FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 1:00 pm: Burnley vs. Aston Villa
• 1:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Wolverhampton
• 2:30 pm: Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Fulham
• 3:15 pm: Everton vs. Leicester City
• 3:15 pm: Manchester United vs. Sheffield United

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Bruno Fernandes, MUN v. SHU ($23): It's a five-game slate, but Fernandes is almost a must in cash games. Man United are the biggest favorite by a wide margin and Fernandes has the best floor in the game with at least 14 fantasy points in each of his last six starts. He hasn't made the score-sheet in his last three, but as seen in his 11 goals and seven assists this season, that will change soon. Oddly, one of his worst fantasy performances of the season came in the first meeting against Sheffield United, a 3-2 Man United win, but I wouldn't count on a repeat. In addition to injuries, Sheffield United are trying a lot of things with their starting XI, and that's led to some poor defensive results like in the recent 3-1 loss against Tottenham. It won't be easy selecting other Red Devils because none have much of a floor and Marcus Rashford ($20) may not be ready to start. Anthony Martial ($22) has 22 fantasy points total the last three matches, yet he costs more than Edinson Cavani ($17), who has the second-best odds to score on the team (behind Fernandes). Mason Greenwood ($12) is a GPP-only play and even then, there's no guarantee he starts. Paul Pogba ($15) will get more attention because he has a couple recent goals, but he's more of a cash play, hitting double-digit fantasy points each of the last five matches.

Mason Mount, CHE v. WOL ($16): I don't know what Chelsea are going to do under their new manager, but it'd be a surprise if Mount had a different role given how well he's playing. If things stay the same, he'll be on the majority of set pieces for Chelsea, especially if Hakim Ziyech ($14) doesn't start. Mount has scored double-digit fantasy points in each of his last six starts and Chelsea have the second-highest implied goal total on the slate. If you think Chelsea play awesome in Thomas Tuchel's first game, go with Timo Werner ($19), Christian Pulisic ($13) and anyone else who starts. They have a loaded team and at some point, they have to start clicking. Even if they don't figure things out immediately, they still have an edge against Wolves, who have issues of their own. Tammy Abraham ($21) is coming off a hat trick, but I'd only consider him in GPPs given his price and low floor. Mount is an easy choice in cash games because of his expected floor and decent price. Pulisic is in that same mold, but similar to the rest of Chelsea, he's struggled to make the score-sheet.

James Rodriguez, EVE v. LEI ($16): The bad part about this slate is that almost every team is in play to win (outside of Sheffield United), which is what leads me to safer cash plays. Oddly, Everton are underdogs at home despite winning the prior meeting 2-0 without Rodriguez. If this match goes similarly, it will be low scoring and there will be limited opportunities, and I don't want to bank on a goal scorer. Rodriguez should be close to full strength after going the full 90 in the FA Cup win, and while he isn't making the score-sheet as much as James Maddison ($18), he's still averaging close to one shot on target and 2.54 chances created per 90 minutes. Maddison is in form and has scored in three straight, but he hasn't had a floor of more than 10 points in his last four starts. The absence of Jamie Vardy also doesn't help the attack against a side they managed just two shots on target against in the first meeting. Everton are the underdog, but I'd look at their trio of attackers, though Maddison is a fine cash option. Richarlison ($19) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($18) are more likely to hit the back of the net, but neither have much of a floor and I wouldn't bet on goals in this matchup.

Ross Barkley, AVL at BRN ($13): I'm tentative on this match because it finished scoreless a month ago and Burnley have allowed just just four goals in their last eight matches, including two in their last four. They're keeping things defensive and while that limits goals, Villa also had tons of chances in that first meeting, racking up 27 shots (seven on target) and 22 chances. I'm writing about Barkley because he's started recent contests, but Anwar El Ghazi ($14) could start in a short week. Either can provide salary relief with decent floors. Barkley's floor has struggled since returning, but if things go the same as last match, he'll surely be involved in front of goal. El Ghazi had a floor of 30 and Jack Grealish ($19) was at 20.6 fantasy points in that prior meeting. Bertrand Traore ($16) is another possibility, but while he splits set pieces, he hasn't had much of a floor, producing three chances and three shots on target in the last four matches. The question for a lot of people is if they'll want to spend on Grealish and not one of the Man United or Chelsea guys. He has the same upside and floor as anyone, but Burnley are keeping everyone's upside fairly diminished. If you want to fade Chelsea and the Everton/Leicester match, Grealish is probably the best move.

It's a rare five-game slate, so there's another match I haven't mentioned yet. Fulham and Brighton have the lowest implied total, and while the first meeting finished scoreless, they each had four shots on target and each have a few players who usually provide solid floors. Neal Maupay ($17) is most likely to score, but he has no floor. I'd rather look at Ademola Lookman ($15) and Ivan Cavaleiro ($14), who have hit double-digit fantasy points against most competition, while Alexis Mac Allister ($8) is the discounted version of Leandro Trossard ($14). If you need to save money, I'd probably use Mac Allister, who has found a role in the attack the last couple matches.

DEFENDERS

Erik Pieters, BRN v. AVL ($7): I don't like any of the $7 defenders more than the others, so Pieters is my pick because of his matchup. Aston Villa have forced the second-most interceptions, second-most blocks and fourth-most clearances to defenders. Pieters doesn't accrue a ton of defensive stats as a left-back, but he's in a matchup that should present opportunities. The other options all play in a defense that usually features a back three and limited fantasy stats. If Pieters doesn't start, Conor Coady ($7) would be my next option. 

Timothy Castagne, LEI at EVE ($9): If you can help it, I wouldn't use a minimally priced defender because there are a lot of options at $9 and $10. Castagne is one of many lower-priced options who should cost a few dollars more. He's had at least 9.5 fantasy points in nine of 11 starts because he does a little bit of everything, creating chances while adding in a variety of defensive stats. Of course, everyone else in that range has had solid floors in recent matches, as well: Ola Aina, Ethan Ampadu, Joel Veltman and Matt Targett.

GOALKEEPER

Emiliano Martinez, AVL at BRN ($12): I think almost every goalkeeper is an option on this slate, but Martinez provides a bit of price relief with a reasonable chance to win. He's had at least 16 fantasy points in seven of his last eight starts and Burnley aren't a team that rack up goals. David de Gea ($14) and Edouard Mendy ($13) are more expensive, but I don't want to trust either. Alphonse Areola ($8) and Jordan Pickford ($8) are as low as I'd go, and both are plenty viable. Areola has made multiple saves in each of his last 11 starts and Pickford has allowed three goals in his last six matches and faces a team without Vardy.