EPL DFS breakdown – Sunday 9/22/2019
By Vince Dray
EPL DFS: Mid-Tier and Value Forwards/Midfielders
Wilfred Zaha (Wolverhampton @ Crystal Palace, $16) – If there was ever a risky, GPP-only pick it would be Zaha on Sunday. His scoring woes are continuing from last year, but if you watch him, he is starting to be a little more productive on the field.
Last year, a match-up with Wolves isn’t one I would try to exploit, but this year is a different story. They’ve actually given up double digit goals so far, including five last week to Chelsea.
They’re playing in Europa League now which adds more games and changes their training schedule. Zaha is a relatively well-known player for soccer fans, but he’s my call for a sub-5% goal on Sunday. Jordan Ayew ($15) has been the better of the Palace forwards with two goals in his last three games, and I’m willing to take a shot at him in this matchup as well.
The whole mid-tier of attackers is a mess on Sunday. A guy like Mesut Ozil ($15) sparks some interest for me if he starts. He’s been incredibly inconsistent recently and hasn’t played much at all this season, but he’s a creative attacker on the slate’s largest favorite.
Joao Moutinho ($14) should be good for a fantasy performance in the mid-to-upper teens. Palace doesn’t allow many goals at home, but they do allow teams to create chances which is where Moutinho gets most of his fantasy value.
Maybe it will take a shot from distance to score on Palace at home, which is where you want guy like Ruben Neves ($13) who essentially only scores from outside the penalty area.
Luke Milivojevic ($14) fits the same bill as Moutinho as a guy who relies mostly on chances created and can get me some safe points. He gets the benefit of playing at home however, and he takes the PKs for Palace. He didn’t have a good start to the season, but he’s averaging 20.1 fantasy points over his last three games.
After the top-notch attackers, the quality takes a massive dive in fantasy potential. I’ve looked over the slate a few different times and it’s very hard for me to recommend guys who I haven’t already.
There are just no appealing EPL DFS spots. However, if you really need attacking value, Marvelous Nakamba ($8) is viable for minimum price. In a less than ideal Monday match-up against West Ham, he put up 9.1 fantasy points in his first start. This match-up is better for him and his ability to get peripherals, and I’m just happy we have an $8 guy starting to be honest.
I feel okay about taking fliers on guys like Fabinho ($12) and Georginio Wijnaldium ($10) in hopes that the Liverpool @ Chelsea game because open and full of defensive peripherals. Each are capable of a goal or assist now and then too with the dominance of Liverpool’s attack.