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Welcome back, RotoBallers! The fun-filled week of mid-week EPL soccer is wrapping up on Thursday with the last two games of Matchday 13. 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 Thursday'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 12/17/20 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
Aston Villa vs Burnley
Aston Villa (-140) are coming off a wild 1-0 win against Wolves last Saturday and are favored at home in this one. Burnley had an extremely poor start to their campaign, but they have been better recently picking up two wins and two draws in their last five games. Villa should still have the edge in this game at home, but Burnley will come into this game looking for points and won't make it easy. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Sheffield vs Manchester United
Manchester United (-215) travel to Sheffield in the late game on Thursday. Sheffield are the worst team in the league with zero wins so far and 11 losses. They will be fighting an uphill battle to avoid relegation this season. United were in strong form in the league prior to their 0-0 draw against Manchester City with four straight wins. They should get back to their winning ways in this game. The goal total over/under is also 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes ($23) is one of the easiest plays to recommend on any given slate let alone in this matchup against the league's worst team. Fernandes has a very safe floor in this game and his upside is great too with +125 anytime scoring odds. That is tied for best odds on the slate with teammate Marcus Rashford ($21). In a matchup against a Sheffield team that is allowing 1.75 goals per game, the two attackers can be paired together well.
If he continues to get starts, Paul Pogba ($13) is an affordable way to get exposure to this matchup. He can be used to maximize your United exposure too. Fred ($8) is also viable as a value piece. He has a solid matchup where he can reach his fantasy ceiling, gets you another Manchester United attacker, and he is cheap enough to help you pay up at other positions.
Ollie Watkins ($19) leads Aston Villa in goals this year with six, but he makes me a little nervous on Thursday even with +120 scoring odds that are the highest on the slate. Watkins has not found the back of the net since 11/8, and Burnley's defense is respectable against teams on their own level. Burnley also have three clean sheets in five games. It makes more sense to find an extra dollar and roster Jack Grealish ($20) instead with his floor being much safer. Grealish does not need a goal to have a good game, but he does have +210 goal upside.
With Villa's solid defense this year and Burnley being unable to score this year, it is difficult to seriously consider Burnley attackers. They are a bit overpriced as well which makes it even more difficult to roster them. Ashley Westwood ($16) is a guy I would have some interest if he wasn't so expensive, so I'll take Robbie Brady ($10) as a value piece instead. Brady was a recommended value play over the weekend against Arsenal, and he played well with a 15.1 fantasy point outing.
If you really want to dig deep for value and pay up for defenders, Jacob Ramsey ($5) will save you a ton of salary.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Alex Telles ($15) is my favorite defender to spend on on Thursday, and there is definitely enough attacking value to get him. He has a ton of attacking upside in this matchup, and you can use him to maximize your United attacking exposure. Telles is averaging 15.8 fantasy points in his three EPL games. He has a great matchup to increase that average on this slate with the combination of defensive stats, attacking upside, and a likely clean sheet bonus.
Fellow Manchester United defender, Harry Maguire ($10) is on my list of defenders to consider on Thursday but for completely different reasons. Maguire has minimal attacking upside aside from a goal or something off a set piece. However, he is very cheap for the defensive stats that he can get especially when you consider the thought of a likely clean sheet bonus here.
Ben Mee ($14) has been an absolute monster with defensive action since returning from injury. His attacking upside is essentially zilch, but he has shown plenty of 20+ point upside solely on defensive stats.
Matt Target ($10) and Charlie Taylor ($9) are sound cheap options on this slate.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
David de Gea ($14) looks like a strong GK candidate to come away with both bonuses on this slate. Manchester United are massive favorites against a winless Sheffield team. The United goaltender likely will not make many - if any - saves which does not bode well for his ceiling. However, Sheffield have just five goals this year in 12 games, so United should be able to keep them shut out.
I also like Emiliano Martinez ($12) on this slate. He's a decent home favorite as well who is also facing a very low-scoring team in Burnley who have six goals this year. They have scored just three times on their own from open play since September! Villa's defense is much improved compared to last year, and they should be able to shut Burnley out.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
