RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! It is Boxing Day! For those who don't know, it's a holiday that countries from the old British Empire celebrate where they gave gifts to the poor or people in service positions. However, today it is mostly a shopping holiday and a day EPL fans know is a day full of games. I have another full breakdown for you all. 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 12/26/20 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!
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EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace
Boxing Day 2020 kicks off with a matchup between two mid-table sides. Aston Villa (-110) host Crystal Palace coming off a good 3-0 win over West Brom. Villa have not lost in December through three games and have another game here where they will be looking to get all three points. Crystal Palace - on the other hand - are coming off a 7-0 drubbing from Liverpool last weekend and are winless in their last three games. Aston Villa should have the advantage in this game at home, and the goal total over/under is 2.5.
Fulham vs Southampton
The other early game on this slate sees Southampton (+130) traveling to London to take on Fulham. With two losses and a draw in their last five, Southampton have quickly fallen down the table to 7th. However, they have a great matchup here to right the ship against a weak Fulham team that is fighting to remain in the PL. They have some decent results lately with three straight draws including one against Liverpool, and they beat Leicester at the end of last month. Personally, I think Southampton are a little undervalued here in Vegas as they are the clear better team. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Arsenal vs Chelsea
Arsenal's woes continue after taking two more defeats this week from Everton and then Manchester City in the Carabao Cup. They have not won a league game since 11/1 and sit in 15th place just four points above the relegation zone. Chelsea (-110) were struggling on form recently as well until a nice 3-0 win against a solid West Ham team on Monday. Chelsea will be looking to reestablish form and keep pace with the league leaders this game, while Arsenal will be looking for any positive result they can get. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Manchester City vs Newcastle
The first of the late games on Boxing Day is Manchester City (-850) as humungous favorites at home against Newcastle. City are climbing the table right now and have not lost in any competition in nine games. Newcastle - on the other hand - have had some poor results lately including a 1-0 loss to Brentford on Tuesday. City should continue to roll in this game, and they have the potential to hang a big number on Newcastle on Saturday. The goal total over/under is 3.5.
Sheffield United vs Everton
The final game on this slate features two teams who are having opposite seasons. Everton (-125) came out of the gates strong, cooled off significantly, but are now playing well again with three straight wins. Then there's Sheffield who are still winless in their 14 games and have just two points. Even on the road, Everton will have the clear advantage. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
**Quick note on this slate: this is a busy time of year for many teams and we often see some non-regular starts make it into the starting lineup as teams rest players. Beware of that as you check lineups as it usually opens up additional value plays.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
The spot for Manchester City attackers here is undeniably great. Kevin de Bruyne ($23) is as great of a play as anyone with a strong floor and a high ceiling. The inconsistency of Raheem Sterling ($22) and Gabriel Jesus ($20) still makes me nervous. However, Sterling has scored two goals in his last four and has -200 anytime scoring odds. Jesus also just netted against Arsenal in the EFL Cup game and is -165 to score in this one. While their inconsistencies make them risky, their matchup is tremendous which puts them into my player pool. Riyad Mahrez ($18) also has not done enough this year for me to pay that price tag. Maybe we can get Phil Foden ($13) into the starting lineup. At this price, he would be a great play. If not, both Ilkay Gundogan ($12) and Rodrigo ($11) interest me as value plays.
While fading City could be tough to swallow on this slate, there are several other studs in good spots on this slate starting with Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($19) and Richarlison ($18). They're taking on a Sheffield team that has been poor all around and are giving up 1.79 goals per game. On the road is not always the best place to target Everton scorers, but they are in better form now and you'll likely get them at lower ownership with people paying up for City guys. If you want some Everton exposure, but cannot afford DCL or Richarlison, Gylfi Sigurdsson ($14) has done well with his playing time lately. This is a great matchup for him as well.
With the size of this slate, there are so many viable options so I want to mention a few more names. It is a viable GPP strategy on Saturday to fade the top-tier section and live in the mid-range where there will be some nice low-owned plays. Arsenal's defense in the league has been decent, but I am still interested in some Chelsea pieces. Tammy Abraham ($19) is coming off a brace against WHU and has done well when given time on the field. Mason Mount ($16) and Christian Pulisic ($15) should fare well in this game too.
Jack Grealish ($19) will always get some love from me. He has been in form lately and has a great matchup at home against Palace on Saturday. Anwar El Ghazi ($15) has been superb for Villa in his last three games scoring an average of 36.7 fantasy points in those games.
Finally, James Ward-Prowse ($15) and Theo Walcott ($15) interest me with a great matchup against a bad Fulham defense.
The attacking value really is not there on this slate unless you're looking for a guy like Sean Longstaff ($6) to rack up a few peripheral stats against City.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
With the number of studs to pay up for in the attacking position, many players will opt to find their value on defense. Good thing we actually have some on this slate. Let's start with Matt Ritchie ($6). He's just way too cheap for his role on this team as a wingback. This is not the best matchup for his ability to create chances against City, but he should be able to get some solid defensive stats. Emil Krafth ($6) is a nice cheap way to get exposure to this matchup as well.
John Egan ($8) keeps pumping out double-digit games as a cheap defender. He is now averaging 13.1 fantasy points over his last six games. This is a pretty average matchup for him, but his consistency at this price tag is valuable.
We'll likely get starts from two cheap Chelsea defenders due to some injuries. First is Emerson ($9) who will likely be taking Ben Chilwell's place after he came off last game. Emerson has good attacking ability, and Chelsea's style of play will allow him to attack often. He also has a solid matchup for collecting defensive peripherals and grabbing a clean sheet bonus on this slate. Cesar Azpilicueta ($11) is the other. He got priced up some after a good 19.3 point game against WHU on Monday. He has attacking ability as well and gets defensive peripherals at a good rate.
Tosin Adarabioyo ($14), Kyle Walker ($13), and Matt Targett ($12) are the defenders I would consider paying up for.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Ederson ($14) is a strong play if you're looking for both bonuses. City's defense has been pretty solid lately, and they're taking on a Newcastle side that is not playing well now.
Edouard Mendy ($12) also has a decent shot at both bonuses in this matchup. Arsenal really aren't generating anything going up the pitch, and they have just 12 goals in 14 league games. Chelsea just shut out West Ham, and they will be looking for all three points and a clean sheet here. Mendy will likely make more saves than Ederson which makes his ceiling more enticing.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
