EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (12/26/21) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 18 - Boxing Day Week

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! We are rolling along once again, however, accompanied by some very interesting pricing. We will have a smaller four-game slate after a few more matches were postponed starting at 10:00 A.M. EST with Manchester City -550 and Arsenal -240 the overwhelming favorites. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has come back to haunt our beloved sports and it is making lineup construction hard with last-minute updates. Make sure to stay on top of it and also be in the chat up to kick-off!

With four games and the chance of even fewer games by kick-off, softer pricing, and COVID-19,  making the winning lineup will be very difficult and it will take the best forms of creativity when making lineups. With that being said, do not be afraid to feel extremely uncomfortable when building lines.

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 18

Vegas Odds for the Day

[H] Manchester City (-550) vs Leicester [A] (+1250):  Total: 3 1/2u     

This meeting for the Foxes could not be any worse timing. They have won a single match in their last four playable matches and it was against Newcastle United with a 4-0 win. However, Manchester City will be playing host and they have won their last eight league matches with their most recent a notable 7-0 win over Leeds United. Leicester will also be missing a few key players after they picked up injuries in the Liverpool match. 

Expected Outcome: Manchester City 3-0

MCL:

Cash/GPP: 

G: Ederson($5.9K)

D: Cancelo($6.7K)

M/F: Mahrez($9.5K), de Bruyne($9K), 

GPP: Sterling($8.6K)

LEI:

Cash/GPP: 

GPP: Maddison($7.5K), Tielemans($7.1K), Daka($6.4K), Dewsbury-Hall($4.3K)

[H] Norwich City (+645) vs [A] Arsenal (-240):  Total: 2 ½o       

Arsenal is coming in with better form overall, however, their away form is questionable at best. Norwich’s overall form though is still below average and they will have a hard time beating a fast-paced Gunners squad. The Canaries are also without a few of their starters for this matchup. Arsenal will look to make out with three points here.

Expected Outcome: Arsenal 2-0

NOR:

Cash/GPP: 

M/F: Gilmour($5K)

GPP: Cantwell($3.9K), McLean($3.1K), Placheta($3K)

ARS:

Cash/GPP: 

G: Ramsdale($5.7K)

M/F: Saka($9.9K), Odegaard($8.3K), Lacazette($7.9K)

GPP: Martinelli($10.7K), Tierney($5.9K)     

[H] Tottenham Hotspurs (-135) vs [A] Crystal Palace (+400)  Total: 2 1/2u        

After drawing with Arsenal and beating Manchester City, the Eagles have not found success since. In that time, they have dropped matches to, Aston Villa, Leeds and Manchester United, albeit all by a single goal. The Spurs look to have found their footing and they will also play host with a healthy squad. This is not an ideal spot for Palace to witness Son and Kane under new bench boss Conte.

Expected Outcome: Tottenham 3-0

TOT:

Cash/GPP: 

D: Reguilon($5.7K), Royal($5.3K)

M/F: Son($9.7K), Kane($6.8K)

GPP: Moura($6.7K), Lloris($5.2K)

CRY:

Cash/GPP: 

GPP: Gallagher($8.5K), Zaha($8.4K), Edouard($5K), Guaita($3.9K), Hughes($3.6K), Kouyate($3.2K)

[H] West Ham United (-125) vs [A] Southampton (+320)  Total: 2 1/2o       

If the trend continues, this should be the least exciting matchup on the slate. Over the last six meetings between these two clubs, there have been goals scored in sequence, o2.5, u1.5, o2.5, u1.5, o2.5. If the trend continues, we should see a goalless game or a single goal here. It also does not help that both clubs are in terrible form and neither one of them has been in the scoring mood. With both clubs struggling and Southampton still down their starting two strikers, it is expected of the hosts to win by a close margin.

Expected Outcome: West Ham 1-0

WHU:

Cash/GPP: 

M/F: Bowen($9.4K), Antonio($7.5K)

GPP: Fornals($6.3K), Fabianski($5.4K), Lanzini($5.2K), Rice($3K)

SOU:

Cash/GPP: 

M/F: Ward-Prowse($8.8K)

GPP: Broja($6.6K), Redmond($6K), Tella($4.7K), Elyounoussi($4.2K)

Expected Corner Takers:

Manchester City: de Bruyne/Mahrez/Gundogan

Leicester City: Maddison/Tielemans

Norwich City: Gilmour

Arsenal: Odegaard/Saka

Tottenham: Son

Crystal Palace: Gallagher

West Ham United: Bowen/Cresswell

Southampton: Ward-Prowse

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