses in Fulham. He's +170 to score and should have very low ownership.
As you can see, I am pro-elite attackers on this slate. Try to get as many in as you can, but if you need value, here are a few guys to look at. Andros Townsend ($14) is a cheaper way to get access to a Palace scorer against Fulham. He should be low-owned as well. James McArthur ($12) has had a stronger floor than Townsend over the past few seasons, but less upside, if you don't want to take the risk with Townsend. Thiago ($10) is making his first appearance in one of my EPL breakdowns. He is dealing with a minor knock according to Jurgen Klopp, but could start nonetheless. Liverpool could have 80% of the possession in this game which would allow him to collect plenty of chances created and possibly even a goal. He is my favorite value attacker on Saturday.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Ben Chilwell ($15) has been electric for Chelsea so far this year, but his two massive games have come at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea have been significantly favored. I have to defer to our two Liverpool attacking defenders on this slate. Andrew Robertson ($15) and Trent Alexander-Arnold ($14) are elite pay-up options here. They have a tremendous matchup. Liverpool should control this game handily allowing them to join in the attack often. Robertson has shown more upside in EPL and UCL play this year, but both are viable. A likely clean sheet bonus is a nice addition to their appeal too.
Sooner or later Alex Telles ($12) is going to be ready to get into United's starting XI. If it is Saturday, be ready. We want to take advantage of that low price on him before it rises towards that of Chilwell and Robertson. A matchup with Chelsea at home is a perfect way for him to showcase his attacking ability. He has similar upside as Roberston and TAA if he gets into the starting lineup this weekend. Chelsea allow opponents plenty of defensive peripherals too which strengthens his floor.
Joe Gomez ($9) is an elite value play on this slate. He has taken over Virgil van Dijk's role on Liverpool's backline as the main defensive stopper. In his first start without VVD, he went for 24.5 FDP against Ajax. He has that kind of upside until further notice.
Sheffield United's defense will be under pressure a lot in this game, so targeting their backline is a good DFS strategy. Chris Basham ($13) has been the defender collecting the most defensive actions this season, but Edna Stevens ($8) is the best dollar-for-dollar play here.
With the number of expensive attackers to prioritize on this slate, Tosin Adarabioyo ($5) is playable for minimum price. I would lean towards Cahill given his matchup, but you can get both in and heavily target attacking studs.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Adrian ($14) is a really solid play on Saturday. He's a near-lock for the win bonus. A clean sheet looks likely too despite Liverpool's defensive record so far this EPL season (2.6 goals allowed per game). He's facing the lowest-scoring team in the league who are only averaging 0.4 goals per game. I will side with Liverpool's defense over Sheffield's attack in this 0ne even without Virgil van Dijk or Alisson.
Chelsea's defense has been completely different with Edouard Mendy ($8) in the net instead of Kepa Arrizabalaga ($8). In two games (against Crystal Palace and Sevilla), he has not allowed a goal. However, in games without him, Chelsea is allowing 2.75 goals per game. Even on the road, if he mans Chelsea's goal on Saturday, there's an upside to playing him as one of the cheapest goalkeepers on the slate.
Vicente Guaita ($10) is the last GK in my player pool on Saturday. This play is more of a fade of Fulham's attacking group. They have been shutout three times in five games already this year and a defense like Palace's should be able to do the same. Guaita's last few games do not look good, but that should help keep his ownership in check in a prime bounce-back spot.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
