RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! We might not have a slate of English Premier League action, but we still have plenty of on-field action with the F.A. Cup returning. The history of the competition is incredible. If you aren't aware of it have a look, it constantly pits David against Goliath, leading to cult heroes being born.
In this article, I will be providing you with my F.A. Cup daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/28/20 for the slate that locks at 08:00 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 1 Goalkeeper, 2 Defenders, 2 Midfielders, 2 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!
F.A. Cup DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Sheffield United v Arsenal
Sheffield United are solid in defense but don't look like they could buy a goal at the moment. However, a matchup against Arsenal could be just what they need. Arsenal have struggled both on the field and off it, with some recent unrest being reported in the changing room.
This game feels like a draw and penalties.
Leicester v Chelsea
Leicester looked short of the sharp passing and movement that they had earlier in the season in their draw with Brighton on Tuesday. They are likely to bounce back, but this might not be the game for this.
Chelsea has the ability to create chances while being responsible in defense. That should spell a victory for Chelsea.
Newcastle v Manchester City
This is a game that if it was being played in front of a crowd, they might disappear before the final whistle. Newcastle have been inconsistent all season and now have injury doubts over some of their key players.
Manchester City, on the other hand, have some players unavailable through injury but are a team that will be looking to win a trophy this year. That spells a long afternoon for the home team.
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.
With Manchester City expected to go crazy in attack, you should try and exposure to a number of their players. Kevin De Bruyne ($10,500) and Gabriel Jesus ($9,000) are the premier options for the team, but you should try and mix in exposure to a number of their attacking weapons.
In the Leicester game, it's either James Maddison ($8,000) or Jamie Vardy ($6,700) for the home team. Maddison looked like the most game-ready player for the team in their last game, with Vardy ($6,700) as a constant threat with his pace.
For Chelsea, I'd look to get exposure to the trio of Willian ($8,900), Christian Pulisic ($8,500), and Tammy Abraham ($7,400). Willian is the heartbeat of the team in attack and constantly gets into dangerous areas for the team. Pulisic looks like he is becoming the player that the team hoped he would be and looks dangerous after recovering from injury. Lastly, Abraham impressed in his substitute appearance and could now be in the starting lineup. Giroud ($7,000) could be worth a start if he starts the game, but I'd prefer the upside of Abraham if given the choice.
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 targetting players that get forward and put in crosses. The easy selection is Ben Chilwell ($5,000) who is a big part of what Leicester does in getting forward. Chilwell constantly puts in crosses and is able to get the odd goal with his ability to threaten from outside the box.
In the same game, you could opt for Marcos Alonso ($5,400) or Cesar Azpilicueta ($4,500). Alsonso is important for the team in set pieces and gets forward more often than Azpilicueta, but they are both decent options.
If you need a cheaper option, then David Luiz ($3,600) or John Stones ($3,500) are plays that don't have a lot of upside, but both have a great opportunity at keeping a clean sheet.
DraftKings DFS Goalkeepers
As with other recent slates, there feels like a clear option to opt for in Claudio Bravo ($5,800) who should continue as Manchester City's goalkeeper in the cup competitions.
Other than him, I'd opt for either Kepa Arrizabalaga ($5,000) if I can afford him or failing that Dean Henderson ($4,600). But I'm not really sold on any goalkeeper. Just make sure you don't end up with whoever Newcastle ends up starting!
And that's it! Any questions, you know where to find me otherwise Good Luck RotoBallers.
