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Welcome back, RotoBallers! The English Premier League is continuing their run of mid-week games right now in order to fit a full season in a shortened time frame due to COVID-19. While some clubs are unhappy with this, it makes for extra excitement for us soccer fans. We have a larger-than-normal five-game main slate on Wednesday. This is one of the largest EPL slates of the season, and 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 Wednesday'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 1/27/21 for the slate that locks at 1:00 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
Burnley vs Aston Villa
Burnley have somehow pulled themselves seven points above the relegation zone with only 10 total goals this year in 18 games. That's your wild stat of the week. Anyways, they host Aston Villa (+100) on Wednesday. Villa bounced back after playing three straight Big 6 clubs with a comfortable 2-0 win against Newcastle on Saturday. They need to continue getting all three points against clubs like Burnley if they want to have any hope at European football next season. Villa should have a slight edge in this game. The goal total over/under here is 2.5.
Chelsea vs Wolverhampton
Chelsea (-165) parted ways with manager Frank Lampard on Monday morning as they look to get out of a long rut they've been in with a home game against Wolves. Both teams are in poor form right now. Wolves have not won an EPL game in six tries dating back to 12/15 when they actually beat Chelsea 2-1. Chelsea have just two wins in that span over West Ham and then a lowly Fulham team. There is going to be a lot of uncertainty surrounding this match and how it will be played out. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Brighton vs Fulham
Brighton (+105) have a huge opportunity here to create some separation between them and Fulham and stay outside of the relegation zone. Both sides have been poor this season, but Brighton is coming off a surprising 1-0 win against Leeds and a 2-1 win over Blackpool in FA Cup play. They should have the advantage at home in this one, but it will be a hard-fought battle as both teams are desperate for results. The goal total over/under is 2.5 with the under at -145.
Everton vs Leicester
Leicester (+155) are getting enough good results right now to remain in the top four, while Everton sit just short of a European spot with two games in hand. Both sides are in strong form right now. Leicester have three consecutive wins, and Everton have four wins in five games. This should be a fantastic game between two good teams vying for a spot in the top four. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Manchester United vs Sheffield
Manchester United (-360) are easily the biggest favorite on Wednesday. This is actually matchup of first place versus last place. United sit two points clear of their crosstown rivals atop the table, while Sheffield remain in last place where they have spent essentially the whole season with just five points. This game has Manchester United written all over it. The goal total over/under is a slate-high 3.0.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes ($23) is about as easy of a play as it gets. He's been arguably the best player in the PL in real life and in DFS since joining Manchester United about a year ago. He has a great matchup against the league's worst team. Fernandes has as safe of a floor as anyone in the league, and his upside is absolutely real especially in a game like this where he has +100 anytime scoring odds.
Paul Pogba ($15) has been good lately with goals in two of his last three league games. He is averaging 29.2 fantasy points in those three games, and he'll provide some nice United exposure at an affordable price. Marcus Rashford ($20) and Edinson Cavani ($17) are both also in consideration with this matchup as secondary - or even tertiary - Manchester attackers in your lineup.
Speaking of great floors among EPL attackers, Jack Grealish ($19) has an elite floor week in and week out. Grealish has a nice matchup against a poor team that will sit in and play defensively. That should allow Grealish plenty of opportunities at creating chances which he does so well. He is averaging 4.6 chances created in his last seven league games. He should be able to hit that mark and will surpass 20 fantasy points again with a few other peripherals. Burnley's defense has not given up many goals - especially at home - so I don't that it is necessary to prioritize other Villa attackers.
James Maddison ($18) is another elite floor play who has definite goal upside showcased by goals in three straight EPL games now. Maddison caught fire just before Christmas and has averaged 27.4 fantasy points in seven games since. Leicester will be without Jamie Vardy, so a little more scoring responsibility falls on Maddison. Plus, he's playing an always-leaky Everton backline that can't be trusted to keep a clean sheet.
Wolves defense on the road averages 1.78 goals allowed per game. Chelsea should be able to find the net here, but it is hard to say who that will be. Tammy Abraham ($21) is in nice form coming off a hattrick over the weekend in FA Cup play. His goal odds on Wednesday are +120. Mason Mount ($16) has been Chelsea's best attacker throughout this rough patch and remains cheap in a solid matchup here. I would stick to these two until we see how they react to Thomas Tuchel's changes.
Finally, attackers like Neal Maupay ($17), Wilfred Ndidi ($11), and Solly March ($10) need to be mentioned for some low ownership or value.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
The value at defense on the slate is lacking some but Matt Targett ($9) is a nice cheap play. He has a good matchup against Burnley who will force some solid defensive action, and he has shown 20+ point upside this season. He is a nice way to save some salary and get low ownership on this slate.
Kenny Tete ($10) has been pretty strong in his five games this year with defensive stats. He can collect a good amount against Brighton on this slate at a low price tag. Tosin Adarabioyo ($12) can get you a more reliable fantasy defender with a higher ceiling in this same matchup if you can find the extra $2.
Luke Shaw ($11) is a nice cheap way to get some attacking exposure for Manchester United - the slate's largest favorite. He has steadily been creating 2-4 chances per game in seven straight games. United should dominate possession which will allow Shaw to get involved in the attack and create some chances. A clean sheet bonus is also likely here. Shaw has a floor in the mid-teens here and can definitely go over 20 fantasy points with a good game.
Reece James ($12). Too cheap. Next.
Ben Mee ($14) should continue to rack up a ton of defensive stats in this matchup. Burnley will likely be under pressure from Aston Villa for a lot of the game. This is a little bit of a high price tag to pay for Mee on a large slate, but if you have the cash, he is a viable pay-up option who can score well into the 20s on peripheral defensive stats alone.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
David de Gea ($14) looks great for both bonuses as the slate's largest favorite at home facing a low-scoring team. That formula worked for Ederson on Tuesday's slate he led the slate in GK scoring with 20 points. DDG has a good chance to go for 20+ points on Wednesday's slate.
Emiliano Martinez ($12) makes sense as a solid mid-tier GK play here. Villa's defense has been pretty good this year - even on the road where they only allow 0.78 goals per game. He is also facing a Burnley side that has struggled mightily to score all season with only 10 goals in 18 league games. Martinez could be popular on this slate with people realizing this matchup.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
