RADIO
Welcome back, RotoBallers! There was some midweek League Cup action, but we're back to a full slate of EPL games on Saturday. There are five games Saturday on the main slate on FanDuel, and I have another full breakdown for you all here. We actually have two early games Saturday, so there will be seven games on the all-day slate if you're looking for more action. 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 9/25/21 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!
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!
EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Everton vs Norwich
It's Everton's (-155) turn to take on the league's more porous defense at home. Norwich have lost five straight games now and are giving up nearly three goals per game. Everton attackers are in a prime position for some great fantasy performances. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Leeds vs West Ham
After a 2-0-0 start to the season where they got a ton of attention, West Ham (+125) have cooled off since with two draws and a loss. They are slightly favored on the road against a Leeds side that is off to a winless start through five games. Their defense has been just as bad as last year with 12 goals allowed so far, but they are not scoring at the rate same that they did last season. This is a game where I can see several goals being scored with West Ham's defense being a little weak right now as well. Vegas seems to agree as they have this set as the highest goal total over/under on the slate at 3.0.
Leicester vs Burnley
Through five games, Burnley's best result was a draw against a disappointing Leeds team. They have lost their four other games in the league and now have a tough away fixture against Leicester (-160). Leicester have had a difficult start to the season themselves as they sit all the way down in 12th. Leicester should definitely have the upper hand at home where they were great last season, and they will be another one of the popular teams on the slate. The goal total over/under is 2.5 with the over at -122.
Watford vs Newcastle
Watford (+115) caught their second win of the season last weekend against Norwich. They now face another awful defensive team in Newcastle who are allowing 2.6 goals per game in this young season. Watford scored three times against Norwich - and if they can put it all together again this weekend - another similar result could be seen here. Watford attackers will be a nice way to differentiate your lineups and get some lower-owned scorers. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Brentford vs Liverpool
Liverpool (-190) are the only one of the traditional Big 6 clubs taking the field on the main slate, and they will also be the largest favorites on the slate. They face a Brentford team that has been a respectable opponent so far this year. They won last weekend 2-0 against Wolves but containing Liverpool is a difficult ask. Liverpool will no doubt have some of the chalkier plays on the slate due to name recognition and popularity. You can find out below how I recommend approaching them on this slate. The goal total over/under is 2.5, 3.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
Mo Salah ($23) is on a great goal streak to start this season. He has four goals in five EPL games which could have been five in five if not for VAR. He's the most likely anytime scorer on the entire slate at -105 and has been getting peripherals at a high rate on top of that. He's going to be one of the best floor/ceiling combination plays on any slate going forward until further notice.
This is not an ideal matchup for Liverpool on the road against a Brentford defense that has been strong. They've only allowed two goals to EPL opponents this year, so I do not see the need to jam in a second Liverpool attacker despite them being the largest favorites on the slate. I do, however, have some interest in pivoting from Salah to Sadio Mane ($21) in GPPs for some lower ownership. His peripherals are not as good as Salah's, but he has scored three goals in his last four games and has solid +155 anytime scoring odds.
Everton have the best matchup on the slate for attackers. They will also be without their two best fantasy assets which has opened up some value.
Andros Townsend ($18) has been awesome for Everton since coming over from Crystal Palace this summer. He has a goal and two assists in the four EPL games he started to go along with 10 chances created. Townsend also had both a goal and an assist in Everton's midweek League Cup game against QPR. He has the best floor out of the Everton attackers, but has also shown some good goal upside early this year and is +320 to score Saturday.
I would also like to pair him with one of Salomon Rondon ($19) or Demarai Gray ($18) just to get extra exposure to this matchup. Rondon is slowly ramping up his playing time for Everton, but he's been fairly unproductive in his 145 minutes this season. Still, he's a proven veteran goal scorer in England and has the best anytime scoring odds in the game at +140. Trailing right behind him with +170 anytime scoring odds is Demarai Gray - who started out this season scorching hot. He scored in three straight games before that streak ended against Aston Villa last weekend. Gray does not get many peripherals, but he has an elite matchup for goal upside.
Jamie Vardy ($21) is always in play especially against a Burnley road defense, and you can take a look at Youri Tielemans ($15) for a cheap price in this matchup. Otherwise, there's no need for Leicester exposure on this slate aside from a one-off.
FanDuel priced up the three main Watford attackers after strong performances all around last weekend. They have another great matchup this weekend, and I bet they still go low-owned. Ismaila Sarr ($21) has three goals this year including a brace last weekend against Norwich. His dud games are complete duds, but he has a better shot at a ceiling game in this matchup than a dud. Watford has a great matchup against Newcastle's weak defense, and they have the potential to score multiple goals Saturday. If/when they do, Sarr and his +200 anytime scoring odds are likely to be involved. You can get really fun in GPPs and get two low-owned Watford attackers if you're shooting for the stars. Emmanuel Dennis ($17) has a really fair price tag on him this week.
The most stackable game on this slate for me is at Elland Road with Leeds hosting West Ham. Leeds had one of the weakest defenses in the league last year, and their style of play just made it worse at times. That does not seem to have changed this year which puts four West Ham attackers in consideration for me on Saturday. Michail Antonio ($22) and Said Benrahma ($19) are spectacular plays on this slate and can be used in conjunction if you want a stack. Not only have Leeds allowed 12 goals in five games, but they have also allowed the most shots on goal and chances created in the league so far. That makes Pablo Fornals ($18) and Jarrod Bowen ($16) also great plays at their price points.
You can run some West Ham attackers back with Leeds guys like Raphina ($20), Jack Harrison ($14), and Daniel James ($16) because, frankly, West Ham's defense has been disappointing this year and this game has the highest over/under on the slate.
I'm going to strongly suggest not relying on value at the FWD/MID positions on this slate because there really isn't any.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Value at defender will be a priority on this slate, so I'm going to start there. Liverpool concede the most combined defensive action out of any team on the slate, which makes Kristoffer Ajer ($9) a top-tier value play. He racked up 18 fantasy points from defensive stats in his last game and is lined up for another similar performance on Saturday in this kind of matchup.
Leeds allow a pretty good deal of defensive action compared to a lot of teams on this slate which interests me for Angelo Ogbonna ($7). He's as cheap as you will likely get on this slate which opens up a ton of cash for attackers, plus he has a good matchup.
Burnley allow the most clearances in the league (by far!), and that suits Jannick Vestergaard ($9) very well. He racks up clearances like it's no one's business, plus he is very cheap on this slate. In addition to some defensive stats, he also has a good chance at a clean sheet bonus.
If you have a few extra dollars to get a more expensive defender, Lucas Digne ($11) has an elite matchup against Norwich. He should be very involved in the attack for Everton in this game which is awesome for his floor/ceiling. He also just scored against QPR on Tuesday which bodes well for his confidence attacking up the flank.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
Liverpool's defense is back. Alisson ($13) already has four clean sheets this season, and he's going to keep racking them up. Brentford has been a solid EPL team this year, but they do only have five goals in five games. Alisson has a solid shot at a clean sheet bonus in this game, and he should definitely be getting the win bonus. If you have the money, Alisson is a strong play as usual.
Burnley's attack has been atrocious, and Leicester has a good defense especially at home. That puts Kasper Schmeichel ($12) firmly into my player pool. He has a great chance at both bonuses on Saturday.
I don't mind taking a chance at Ben Foster ($10) in a good home matchup. Their defense has been solid this year, they're playing at home, and Newcastle's attack is not anything to worry about. He's a solid low-owned option for this slate.
The last guy I'll take a shot at here is David Raya ($7) for super cheap. The matchup is far from ideal against Liverpool right now. However, Brentford's defense has been awesome with only two goals allowed in five games. It's going to be difficult to keep Liverpool out of the back of the net, but there is a chance for Brentford. He has possible break-the-slate potential for cheap.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
