RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! It felt like a very long two weeks of international break, and I'm glad to have some EPL back in my life this weekend. I hope you are too becaue we have a nice six-game main slate to cover on Saturday. 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-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 10/16/21 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. 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 Wolverhampton
These two teams side right in the middle of the table - and that's probably right around where they're expected to be for the remainder of the season. Aston Villa (+130) are slight money line favorites at home, but Wolves are coming into this game with three wins in their last four including two straight against Newcastle and Southampton. It should be a fairly even game, but it has one of the lower goal total over/unders on the slate at just 2, 2.5.
Leicester vs Manchester United
It not been a good start to the year for Leicester at all. They have won just one game in all competitions since the beginning of September, and their last league win was 8/28. Manchester United (+115) are favored on the road which doesn't happen often with away teams at the King Power. Manchester United have had their own struggles lately with four weeks since their last EPL win. The goal total over/under is 2.5, 3.
Manchester City vs Burnley
Manchester City (-800) are ginormous home favorites on Saturday. They are easily the largest favorites on the slate and should roll Burnley who are looking for their first win of the year still. Manchester City will be a popular stack option on this slate. The goal total over/under is 3.5.
Norwich vs Brighton
Brighton (+115) are still sitting in the top half of the table even on points with Manchester City. They have been rattling off strong results week in and week out. They have another prime matchup this weekend against the league's worst team. Norwich are levels below all of the teams, and Brighton will have some good plays Saturday. The goal total over/under is 2, 2.5.
Southampton vs Leeds
Leeds got their first win of the season against Watford last time out, and now they travel to take on Southampton (+130). Southampton don't have a win yet this year, and this one seems like it's set up for a draw. The goal total over/under is 2.5, 3.
Brentford vs Chelsea
Chelsea (-160) are the slate's second-largest favorite on the road against Brentford. Chelsea sit alone at the top of the table right now, and they're coming off a nice 3-1 showing against Southampton. They should be able to take care of Brentford on the road, but Brentford is good enough to keep this close. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Let's start with Manchester City. They are easily one of the most stackable teams on a large slate that we have seen all season. Both Kevin de Bruyne ($21) and Phil Foden ($18) are coming off their first EPL goals of the season and are in great spots to score again. They are +120 and +110 to score, respectively, in a home game where they are two-goal favorites.
Jack Grealish ($19) is another awesome play for some additional City exposure. His floor/ceiling combination likely took a little bit of a hit with KDB back on the field, but he's a main cog in this juggernaut attacking unit in a great matchup. Ilkay Gundogan ($14) is one of the stronger value plays on the slate in this matchup.
Normally, I'm not targeting attackers on the road against Leicester. However, Leicester's defense has been struggling to start this season, and I feel good about rostering some Manchester United attackers. I'm going to start with Bruno Fernandes ($21). He has shown a more stable fantasy floor than Cristiano Ronaldo ($23) this year, and he comes with a $2 discount. Sure, Ronaldo has more goal upside, but it's not like Fernandes has none. He has four league goals this year and is +205 to score in this game. Both players are good pivots of chalkier Manchester City attackers.
It's viable to run Ronaldo/Fernandes back with a little Jamie Vardy ($19). Vardy has six goals this year including four in his last three games. He also - if you haven't heard - has a habit of scoring against good teams. He has the second-best scoring odds in this game at +170 behind Ronaldo. He's one of my favorite low-owned goalscorers on the slate.
Speaking of low-owned goalscorers, Raul Jimenez ($19) is a good play. He has had a good fantasy floor this year which is new for him, and he is has been less goal-dependent. Villa's defense is not anything to be scared of, and Jimenez is +210 to score his second goal of the year on Saturday.
Brighton attackers have a fantastic matchup Saturday. Norwich are awful, and they are allowing 2.29 goals per game. Neal Maupay ($18) has been their best goalscorer over the last few years, and he's off to a nice start this season with four goals in seven games. He's +185 to score. You can get some cheaper - or additional - Brighton exposure through Leandro Trossard ($16) and Pascal Gross ($14).
Jack Harrison ($11) should get back into the starting lineup this weekend, and he's too cheap. With Leeds' style of play in a good matchup against a weaker Southampton team, Harrison is one of the best value attackers on the slate.
Attacking a poor Leeds defense has been a good strategy this year and will continue to be until further notice. It's tough that James Ward-Prowse ($5) is on a suspension this week and Che Adams ($16) is hurt. However, it opens up some nicer value plays for us like Mohamed Elyounoussi ($15) and Nathan Redmond ($14). Leeds are allowing 2.0 goals per game along with the most shots on goal and chances created in the league.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Joao Cancelo ($14) is a great way to get some cheap exposure to Manchester City. They should control a ton of the possession which will allow Cancelo a lot of opportunities to get involved in the attack. Cancelo carries a strong floor in this game with some chances created and a likely clean sheet bonus. He also has one of the better ceilings out of the defenders on the slate with +425 anytime goal odds.
Leicester's defense has some very intriguing plays on this slate. Manchester United has been a good matchup for opposing defenders to rack up defensive stats so far this year. Caglar Soyuncu ($10) is a strong play, but Timothy Castagne ($7) is a top-notch value play on Saturday in this matchup.
Grant Hanley ($12), Jan Bednarek ($11), and Kyle Walker ($8) are some of the other defenders to look at on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Zack Steffen ($5) is an elite play on this slate, and he will be extremely chalky. Burnley are one of the worst attacking teams in the league, and there is almost no chance they net one on the road against Manchester City. Steffen has a very high likelihood of getting both bonuses which will be gold at minimum price. I really don't see any reason to not play him on this slate.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
