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Welcome back, RotoBallers! After a busy week of UCL/UEL, we have a one EPL game Friday to get us to the weekend. 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 Friday'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 10/22/21 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
Arsenal vs Aston Villa
After losing their first three EPL games of the season, Arsenal (-105) have not lost in all competitions since. They host an Aston Villa squad that is coming off two consecutive losses against Tottenham and Wolves. In recent years, they have been one of the most difficult sides to predict with lots of variable results. Arsenal are the better team right now, but you never know when the good Villa team shows up. This should still be a fairly even game with fantasy interest coming from both teams. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Both defenses have allowed 12 goals in eight league games this year, but I am more comfortable using Arsenal attackers at home. Villa have also allowed three goals in a game three different times already this season. That's not saying that they will do that Friday against Arsenal, but their defense is more susceptible to giving up goals in big chunks. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ($15) has three goals in his last four league starts and has the best anytime goal odds out of the expected starters on the slate at +115.
Aston Villa have two intriguing goal scorers to put into the top spot and fade PEA as a captain. Danny Ings ($14) is coming off a goal against Wolves last game. It was his first time finding the back of the net since August, but hopefully, he will start to find his scoring form. Arsenal's defense has only given up three goals in their last five EPL games, so Ings is definitely a little risky as a goal-dependent fantasy scorer. However, he and Ollie Watkins ($13) have the scoring track record and talent to net one against any EPL team. Their risk can pay off in a big way if they score in your captain spot, but they're much safer in a flex spot.
Nicholas Pepe ($13) has not been super productive fantasy-wise lately, but he's still a main part of this attacking unit. He had a solid game on the field last time out against Palace, but it didn't show well on his game log. He leads Arsenal in total shots - he just needs to put some on target - and chances created in the Premier League this season. He's my second Arsenal option on this slate, but I don't really like him too much for the captain spot.
Emile Smith-Rowe ($9) has been one of my go-to mid-tier attackers this season. I like him especially in this matchup against Villa, and he's a very affordable price. Much like Pepe, I'm far more comfortable rostering him in a flex spot than the captain spot.
John McGinn ($8) has also been a really strong play as a mid-tier attacker this season. He has two goals this year, but he's not known for his scoring. He has a solid fantasy floor with his peripherals, and this is a good price for him on a single-game slate.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Aston Villa allow more defensive stats that Arsenal by a decent amount, so we are going to want to target Arsenal defenders on this slate. Aston Villa allow the second-most clearances in the league which plays right to Gabriel Magalhaes ($7) and his fantasy game. He leads Arsenal in clearances and should feast in this game.
Ben White ($7) also gets a good amount of clearances and adds in more of the other stats than Magalhaes making him another intriguing play as well.
Axel Tuanzebe ($5) is viable as the cheapest starter on the slate. His price tag allows you to jam in some extra top-notch attackers.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
