Unfortunately, Saturday’s EPL DFS slate is as notable for who is missing as who is playing. Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, Eberechi Eze, Kieran Trippier and Reece James are all set to miss out, as will multiple first-choice goaltenders. All of that means there is a lot of potential value to be had throughout the slate. The biggest challenge may be finding top-tier players to target outside of Manchester City.
EPL DFS Soccer Picks December 16
Goalkeepers
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Bernd Leno
FUL
NEW
4400
9.22
9
11.00
I kind of like all of the cheap keepers, so feel free to pivot if you need to save some money. Leno gets the nod here because Fulham has won its last two games by a combined score of 10-0, while Newcastle has lost its last two games by a combined score of 7-1. Kieran Trippier is out suspended, which certainly helps.
Neto
BOU
LUT
5300
7.49
12
9.71
Bournemouth has allowed the fourth-most goals but they are tied for eighth in clean sheets. For as competitive as Luton has been this season, they have scored the third-fewest goals per game on the road and they are tied for the league lead in road losses.
James Trafford
BRN
EVE
10
5.31
Trafford has probably been the worst keeper in the league to this point, but he recorded 10 saves at Brighton last week to singlehandedly steal a point. Trafford is just 21 years old and had never played above League One prior to this season, so perhaps this marks a turning point in his season. Only four teams have allowed more saves than Everton and no team has allowed more clean sheets. Unless the price becomes exorbitant, every keeper is playable against Everton going forward.
Forwards
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Anthony Gordon
NEW
FUL
8200
12.82
20
20.94
Gordon should be on set pieces with Kieran Trippier suspended. That would make him a must-play on DraftKings and the top Newcastle target on FanDuel. If Gordon's hamstring injury keeps him out, Miguel Almiron will go in all of my lineups.
Julian Alvarez
MCI
CRY
9400
15.01
22
22.56
Alvarez was quiet against Luton but still finished with an assist. He also took all three of City's corners but recorded just one cross. He may not have the same role as last season when he produced seemingly every time Haaland was out, but he looks like City's most dangerous available attacker and the price is pretty reasonable.
Wilson Odobert
BRN
EVE
13
10.76
Odobert has scored a goal in two of his three Premier League starts. Odobert is averaging 1.48 chances created per 90 minutes, so he could provide some value even if he doesn't find the back of the net.
Christopher Nkunku
CHE
SHU
10000
0
16
Nkunku should be available Saturday, though there is a good chance he will come off the bench in his Premier League debut. That being said, Nkunku averaged 1.03 G+A per 90 over his last two seasons with RB Leipzig, and Sheffield has allowed seven more goals than any other team in the league. I believe Nkunku is too cheap on FanDuel, which is why he needs to be on your radar.
Midfielders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Bernardo Silva
MCI
CRY
9100
12.01
21
20.35
My Bernardo Silva love paid off with a goal, and he is playable for as long as Erling Haaland and/or Jeremy Doku are out. Silva is averaging 3.1 crosses and 2.4 chances created in his last eight games, so he offers a high floor along with a high ceiling.
Jack Grealish
MCI
CRY
8100
8.88
17
13.90
Grealish is the closest thing City has to a value play. He actually has pretty good chemistry with Erling Haaland, so the Haaland injury isn't all good news. That being said, Grealish has goals in both games since returning from illness.
Mykhailo Mudryk
CHE
SHU
7200
6.05
14
9.66
Mudryk remained on set pieces despite Conor Gallagher's return, finishing with six crosses and five chances created. This is a much better matchup, and Mudryk looks like a great play on both sites.
Lewis Cook
BOU
LUT
5100
6.68
15
14.92
Cook is averaging 3.8 crosses and 2.0 chances created over his last five games. I don't love his upside on FanDuel but he should provide nice value on DraftKings.
Andros Townsend
LUT
BOU
5300
6.81
11
9.75
Townsend is cheaper than Elijah Adebayo and is eligible at more important positions than Ryan Giles. Townsend has an assist in each of his last two games and now he has a much easier matchup. He was probably overrated at Crystal Palace but I believe he is still underpriced this week.
Defenders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Tino Livramento
NEW
FUL
4100
3.12
9
7.07
I was wrong about Livramento against Tottenham last week, but I think a move back to the right side would help him. This should be a better matchup, and his price remains low.
Antonee Robinson
FUL
NEW
5000
8.85
13
18.18
There are very few defense-eligible players in this slate who will line up outside and send in a few crosses. Robinson had five crosses last time out and has three assists in his last five games. I don't really trust him, but its better than scrounging the bottom of the barrel for center back who might get a header on a corner kick.
George Baldock
SHU
CHE
3400
4.21
9
10.15
Speaking of the bottom of the barrel, here we are. Baldock has been good for fantasy when he starts on the outside, despite injuries and a rough matchup with Manchester City. This isn't exactly a good matchup, but we are getting a good price so long as Baldock doesn't move back to center back.
