FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Targets

For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Bournemouth v. Chelsea
2:45 p.m: Southampton v. Crystal Palace
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Watford
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. Leicester

FORWARDS

Fernando Llorente, TOT v. WAT ($9,500): I can't support using Roberto Firmino ($12,500) at his price unless you plan on fading Mohamed Salah ($13,500) in the midfield. The only reason I'm backing Llorente is because his floor is probably just as good as Firmino's. Even then, Llorente's goal-scoring odds aren't far behind, and he managed a full 90 and five shots (two on goal) in his first start. The other bonus is that Watford have allowed the most shots on goal (27) in the last five gameweeks even though the competition has been mediocre. You could try your luck with Gonzalo Higuain ($10,500), but I can't bring myself to spend that much on him when a full 90 isn't likely and he didn't score in his first start with Chelsea.

Danny Ings, SOU v. CRY ($8,500): Ings is probably my favorite forward since his floor is surprisingly better than most, averaging 1.50 shots on goal and 1.34 chances created per 90 minutes. He should also be close to a full 90 since he returned from a hamstring injury last match and got a full week of rest. His goal-scoring odds are just below Llorente's, and I'd take that bet since Crystal Palace have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five away games. Troy Deeney ($9,000) and Callum Wilson ($9,000) are a level just below because not only are they more expensive, but they have harder matchups.

Wilfried Zaha, CRY at SOU ($8,500): Since there are no true value forwards on the slate, unless you really like Jordan Ayew ($7,500), I'm backing Zaha even though he hasn't scored since September. That being the case, he's still been semi-productive in favorable matchups, averaging 2.20 shots and 1.50 chances created per 90 minutes. I think his floor should reach at least 10 fantasy points since Southampton have been just as bad defensively at home as on the road. They have just two home clean sheets this season and have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five at St. Mary's.

MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. LEI ($13,500): I've avoided Salah too many times to only get burned, so now I have to back him. Of course, that probably means he won't get any cheap penalties and his floor will be around five points, but that's the chance you take. He's made the score sheet multiple times in four of his last six starts, and no one else on the slate is close to that. Liverpool have the best odds to win and are expected to score half a goal more than anyone else on the slate. If Liverpool score, Salah will likely be involved, and it helps that Leicester's back line has had some issues, allowing eight goals in their last three matches, including a 2-1 loss at Newport County in the FA Cup. It almost makes no sense to back Sadio Mane ($11,000) since it's rare when he makes the score sheet and Salah doesn't. If Mane scores, Salah will probably do one better with an assist and a goal.

Christian Eriksen, TOT v. WAT ($9,500): Eriksen's numbers haven't exactly gone up without Harry Kane, but he's still reached double-digit fantasy points in his last seven starts. The worry is that Spurs have struggled to get opportunities, from the late win at Fulham to back-to-back Cup losses at Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Tottenham aren't on the road for the first time in a few weeks, and while Watford are playing well, they've allowed the most shots on goal (27) and fourth-most chances (53) over the last five gameweeks. I can't bring myself to back Eden Hazard ($10,000) at this point, but if Son Heung-Min ($9,000) makes the starting XI, I'd be tempted. The only issue with Son is that he'll probably only make it 60 or 70 minutes since he just returned from the Asian Cup.

Tom Cleverley, WAT at TOT ($5,000): With Abdoulaye Doucoure still injured, Cleverley should be set for another start and at this price, that's rare. The upside maybe isn't there, but if Cleverley reaches 10 fantasy points again, that'd be enough. Plus, if this match goes as expected, Cleverley should stock up on tackles and clearances in central midfield. Sure, his floor could be five points, but the money you're saving is being spent on the likes of Salah and someone else who could score. If you want to spend a little more, Luka Milivojevic ($7,500) and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ($7,500) are as low as I'd go.

DEFENDERS

Harry Maguire, LEI at LIV ($6,000): Maguire should return to the starting XI after leaving early last match, and his floor could be around 20 fantasy points. While the center-back is averaging 5.41 clearances, 1.49 interceptions and 1.31 tackles per 90 minutes, that doesn't tell the entire story. He's had huge numbers against top clubs, hitting 18.2 fantasy points in the first meeting with Liverpool from nine clearances and five tackles, while Liverpool have also forced the third-most clearances and second-most tackles this season. Ricardo Pereira ($6,000) has been great, but a lot of that is due to attacking stats, which he may not accrue in this spot. Otherwise, no one else on the slate has the same floor as Maguire.

Jannik Vestergaard, SOU v. CRY ($5,000): As long as the Southampton center-backs are underpriced, I'll continue to use them. Vestergaard often has a floor of around 15 fantasy points and has at least 20 points in four of his last seven starts. Averaging 7.43 clearances, 1.93 tackles and 1.64 interceptions per 90 minutes, he's been matchup proof. Meanwhile, in the last five gameweeks, Palace have forced the most clearances (107) and second-most tackles (42) to defenders. You could spend more on Jan Bednarek ($5,500) or the same on Jack Stephens, but Vestergaard has been the most consistent for Southampton. Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the same price is also an intriguing play.

Adrian Mariappa, WAT at TOT ($4,500): There are a few options in this range, but Mariappa has at least 16.9 fantasy points in each of his last three starts. That's due to 24 clearances, six interceptions and six tackles against the likes of Burnley, Palace and Bournemouth. Oddly, Tottenham haven't forced a ton of clearances, but neither have Burnley and that didn't matter last match. I'd also throw Wes Morgan ($4,500) into the mix, while Joel Matip ($4,500) has the best clean sheet odds and could be a popular play after 19.3 fantasy points in last start.

GOALKEEPER

Alex McCarthy, SOU v. CRY ($4,500): There are a few ways to go at goalkeeper, but McCarthy has the best odds of the cheaper options. Southampton have also played better in the back, allowing just two goals in the last three league matches while Crystal Palace have been unpredictable in front of net all season. As for McCarthy, he's made at least three saves in four of his last five starts and that's the hope again. Palace have the most shots (76) in the last five gameweeks, but they have scored only six goals. If you don't back anyone on Spurs, Ben Foster ($4,500) is a reasonable choice, while Artur Boruc ($4,000) is a slightly bigger stretch at Chelsea. Of the big favorites, I'd lean Hugo Lloris ($6,000), who has at least 16 fantasy points in each of his last three starts.