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EPL DFS breakdown – Saturday 9/28/2019

By Vince Dray

EPL DFS: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Sergio Aguero of Man City celebrates after scoring their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Watford FC at the Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images )
EPL DFS: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Sergio Aguero of Man City celebrates after scoring their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Watford FC at the Etihad Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images ) /
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EPL DFS
EPL DFS: LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Marcos Alonso of Chelsea in action during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge on September 22, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Chelsea Football Club/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) /

EPL DFS: Value Defenders

Marcos Alonso (Brighton @ Chelsea, $12) – As a Chelsea fan, I am more than a little annoyed with the way Alonso defends on the field, but that’s irrelevant for fantasy purposes.  Not long ago Alonso was a top defender stud to get on any given slate with his attacking potential.

He was not in the lineup to begin the season, but he has two pretty good games in a row in tough match-ups.  This is a great match-up at home for him where he should have a ton of space and freedom to get up the field.

I love his attacking upside in this match-up against a weaker Brighton team especially for only $12.  His defensive peripherals aren’t much, but they do help him establish a decent floor.  Chelsea might go overlooked on this slate even though they’re favored by a whole goal, so I think Alonso could see some really low ownership.

Sam Byram (Norwich @ Crystal Palace, $12) – I’m going to have interest in Byram until he cools off or until FanDuel raises his price.  If you ignore the game where he came on as a substitute, he is averaging 22.8 fantasy points per game which is actually the highest out of any projected starting defender.

I’m indifferent on this match-up for Byram.  I like that they’re on the road, but I could also see this whole game not amounting to much for fantasy purposes.  Regardless, for a guy averaging nearly double his price, I can’t argue.

Bjorn Engels (Burnley @ Aston Villa, $12) – I almost focused this portion on Tyrone Mings ($15), but I can’t justify that price for him anymore considering his steady decline in fantasy production since week 1.

I’d much rather save $3 and get Engels who might just be the better play regardless.  Just like Tottenham, Burnley allow many clearances to opposing defenders.  Techincally, Mings leads Aston Villa in clearances but that’s with his 17 in week 1 with Engels with the second most.

Villa’s home defense has been good too, and I’d love to see Engels get a clean sheet bonus on top of his peripherals.  Neither will likely be high owned, and I like Engels in all formats.

Issa Diop (West Ham @ Bournemouth, $11) – I’ll get to the point with Diop.  You already know I like guys who get peripherals in this game.  Diop has 5 straight games of 13 or more fantasy points (above his price point).  While his upside is limited, you won’t find that kind of consistency among guys under $12.

Jonny (Watford @ Wolverhampton, $10) – I’ll be short and sweet this play too.  This is a bomb match-up for Wolverhampton against the EPL’s worst side, so hopefully Jonny can add in some attacking stats.

Jonny has also been over 19 fantasy points in 2 of his 5 starts on peripherals alone.  You won’t find that kind of upside for this cheap.  However, his floor remains as low as anyone in this price range.  He’s a definite risk-reward play on Saturday, but he’s as cheap as I can go on this slate.

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