EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (1/14/23) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 20

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to 2023! This slate will be a tad trickier than some, with a few matchups more or less pickems.

However, we do get two potential plus matchups with Southampton +240 visiting Everton and Nottingham Forest +165 hosting Leicester City. 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] or via Twitter @df_solutions or on “SLACK”.

The Kick-Off - EPL Matchweek 20

Vegas Odds for the Day

Goalies

Dean Henderson- DK $4.7K || FD $10

Opponent - Leicester City

You have one of two options on this slate at goalkeeper. You can either take Henderson as a ‘safer’ play against one of the worst offenses in the league at the moment, or you can risk taking Roberto Sanchez of Brighton & Hove Albion at home against Liverpool. We will roll with the former here. Leicester City continues to struggle offensively. They most recently got out of a lull where they were outscored 6-1 through three matches to only lose 2-0 most recently to Newcastle United. Leicester is currently sitting dead center in the league in both Shots For Per 90 – 11.05 – and Goals For Per 90 – 1.44 –. However, they are closer to the bottom of the league in Big Chances Created Per 90 – 1.5 –. This should keep Henderson active enough to maintain value while seeing little high-danger shots.           

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Sa (DK $4.9K || FD $11), Sanchez (DK $4.4K || FD $8)

Forwards

Morgan Gibbs-White-DK $8.2K || FD $15

Opponent - Leicester City

Starting striker? Check. At home? Check. Takes the majority of set-pieces? Check. Gibbs-White should theoretically garner some of the highest ownership on the slate for a striker or midfielder – depending on the roster construction –. Not only is he the majority set-piece taker and the leader of Forests’ attack, but he is also playing at home against Leicester City who is in the bottom-half of the league in virtually every meaningful statistic. In Gibbs-White’s last five appearances in domestic play, he has 2 goals, 15 shots, 12 created chances, 24 crosses, 10 corners and 5 tackles. The goals are not ideal for a starting striker, but you also need to account for his strength of competition – Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool in his last five matches –. Nevertheless, this is a great spot for Nottingham Forest and more specifically Gibbs-White who holds some of the best value at the forward position on the slate.       

Sekou Mara- DK $4.3K || FD $9

Opponent - Southampton

In what is a ‘boom-or-bust’ play, Mara looks to be starting up top once again after the thrilling 2-0 win over Manchester City in the EFL Cup during midweek. The striker over his last five appearances – 1 start – in all domestic play has 3 shots, 1 created chance and 5 tackles. The bulk of his play has been in the smaller competitions, such as the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. However, this is the perfect chance for him to score his first Premier League goal against one of the worst defenses in the league. Surprisingly enough, Everton is much better in the goals-against department – just 0.12 per game –. However, they do concede the most Shots Against Per 90 – 1.49 – and Chances Created Per 90 – 1.16 –. They are also the second-worst club in Crosses Against Per 90 – 2.26 –. With Southampton most likely setting up in a 4-2-3-1 again, Mara will be fed the ball all match.               

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $8.8K || FD $21), Jimenez (DK $5.5K || FD $13)

Midfielders

James Ward-Prowse- DK $8.9K || FD $16

Opponent - Everton

Ward-Prowse could very well be one of the highest-owned players on the slate in any position. JWP can play virtually anywhere on the pitch and succeed, however, he is best suited as a supporting striker or a supporting attacking-midfielder. In the projected 4-2-3-1 formation for Southampton, that is exactly what Ward-Prowse will be doing. In his last five games in domestic play, he has 2 goals, 1 assist, 6 shots, 10 created chances, 38 crosses, 22 corners and 10 tackles. Thanks to the plethora of created chances, JWP will be even more popular on FanDuel where created chances are scored heavier. As mentioned, Everton sports one of the most giving defenses in the top flight and Ward-Prowse should be able to meet and exceed value here.               

Ayoze Perez- DK $6.6K || FD $11

Opponent - Nottingham Forest

Perez has been a breath of fresh air for Leicester. The winger has begun to fully take over set-pieces for the Foxes and he is also one of the most dangerous players on the pitch, creating ample space and taking ambitious shots. Over his last five games – 2 starts – in domestic play, he has 1 assist, 6 shots, 8 created chances, 13 crosses, 10 corners and 8 tackles. You will need to watch for last-minute news prior to kick-off however with Perez picking up a late injury. If he does go though, he will be one of the most productive players on the pitch for Leicester.            

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gross (DK $8.5K || FD $17), Podence (DK $6.7K || FD $14)

Defense

Trent Alexander-Arnold- DK $7K || FD $13

Opponent - Brighton & Hove Albion

Alexander-Arnold’s form this season has been a far cry from seasons past. The wingback has struggled on both ends of the ball, leading to a shockingly poor Liverpool defense. However, he is starting to pick up some pace with 1 assist, 4 shots, 7 created chances, 29 crosses, 7 corners, 8 tackles and 9 interceptions during his last five games in domestic play. He has also scored double-digit fantasy points in his last two games. With what should be a tightly-contested meeting with Brighton, Alexander-Arnold will be active early and often.             

Lyanco- DK $2.6K || FD $8

Opponent - Everton

While many will be focused on Kyle Walker-Peters, we will look at the other touchline with Lyanco. The fullback has done very little this season or in his career, however, he is a great ‘punt’ play at defense in a good matchup. Over Lyanco’s last five games – 4 starts – in domestic play, he has 2 shots, 1 created chance, 1 cross, 5 tackles, 6 interceptions and 12 clearances. We do not need much for Lyanco to maintain value and he will have every opportunity to do that against Everton.          

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Williams (DK $5.9K || FD $10), Dunk (DK $3K || FD $9)

Corner Takers:

Arsenal: Saka/Martinelli/Odegaard

Newcastle: Trippier

Everton: Gray/McNeil

Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross/March

Leicester City: Perez/Tielemans

Fulham: Pereira

Manchester United: Eriksen/Fernandes

AFC Bournemouth: Cook/Anthony

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