EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (12/30/23) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 19

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances and chances of getting a European spot for next season. Will we see a new title winner this season or will Liverpool and Manchester City continue to battle it out for the top spot?

The top favorite for this weekend is Manchester City -1400 vs Sheffield United +2600. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 10:00 A.M. EST.

If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.

EPL DFS Goalies

Goalies

James Trafford - DK $3.8K || FD $8

Opponent - Aston Villa

Trafford is not exactly the ideal goalie when selecting from the pool of choices, however, he offers the most value per dollar. In his last five domestic starts, he has 30 saves, 6 conceded goals and 1 clean sheet, while posting double-digit fantasy points on DraftKings in three out of the five contests. Burnley is poor at defense, ranking second in Goals Against Per 90 this season and fifth-worst in Shots Against Per 90. Aston Villa is firing on all cylinders and has been for quite some time now. They rank in the top three clubs in Goals For Per 90 and the top five in Shots For Per 90. Even if Trafford concedes a goal or two, his save volume alone will keep him within value. IF salary is left over in the lineup, taking someone like Ederson from Manchester City is the better option.                                       

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ederson (DK $5.9K || FD $14), Martinez (DK $5.7K || FD $13)

EPL DFS Forwards

Julian Alvarez - DK $10.9K || FD $24

Opponent - Burnley FC

It appears that Erling Haaland will miss yet another fixture and will ultimately wait until the New Year to return. This sets up Julian Alvarez to suit up as the lead striker once more. In his four domestic appearances without Haaland, Alvarez has 1 goal, 1 assist, 9 shots, 7 created chances, 10 crosses, 11 corners, 4 tackles and 7 clearances. The production has been much more spread out since Haaland’s injury, however, thanks to Alvarez’s role on set pieces, he remains a viable option…even without the points. Sheffield United remains the worst club, offensively and defensively in the top flight.                  

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Foden (DK $9.7K || FD $22), Watkins (DK $8.5K || FD $21)

EPL DFS Midfielders

Michael Olise - DK $10.4K || FD $22

Opponent - Brentford FC

Unfortunately, there are too many question marks to pinpoint the set piece taker for Wolverhampton so we move to a chalky pick with Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. For the first time in weeks, the Eagles are fully healthy with both Olise and Eberechi Eze. This could limit the floor for Olise with Eze eating into set pieces, however, the former has Open-Play value as well. Throughout Olise’s last five domestic matches, he has 2 goals, 1 assist, 12 shots, 15 created chances, 30 crosses, 12 corners, 8 tackles, 2 interceptions and 3 clearances. In the last five away fixtures for Brentford, they have been outscored four to eight and in all top flight matches between these two clubs, it has always ended in a draw and under 2.5 goals. Goal fest or not, Olise will be a key player for Palace’s attack.                                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): McNeil (DK $8.8K || FD $18), Luiz (DK $7.5K || FD $19)

EPL DFS Defenders

Nelson Semedo - DK $4.3K || FD $10

Opponent - Everton

There is a very variable option to pay down at both defense positions this week with very little floor from any of the fullbacks. If one was to play a fullback, Nelson Semedo is the ideal option. Wolverhampton may line up in a 5-3-2 formation leaving ample space for the two fullbacks to attack. In Semedo’s last five domestic starts, he has 1 shot, 3 created chances, 14 crosses, 9 tackles, 5 interceptions and 9 clearances.                    

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Carlos (DK $3.2K || FD $10), Collins (DK $2.7K || FD $12)

Corner Takers

• Manchester City: Alvarez/Foden
• Sheffield United: Hamer
• Aston Villa: Luis/McGinn
• Burnley FC: Bruun Larsen/Brownhill
• Crystal Palace: Olise/Eze
• Brentford FC: Norgaard/Jensen
• Wolverhampton: Bellegarde
• Everton: McNeil/Harrison

Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!

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