Welcome back, RotoBallers! We have a small break from single-game slates with two EPL games on Thursday. There are actually significant implications in both of the games which seems to be a change from what we've had lately. I will be breaking down that game in full for you here. Keep reading this breakdown for my DFS soccer picks on RotoBaller and see how to have success on Thursday's slate.
The very large majority of my DFS content will be EPL or UCL-related, however, there is more soccer than just what is being played in England. If you want to chop it up with myself and other RotoBaller writers about non-EPL leagues or other sports, consider becoming a premium member and joining our ever-growing community of DFS and fantasy sports enthusiasts! There was some great conversation over the four UCL slates we had this week, and the Premium Slack chat is as full as ever!
In this article, I will be providing you with my English Premier League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for FanDuel on 5/13/21 for the slate that locks at 1:00 pm ET. Be sure to also check out our other DFS lineup picks for other active sports. You can always find me on Twitter @vdray5 if you have any questions. Good luck, RotoBallers!
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
EPL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Aston Villa vs Everton
Everton (+150) has had several chances to pull closer to a UCL qualifying spot over the last few weeks, but they haven't taken advantage of enough of those chances. They're still only three points behind WHU with a game in hand. They'll surely need a win in this game on the road in order to have a chance at catching the Hammers. They are ever-so-slight favorites as I write this against an Aston Villa team that hasn't been so great lately. These two teams just met on May 1st with Villa winning 2-1. Another even-ish game is expected here. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
With Manchester United's loss on Tuesday, Manchester City officially claimed the 2021-21 English Premier League title. That means this game is essentially irrelevant for United, but Liverpool (+135) are still chasing West Ham as well and can leap ahead with a win on Thursday. Manchester United just rested a good deal of their normal starters on Tuesday against Leicester, and we'll see if they do that again. Liverpool should have their best squad out there, though. The goal total over/under is 2.5.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
I do not love the matchup here for Mo Salah ($22) at all against a strong United home defense. However, we saw United start some bench defenders on Tuesday - and if that happens again - Salah will have a better matchup. Either way, Liverpool really need to win this game in order to have some UCL hopes for next season. Salah is in pretty solid form with goals and peripherals, and he's -125 to score Thursday. Diogo Jota ($16) is definitely my favorite FWD/MID to pair with Salah if you're really going to target Liverpool on Thursday with Thiago ($12) providing some nice value.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($21) appears to be returning to his incredible goal scoring form from earlier in the season after returning from some injuries. He has scored in his last two games including one against Villa just 12 days ago. Everton are in a huge spot here where a win means a ton for them, and I'm ready to ride DCL's hot hand.
Everton's away defense this season has been much better than in the past, but I still want to target it some. Bertrand Traore ($15) has been playing well for Villa and remains at a really good price here. He has strong anytime scoring odds at +250, and he's been getting some good attacking peripherals in recent games.
The value attackers on this slate are not good, but I'm interested in Fabinho ($11) some at this price. He has a nice matchup against United who allow a lot of defensive stats, plus he can add in a goal ocassionally.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
Both Manchester United and Liverpool allow a ton of defensive stats to opposing teams. Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($14) should do really well in this game environment. Liverpool will be busy pressing for a win here, and AWB will have plenty of opportunities to get defensive stats which he does so well. He also has some ability to get up the flank and create chances.
From the other side of this game, Andrew Robertson ($13) checks a lot of boxes. He can get both defensive and attacking peripherals, and like I mentioned, this is a great matchup for him to do so.
Lucas Digne ($14) is generally someone I only target in home games, however, the magnitude of this matchup makes me want him on Thursday. He just scored 26.8 fantay points against Villa 12 days ago. While that was at home where he is better, I think he has strong attacking upside in this game.
Nat Phillips ($11), Seamus Coleman ($10), and Eric Bailly ($7) are some of the cheaper defenders in my player pool on Thursday.
FanDuel DFS Goalkeepers
This is another slate this week where the selection of goalkeepers is far from ideal. Never Jordan Pickford ($12) applies here for me - especially on the road. Alisson ($11) could interest me some depending on who Solskjaer decides to start in this game. If we see another watered-down United lineup, Alisson is in a really good spot for the price in a must-win game for Liverpool.
I don't hate Emiliano Martinez ($8) - especially being the cheapest on the slate. Everton have not been scoring many goals lately with only six in their last eight league games. Villa's defense has been solid this year, and Martinez is just too cheap for the ceiling he has in this game. Of course, his floor is pretty low too with Everton pressing for a win here.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!