WELCOME 2018! Before I begin breaking down Saturday’s EPL Main Slate, let me first start off by introducing myself. My name is Victor Arias and I have been playing DFS for over three years now. I am a Passionate, Dedicated, and Hardworking person, born in New Jersey & raised by loveable South American parents. I am appreciative of the DFS Army community and especially Trey J, for giving me the opportunity to introduce my knowledge and background behind my favorite sport – Soccer, to the rest of the team. So let’s begin 2018 with a fortunate and successful year by breaking down the key players & valuable plays of EPL’s Match week 23!
TOP 3 GAMES I LIKE THE MOST:
- Chelsea vs. Leicester City
- Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton
- Huddersfield Town vs. West Ham United
– I want to break down where the top scoring will be throughout the three games that are listed above.
Chelsea vs. Leicester City:
– These two teams are currently battling in the top 8 standings of the EPL; this means that both teams are eager to win on Saturday! Chelsea wants to get closer to the championship cup while Leicester does too but most importantly, want a spot in the next UEFA Champions League. That being said, I see J. Vardy (Leicester’s top scorer) playing a decent game on Saturday, he usually explodes against big teams. But let me remind you, he is coming from a knee injury. However, I am sure he will play, he has been training with the team all week. Also look out for their second top scorer, R. Mahrez. He has scored a goal in his last four games. The amount of FTP of his last 4 games: 37 FTP, 12 FTP, 36.25 FTP & 30 FTP! As much as I like Hazard, I don’t think he will play a better game than the FRENCH MID – KANTE. **That doesn’t mean I won’t PLAY Hazard. He will be in a few lineups. Kante has started all but two of Chelsea’s Premier League matches this season and he will be defending Chelsea more than any other Midfielder. Kante is that player who can explode defensively or offensively. He can surprise everyone and score when you least notice it.
Tottenham Hotspur vs. Everton:
– *These two teams are my favorites of the entire slate! Tottenham will play @ home against a tough Everton team. I want players who can attack from every angle. I am all in Kane & Rooney, that simple. Tottenham’s Kane is the top scorer of the entire English Premier League with 18 goals scored this season! He rested last week and should be good to go Saturday. Kane has also scored a brace (2 goals) against Everton each in the past two meetings. Everton, meanwhile, sits in 9th place and has lost three straight games. Tottenham has not defeated Everton by two goals or more in nine of the past 10 English Premier League matches. Wayne Rooney will be the only striker on top looking for all of the goals. I like both for cash/gpp. That being said I LIKE TOTT’S top three MIDS: C. Ericksen in (CASH) Dele Alli or Son Heung-Min in (GPP). While I like Spurs’ chances I am not going to have a stack larger than two (Kane + 1).
Huddersfield Town vs. West Ham United:
– Both teams are fighting to stay in the EPL standings and get away from the Relegated zone. This is why it should be an interesting matchup! M. Arnautovic has been training with Huddersfield and looks good to go on Saturday. As for Huddersfield Town, I am only playing A. Mooy & C. Schindler. Mooy is second in the Premier League with most crosses and Schindler will have many clearances and perhaps another clean sheet.
Best in the Field:
Here are those you need to build your lineups around:
- Richarlison: (WAT) – Watford hasn’t been playing their best soccer as well as they were early in the season but they are facing a Southampton side that cannot find a win. Southampton has conceded 35% of their goals from outside the area, that means I am loving the chances of Richarlison this week. Both Richarlison & Abdoulaye Dourcoure shoot well from outside the box and they are facing a weak Southampton defense. I like a stack of these two!
- Wilfred N’didi: (LEI) – When constructing a Soccer lineup, I always have at least one Midfielder that I can bank on getting 20+ points from. That person for me this week is N’Didi. He will protect the Leicester Defense at all cost. (GPP PLAY)
- Harry Kane: (TOT) – KANE is my favorite player of the entire slate; He is playing home and as I said previously, Kane has scored at least two goals against Everton in the past 10 meetings. Kane is in play for both (CASH/GPP).
The Unexpected:
Here are the cheaper or less known players in great positions for a breakout game:
- Phill Jagielka: (EVE) – I love the price of Jagielka because he does not usually start every week. Yet in his last two starts, he has 26+ and 30+ Fanduel points. He has a great matchup against Tottenham. (GPP PLAY)
- Gareth McAuley: (WBA) – Gareth should come in for the injured Johnny Evans. He should easily make his value in defensive stats while being a key threat to grab a goal. He had six headed goals last season.
- Daniel Amartey: (LEI) – Danny Simpson has been ruled out for many weeks; Therefore, I like the role of Amartey in that position. He seems to be the best option to fill in for Simpson because of his aggressiveness in the field. He will face a tough challenge against a Strong Chelsea team. (Good for GPP)
RED CARD: (Fades of the day):
– These are the plays that I am fading completely, because of their high ownership or price.
- Alvaro Morata: (CHE) – Morata has been playing his poorest Soccer recently, missing lots of easy chances. The only good thing is that he gets the most assists from every other Chelsea player, so he may score one. But at that price? Nope, I’m good.
- Christian Benteke: (CPL) – I am not chasing Benteke against a Burnley defense, NO WAY! Palace is suffering from defensive injuries making it harder for them to get a hold of this game.
FEAR THE KEEPER:
– Here are my choices of a GPP goal keeper. Like Trey, I want to use a goalkeeper who will have plenty of saves.
- Nick Pope: (BUR) – One goalie that I am feeling the most today is Nick Pope. Pope made three or more saves in a match for the 11 time this season and eighth in the Premier League with 64 saves. I like him the most of the entire slate. (GPP)
- Lukasz Fabianski: (SWA) – He has more saves than any other GK in the Premier League with 86 saves. During his last game against the Spurs, he allowed two goals and made three saves. He will surely bounce back Saturday against Newcastle.
(CASH)
- Jonas Lossl: (HUD) – Jonas is going to make a few saves and has the potential for a clean sheet. (GPP)