FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Helper for 9/2/23

We're four weeks into the Premier League season, and this is the last week before the international break

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.

Slate Overview

Fulham (+1800) at Manchester City (-700)
Over 2.5 Goals: -286 | Most Likely to Score: Erling Haaland (-220)

Bournemouth (+360) at Brentford (-140)
Over 2.5 Goals: -145 | Most Likely to Score: Bryan Mbeumo (+155)

Nottingham Forest (+700) at Chelsea (-270)
Over 2.5 Goals: -173 | Most Likely to Score: Nicolas Jackson (+115)

Tottenham (-115) at Burnley (+280)
Over 2.5 Goals: -170 | Most Likely to Score: Richarlison (+165)

Newcastle (+150) at Brighton (+155)
Over 2.5 Goals: -228 | Most Likely to Score: Alexander Isak (+170)

Positional Breakdown
Forwards/Midfielders

We’ll start with Manchester City, by far the biggest favorite on the slate. Obviously, Erling Haaland ($25, -210 anytime goal odds) is the best goal-scorer on the slate. He's scored three goals in three games, and he's also missed a penalty. His odds of just +700 to score a hat trick illustrate the upside he has.

The only other player on this slate whose implied goal odds are greater than 50% is Julian Alvarez ($23, -105), also from Man City. Alvarez racked up 12 crosses and four chances created last match, giving him 36.1 FanDuel points without a goal or an assist. He's a good play to stack with Haaland if you can find the salary, but he also makes for a decent pivot off Haaland, who will be very popular despite his sky-high salary.

The other interesting City player at forward/midfielder is Jack Grealish ($17, +250) if he starts on the wing again. He assisted on Haaland's goal on Sunday, so he's another good stacking partner.

The next biggest favorite is Chelsea, and their targets are much less clear than Man City's. Nicolas Jackson ($21, +120) has the best scoring odds but doesn't offer a ton of salary savings off Haaland, who has much better goal odds. Jackson also seems like a player who will have a low floor if he doesn't score. With that said, he should be on the end of some chances versus Forest.

Raheem Sterling ($21, +165) is a slightly better option as a floor play, but again, he's not enough of a value to justify playing him instead of a Man City atacker. Probably the most enticing option on Chelsea is Enzo Fernandez ($15, +650). He's not the best bet to score, but he takes a good amount of set pieces and has a good floor. He also took a penalty this season.

For other teams to potentially stack, Tottenham might go under the radar. They are on the road, so the spot isn't as good as City's and Chelsea's, but players like James Maddison ($20, +260), Son Heung-Min ($19, +170) and/or Richarlison ($18, +165) can be played together.

Players who can be played for a goal include Alexander Isak ($18, +170), Yoane Wissa ($17 ,+180) and Evan Ferguson ($17, +175). Isak and Ferguson play in the Brighton-Newcastle match, which is the closest matchup -- on paper -- on this slate. These are both two solid defensive teams, so it's not a target for a game stack, but either of these players is fine.

Added time -- Some value plays who will get some set pieces are Mathias Jensen ($15, +650), Ryan Christie ($13, +650), and Joe Rothwell ($10, +2000).

Defenders

Pedro Estupinan ($16) doesn't have the best matchup and had unsustainable production in the first two matches of the season, so in my eyes, he's an avoid on this slate.

Kieran Trippier ($14) has seen a bit of a dip in his fantasy production in tough matchups against Man City and Liverpool, and even though it won't be easy against Brighton, he does cross more than most defenders in the Premier League.

Ben Chilwell ($13) has taken exactly half the corner kicks for Chelsea this season, and they are the second-biggest favorite on the slate. Chelsea are also even-money to keep a clean sheet, which would give him a five-point bonus.

Other defenders who can be used for their attacking talents around this salary range are Tottenham's full-backs -- Destiny Udogie ($13) and Pedro Porro ($13). New manager Ange Postecoglou clearly wants them involved in the attack, and they can contribute to a goal.

Manchester City's defenders come at easy-to-like salaries for players on giant favorites. Kyle Walker ($9) and Josef Gvardiol ($8) aren’t the most fantasy-friendly full-backs, but they are on a team that has -150 odds to keep a clean sheet. Plus, Walker did have eight crosses last week.

Added time -- Some low-salary center backs who make sense as floor plays are Tim Ream ($9), Ameen Al-Dakhil ($9) and Illia Zabarnyi ($9), as they all play on teams that likely will spend a lot of time defending their own box. That should lead to clearances, tackles and blocked shots.

Goalies

Ederson ($13) has the same salary as Robert Sanchez ($13) but has a much better chance of getting the win and a clean sheet. Sanchez may get more opportunities for saves, but I'd take Ederson when choosing between the two.

The value keeper of choice for me is Neto ($8). He's playing in what's projected to be the lowest-scoring game on the slate -- by betting odds -- and is unlikely to allow a lot of goals in this matchup

Added time -- It's acceptable to play low-salary goalies, even if you roster players against them. The keeper can make saves, and you'll get the shots-on-target points, as well. That puts Bernd Leno ($7) in play if you are trying to save at the position despite hit date at City.

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

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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.