Fansided

EPL DFS Breakdown – Saturday 10/19/19

By Vince Dray

Bournemouth's English striker Callum Wilson (R) vies with Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Bournemouth's English striker Callum Wilson (R) vies with Arsenal's German goalkeeper Bernd Leno (L) during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London on October 6, 2019. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United is chased by Dale Stephens of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James Park on September 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Fabian Schar of Newcastle United is chased by Dale Stephens of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion at St. James Park on September 21, 2019 in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /

EPL DFS Defenders

Willy Boly (Southampton @ Wolverhampton, $16) – Boly is the defender to pay up for on this slate, but in general, I do not like paying up for defenders on this slate.  Boly gets A TON of defensive peripherals; enough to put him well into the 20s.  The only 2 games he didn’t were against Palace and Manchester United, which are brutal matchups for anyone relying on peripherals.  I don’t love the Southampton matchup, but I do like that he is at home where he had his biggest game of the year recently with 30.1 fantasy points.  If you want to be different on this slate and spend your money on a defender, Boly would be the guy.  However, do not feel the need to prioritize him or any other pricey defender on Saturday.

Caglar Soyuncu (Burnley @ Leicester, $14) – Soyuncu started out this season at the minimum price, and now his price has risen $6.  However, I’m still on him in this matchup.  Burnley allows opposing defenders to get a good number of clearances and that is how Soyuncu gets a lot of his points.  Aside from a tough matchup against United, he’s been over 12 fantasy points in every single game topping out at 28.2.  While his attacking upside is essentially zilch, he should be able to get plenty of clearances with enough other defensive peripherals to get into the upper teens.

Jonny Evans ($12) is $2 cheaper, and while he has less upside, his ability to get clearances as well should benefit him in this matchup.  Both Leicester defenders are worth a look on Saturday.  As good as some people think Ben Chilwell ($11) is, he just isn’t valuable in fantasy right now.

Marcos Alonso (Newcastle @ Chelsea, $14) – After starting the year on the bench, Alonso has 4 straight 16+ fantasy point games.  He has 2 assists and at least 1 chance created in each game.  He’s one of the better attacking defenders on this slate, and he’s in a tremendous matchup to do damage from the back.  He will always add in a handful of other defensive peripherals which is great for his floor, plus a clean sheet bonus is likely.  He is one of my favorite defenders on this slate.

Diego Rico (Norwich @ Bournemouth, $14) – Essentially Bournemouth’s version of Alonso, Diego Rico is in a great spot on Saturday as well.  In 5 EPL starts, he has 2 assists and at least 1 chance created in each game just like Alonso.  They’re in equally good matchups and they’re both $14.  Rico tends to add in slightly more defensive peripherals than Alonso giving him a higher ceiling, but Alonso is playing for a much larger favorite Saturday.  How to decide between them you ask?  Dig through your couch for a coin and give it a flip.

Fabian Schar (Newcastle @ Chelsea, $14) – Couldn’t find a coin?  No matter, maybe Schar is your answer.  He has shown a consistently higher ceiling than either Alonso or Rico in more consistent playing time.  Schar is one of the best defenders at getting peripherals, and he’s in a great matchup to do so on the road as a big underdog.  His defensive peripherals should be enough to get him into the 20s on Saturday.

Joel Ward (Manchester City @ Crystal Palace, $12) – There are actually a good number of solid value defenders for Saturday starting with Ward.  A home matchup against a team like City is a prime matchup for Ward.  He leads the team in tackles and interceptions and is top 4 in clearances and blocks as well.  He’s in a great spot to collect all of those defensive peripherals in this game with City controlling a ton of possession in his area.

Gary Cahill ($11) is the team’s leader in clearances, which is a useful stat in this matchup as a center back against City.  Martin Kelly ($9) might provide the best value out of the bunch, but he’s also has a little bit of a lower floor.  I expect Palace defenders to be a popular value target on Saturday, but you can’t argue with the spot they’re in.

Craig Cathcart (Watford @ Tottenham, $10) – You won’t find me recommending many Watford players this year, but I can’t ignore them in this matchup.  Along with Burnley, Tottenham allows opposing defenders to rack up plenty of clearances.  Cathcart is 2nd on the team in clearances.  It’s unfortunate that his other defensive peripherals aren’t great, but with the number of clearances he should get, he won’t need many other to get you 15+ points on Saturday.  Christian Kabasele ($12) is the best fantasy defender on the team and the team leader in clearances.  He’s been a little inconsistent this year with both playing time and fantasy performances, but he’s viable, nonetheless.