Welcome to the DFS Army Soccer Starting XI! This is the place to start your research as we’ll go game-by-game breaking down every match-up. For this week, the game-by-game breakdown is for VIP members along with coaches notes from both theDFSniper and TreyJ989, complete with player picks, confidence ratings, and in-depth advice for each slate. If you’re not a VIP member, join today and use code SNIPER for 20% off!
If you’re new to DFS Soccer and want to get a better handle on the basics, watch this introductory video as we get you ready to start cashing in your soccer contests. I also put together a five-step guide to constructing cash game lineups, give it a quick read before heading into head-to-heads and double-ups.
One last thing before we get rolling, Follow me on Twitter @theDFSniper
Starting XI Breakdown
Brighton (+191) @ Aston Villa (+131)
Draw (+236) | Total: Over 2.5 (-125)
This is a game that could go overlooked on this slate because of the large home favorites. While it’s not game to stack, there are several viable one-off options for both cash games and GPPs. Aston Villa is particularly fantasy friendly but their prices do reflect that, which is why I can’t endorse a stack. I also think Villa is just the better tam and this line is just slightly off because they are at home.
BHA 5-Star Plays: None.
BHA 4-Star Plays: Gross (cash)
GPP Note: Maybe a one-off as one of the forwards as a value option.
AVL 5-Star Plays: None.
AVL 4-Star Plays: McGinn, Grealish, El Ghazi, Targett
GPP Note: I like all of the above options as one-offs.
Norwich (+301) @ Bournemouth (-136)
Draw (+313) | Total: Over 3.5 (-103)
Hey, look at that, Vegas has finally caught up on what I’ve been saying for weeks, Norwich is not good. They pulled an early upset this year but the shine is finally off. The downside is that we won’t get free ownership. On to business though, the obvious play here is Bournemouth as they are heavy favorites in a high total game. We need to pay attention to whether Ryan Fraser reclaims his starting role, which seems unlikely but it is a possibility. Norwich plays so open that even as an underdog there are interesting pieces to consider.
NOR 5-Star Plays: None.
NOR 4-Star Plays: Buendia (cash)
GPP Note: Not for stacking, huge road underdogs.
BOU 5-Star Plays: Rico (if Fraser sits), Callum Wilson (GPP)
BOU 4-Star Plays: Solanke (GPP), King (GPP)
GPP Note: Stack them up, they aren’t the sexiest of home teams but they are in just as good of spots as the big names at a discounted price.
Newcastle (+826) @ Chelsea (-344)
Draw (+434) | Total: Over 3.5 (-103)
Chelsea should roll in this one, it’s just a matter of how to fit in the expensive pieces and how to prioritize them. Just based on this slate, I have no interest in the Newcastle side as they should be defending the whole time. That does make the Newcastle center defenders good plays on FanDuel but that’s about all I can say for them. Willian is the man I want the most of and he ends up sitting then all that love will go to Mason Mount.
NEW 5-Star Plays: Lascelles (FD)
NEW 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: I don’t have anything nice to say…so I’ll just leave it at that.
CHE 5-star Plays: Willian, Alonso, Abraham (GPP)
CHE 4-Star Plays: Mount (GPP), Hudson-Odoi (GPP)
GPP Note: With the prices, I think they are prime for two-man combinations but not much more.
Burnley (+513) @ Leicester (-192)
Draw (+304) | Total: Over 2.5 (-114)
Finally glad that Burnley is a road underdog because I’m sick of trying to figure out their offense. Luckily we don’t have to deal with that and the options for Leicester are specific so I’m pretty clear on how I want to attack this game. James Maddison is an auto play for me on DraftKings, he’s just a fantasy point machine but he’s not a must play on FanDuel.
BUR 5-Star Plays: None.
BUR 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: Nope. No Thanks. Pass.
BUR 5-Star Plays: Maddison (DK)
BUR 4-Star Plays: Maddison (FD), Vardy (GPP)
GPP Note: I will definitely be mixing in the two-man combination of Maddison and Vardy on both sites.
Watford (+566) @ Tottenham (-238)
Draw (+365) | Total: Over 3 (-123)
Tottenham is projected to smash the lowly Watford but holy god have the Spurs been playing awful. Hopefully they come back from the International break with some type of renewed form and with the recent run we have to be on the lookout for a new lineup too. Kane is also so expensive on DraftKings we can consider a fade because he has to have at least a brace (two goals) to be relevant. I don’t have any interest in the Watford side outside of the defenders for FanDuel.
WAT 5-Star Plays: Prodl (FD), Kabasele (FD)
WAT 4-Star Plays: Cathcart (FD)
GPP Note: If you want to continue the Tottenham spiral theory, I guess play Gray as a forward…but I won’t.
TOT 5-Star Plays: Aurier (DK), Kane (FD),
TOT 4-Star Plays: Eriksen, Son, Lamela (GPP)
GPP Note: The price on Kane is worrisome but I think they could do under owned based on recent form so I’ll have a few builds with the other Tottenham attackers.
Southampton (+340) @ Wolves (-125)
Draw (+247) | Total: Over 2.25 (-129)
And we round things out with one of my least favorite games on the slate, thanks to both a lack of options and a really low 2.25 total. I will say that Adama Traore is a solid DK option if he gets another start as he fills a forward spot for a reasonable price. Beyond that I really can’t get behind anything except for a one-off on a forward in GPP if you want to get cute. If you go that route my choose would be Jimenez but I’ll likely just stick to Traore.
SOU 5-Star Plays: None.
SOU 4-Star Plays: None.
GPP Note: Danny Ings is cheap if you want to chase a goal.
WOL 5-Star Plays: None.
WOL 4-Star Plays: Traore
GPP Note: Just the one-offs of Traore or Jimenez, still don’t love it.