FanDuel Premier League Fantasy Daily Picks – January 14
By David Gate
Seven games on Saturday’s EPL DFS FanDuel slate this weekend. Get your lineup set for tomorrow morning’s action with today’s FanDuel daily picks.
This is a blog of tips, picks and strategy for Premier League Daily Fantasy. The aim of these articles is to provide DFS players with an edge through delving into stats and news to give your lineup the best possible chance of making money on FanDuel.
I will also be doing the same for DraftKings. While a lot of information will be applicable to both sites I will tailor lineups according each site’s scoring systems.
It is crucial to remember that, unlike US sports, the EPL has no official injury reports or designations. The information is usually out there but it is not as simple as looking for an official report. There is also a high amount of rotation within the squads meaning there are often surprises on the team sheets. Teams release their lineups 45 minutes to an hour before kick off. It is paramount you check these team sheets before you finalize your lineup. The DFS sites won’t list designations like they do for NFL or NBA sports as a player could be on the bench. I will list changes to my DFS lineups on Twitter at @DavidGateSports and @FantasyCPR
The key to all DFS sports is value. Getting the most points out of every dollar spent. The EPL contests are still quite new to these sites but it seems that 4 points for every $1k of budget will be a high scoring lineup.
My picks are ranked out of three stars for each position to give you an idea of how confident I am in that pick.
* One Star = high floor players who will get adequate value
** Two Stars = players with a higher upside and good matchup
*** Three Stars = excellent pick with a strong matchup
Next: Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers
Tom Heaton – Burnley (7500) ***
Heaton is the most expensive GK on Saturday’s schedule but for good reason. Burnley have been imperious at Turf Moor, having a better home record than both Manchester teams. A huge part of this has been the form of Tom Heaton who has 6+ saves in 7 games this year. He also has a great matchup with Southampton who have struggled to find the net this year.
Artur Boruc – Bournemouth (6700)**
Bournemouth have conceded a lot this season — especially away from home — so I would heed a note of caution about gaining the clean sheet bonus. That being said, his matchup is ideal. Hull are among the lowest scorers in the league and have recently changed managers. New managers can sometimes make an immediate impact defensively but it is much harder to get them scoring at will. Hull played midweek in the League Cup meaning less rest and preparation for this matchup.
Heurelho Gomes (6300)** or Costel Pantilimon (5000) ** – Watford
I am very high on Watford this weekend at home to Middlesborough. This is a good game to chase the clean sheet bonus with low scoring Boro only managing 8 goals away from home this season. You’ll need to check on Saturday to see who starts but I like the value of either these picks. Pantilimon is a definite downgrade on Gomes as a player but the value is there at $5k.
Julian Speroni – Crystal Palace (3700) *
Fan favorite Speroni started last week in the FA cup with Wayne Hennessey out and Mandana still sidelined with a long standing knee injury. If Speroni starts on Saturday he carries excellent value as third choice keeper against a West Ham team struggling with injuries, discontent from star man Payet and adapting to a new stadium. If Speroni starts then I will be including him in all my lineups.
Next: Defenders
Defenders
Note: with Defenders on FanDuel EPL there is no bonus for clean sheets. The scoring systems rewards defensive involvement – tackles, interceptions, blocked shots, clearances. The way to score big is with goals and assists. Any defender that contributes offensively creates great value.
Reid (6100)*** & Cresswell (5100)** – West Ham
Winston Reid has been one of the most consistent defensive scorers in FanDuel ranking 3rd in interceptions, 4th in clearances and 7th in fouls drawn. Cresswell is a good value play this week with Crystal Palace missing Wilfred Zaha and Christian Benteke. I am expecting the West Ham defence to have the edge on the Palace replacements.
Monreal (5700)***, Koscielny (6100)** & Mustafi (5400)** – Arsenal
Nacho Monreal stands out in the match up against Swansea as I expect Arsenal to dominate offensively and for the left back to be heavily involved especially with Özil returning. If Arsenal get up early by a couple of goals then the second half could see home side Swansea trying to find big striker Llorente early and often, creating lots of clearance opportunities for Arsenal centerbacks Koscielny & Mustafi. It will be worth watching who the fourth defender is in the Arsenal lineup with Bellerin out. I am not interested if it is Gabriel (5100) as I think there is no value for a makeshift right back. If it is Carl Jenkinson (4600)** then I think the value is there and the risk is lower.
Prödl (5200)*, Kaboul (5100)* & Britos (5100)* – Watford
Watford spread the FanDuel points evenly amongst their backs. All of these players represent high floor, low ceiling picks. I would lean towards either Prödl or Kaboul as they are more likely to grab a goal from a corner.
Next: Midfielders
Midfielders
Note: I had Dimitri Payet (10,100) – West Ham as my top midfield pick this week but after his transfer request I am leaving him out of all lineups on FanDuel & DraftKings. Even if he is selected I think the risk is too great at that price for him to play good minutes and produce.
Mesut Özil (9600)*** – Arsenal
After missing the last two EPL games with illness Özil is expected to return to Saturday’s lineup. He has an excellent match up with Swansea who have been easy pickings for teams this season. With both Giroud and Sanchez playing well I’m expecting him to rack up the chances created and to grab an assist or two. I have one red flag: Does he play good minutes? I think if it’s a close game then he plays 70+ minutes and if the Gunners are winning at a canter then he plays less minutes but it’s very likely already contributed heavily.
Yohan Cabaye (6200)*** – Crystal Palace
The creative Frenchman is my favorite midfield pick for value. He has scored 21+ FanDuel points in 8 of his last 11 games and ranks 2nd in interceptions. Cabaye is going to see a lot of the ball with Zaha away at the African Nations Cup and West Ham missing Noble and possibly Payet & Antonio too. Man City manager Pep Guardiola recently commented how easy his team found it on the big Olympic Stadium pitch. Expect Cabaye to have the run of East London. I also like Jason Puncheon (5800)* for this game.
Hazard (9800)**, Willian (7600)** & Kanté (7600)** – Chelsea
The Blues should rebound confidently from their loss to Tottenham in the last gameweek. While Leicester have been much better at home than away this year I think the title hunting Chelsea have few problems coming away with a decisive win. These three players represent solid picks for their price points with Kanté returning to the Champions he left last summer.
Joe Allen (7500)* – Stoke
Allen has seen a dip in production in the last three games, tempering his blistering start to the season. He still ranks in the top 10 for his position in interceptions, fouls drawn and goals scored. Stoke travel to Sunderland this week who tend play deeper and allow the opposition to have plenty of the ball. Allen has a high floor with some good upside.
Next: Forwards
Forwards
Callum Wilson (7,600)*** – Bournemouth
Wilson is one of my top picks on the whole slate. Hull are one of the worst home teams in the EPL surrendering 20 goals to visiting teams making the Bournemouth forwards great options. The Tigers conceded 9 penalties in the first half of the season — one every other game — and Callum Wilson is the Cherries’ reliable man from the spot. I would also be confident in Joshua King (7700)** and would consider stacking them for a good value frontline.
Sánchez (13,500) ** & Giroud** (11,300) – Arsenal
Along with Diego Costa (13,200)* the Gunners pair make the three high end plays in the Forward position this week. With Swansea giving goals away like candy at Halloween, I am picking the Arsenal strikers. There should be plenty of chances, shots , goals and assists to go round. If Özil does start then I am plumping for Sánchez over Giroud as he tends hog more of the shooting when he plays further forward. It is also possible that Giroud starts on the bench with Sanchez up front. However I’m expecting Wenger to be confident and start all three of his goal threats.
Troy Deeney (7700)** – Watford
I was high on Watford players this week before the sudden death of club legend Graham Taylor. Now with the game starting with a minute’s applause and a fired-up, emotional crowd I anticipate Watford to come out flying. Deeney is a passionate player anyway but the charged atmosphere at Vicarage Road on Saturday should see an energetic performance.
Next: Final EPL FanDuel Lineup
My FanDuel Lineup Gameweek 21:
FWD: Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal
FWD: Callum Wilson – Bournemouth
MID: Yohan Cabaye – Crystal Palace
MID: N’Golo Kante – Chelsea
MID: Willian – Chelsea
DEF: Winston Reid – West Ham
DEF:Carl Jenkinson – Arsenal
GK: Artur Boruc – Bournemouth
Next: FanDuel NFL Divisional Playoffs
Good Luck today FanDuel EPL players!