This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 1:00 p.m: AFC Bournemouth vs. Newcastle United
- 1:00 p.m: Arsenal vs. Norwich City
- 1:00 p.m: Everton vs. Leicester City
- 3:15 p.m: West Ham United vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. NOR ($22): I can't remember the last time I went all-in on Aubameyang, but he feels like a must for Wednesday's slate. He has the best odds to score because Arsenal are favored in the match with the highest implied goal total. This play is more about the opponent and less about Aubameyang, though a goal seems inevitable for him, producing five shots on target in his last two starts in addition to getting rested over the weekend. Norwich City played 120 minutes Saturday, lost backup defender Timm Klose to suspension and may not have Max Aarons because of injury. Either the back line will look different or they'll turn to a different formation they haven't used this season. Unfortunately, Arsenal aren't the best stacking team because all of their guys seem to disappoint. Nicolas Pepe's ($18) floor has dropped since the restart because Dani Ceballos ($13) is splitting set pieces, while Edward Nketiah ($17) and Bukayo Saka ($12) have close to no floors. There is a clear path to fading Arsenal, but I'm not sure fading Aubameyang will win you a GPP since a brace is definitely on the table.
Tammy Abraham, CHE at WHU ($19): These recommendations aren't rocket science. Abraham has the second-best odds to score on the slate and faces a West Ham back line that has given up two goals in each of their two matches since the restart. The difference for Chelsea is that they're the late match and you don't know who will start because there's a chance Olivier Giroud ($17) gets the call again while Pedro ($14) starts for an injured Christian Pulisic ($16). Willian ($20) will also be a popular option because he's created eight chances in his last two starts, but there's a chance he gets rested having started every match since the restart (Sunday included). Ideally, you can have a couple Chelsea players in your roster, and if guys like Abraham and Willian are on the bench, you'll turn to other options and have a few extra bucks. If that's your strategy, it'd be useful to have a defender like Ryan Fredericks ($8), who you could then replace with a higher-priced option in case you have more cash.
Jarrod Bowen, WHU v. CHE ($16): If you need to make up ground in a GPP after the first set of matches or think Chelsea will disappoint, there's a viable method to backing West Ham for an upset. For starters, Chelsea already lost to West Ham, as well as teams like Bournemouth and Newcastle. Chelsea also had a tough FA Cup match Sunday and West Ham last played June 23. While West Ham haven't done much in the attack, Bowen has been the most productive, taking two shots and creating a few more to go with tackles and interceptions. He's an active player on the wing who should hit a floor of 10 fantasy points no matter the result. If you want to stack West Ham and go for a 2-0 win, Michail Antonio ($15) had two shots on goal last match, while Declan Rice ($14) is almost guaranteed to hit 10 fantasy points because of defensive stats. This won't be a popular build because of the odds, but it's a perfect spot for an upset and GPP win.
Dominic Solanke, BOU v. NEW ($13): No one is going to consider players from this match, but I think it's a bit easier to back than Leicester City-Everton. Neither Leicester nor Everton have had much success since the restart, and the likely absence of James Maddison ($16) will lead to a split of set pieces for the former. I think that match is set for 0-0 or 1-1 and I don't want to back either attacking side. Sure, Bournemouth and Newcastle aren't better, but I think Bournemouth have a better chance of scoring multiple goals despite recent results. In addition to Bournemouth having a few extra days of rest, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce already said he's going to change half his lineup because of the busy schedule. I think that could at least lead to opportunities for Solanke, who is expected to start for the suspended Callum Wilson. Solanke has yet to score this season, but he's more rested than most of Newcastle and I think he's set for a couple good looks on net. If you want a safer option, David Brooks ($14) and Junior Stanislas ($7) have performed well on the wings, though both are candidates to be subbed off early. I'm not saying base your cash lineups around Bournemouth, but I think they are worth consideration in tournaments, mainly because no one else will use them.
DEFENDERS
Rob Holding, ARS v. NOR ($8): While I think Arsenal will win this match with a couple goals, that doesn't mean they're going to completely dominate. Holding has 14 clearances and a floor of at least 10 points in each of his last two starts against weaker sides. Even better, Norwich City lose the ball a lot, conceding the third-most interceptions and tackles in the league. Either way, both Arsenal and Norwich like to attack, whereas you can't say the same about any of the other matchups. Any of the cheap defenders are possibilities and they're all viable since they save you money. Seamus Coleman ($8) should be busy for Everton, but Ryan Fredericks ($8) may get the most defensive work against Chelsea.
Ben Chilwell, LEI at EVE ($14): With cheaper forwards like Bowen and Solanke, there should be opportunities to go after an expensive defender. Most of them have floors around 15 fantasy points, and it wouldn't be surprising if there were three or four clean sheets on this slate. My first choice is Chilwell, who should split set pieces if Maddison doesn't play. Leicester are an underdog, but Everton haven't exactly played well since the restart and gave up 11 set pieces to Norwich last match. In addition to a floor of 10 points from defensive stats, Chilwell could add on a couple chances from set pieces. On the other end, Lucas Digne ($15) is always popular due to set pieces, while Marcos Alonso ($13) has dropped in price without a floor. However, Alonso is a great upside play because he's made the score-sheet six times this season and should in the attacking third plenty against West Ham.
GOALKEEPER
Kasper Schmeichel, LEI at EVE ($10): Grabbing Emiliano Martinez ($14) as the most-expensive goalkeeper feels like a trap, but if you roster Aubameyeng and Pepe and have the money, it kind of makes sense. I prefer to save money on Schmeichel, who faces an Everton attack that needed a center-back goal to beat Norwich last week. Schmeichel has made multiple saves in five of his last six starts, and a 1-0 win isn't that extreme of a result. In the same range, Martin Dubravka ($11) and Aaron Ramsdale ($9) are both viable, though not at all trustworthy. If you fade Chelsea forwards, Lukasz Fabianski ($8) is the guy you're looking for.
