EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (5/13/23) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 36

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to 2023! As the season dwindles down, many clubs will be focused on any trophies left at stake, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, etc and it will cause squad rotation and or rest. The Starting XI will remain fluid for those specific clubs, while others may try new formations as their league positions cement for next season.

The top favorite this weekend is Manchester United -260 vs Wolverhampton +700. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 10:00 P.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 36

Vegas Odds for the Day

Goalies

David de Gea - DK $5.8K || FD $14

Opponent - Wolverhampton

David de Gea is by far one of the least liked ‘elite’ goalies in the Premier League. The keeper is very inconsistent and concedes extremely questionable goals – check his goal against in the 1-0 loss to West Ham last week –. However, all of these inconsistencies typically come while away from Old Trafford. At home in their last five fixtures, he is averaging a clean sheet! Manchester United and Aston Villa are the only two clubs on the slate with zero goals against in their last five home fixtures. The major difference between the two is United’s opponent, Wolverhampton, who has scored just 3 goals in their last five away fixtures. If looking for a ‘safe’ play and one of the highest-owned goalies on the slate, David de Gea is the guy.                             

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Arrizabalaga (DK $5.6K || FD $13), Martinez (DK $5.1K || FD $10)

Forwards

Kai Havertz - DK 7.3K || FD $20

Opponent - Nottingham Forest

The slate is in trouble when Havertz is one of the top strikers to choose from. In his last five fixtures in domestic play, he has 12 shots, 6 created chances, 3 crosses and 3 tackles. That means he has not scored or assisted a goal since March 18th in a 2-2 draw with Everton. Despite his poor production, he is in one of the best matchups of the slate, going against Nottingham Forest who possess the worst away record in the league. The visitors have been outscored 8 to 41 in all domestic play this season and in their last five, they have been outscored 5 to 12. Over the season in all domestic play, they are the third-worst in both Shots Against Per 90 – 14.77 – and Created Chances Against Per 90 – 11.6 – and they are the second-worst in Goals Against Per 90 – 1.85 –. For his salary in yet another great matchup – played Bournemouth last weekend –, this is a hard spot to fade.                                                 

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Zaha (DK $8K || FD $17), Weghorst (DK $4.2K || FD $15)

Midfielders

Michael Olise - DK 9.3K || FD $17

Opponent - Leeds United

Olise is the talisman of Crystal Palace. The winger is the set-piece taker with teammate Eberechi Eze taking a few here in there. This provides a valuable floor for Olise from crosses alone. Over his last five matches in domestic play, he has 1 assist, 7 shots, 8 created chances, 48 crosses, 29 corners, 6 tackles, 6 interceptions and 4 clearances. Bournemouth is the worst club in both Shots Against Per 90 – 16.45 – and Crosses Against Per 90 – 24.65 –, as well as, the second-worst in Chances Created Against Per 90 – 11.91 – and the third-worst in Goals Against Per 90 – 1.82 –. Olise has one of the best floors on the slate while playing in a goal-friendly matchup against AFC Bournemouth.                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fernandes (DK $9.7K || FD $23), Willian (DK $9.6K || FD $18)

Defense

Trevor Chalobah - DK $3.8K || FD $10

Opponent - Nottingham Forest

Chelsea is now down Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Ben Chilwell for potentially the final matches of the season. This leaves Trevor Chalobah as one of the main fullbacks moving forward. In his last five fixtures in domestic play – 3 starts –, he has 1 shot, 1 created chance, 8 crosses, 8 tackles, 7 interceptions and 11 clearances. As mentioned above, Nottingham Forest is the worst away club in the league and despite scoring 5 of their 8 away goals this season in their last five fixtures, there is still a strong chance that Chelsea holds them to a clean sheet at Stamford Bridge this weekend. For Chalobah’s salary, there isn’t much better value with his potential upside.                

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Robinson (DK $5.4K || FD $10), Mitchell (DK $4.6K || FD $9)

Corner Takers:

Aston Villa: Luiz

Tottenham: Perisic/Son

Chelsea: Fernandez

Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White

Crystal Palace: Olise/Eze

AFC Bournemouth: Christie

Manchester United: Fernandes/Eriksen

Wolverhampton: Neto/Neves

Southampton: Ward-Prowse

Fulham: Willian

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