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Welcome back, RotoBallers! The English Premier League returned to play during the week after a round of FA Cup games last weekend. We have some full slates of games this weekend for our DFS pleasure. This is a normal three-game Sunday slate. 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 Sunday'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 1/17/21 for the slate that locks at 9:00 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
Sheffield United vs Tottenham
Sheffield United FINALLY got their first win of the season on Tuesday against a plummeting Newcastle side. Unfortunately for them, they still haven't shown much improvement this year and have a difficult matchup to string together wins. They host Tottenham (-150) who are one goal favorites on the road. Tottenham should dominate all facets of this game but it won't necessarily be a high-scoring game. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Liverpool vs Manchester United
All eyes will be on this game Sunday. It is a matchup of 1st versus 2nd who have started to separate themselves just a touch from the rest of the pack. Liverpool (-105) are slightly favored at home and can go level with United on points if they win. On the other hand, Manchester United will be eager for a win which would put them a full six points ahead of Liverpool. This should be a firecrakcer of a game that all soccer fans should want to watch. The goal total over/under is 3.0 but the under is -140.
Manchester City vs Crystal Palace
The late game on Saturday has Manchester City (-600) as ginormous home favorites against Palace. City have climbed up the table to 3rd with four straight wins; watch out. They continue to control games possession-wise, but they still are not scoring a crazy amount like they have in past seasons. Palace's defense has not been all that strong this year compared to the last few years, so this game could get ugly. The goal total over/under is 3.0.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
There are a crazy amount of studs on this slate with 11 guys $18 and up, so let's sort through them quickly. The Manchester City attackers have the best matchup at home against a Palace defense that has dropped off some this season. Kevin de Bruyne ($22) has two straight 35+ point games. He routinely has one of the best floors on any given slate. He's a viable option once again in this matchup. He is my favorite way to get City exposure especially with the inconsistencies of the City goal scorers this season. Phil Foden ($16) is a nice mid-range play on this slate who has that goal upside for City. He has scored in two straight games now and will look to continue his goal run with +130 anytime scoring odds.
Tottenham are also pretty big favorites on this slate, but they're facing a Sheffield team whose defense hasn't been awful at home with 1.33 goals allowed per game. Sure, Tottenham will likely score and win this game. But, with their defensive style and a slate-low over/under, it will be best to pick one of Harry Kane ($23) or Son Heung-Min ($19). Playing Son for the $4 savings is absolutely a solid strategy. He's is not in the best form, but he has scored goals consistently this year. Kane, however, is coming off a goal in two straight and has tremendous -190 anytime scoring odds. He should be able to pick this Sheffield defense apart.
Mo Salah ($21) is another high-priced player on Sunday. Liverpool should be up for this game as they try to regain position atop the table at home against Manchester United. United have been strong on the road and Salah is in a three-game goal drought, so it might be the time to fade Salah at that price especially when you can get Bruno Fernandes ($20) in that same range. He has a safer floor than Salah and essentially an equivalent ceiling.
Marcus Rashford ($19) must also be mentioned. Aside from the fact that he is underpriced, he has provided a goal or assist in every single away game this season. He's a nice way to get exposure to this match for a relatively good price.
With the amount of studs on this slate, many people will try to jam in as many as they can and find value at defense. However, if you're looking for some cheaper attackers Paul Pogba ($14), Ilkay Gundogan ($13), Eberechi Eze ($12), and Thiago ($10) are some names to consider.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Most DFS players will be value-hunting at defender on this slate, so let's start there.
Tyrick Mitchell ($6) and Joel Ward ($6) are both insanely cheap for this matchup. Even more so when you consider how they have fared recently in matchups that were not as good. They should both rack up plenty of defensive stats in this game, and I have no problem just playing both and stacking expensive attackers.
Jayden Bogle ($7) fits a similar bill. He has played three games for Sheffield this year, and his worst game was 18.4 points. Somehow, he remains one of the cheapest defenders on the slate even in this plus matchup. Tottenham force plenty of defensive action, so Bogle has another good chance at finishing well into the teens for $7.
I see no reason to pay more for any mid-tier defenders on this slate who all have similar floors and ceilings to the three guys already mentioned. This applies to the defenders all the way up to Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($14) who should collect a ton of defensive stats in this game against Liverpool, and Joao Cancelo ($15) who has fantastic attacking upside in a matchup like this.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Manchester City's defense has been really strong this year. They should dominate possession and limit the number of chances that Palace can even create. Ederson ($14) is a good play to get both bonuses, and he could make some saves as well.
Sheffield just cannot score this year with only 0.5 goals scored per game. That puts Hugo Lloris ($12) into my player pool at a reasonable price even on the road. Lloris should definitely see a win bonus and will likely get a clean sheet bonus as well. His ceiling is limited in this game with Sheffield's inability to put shots on target.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
