Welcome to the English Premier League DFS coverage for Wednesday, Dec. 15. Below are the top EPL DFS picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for Matchday 17, which consider all aspects of the slate, from Awesemo’s expert projections to pricing to popularity for DFS fantasy soccer. These EPL DFS soccer picks should help with creating highly projected lineups in DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy soccer tournaments and cash games.
DraftKings & FanDuel EPL DFS Picks Today
Brighton (+140) vs. Wolverhampton (+220), O/U 2.5
Burnley (+105) vs. Watford (+250), O/U 2.5
Crystal Palace (+115) vs. Southampton (+250), O/U 2.5
Arsenal (+115) vs. West Ham (+220), O/U 2.5
Forwards/Midfield
Will Hughes (DraftKings: $4,000, FanDuel: $9)
Conor Gallagher (DraftKings: $9,800, FanDuel: $20)
Crystal Palace will play host to Southampton on a four-game slate. Crystal Palace has been in fine form offensively at home, with at least a goal in four straight matches. Southampton is struggling on the road, with three straight losses and two matches allowing over 1.5 expected goals. The losses to Liverpool would be no surprise, but Arsenal dismantled the Saints and Norwich posted two goals. Southampton looks to still be without Alex McCarthy in net, which plays to Crystal Palace’s advantage.
Conor Gallagher has carried the offensive load for Crystal Palace, with 40.9% goal contribution and the most goals scored. He averages 2.33 shots per match and hits target at a 41.2% accuracy clip, making him an upside play on both DraftKings and FanDuel. The PK man is Wilfried Zaha, and he is second on the team sheet in total goals scored. Zaha offers up output with 1.50 shots and 3.42 scoring chances created per match. He is among the EPL leaders in drawn fouls, at 4.18 per match. The price of $9,100 is discounted from Gallagher, and both are GPP plays unless Will Hughes does not see the starting 11.
Hughes comes at a floor price and will handle the indirect set shares for Crystal Palace. In his solo run since joining the club, he posted four crosses and an assist. The assist is an outlier off the cross, but his $4,000 price can be paid off with the crossing volume and drawn fouls. He is a core play due to the floor and salary relief for spend-up options. Should Hughes not start, then Gallagher will resume the set shares, making his price tag too low for the floor and scoring upside.
Tom Cleverley (DraftKings: $5,600, FanDuel: $12)
Emmanuel Dennis (DraftKings: $9,300, FanDuel: $19)
Watford travels to take on Burnley. Burnley has allowed 1.08 expected goals per home match, ranking sixth in the EPL. Watford has found goals in bunches in recent form, with a barrage against Manchester United and breaking through the strong defenses of Chelsea and Manchester City. One goal in a match is not a lot, but it is significant against City and Chelsea. The issue with Watford is they cannot play defense. They allowed two or more goals in four straight matches.
Tom Cleverley handles the set shares and is similar to Hughes. His ceiling is not high, but the floor at a low enough price can be met with an average of 4.82 crosses and 3.10 scoring chances created. The discount for Hughes in a home matchup is the go-to, while Cleverley is a pivot. In GPP gamers could consider rostering the two to pay up for massive goal hunters across the board.
Emmanuel Dennis continues to find the back of the net for Watford. He leads the club in scoring chances created (3.24 per match) and shots (2.42 per match). Dennis has contributed on 57% of Watford’s scoring via an even split of goals and assists, making him a high-upside option.
Chris Wood comes in at $5,000 on DraftKings. He has no floor and is having a terrible season, but this matchup could get him back on the right track. Burnley has been terrible on offense, and Wood accounts for 23% of their scoring. He handles penalties and leads the team in shot volume, at 1.95 per match. On FanDuel his price of $15 is hard to get to for the lack of floor and lack of goals On DraftKings he is a top option in GPPs, with a lack of ownership incoming for leverage. Maxwell Cornet will be a solid play if he is healthy. He leads the club in scoring and should help Wood get a few more chances around the penalty box.
Other Options: Jarrod Bowen (DraftKings $9,600, FanDuel $18), Michail Antonio (DraftKings $8,100, FanDuel $20), Martin Odegaard (DraftKings $8,000, FanDuel $16), James Ward-Prowse (DraftKings $7,800, FanDuel $17), Dwight McNeil (DraftKings $8,500, FanDuel $16)
Defense
Rayan Ait-Nouri (DraftKings: $5,700, FanDuel: $12)
Rayan Ait-Nouri handles the indirect sets on his side of the pitch for Wolverhampton. He averages 4.75 crosses per match and does well on the defense with 4.88 won tackles/interceptions per match. This match looks like a stalemate between two teams that focus more on defense. Ait-Nouri does not need scoring to produce in DFS. The upside is a clean sheet bonus added if this match draws out. The Wolves recorded three consecutive clean sheets prior to back-to-back 1-0 losses to Liverpool and Manchester City. Again, Manchester City and Liverpool being held to under three goals is an impressive feat.
On the Brighton side, Tariq Lamptey also provides a clean sheet upside. He comes in cheaper than Ait-Nouri and produces in open play with 4.22 crosses and 4.44 scoring chances created per match.
Other Options: Valentino Livramento (DraftKings $4,500, FanDuel $12), Arthur Masuaku (DraftKings $4,700, FanDuel $9), Kieran Tierney (DraftKings $5,300, FanDuel $10), Vladimir Coufal (DraftKings $5,600, FanDuel $10).
Goalkeeper
Jose Sa (DraftKings: $4,600, FanDuel: $8)
Lukasz Fabianski (DraftKings: $4,400, FanDuel: $9)
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