RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! The new year opens with a two-game slate on Friday as the English soccer schedule stays busy during the festive period. 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 Friday'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 1/1/21 for the slate that locks at 12:30 pm 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!
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!
EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Everton vs West Ham
The year 2021 opens with a matchup between two teams headed in the opposite direction over the last month. Everton (-105) have won four straight league games and have found themselves back in the top four. Meanwhile, West Ham have dropped down to 10th with no wins in their last four games. Everton should have the edge here at home. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Manchester United vs Aston Villa
This is a big matchup between two top-five clubs right now who have been in strong form in the league recently. Manchester United (-140) have not lost in the EPL since 11/1 and can tie Liverpool on points at the top of the table with a win. Aston Villa have three wins and two draws - including a good one against Chelsea last game - in their previous five games. They can climb back into the top four with a win. There is a lot on the line for this game, and it should be hard-fought. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes ($23) is going to be an elite play again. He has been the best fantasy player in the league this year churning out 20+ point games in 13 of his 15 appearances. He also has six 40+ point games - three of which were 60+ point performances. He has the single highest floor and ceiling on the slate in a solid home matchup. Teammate, Marcus Rashford ($22), is in good scoring form with four goals in his last four games. He has +125 anytime scoring odds which are second-best on the slate. Manchester United are not very deep attacking-wise, so it is best to stick to Fernandes or Rashford and maybe a value play like Fred ($12) for some peripherals if he starts.
West Ham's defense was struggling recently, but they just kept a solid Southampton team scoreless. However, it is unlikely they will be able to do that to Everton here on the road. Everton are scoring over two goals per game on home turf this year, and WHU are giving up an average of 1.38 goals per game on the road. Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($20) has the best anytime scoring odds on the slate at +120. He has been in a slight scoring slump this month with only one December goal back on 12/5, but this is a nice matchup for him to get back on the scoresheet.
Richarlison ($18) is in marginally better form and should be back after clearing the concussion protocol over the last few days.
If you decide to go with one of these scorers, Gylfi Sigurdsson ($16) is an elite midfielder to pair with them in a mini stack. With James Rodriguez sidelined for a while, he has stepped back into his role as the main creator in the middle of the pitch for Everton. He is averaging 25.7 FanDuel points over his last four games, and he has a solid matchup here at home.
There are not many good value attacking options on this slate, but someone who is affordable is Anwar El Ghazi ($16). He has been scorching hot lately with five goals in five games. He is averaging 36.7 fantasy points in that stretch.
Fellow Villain, Jack Grealish ($19), deserves to be mentioned too. He's viable on almost any slate including this one against a United defense that has not been all that great - even at home.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
I sound like a broken record saying this, but with the lack of intriguing attacking value outside of maybe Fred, many people will opt to save some salary at defense.
Victor Lindelof ($7) is one name to monitor ahead of lock on this slate. He was unable to play Tuesday due to an injury, but there's a chance he can start in this one. If he does, he would likely be the cheapest starting defender on the slate which makes him an attractive play.
Craig Dawson ($8) popped into West Ham's starting lineup earlier this week and had a nice 15.4 point game. He would be in a solid position to rack up some defensive peripherals if he starts again as a cheap veteran centerback.
Yerry Mina ($13) was mentioned in my last article that featured Everton, and he produced for us with a 19.3 point game. It looks like Mina is back to his peripheral monster days. He has some minimal attacking upside, but he does have a strong floor with all the defensive stats.
Manchester United's wingback Alex Telles ($13) is another one of my top defenders to pay up for on this slate. He has good attacking upside, and he should be able to get plenty of defensive stats in this matchup against Villa as well. Telles has both a nice floor and a nice ceiling on Friday.
Kortney Hause ($10) and Eric Bailly ($10) are good mid-tier options on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
None of these four starting goalkeepers are great plays on this slate. David de Gea ($14) looks solid with the best odds at getting the win bonus. However, Aston Villa are a good team in good form, and they can steal this game on the road making DDG slightly risky. He should be able to make some saves, though, which helps his floor.
West Ham's attack might not be firing on all cylinders right now, but Jordan Pickford ($12) is always tough to recommend playing. Everton's defense is leaky - even at home where they allow 1.57 goals per game. Pickford also has a decent shot at a win bonus especially with his team in better form than WHU. It puts his floor right there near de Gea's.
Emiliano Martinez ($9) and Lukasz Fabianski ($8) are both tough to play if you're going to stack some United or Everton attackers. However, if you are going light on United attackers, I would consider Martinez for cheap. Likewise, if you are going light on Everton attackers, I would consider Fabianski for cheap.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
