RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! Matchday 11 in the English Premier League continues with four more games on Saturday. We have a 3-game main slate on FanDuel with the 7:30am ET not included. I have another full breakdown for you all. It is a normal Saturday slate with three games spread throughout the day. 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 12/12/20 for the slate that locks at 10:00 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
Newcastle vs West Brom
The early game on Saturday is definitely going to be the least-watched game on the slate, however, there are absolutely some things to like about this game from a DFS perspective. Newcastle (+125) host the lowly West Brom squad as small home favorites. West Brom have only one win this year, and that has them sitting in 19th right now. Newcastle have not been that great either this year, but they are a cut above WBU right now. The goal total over/under is only 2.5 which is the lowest on the slate. Newcastle manager, Steve Bruce, revealed they will be with a "significant number" of regular players, but he was not willing to disclose who that might be. They apparently have "enough to pick a team," but it sounds like we are in for some starting lineup changes Saturday morning.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
The Manchester Derby! This is one of the matchups that EPL fans circle on their calendars each year. While United have controlled City historically, it has been City who have had six wins (to United's three) since the turn of the last decade. This has also been a relatively high-scoring affair with 3.3 goals per game in their last ten games. City (-135) are coming into this game in slightly better form having won their last two EPL games with a combined 7-0 score, and they beat Marseille 3-0 in UCL play this week. United have won four straight league games, but they have dropped two straight UCL games including Tuesday to Leipzig which put them out of the competition. This should be a great game on Saturday with plenty of action all over the pitch. The goal total over/under is 3.0.
Everton vs Chelsea
Chelsea (-125) travel to Goodison Park on Saturday to take on a fading Everton team. After a scorching start to the season, Everton have just one win in their last six. Now they are facing a well-rested Chelsea team with four wins in their last five league games, and who just finished atop their UCL group. Chelsea are going to need to keep winning to keep pace with Tottenham and Liverpool, and they should be able to get all three points on Saturday. The goal total over/under is 3.0 with better odds than the Manchester game to go over that total.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes ($20) is right at the top of my player pool again, what's new? He has scored at least 22 fantasy points in all but one of his EPL games this year. With a high-scoring, action-filled game likely on Saturday, Fernandes' floor is quite strong again. He's facing a City defense that is not the best, plus he is essentially matchup-proof, so he should fare well in this game.
Speaking of a matchup-proof attacker in a good game environment, Kevin de Bruyne ($22) is a great option to pair with Fernandes if you're looking to stack the Manchester game. Like Fernandes, he has one of the highest floors on the slate and comes with a giant ceiling as well. He should be on his A-game in this rivalry matchup where his peripherals and ability to score/provide assists will be valuable.
Riyad Mahrez ($18) is a cheaper version of KDB, while Raheem Sterling ($17) and Marcus Rashford ($18) have goal upside in this game at +110 and +240 respectively. If you're going to target this game, I like getting studs from both sides. The value attackers from this game are not great plays on this slate. You can punt with Fred ($8) in hopes he racks up peripherals in this game if you want some extra salary to spend on a defender.
There are some good DFS spots on this slate outside of Manchester though. Everton's defense has let them down lately allowing nearly two goals per game over the last couple of months. They have also not kept a clean sheet in any competition since September. On Saturday they are facing a Chelsea attack that has been scoring a ton of goals this year (2.21 goals for per game in all competitions to be exact). The most likely anytime scorer on this slate is also a Chelsea man in Timo Werner ($21). Werner has missed some great chances lately, but it is still a positive sign that he is getting those chances. Werner was rested against Krasnodar, and now he has a plus matchup and -110 anytime scoring odds this weekend.
Olivier Giroud ($12) keeps scoring for Chelsea with five goals in the last two weeks, and he remains super cheap in a good matchup here. He will probably get the start over Tammy Abraham ($17). Mason Mount ($15) has had some very productive games for Chelsea recently including a 40+ point game last weekend. He has 11 chances created in his last three EPL games, and should be on his best again Saturday. Christian Pulisic ($14) is a nice affordable way to get more exposure to Chelsea too.
Finally, I want a little Newcastle exposure here against the porous West Brom backline. I'll start with Callum Wilson ($18) who has seven goals and two assists for the team in the league this year. He has two braces in home games this year, and he has that kind of upside in this matchup. Keep an eye on starting lineups though. Newcastle appear to be dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak, and no specific information has been released. Jonjo Shelvey ($9) is a good value Newcastle guy to consider too.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Joao Cancelo ($14) has had great fantasy value so far this season with all six of his starts ending with 15+ fantasy points. He has shown upside well into the 20s. Cancelo has a strong floor with defensive stats likely coming at a high rate in this game environment, and he has his normal attacking upside as well. He and Ben Chilwell ($15) are the defenders to splurge on on Saturday.
I've been playing Reece James ($10) all year with success. There is no reason to stop now especially with him priced down to $10 now. He collects all the defensive stats at a good rate and has attacking upside as well. This is an average matchup for him, but really we are looking to take advantage of price here.
Harry Maguire ($10) and Victor Lindelof ($8) should both pick up plenty of defensive stats in this game. City allow a lot of defensive action to opposing defenders, and the fierce rivalry will result in a lot of action as well. They are good value plays on Saturday.
With Newcastle's starting lineup uncertain, I think it is fair to say that we could see Matt Ritchie ($5) start on Saturday. He would be the best value play on the slate regardless of position if he does.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Eduoard Mendy ($14) has been an awesome addition to Chelsea's defense. He has kept a clean sheet in 5/7 EPL games and 4/5 UCL games. He is only allowing 0.29 goals/90. Mendy should get a win bonus and some saves which will boost his floor. He is also a strong candidate for a clean sheet bonus with Chelsea's good defense this year averaging only one goal allowed per game in the EPL.
Karl Darlow ($10) is a good cheaper option. Newcastle should win this game against a poor West Brom team. They also have a solid shot at a clean sheet bonus. Newcastle's defense has been nice this year with 1.5 goals allowed per game. What's better about this matchup though is West Brom's inability to score away from home. They only have three goals in five road games this year. Darlow has a good ceiling for the price.
I don't mind taking Ederson ($12) either. I think City wins this game, and United should still be able to pepper him with shots. Ederson has a pretty high ceiling in this matchup.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
