Daily Fantasy Premier League 2015: Best EPL Lineup Picks Week 23
A short break from league action should have the Premier League (and its fervid supporters) ready and rocking entering Week 23.
Along with a 12-day layoff from the last league match, the Africa Cup of Nations is also currently taking place, taking some key pieces to certain clubs away for the time being. Others will be stepping up in their place, leaving plenty of high-value picks available.
Here is Tuesday's edition of the best Daily Fantasy Soccer picks to make for the weekend, as priced by DraftKings.com.
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Olivier Giroud, F, Arsenal ($8,900)
The surging Gunners have the second-best odds of victory of any EPL matchup with 100-303 chances to top Aston Villa, per Odds Shark. And amid their four-match win streak in all competitions, Olivier Giroud has been the offensive focal point.
He has six goals in just 11 league matches played after an early injury, but it's his success as of late that should have fantasy aficionados betting high on Giroud. As stated by WhoScored.com, he's been good for almost a goal or assist per game recently:
Playing Aston Villa has ignited Giroud in the past, as he's ripped a total of 15 shots toward the net in three career appearances against them. That also includes netting a goal at Aston Villa in their 2013-14 meeting.
Giroud isn't the most economical of picks for Week 23, but you have to spend money to make money. Plus, having the ninth-most expensive forward as your priciest pick isn't a bad bargain against an Aston Villa club that ranks 18th in defense on the road, per WhoScored.com.
Mamadou Sakho, D, Liverpool ($4,400)
Liverpool defender Kolo Toure's inclusion in the Africa Cup of Nations opens the door even more for a big Week 23 for Mamadou Sakho, although his emergence has been in the works.
The Reds have started Sakho in every competitive match since Dec. 21, and it's no coincidence that they are unbeaten since. His impressive quality of play hasn't been lost on former Manchester United great Paul Scholes, who envisions Sakho as a better attacking option than soon-to-return Dejan Lovren.
"I prefer Mamadou Sakho to Dejan Lovren in defence, not least for the fact that he always looks to play the ball forward," Scholes said in his The Independent column. "You need to be positive if you want to play attacking football, and I see that quality in Sakho."
Most striking about Sakho's emergence is how it's helped result in a turnaround of club form as the Reds gear up for a weekend tilt against West Ham:
| Before Dec. 21 | 6 | 3 | 7 | -3 |
| Since Dec. 21 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +7 |
Lovren returned to training this week per the Liverpool Echo, but consistency has been so elusive for this Reds squad this season. That will push Brendan Rodgers to keep Sakho in the fold, depending on what happens Tuesday against Chelsea in the Capital One Cup.
Peter Crouch, F, Stoke City ($6,800)
Top Stoke City goalscorer Mame Diouf is helping Senegal advance in the Africa Cup of Nations, but somebody will be doing the scoring against struggling QPR. Right now, that's looking to be longtime Premier League stalwart Peter Crouch.
The scoring is spread out on Stoke's squad in EPL play between Diouf's five, Crouch's four and Bojan Krkic's four. But with Diouf away and Krkic set for an injury absence, per ESPN FC, Crouch is the one needing to step up.
Not only is QPR's form down of late, but they have the EPL's lowest defensive rating in away matches, per WhoScored.com. At home and having won two straight, Stoke should have no trouble getting goals, and Crouch should be a main recipient.
Yaya Sanogo, F, Crystal Palace ($5,300)
Recent loanee Yaya Sanogo may not be the chief reason for Crystal Palace's January resurgence, but he's been on fire ever since stepping onto the pitch for his new club.
Sanogo bagged a goal and an assist in Palace's 3-2 FA Cup upset win at Southampton Saturday, and up against a reeling Everton club, he has the chance to add another when league play resumes. Spectacularly enough, Everton have lost their last six matches on the road dating back to a Nov. 27 Europa League win in Wolfsburg.
Against the Premier League's best defense in Southampton, Sanogo was in the best form we've seen in his young career. As Crystal Palace returns home and faces a much more inferior defensive unit in Everton, Sanogo should get in on the scoring again.
Hugo Lloris, GK, Tottenham ($5,000)
Any goalkeeper going up against West Brom figures to be in for a good day fantasy-wise, but when it's Tottenham's Hugo Lloris at an affordable rate, the decision becomes even more of a no-brainer.
Lloris hasn't been his usual self in 2014-15, with Spurs conceding 30 goals in just 22 matches—more than all but six lowly clubs. But even though Tottenham fell to West Brom earlier in the season, Lloris performed well in turning away three shots on goal in a 1-0 defeat.
WhoScored.com gives the Baggies the third-worst offensive rating at home—they actually rank better on the road. West Brom is unbeaten since Tony Pulis took over, but growing pains should be anticipated against a top-caliber foe this weekend.
Steven Cook covers Daily Fantasy Soccer and Breaking News for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
