Last week’s 4-0 Burnley win over Wolves was a nice reminder of the role motivation can play down the stretch in EPL. Burnley ran over 3 miles more than Wolves in that game, at least partly due to the fact Burnley was fighting to avoid relegation and Wolves will finish mid-table no matter what happens the rest of the way. This week, that dynamic could come into play with Brighton seven points clear of relegation and Leeds firmly entrenched in the middle of the table. I still like the matchup for Leeds, but it is something to keep in mind as we fill out our EPL DFS lineups.

As always, the lineups below are examples of lineups you can make using the players in the Playbook and are not for plug and play.

Goalkeepers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Illan MeslierLEEBHA45009.661214.64
Leeds has been much better defensively of late, having conceded four goals with two clean sheets in their last six games despite playing Chelsea, Liverpool and both Manchester teams in that span. I think Meslier has strong shot at a win and he should have a decent shot at a clean sheet considering Brighton have been shut out 11 times this season. My only concern is that Brighton do not allow a ton of saves, but I still think Meslier is playable in cash lineups on DK. He is probably too expensive on FD, but he could be lower-owned in GPPs.
Robert SanchezBHALEE51006.8810.77
It may be too simplistic to say I'm playing Sanches on FD and Meslier on DK because each is cheaper there, but that approach has merit. Only four teams have allowed more saves than Leeds this season, and Sanchez has double-digit FD fantasy points in five of his last six games.
        
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
RicharlisonEVEAVL810010.472114.39
Richarlison has at least five shots and two chances created in two of his last four games. He is a GPP play, especially considering Aston Villa have allowed at least one goal in six straight games. That being said, I would consider Richarlison for cash games as well, as he has double-digit DK fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games.
Patrick BamfordLEEBHA620011.22018.68
If there is anyone who is going to benefit from Leeds finally facing a weak team again, it will be Bamford. He has just one goal in his last eight games after scoring 13 goals in his first 25 games. He is too cheap on DraftKings and may be worth paying up for on FD as well.
Ollie WatkinsAVLEVE770011.422018.21
Villa have struggled defensively of late but Watkins has kept the offense afloat despite Jack Grealish's absence. Watkins is a GPp play on DK but I love him on FD where he has at least 17.3 fantasy points in four consecutive games.
        
Midfielders
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Helder CostaLEEBHA38005.3697.40
Costa has started three straight games, against Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. His numbers have not been great, but I think that is largely a function of the opposition. In a much better matchup against Brighton, Costa could be a great punt play, especially since he is forward-eligible on DraftKings. If Costa's back injury keeps him out, Tyler Roberts would be a reasonable replacement.
Jack HarrisonLEEBHA750011.71715.73
Harrison looks like the greatest beneficiary of Raphinha's absence, with 15 crosses and four chances created in the last 2 games. Harrison is a great cash play but I think his ceiling is high as well.
Kai HavertzCHEFUL58005218.89
Typically I think players who are cheap on DraftKings but expensive on FanDuel make good GPP plays on both sites, and Havertz certainly fits the bill Saturday. He hasn't put in a cross in four straight games, which is why he is cheap on DraftKings, but he has at least four shots on goal in two of his last three starts. Fulham has allowed 10 goals in its last two games, and Havertz leads Chelsea in shots, shots on target, shots in the box and xG per start over the last 14 game weeks. I expect Chelsea to score, and there is a decent chance Havertz is involved.
JorginhoCHEFUL49007.881214.08
Only Leicester have won more penalties than Chelsea this season, and Jorginho remains awfully cheap for someone who takes penalties. He won't do much outside of score on penalties, but at his price, that is perfectly fine for a GPP.
Pascal GrossBHALEE870011.351413.00
Gross has been incredibly consistent on both sites thanks to all the crosses he hits and chances he creates. Leeds's defense has been better of late but this matchup still isn't scary for Gross.
MidfieldersTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Mason MountCHEFUL1000014.031718.77
I don't understand why Mount is not more expensive on FanDuel considering he has at least 27 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He has been a bit inconsistent crossing the ball but when he doesn't hit a bunch of crosses, he makes up for it with shots and chances created. I trust him more than any of his Chelsea teammates even if he is a bit expensive on DraftKings.
        
Defenders
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Marcos AlonsoCHEFUL64008.761316.00
Alonso has at least two shots in four of his last five games and at least two chances created in two of those. He is expensive for someone I don't trust, but he is a strong GPP play on both sites.
Lewis DunkBHALEE43006.181414.14
Over the last nine gameweeks, no team has allowed more shots from headers than Leeds. Dunk leads Brighton in headed attempts this season, and I would not be shocked if he scored in this game. He is a GPP play on both sites, though his clearances make him more valuable on FD.
Antonee RobinsonFULCHE40006.08710.83
Robinson has played well in Kenny Tete's absence, with 12 crosses in his last three starts. If Robinson does not start, Kenny Tete or Joe Bryan would be a fine alternative.
Dan BurnBHALEE46004.1479.35
Burn has 20 crosses in his last eight starts, with six chances created in that span. He is a solid cash play, especially against a Leeds side that has allowed the most goals in the Premier League.
Ben GodfreyEVEAVL34004.25811.99
It is hard to understand why Godfrey is so cheap. He has at least five clerances and two blocks in four consecutive starts, with at least 18 FD fantasy points in five of his last 10 starts. I think he is a great play on FD in either format. Only Liverpool and Burnley have allowed more clearances than Aston Villa this season.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Adam WebsterBHALEE33004.63611.07
Like Ben Godfrey, Adam Webster is too cheap on FD and has a good matchup. Leeds have allowed the second-most clearances of any team in the slate and Webster has double-digit FD fantasy points in nine of his last 13 games.

 

Example Lineups:

 

DK Cash  DK GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary  Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
FHelder CostaLEEBHA5.36$3,800  FRicharlisonEVEAVL10.47$8,100
FPascal GrossBHALEE11.35$8,700  FPatrick BamfordLEEBHA11.2$6,200
MJack HarrisonLEEBHA11.7$7,500  MKai HavertzCHEFUL5$5,800
MAdemola LookmanFULCHE11.67$7,400  MMason MountCHEFUL14.03$10,000
DAntonee RobinsonFULCHE6.08$4,000  DLewis DunkBHALEE6.18$4,300
DDan BurnBHALEE4.14$4,600  DMarcos AlonsoCHEFUL8.76$6,400
GKIllan MeslierLEEBHA9.66$4,500  GKIllan MeslierLEEBHA9.66$4,500
UtilAnwar El GhaziAVLEVE10.89$9,200  UtilKalvin PhillipsLEEBHA7.62$4,500
    Total$49,700      Total$49,800
              
DK Pivot Cash  DK Pivot GPP
Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary  Pos.PlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
FTyler RobertsLEEBHA4.2$3,7001 F     
FJames RodriguezEVEAVL13.64$8,9001 F     
M     1 M     
M     1 M     
D     1 DDan BurnBHALEE4.14$4,600
D     1 D     
GK     1 GK     
Util     1 UtilHelder CostaLEEBHA5.36$3,800
    Total$12,600      Total$8,400
              
FD Cash  FD GPP
PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary  PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
F/MMason MountCHEFUL18.77$17  F/MJack HarrisonLEEBHA15.73$17
F/MOllie WatkinsAVLEVE18.21$20  F/MMason MountCHEFUL18.77$17
F/MPascal GrossBHALEE13.00$14  F/MJames RodriguezEVEAVL17.12$17
F/MChristian PulisicCHEFUL10.63$18  F/MPatrick BamfordLEEBHA18.68$20
DBen GodfreyEVEAVL11.99$8  DBen GodfreyEVEAVL11.99$8
DLewis DunkBHALEE14.14$14  DMarcos AlonsoCHEFUL16.00$13
GKRobert SanchezBHALEE10.77$8  GKRobert SanchezBHALEE10.77$8
    Total$99      Total$100
              
FD Pivot Cash  FD Pivot GPP
PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary  PosPlayerTeamOppFPPGSalary
F/M     1 F/M     
F/M     1 F/M     
F/M     1 F/M     
F/MJack HarrisonLEEBHA15.73$17#REF! F/MChristian PulisicCHEFUL10.63$18
DDan BurnBHALEE9.35$71 D     
D     1 DLewis DunkBHALEE14.14$14
GK     1 GK     
    Total$24      Total$32