Duke’s EPL DFS Preview for Two Sunday Funday Showdown Slates…
Well, I guess we are breaking down two Showdown slates. I understand these matches are a few hours apart, but why not chuck up a two-game Classic slate? People would complain, or worse, just not enter. That’s probably the answer I’ll get when they eventually get back to me. So, let’s break it down! One article previewing two different slates. Enjoy because it’s our last soccer article for a week as the players head off for the International Break. Enjoy the break but finish strong!
To the desert…
VEGAS
EPL DFS GAME THOUGHTS
WHU/ARS
As Tottenham tumble, Arsenal are rising from the fire. They’ve only lost to Man City over the last four games with three wins and a draw. The biggest thing for Arteta is seeing the big names step up. Aubameyang, Lacazette and Odegaard have all popped up with goals lately. Pepe found the scoresheet against Leicester away. He’ll be smiling ear to ear and know that this is a chance to keep the momentum rolling.
Arsenal have also just advanced in the Europa League after getting the business done in the first leg away to Olympiacos. They lost the second leg 1-0, but Arteta rotated the side a bit and made four subs to keep the legs fresh for Sunday. Arsenal have the better of the head-to-head matchup of late, but West Ham sit seven points and five spots ahead of the Gunners.
West Ham struggle against teams with superior talent. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does put their place in the table in perspective. They’ve murdered the also-rans in the table. They lost the reverse fixture 1-2 away to Arsenal but outshot them 14-7. They also didn’t have the injection of pace that Jesse Lingard has added to the squad. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but he’s been the difference-maker in the second half.
A West Ham win wouldn’t shock me, and we’ll have to wait to see what squad Arsenal roll out, but I expect both teams to score in this match.
DFS
CPT
- Odegaard – ARS – $8.4k
- Finding goals and taking over sets, especially with Saka potentially out.
- Lingard – WHU – $9k
- Cresswell – WHU – $7k
- He’s taken all left-footed sets recently.
- Aubameyang – ARS – $10.8k
- Antonio – WHU – $8.6k
- Fabianski – WHU – $6k
FLEX
- Cresswell – WHU
- Odegaard – ARS
- Aubameyang – ARS
- Lingard – WHU
- Antonio – WHU
- Tierney – ARS
- Pepe – ARS
- Soucek – WHU
- Ceballos – ARS
- Bowen – WHU
AVL/TOT
One step forward and two steps back for Jose Mourinho and Spurs. They were all but advanced to the next round against Dinamo Zagreb. They won the first leg at home 2-0. If they scored a goal in Zagreb, it was tie done. Instead, Orsic bags a hat-trick and eliminates Spurs from the Europa League altogether. That pathetic performance was followed by a Coach K-like performance from Jose. He shook every competitor’s hand on the field and even went into their locker room to congratulate them on their spirit in the comeback. In the media, his message was clear: his players didn’t care enough to try in the game. How in the world do grown-ass men making 10s of thousands of dollars a week respond to Jose’s antics? Spurs are eighth in the table and likely done with top 4.
Knowing that is his only path to keeping his job, I fully expect Jose to attempt to pull a rabbit out of his hat but go back and watch Harry Kane walk off the pitch. I half expected him to take off his jersey and throw it on the field. It was pure disgust. Jose wears out his welcome. He picks his favorites, puts an arm around them, and tries to find allies in the locker room. Even those guys are turning against him. This could be ugly because I think his message has worn thin.
Guess what? Grealish is back…maybe. He’s not feeling any pain but hasn’t trained yet with the team. No team needs one player more than Villa needs Grealish. He is the engine. He’s the creative force. He’s the club captain, and he’s finally back from a long absence. Especially if he gets the start, I like Villa in this match.
I do think it’s fair to expect fireworks here. We haven’t seen these teams play yet this year after the initial match was postponed, but just looking back on the film from last season, their two matches finished with four and five goals respectively. Spurs still have the attacking talent to give anyone troubles, and their back 4 is in shambles.
DFS
CPT
- Kane – TOT – $11k
- If they are going to get a performance, it starts with the captain.
- Grealish – AVL – $11.6k
- Bit expensive but safer than Kane.
- Watkins – AVL – $9k
- On a run of games without a goal, but with Grealish back, he should be back in front of the net with a pass on a plate.
- Bale – TOT – $9.6k
- Just never plays 90 minutes, or I’d have more interest.
- Moura – TOT – $8.6k
- On his day, he’s a game-changer, and without Son, he’ll carry more responsibility.
FLEX
- Grealish – AVL
- Kane – TOT
- El Ghazi – AVL
- Bale – TOT
- Moura – TOT
- Watkins – AVL
- Targett – AVL
- Aurier – TOT
- Bergwijn – TOT
- Cash – AVL
- Barkley – AVL
Good luck!! New to DFS Soccer? Here’s an intro with Duke’s Rules & Strategies!
