RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! With many English football clubs engaged in FA Cup play on Saturday, we have just one EPL game being played. It is a matchup that was supposed to take place a few weeks ago but was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Aston Villa's squad. I will be breaking down that game in full for you here. 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 or UCL-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! There was some great conversation over the four UCL slates we had this week, and the Premium Slack chat is as full as ever!
In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for FanDuel on 1/23/21 for the slate that locks at 3:00 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!
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EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Aston Villa vs Newcastle
No team in England has fewer points from their last five games than Newcastle. They have just one draw and four losses in those games, and now they have a difficult road matchup against an Aston Villa team that has been good this season. However, Villa (-195) are coming into this game sputtering slightly off two straight losses, but those were to Liverpool and Manchester United who are both in the top four right now. At home on Saturday, Aston Villa will likely have the advantage with Newcastle struggling mightily on both ends of the pitch. The goal total over/under is 3.0
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Jack Grealish ($15) is a tremendous play on this slate. His combination of floor and ceiling is something that is coveted on single-game slates. He has a great matchup here as well against a Newcastle side that is not defending well right now. Grealish can break down almost any defense in the league, and he should have no difficulties with the Magpies. His floor makes him a great MVP play, but he can be used in a flex spot if you wish to differentiate yourself from the pack.
Speaking of differentiating yourself, there are a few plays you can use in your MVP spot instead of Grealish to get some leverage. Anwar El Ghazi ($12) and Bertrand Traore ($10) are the two guys I am looking at specifically. They are each in strong goal scoring form since December, and they are both +175 to score on Saturday. That matches Grealish's odds for the record. A lineup with all three Villa attackers is absolutely possible, and with the way Newcastle is playing lately, maximizing your Villa exposure is recommended. Ollie Watkins ($14) has not scored in the league since 11/8, so I see no need to pay up for him even with his slate-high anytime scoring odds of +100.
Newcastle have mustered just one single goal in their last seven games in all competitions. On the road against a good Aston Villa defense, there is no need to roster any of their goal scorers.
For attacking value on this slate, Douglas Luiz ($7) can get you an additional Villa attacker and Ross Barkley ($8) is a strong play as well if he starts. Otherwise, Isaac Hayden ($5) can be used if you're trying to have some money left for a defender.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Matthew Cash ($9) has done a stellar job at getting defensive stats this year, and although he's not an attacking back, he is the best defender to pay up for on this slate. He - and other Villa defenders like Tyrone Mings ($7) - have a nice shot at a clean sheet bonus here too. There's a chance we get a cheap Villa defender starting like Neil Taylor ($4). He can help you prioritize your Villa attackers.
Fabian Schar ($7) is my favorite Newcastle defender. The Newcastle backline has not gotten many defensive stats recently, but they will be under continual pressure in this game and should rack up some good defensive action.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
