Soccer

FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Picks and Helper for 5/4/24

Zack Bussiere
Zack Bussiere@ZackBussiere

After some thrilling Champions League action during the week, the Premier League returns this weekend for Matchweek 36.

As always, we're covering FanDuel's main slate, which kicks off at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday. All betting lines come from the soccer odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, and they may change after the article is published.

EPL DFS Picks

Slate Overview

Fulham (+220) at Brentford (+110)
Over 2.5 Goals: -182 Most Likely to Score: Ivan Toney (+140)

Newcastle (-105) at Burnley (+240)
Over 2.5 Goals: -218 | Most Likely to Score: Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak (+120)

Nottingham Forest (-115) at Sheffield United (+400)
Over 2.5 Goals: -186 | Most Likely to Score: Taiwo Awoniyi (+100)

Wolves (+2700) at Manchester City (-1200)
Over 2.5 Goals: -358 | Most Likely to Score: Erling Haaland (-240)

Positional Breakdown

Forwards/Midfielders

Saturday's four-match main slate features one big-six side with Manchester City hosting Wolves.

City's stars are popular on nearly every slate they feature in. On a short slate, with no other big-six sides in action and City listed as massive home favorites, interest in their forwards and midfielders will be sky high.

City need a victory to remain the favorites to win the title, and they should get one against a Wolves side that has just one win (vs. Luton) in their last eight matches. Wolves have held their last six opponents fewer than 2.0 xG per game, per FBRef, but they allowed multiple goals in four of those contests. They have just one clean sheet in their last 14 EPL fixtures.

All that to say -- City's stars are set up for success. Erling Haaland ($23, -240 anytime goal scoring odds) has better odds to score two or more goals (+170) than most players on the slate have to score at all. If he is available, Phil Foden ($21, +100) is in an excellent spot, but Foden could play fewer minutes coming back from an illness that forced him to miss Sunday's game against Nottingham Forest. If he is out, whoever starts in his place is worth consideration -- as are Kevin De Bruyne ($22, +210), Jack Grealish ($16, +210), and Bernardo Silva ($17, +320).

After Manchester City, the next largest favorite is Nottingham Forest (-115). Entering a match as a favorite is an unfamiliar position for Forest, but that's what happens when you're facing a historically bad Sheffield United side, one that has allowed the most goals/90 (2.57) in the EPL this season. For Forest, whoever starts between Taiwo Awoniyi ($16, +100) and Chris Wood ($19, +135) is an appealing play. Anthony Elanga ($17, +240), Morgan Gibbs-White ($20, +310), and Callum Hudson-Odoi ($18, +320) are also worth considering.

Next up is Newcastle, who are road favorites (-105) at Burnley. The Toons have nine goals in their last three matches while Burnley has just two clean sheets in their 35 EPL fixtures this season. Alexander Isak ($22, +120), Anthony Gordon ($21, +195), Jacob Murphy ($16, +430), and Bruno Guimaraes ($19, +600) should have opportunities in the final third.

From the remaining game -- Fulham at Brentford -- the player who stands out is Ivan Toney ($20, +140). Toney is goalless in his last nine appearances but is averaging three shots per game since his return.

Added time -- Some other midfield options to consider include Mathias Jensen ($14, +220 to score or assist), Andreas Pereira ($16, +195), Jacob Bruun Larsen ($17, +180), Danilo ($14, +210), and Gustavo Hamer ($16, +210).

Defenders

Fulham's Antonee Robinson ($14, +750 to score or assist) is an excellent option this weekend. He is averaging 19.3 FanDuel points per game and has produced double-digit FanDuel points in 24 consecutive matches.

Brentford's Sergio Reguilon ($15, +410) has a shot in four consecutive matches and has reached 25.0 FanDuel points in three of his last four.

For City, both Josko Gvardiol ($14, +260) and Kyle Walker ($9, +440) are worth considering. Gvardiol combined for two goals and an assist in his last three EPL fixtures while Walker had two assists against Brighton last Thursday.

As massive road underdogs, Wolves' defenders should be extremely busy against City. There will be no shortage of defensive opportunities available for Max Kilman ($13), Toti Gomes ($11), and Nelson Semedo ($10).

Sheffield United's defenders may be slightly less busy than normal facing Nottingham Forest but not enough to remove them from consideration. Anel Ahmedhodzic ($12), Mason Holgate ($10), and Auston Trusty ($11) are all averaging more than 10.0 FanDuel points per game this season.

For Burnley, the trio of Dara O'Shea ($13), Lorenz Assignon ($12), and Maxime Esteve ($10) will have their hands full with Newcastle's forwards. Those three are all averaging at least 12.0 FanDuel points per game this season. Newcastle average the eighth-most shots per game (13.8).

Added time -- For GPPs, Newcastle's Lewis Hall ($10, +220 to score or assist), had two shots -- with one on target -- in his most recent game against Sheffield United and should have some involvement in the final third against Burnley.

Goalies

With Ederson out with a shoulder injury, Stefan Ortega ($14) is expected to start for City this weekend. He has a significant edge on both win odds (-1200) and chances of keeping a clean sheet compared to the slate's other keepers. Wolves are listed at -165 to score no goals.

Forest's Matz Sels ($12) and Newcastle's Martin Dubravka ($13) have similar win odds, but Sels has the better clean-sheet outlook. The Blades are listed at +175 to score no goals compared to Burnley at +270.

In the clash between Fulham and Brentford, Mark Flekken ($11) has a small edge on Bernd Leno ($10) in wins odds but a larger one at keeping a clean sheet. Fulham are listed at +250 to score no goals while Brentford are at +430.

Added time – For GPP's, Sheffield United won't have a better chance to earn a result at home than this game. Nottingham Forest are listed at +600 to score no goals, and Sheffield United held Forest to 1.4 xG in the reverse fixture at the start of the season. On a short slate with few options, Wes Foderingham ($8) has a friendly salary.


New to FanDuel Sportsbook? You’ll receive $150 in Bonus Bets if you win your first bet of at least $5! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.

Looking to build some EPL DFS lineups? Check out FanDuel’s daily fantasy soccer lobby to see all the offerings for today’s slates.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!


The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.