EPL DFS Breakdown – Sunday 9/15/2019

Top-Tier Defenders

Lucas Digne (Everton @ Bournemouth, $17) – The top defender spot on this slate easily goes to Digne.  After a rough week one where he hurt my lineup, he’s shown us why he’s a top-tier defender in the last three with an average of 24.3 fantasy points.  Digne has one of the highest ceilings out of any defender in the league with his attacking ability.  His floor is around 20 in this matchup and you need to take points where you know you can get them on small slates.  If you can pay up for a top defender, there’s no reason to fade Digne.

Yerry Mina (Everton @ Bournemouth, $13) – I’m going to continue with the Everton defenders here, but for different reasons.  Mina has been a monster on defense this season with three 18+ point games; well over his $13 price tag.  The majority of his fantasy value depends on clearances and I could see Bournemouth attacking a lot at home which should play well for Mina.  Everton has only allowed four goals in four games, and they have the ability to keep Bournemouth scoreless.  That clean sheet bonus would be massive for Mina.  If you need the extra $1 to spend elsewhere, Michael Keane ($12) offers upside into the upper teens in this game.

Chris Mepham (Everton @ Bournemouth, $12) – Mepham’s average fantasy points per game is a little high right now with his week 1 goal, but his price has remained very reasonable.  Mepham gets a good number of clearances and can add in interceptions and tackles well too.  I like his floor in this game and he should not be high owned.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles (Arsenal @ Watford, $12) – Maitland-Niles is too cheap here.  Aside from Digne, he offers the most attacking upside on this slate from a defender (+450 to score).  He has a safe floor with all double digit games so far, and his 20+ point upside is real.  I’ve touched on the fact that I think an Arsenal stack is sneaky, and Maitland-Niles would be a perfect defender to add.  Sead Kolasinac ($10) is uber cheap as well for his upside.  He hasn’t necessarily shown it yet this season, but this could be a break out game for him.

Goalkeepers

Bernd Leno (Arsenal @ Watford, $16) – This is usually a lot to pay for a guy like Leno who doesn’t have the best defense in front of him.  However, Watford is last in the league in goals scored with only two so far.  Additionally, they’re without Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu is far from in form.  Maybe Watford figured things out during their two week break, but the trend so far this year tells us to play GKs against Watford.

Jordan Pickford (Everton @ Bournemouth, $15) – It isn’t often that I recommend road goalkeepers, but here I am recommending two.  I’ve mentioned that Everton’s defense is improved and they’re only giving up one goal per game.  Bournemouth is aggressive enough where they will force Pickford to make multiple saves.  Plus, I think that he has a solid shot at a win bonus making his floor strong.  He could be in for a massive game if he can shutout Bournemouth.

Thanks for checking out my EPL DFS Breakdown again this week!  See you during the week for some Champions League action!