Yahoo DFS Soccer: Sunday EPL Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Sunday EPL Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EDT)

FORWARDS

Eden Hazard, CHE at LEI (£26): Hazard doesn't have the best anytime goal-scoring odds, but he contributes in so many other areas that an investment at this price is safe enough despite a tough matchup at the King Power Stadium. He hasn't scored in four matches but has contributed assists in two of those outings, bottoming out at 5.9 points and hitting at least 8.6 points in the other three. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£27) is another forward worth considering at this price, especially against a Burnley side who have conceded the most shots and second-most shots on goal. He scored a hat trick in Thursday's Europa League triumph and has scored in three of his past four Premier League matches. The Manchester City forwards, Raheem Sterling (£26) and Sergio Aguero (£27), have a tasty matchup against Brighton and should definitely come into consideration, especially with the Premier League title on the line.

Marcus Rashford, MUN v. Cardiff (£21): The Manchester United v. Cardiff City match has the highest implied goal total on Sunday's 10-match slate, and I think it's safe to say the oddsmakers aren't predicting Cardiff for the upset. United's attack looks like a scene from Walking Dead, with Marcus Rashford the only healthy starter for the finale. He has the third-highest scoring odds on the slate and is considerably cheaper than the top options. He's hit double-digit fantasy points only once in his past seven matches, so I do need to warn you of a potential dud, though the odds keep pointing in his direction. Tahith Chong (£10) has a good chance to start at forward and would be a nice differential pick if he makes the starting XI.

Divock Origi, LIV v. WOL (£13): Roberto Firmino has been ruled out and Mohamed Salah (£27) is coming off a concussion, so Origi is close to locked in for the starting XI. He's coming off a two-goal outing in Tuesday's triumph over Barcelona, and he also scored off the bench last weekend. His peripheral stats aren't great, but at this price it's worth the gamble considering he's playing on the third-biggest favorite on the slate. Sadio Mane (£24) has better goal-scoring odds but is much more expensive, while Salah is the best option in Liverpool's attack if he starts.

MIDFIELDERS

Ilkay Gundogan, MCI at BRI (£18): With Fernandinho (£14) out and Kevin De Bruyne (£24) also missing a few matches, Gundogan has been pulling the strings in City's midfield and doing an efficient job of it. City are the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total, and while Gundogan is unlikely to find the back of the net, his involvement in the midfield gives him a floor of 70 passes (3.5 points), and he contributes with interceptions and accurate crosses. If some of the more expensive options in City's attack like Bernardo Silva (£24) are out of your price range, Gundogan is your next-best option. Phil Foden (£15) started Monday's win over Leicester City and could see another chance in the lineup; he's been productive when starting (two performances with 12+ points) and would be worth rolling the dice on.

Ryan Fraser, BOU at CRY (£17): We get a pick of the litter here, so we might as well smash the accurate crosses. Aside from Lucas Digne (we'll get to him later) and James Maddison (£19), no one has more accurate crosses than Fraser this season. He's a set-piece stud and has a relatively even matchup against Crystal Palace. Despite Bournemouth being a liability away from home, Fraser is a safe bet with a floor around six points, a level he's reached in seven of his past eight matches. He should have no problem continuing that trend, especially with Crystal Palace conceding a league-high 5.65 accurate crosses per 90 minutes this season. As mentioned, Maddison is also another good option but has a tough matchup at home against Chelsea. 

Matt Ritchie, NEW at FUL (£13): After Digne, Fraser and Maddison comes Matt Ritchie on the accurate crosses leaderboard. The difference between those three and Ritchie is that Ritchie is the cheapest and playing a Fulham side who conceded the most goals and a favorable 5.16 accurate crosses per 90 minutes this season. Ritchie has scored at least eight points in five of his past seven outings and looks primed to continue that in what should be an attacking affair.

DEFENDERS

Lucas Digne, EVE at TOT (£16): Plug the Everton defender in your lineup and move forward. Besides Trent Alexander-Arnold (£16) and Andrew Robertson (£17), Digne has to be considered as a top-three fantasy option in the league. As mentioned a few times, he's a crossing virtuoso (he leads the league in accurate crosses), which is a main reason he keeps consistent value. Don't complicate things here by getting cute, go with Digne.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at WOL (£16): How often can we say a defender produces like a top-tier defender? Very rarely. Alexander-Arnold hasn't dropped below 6.65 in his past 10 starts, which is consistency we hardly see from an outside-back. Over that 10-match sample, Alexander-Arnold ranks third in accurate crosses with 27, which is the highest among defenders. He has eight assists in his past eight starts and is playing for a Liverpool side that need to win in order to have any consideration for the Premier League title.

Arthur Masuaku, WHU at WAT (£13): Masuaku has been in the starting XI the past three weeks and should keep that role in Sunday's trip to Watford. He's benefited from back-to-back clean sheets while filling in for Aaron Cresswell (£14), and while his peripheral stats aren't that exciting, West Ham have played well lately and this price is enough to take the risk.

GOALKEEPER

Fraser Forster, SOU v. HUD (£13): Forster started last weekend's loss to West Ham and should be in line for another start against the Premier League's worst attack. With a 20-team slate you have your pick of any team. Huddersfield's attack is brutal and Southampton are playing at home. I'm not a goalkeeper soothsayer, so go with your gut here in an outrageously big slate.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Owen plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: owenc8888 (DraftKings, FanDuel), RotoCrook (Yahoo!).
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Owen
Chris covers fantasy soccer for RotoWire. In his free time he enjoys watching Jurgen Klopp celebrate goals on the touchline and beyond.
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 469
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 469
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Wednesday, April 17: Do You Trust Arsenal?
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Wednesday, April 17: Do You Trust Arsenal?
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
Fantasy Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Tuesday, April 16: Barca Back
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Tuesday, April 16: Barca Back