EPL Week 4: FanDuel and DraftKings Breakdown!

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***This article focuses on EPL daily fantasy contests run on Draftkings and FanDuel Soccer slates. Both sites have fairly different scoring formats. We consider tournament tactics, statistics, pricing, and attempt to tackle this highly variable daily fantasy format so we can gain an edge on the field at-large.

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We’ve got a great seven game slate to breakdown for this week’s EPL slate! This week, I’d like to welcome Rich Masana into our WinDaily Soccer team, as he will be providing his rankings for this week’s slate, and I will go over the game by game breakdown! Let’s get started!

Chelsea vs Sheffield United– Chelsea may be underlooked in this slate due to Sheffield United’s fantastic defense, and with Manchester City in a smash spot. Chelsea are heavy favorites in this matchup and I am looking at targets like Mason Mount, Olivier Giroud, and Christian Pulisic in this game. I typically like to play defenders who are going to have a lot of work to do, so take a look at Sheffield United defenders. Kepa is definitely in play at GK.

Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa– Crystal Palace is coming off a big win over Manchester United, and then went on to lose to Colchester midweek. It is about as Palace as it gets, but I like their matchup with Villa this week. Villa is not great defensively at the back, and Luka Milivojevic is underpriced, as is Wilfried Zaha this week. I am looking at those two in my lineups this week.

Leicester vs Bournemouth– Leicester are unbeaten in the PL campaign so far this year, and Bournemouth aren’t great at the back. Bournemouth have great attacking options with King, Wilson, and Fraser, but this seems like a game Leicester can win 2-0. With that said, I am looking at James Maddison, Jamie Vardy, and Kasper Schmeichel.

Manchester City vs Brighton– The biggest favorites of the day here are Manchester City. I expect them to put up 4 or 5 on Brighton, so I’m looking at Aguero, Sterling, both Silvas, (Bernardo or David) and Kevin de Bruyne. Unfortunately, DraftKings realized this and overpriced them to a whole different level. Whomever you choose needs to score. Brighton defenders are in play for me on FanDuel where they will have a boatload of work to do against the strongest attack in the league. Bernardo Silva will be more of your “value” chalky guy.

Newcastle vs Watford – Newcastle is a team that is playing better football as of the last two games, as they beat Tottenham in the league and had a narrow loss to Leicester midweek. Watford has done nothing this season to show they belong in the Premier League, which is shocking with all of the talent they have. They are the only team without a point this season, and I think they can get one at Newcastle. I am looking at Joelinton for Newcastle, as well as Miguel Almiron, and at Will Hughes and Holebas for Watford on tomorrow’s slate. If Sarr starts for Watford, I may be intrigued.

West Ham vs Norwich – West Ham’s new signing has been brilliant and you may need to remember the name Haller. Haller scored two against Watford last week, and had a phenomenal game. Mark Noble scored the other but is ridiculously priced on DraftKings, where his only points he typically gets are if he scores a penalty. On the flip side, Pukki has been unbelievable, and is only $8500 on DraftKings, and $20 on FanDuel. It’s not terrible pricing for a player I like to get on the scoresheet. Haller is $18 on FanDuel, and is $7900 on DraftKings. I like playing either of the two on both sites tomorrow.

Liverpool vs Burnley – This game is not on the DraftKings slate, so I’ll be looking at this from only a FanDuel perspective. Liverpool will have no problem with Burnley, and there attacking options are up there with City and Chelsea for top options on this slate. They will be under owned due to the massive chalk for Manchester City, and I want to have a piece of them whether it is Salah, Mane or Firmino.

Forward/Midfield 

       High End  

1. Raheem Sterling– Manchester City – $24 – It is pretty much the same discussion we had with DraftKings regarding Sterling and Aguero. The only difference is the Fanduel slate does include the late game so we have some alternatives. I think Manchester City will be more popular and where you go for cash at least.   
2. Sadio Mane/Mohammed Salah – Liverpool – $20/$24 – I crushed it pretty big last week riding Liverpool on a slate where I thought they would get more ownership. On this slate with Manchester City that ownership will not go up. There is definitely some late game bias in DFS Soccer as people are scared of the late games. At the moment, Mane is creating more chances and is cheaper so he strikes me as the safer and more popular of the two. Salah offers us an insurance policy on penalty kicks and as we saw last week can still have a big game. This is another “Sterling or Aguero” or to analogize to baseball a “Mookie or J.D.” style decision. If MME’ing I would make sure to have exposure to all of them.  

Honorable Mentions:  Kevin De Bruyne – $20 – Manchester City, Teemu Pukki – Norwich City – $20 

     Low End 

1. Manuel Lanzini– West Ham – $14– The Lanzini floor at this price is just too enticing for me to pass up. This should be a relatively open and fast paced game and I think you’re getting at least 15 Fanduel points here. This offense is much more cohesive than last year with Marko Arnautovic and his drama now off in China. It’s always nicer if Snodgrass isn’t around but think he is a sort of a secondary man now.  
2. Oliver Norwood – Sheffield United – $12 – Norwood comes in a tick too cheap. His floor as a set piece taker can allow us to spend up elsewhere.   
3. Mason Mount/Christian Pulisic – Chelsea – $18/$14 – If Mount is in, he is the priority play. However, if Mount is not in, this may carve out a larger role for the American hero Christian Pulisic. Perhaps, Willan will take the set pieces instead in Mount’s absence. If I see Pulisic in the lineup without either I am going to make sure to get a ton of exposure to him for the $14.  

  Defense  

1. Grant Baldock – $10 – Sheffield United – Baldock has been busy on both ends of the pitch so far this season. That is not likely to change Saturday facing a young Chelsea team that can both score and allow goals with the best of them right now.  
2. Diego Rico– Bournemouth – $10 – This is a position I like to punt. I am normally more inclined to roster cheap center backs who can rack up defensive points in a flurry. However, Diego “Uncle” Rico was flying all over the pitch during his only start, despite Bournemouth’s general futility. If in the lineup he should be in for a busy day on both ends.  
3. James Tarkowski – Burnley – $12 – I wouldn’t expect a clean sheet bonus, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, Tarkowski should be under fire and he can rack up points quickly as-is. I think this is a bit of a misprice so I should a have a decent amount of exposure.  

         Goalie  

1. Ben Foster – Watford – $8 – He will be the cash goalie at the low price of eight dollars as Mat Ryan versus Manchester City simply sounds like a large field tournament play/bad idea.  
2. Martin Dubravka – Newcastle – $12 – I will hedge my Foster exposure with Dubravka on the other side as I think it is likely one walks away with a clean sheet.  

  DraftKings Rankings  

       High End Forwards  

1. Raheem Sterling– Manchester City – $10,800 – It has been a tremendous start to the season for “Raheem the Dream” with five goals through three games. Absent taking penalty kicks he has everything you want here with Manchester City the biggest favorite on the slate. As Aguero continues to age and Jesus absorbs more of a role this will be Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne’s attack.  
2. Sergio Aguero – Manchester City – $9,800 – Gabriel Jesus is likely still sidelined this weekend and that will mean a full 90 minutes for Aguero. He scored two goals last time out and his presence on penalty kicks gives us some added security. The drawback is he is extremely goal dependent so he is not someone I would use in a cash game. In fact, in cash this week I will likely be paying down.  
3. Teemu Pukki – Norwich City – $8,500 – One of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot, Pukki has finally received a price bump. If Pukki can find a way to score in Anfield, I am not too worried here.  

     Low End 

1. Leandro Trossard – Brighton – $5,000 – It is an absolutely awful matchup where Brighton will have little possession. That said, this is price enforcement. Trossard was amazing at Genk and is one of my favorite new EPL players this year. I think he can do enough without scoring here to get you at least seven to eight floor points which is good for the price.  
2. Joelinton – Newcastle – $5,500 – I don’t think he is particularly good as he didn’t show much of a nose for the goal in the Bundesliga. However, Watford has been absolutely atrocious this season so after getting on the board vs. Tottenham, Joelinton has a good chance to make it back to back games.  
3. Andre Gray – Watford – $6,600 – Watford has been miserable but Newcastle isn’t much better. I’d attribute their win last week more to Tottenham than Newcastle. Gray is another goal dependent option at a cheap price.  
4. Wesley – Aston Villa – $5,200 – Another cheap striker just in case you are looking for another punt.  

         Midfield 

1. James Maddison – Leicester City – $9,700 – Maddison brings one of the highest floors on the slate. In a cash game I think you start with him this week. This is a matchup that Leicester City should win so Maddison will be very active.  
2. Kevin De Bruyne – Manchester City – $9,900 – Kevin “De Beast” is a close second as the number eight and primary facilitator for the Man City machine. He is another player I want in my cash games if possible as he is likely to have a hand in any goals City put on the board.  
3. Mason Mount – Chelsea – $8,500 – It has been a truly impressive start to Mount’s EPL career and a seamless transition from Championship. He gets a plus matchup here with Sheffield United. Just be sure to pay attention as he was nicked up last week and left the match early.  
4. Manuel Lanzini– West Ham – $6,200 – As long as Snodgrass is out, you know what to do. At this stage in the game Lanzini is the better player. This is a good price. He makes for a strong play in all formats.  
5. Ryan Fraser – Bournemouth – $7,000 – How the mighty have fallen. Bournemouth and Fraser have not done much this season to inspire confidence. However, I still think this price seems low for Fraser who would have been ranked much higher to start the season.  

  Defense  

1. Emerson – Chelsea – $6,100 – With Marcus Alonso downsized, Emerson has come into the picture and has been great so far. He seems to mesh well with Chelsea’s young guys and has been exhibiting a strong floor 
2. Jose Holebas – Watford – $5,400 – Holebas was pretty bad towards the end of last season. It does look like he is back to his old self and he gets a poor Newcastle team. I expect him to be extremely popular in all formats. Hopefully, he can control his temper as he continues to rack up yellow cards.  
3. Oliver Zinchenko – Manchester City – $5,200 – Zinchenko gives us some cheap exposure to Manchester City. If he were to rack up an assist in this match, I would not be surprised.  

         Goalie  

1. Martin Dubravka/Ben Foster – Newcastle/Watford – $4,900/$4,600 – I think you just pick a side here and pay down. Neither of these teams are offensive powerhouses. This is not a slate to spend up at goalie as you just don’t have the salary.