FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Targets

For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Arsenal v. Bournemouth
2:45 p.m: Southampton v. Fulham
3:00 p.m: Crystal Palace v. Manchester United
3:00 p.m: Chelsea v. Tottenham
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. Watford
3:00 p.m: Manchester City v. West Ham

FORWARDS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. BOU ($11,000): The pricing for forwards on this slate is incredible. If you want to spend on two quality strikers, the rest of your roster has to be a bunch of mediocre options and punts. Even if you punt on your second forward, he still may be more expensive than most midfielders. Aubameyang is my top pick since his price is right and should return to the starting XI. He has six goals and three assists in his last six home starts and faces Bournemouth, who have given up multiple goals in their last eight away matches, all losses. Alexandre Lacazette ($11,500) is more expensive, and you need to save all the money you can on this slate. If Sergio Aguero ($13,500) starts, he's most likely to score, and with Gabriel Jesus out, he should play the majority of the match.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL at SOU ($9,000): You could go with both Arsenal forwards since I think every other option costs too much, highlighted by Harry Kane ($12,500) and Joshua King ($9,000), who goes to the Emirates. I'd consider Marcus Rashford ($12,000), but he isn't healthy. Otherwise, most of the forwards are too expensive, including Gerard Deulofeu, who is a ridiculous $10,000 playing away to Liverpool. Apparently scoring a hat trick against Cardiff makes you relevant every match.

Dominic Solanke, BOU at ARS ($6,500): If you want to punt on your second forward, there aren't many options. You could go with a Southampton guy, but neither started against Cardiff, which is all you need to know about how much the manager trusts them. Solanke may be rested since he played 89 minutes Saturday, but he was viable with six shots to go with a few defensive stats. That's at least something for a forward who doesn't cost anything. Arsenal's back line has looked better in recent matches, but some of that has to do with who they have played.

MIDFIELDERS

Leroy Sane, MCI v. WHU ($9,000): The only way to use Mohamed Salah ($12,500) or Raheem Sterling ($11,500) is if you go Solanke as your second forward. I think Sane could be the most valuable play on the slate since he's set to start and play close to 90 minutes. While Sterling, Aguero and Bernardo Silva ($8,500) went 120 minutes Sunday against Chelsea, Sane was subbed on just before extra time. His numbers don't look that exciting due to a lack of playing time, but he's scoring and assisting more than Sterling, combining for 1.06 goals and assists per 90 minutes. I'm in. Kevin De Bruyne ($9,500) is intriguing after surpassing a floor of 30 points in the recent UCL match at Schalke, but I prefer Sane's upside.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ARS v. BOU ($8,000): If you really want to back the Gunners, Mkhitaryan can be combined with Aubameyang and Lacazette to form a decent GPP squad. Mkhitaryan scored and assisted last match, and while he's battled injuries all season, he's often been able to get a couple shots and chances every match to go with a few tackles and interceptions. That pushes his floor to 10 fantasy points, and his upside was seen against Southampton last match. Bournemouth's struggles on the road have been well documented, so more than two goals wouldn't be a stretch for the Gunners. If you want a little more safety, Paul Pogba ($9,500) doesn't cost an overwhelming amount and has at least 16 fantasy points in his last six Premier League starts.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, SOU v. FUL ($7,500): If you can grab Hojbjerg as your third midfielder, that could round out a perfect cash lineup. He's one of the few underpriced options on this slate, with at least 13 fantasy points in five of his last six starts. Some of that is from tackles and interceptions, but he has seven shots on goal and eight chances created in that period. He managed five shots and a floor of 19.1 fantasy points when these teams met earlier in the season, and Fulham haven't played any better since, allowing 11 goals in their last four away matches. If you splurged at forward, I'd consider Nathan Redmond ($7,000) and Ryan Babel ($6,500) for cheap upside, while Jean Michael Seri ($7,000) and Jeffrey Schlupp ($7,000) have better floors.

DEFENDERS

Benjamin Mendy, MCI v. WHU ($4,000): Mendy could be fit for this match, and that means he should be on every roster. When in the lineup, he's often had a floor of at least 10 fantasy points, but he also creates a ton of chances, making him a steal at the price. I usually don't like the popular option, but Mendy is someone you can't pass on if he's starting. If he doesn't, there are still other options to plug in like Scott Dann ($4,000), who will likely replace the injured Mamadou Sakho.

Adrian Mariappa, WAT at LIV ($5,000): I write about Mariappa every week, but he's yet to disappoint, scoring at least 13 fantasy points in his last eight starts. He should easily hit that number against Liverpool, who have forced the most clearances and second-most interceptions this season. As for Mariappa, he averages 5.38 clearances, 2.10 tackles and 1.25 interceptions per 90 minutes. There are plenty others in the mix at the same price, with Issa Diop and Chris Smalling my other favorites.

Joel Ward, CRY v. MUN ($4,500): If you want to spend up on defender, go ahead, but this isn't the slate to do that. Ward is another cheap play who should be active against Man United. In two starts this season he has 16 clearances and six tackles, both solid numbers for a right-back. It's unlikely he'll be on the attack much this match, which should lead to more clearances. There aren't many safe options in this range, though Joe Bryan ($4,500) has been somewhat consistent with at least 9.5 fantasy points in his last six starts. Kyle Walker ($4,500) also has some upside appeal if City dominate their match.

GOALKEEPER

Alex McCarthy, SOU v. FUL ($4,500): No matter who starts in net for Southampton, both come on the cheap. McCarthy may get the job back after Angus Gunn ($4,000) shot himself in the foot last match. Southampton aren't an easy team to trust, but if you don't back Mitrovic, this isn't a bad place to look. The Saints are at least favored in this match, which has the lowest implied goal total. Since I don't want to spend up, the other option I'd consider is probably Kepa Arrizabalaga ($5,000) or whoever Chelsea throw in net. Unless you want to punt multiple positions, this isn't the slate to spend on a goalkeeper, though my top choice would be Ederson ($6,000), who is oddly cheaper than Alisson ($6,500).