RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! Finally, we see the return of the English Premier League. A competition that I know a lot about, in fact here across the pond we just call it the Premier League!
In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for DraftKings on 6/20/20 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.
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!
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English Premier League DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Brighton v Arsenal
Brighton will be looking to get a result at home, as they look to put more distance between them and the relegation zone. Brighton have been great at home this season, but welcome a tricky opponent in Arsenal, who will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester City.
I've wrestled with this game, ultimately I think this will end up as a scoring draw.
West Ham United v Wolverhampton
West Ham is a team I struggle to really fully analyze, because that is the team that I support, so take this with a pinch of salt. And if you haven't got an EPL team yet, feel free to join me in the pain of this fandom!
West Ham has been inconsistent all season, and find themselves outside of the relegation zone on goal difference only. A big reason for their struggles is their poor defensive struggles, something that doesn't bode well for this weekend. Wolves have potent attacking weapons, and are targetting a top-five finish.
It's hard to be a West Ham fan on days like today- Wolves are the favorites for this matchup.
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth are in deep in a relegation battle, mainly due to lack of player availability through injury. The good news is that alot of those players have returned to fitness, that break means they have a chance at recapturing their impressive form at the start of the season.
Crystal Palace are a team that are solid in defense, but can lack attacking ability at times. So if they are able to get a goal, Bournemouth could struggle to get anything from the game.
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 crosses in.
There are a couple of more expensive options that are worth considering for your lineup. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($10,000), Raul Jimenez ($9,600), and Adama Traore ($9,500) are the trio I'd consider paying up for on this slate. Aubameyang is such an important part of the offense for Arsenal, and the main person they look to when they need a goal. However, I think I'd opt for either of the other two of the Wolves attackers instead, and save on salary. Jiminez and Traore both are big parts of what Wolves do and a constant goal-scoring threat. Against a poor West Ham defense, they are easy plays.
Slightly cheaper there is a group of players that have an opportunity to get big points totals if things break their way, or are involved in set pieces. Diogo Jota ($8,600) is a cheaper way of getting exposure to the Wolves attack, but he isn't utilized as constantly as the two options mentioned above. In the same game, you could go for Robert Snodgrass ($8,500) or Felipe Anderson ($5,600) who could sparkle some magic for West Ham. Snodgrass is the set-piece specialist, so should get plenty of points opportunities, while Anderson has been an effective catalyst for the team in the past.
In the Bournemouth game, you might want to consider Harry Wilson ($7,300) for the home team or Wilfred Zaha ($7,400) for the visitors. Wilson is used in set-pieces which will give him a solid floor, but also gets forward and can score if given the opportunity. Zaha is one of the few attacking weapons that Crystal Palace can rely on in games, as he is able to get into space out wide and either cross the ball in or cut in and threaten the goal himself.
One last option is Arsenal's Alexandre Lacazette ($7,600). If Aubameyang doesn't make it onto the scoresheet, then it's likely Lacazette will. The reason he is significantly cheaper is that he isn't used in as many facets of the game, meaning if he doesn't get a goal, he won't return value for owners.
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.
This slate has a number of good attacking sides, so it is a bit difficult to hang my hat on any one side. However, in that case I'm looking at Crystal Palace duo Patrick van Aanholt ($6,300) and Joel Ward ($4,200) that have a chance of keeping a clean sheet, and are used by the team in some attacking phases. Ward is cheaper, but in paying up for van Aanholt you get the baseline of the corners that he takes for the team.
If you need a real budget option, then I'd go for Nathan Ake ($2,700). Ake is used as a central defender, but one that does roam into midfield and beyond at times. Crystal Palace don't have a great attack, so he also has an outside chance of keeping a clean sheet- which would give him tremendous value for owners.
DraftKings DFS Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers this week are more a case of who you can afford after making your other selections. If I can squeeze him into the team then I'd opt for Aaron Ramsdale ($4,900) who should be fine to play after testing positive for COVID-19. Otherwise, I'd look at Vincente Guaita ($4,600) who is part of the effective Palace defense I've spoken about a few times above.
If I really need to go for a basement play, then Lucas Fabianski ($4,200) could be an option to look to. West Ham aren't likely to keep a clean sheet, but Fabianski might have enough saves to give him some value (and is the cheapest starting goalkeeper on the slate). But I stress, I'd try and make a saving elsewhere so I wasn't forced to select him.
And that's it! Any questions, you know where to find me otherwise Good Luck RotoBallers.
