FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 1:00 pm: Burnley vs. Manchester City
• 1:00 pm: Fulham vs. Leicester City
• 2:30 pm: Leeds United vs. Everton
• 3:15 pm: Aston Villa vs. West Ham United
• 3:15 pm: Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Riyad Mahrez, MCI at BRN ($19): This is a classic slate in which there are five matches and almost all should produce goals. Of course, that was the case Tuesday, but no one expected every match to hit the over, including Manchester United's massive 9-0 win. Man City are the easiest place to turn Wednesday as the biggest favorite. They won the first meeting 5-0 off a Mahrez hat trick, and while that's not the main reason I'm backing him, it helps. He's on the same level as Raheem Sterling ($22) and is oddly three dollars cheaper. Neither has shown much of a floor, so if you're worried about another 1-0 win, it may be best to back Phil Foden ($15), who is on set pieces. Still, even if this match is only 1-0, Man City should dominate possession and rack up chances after compiling 19 shots and 17 chances in the first meeting. Mahrez makes the most sense, as he combines a decent price with as much upside as anyone on the team. Ilkay Gundogan ($16) fell back to earth last match, though he still managed a 10-point floor and could draw some looks in cash games because of that. While Man City are the biggest favorite, there are enough viable options to completely fade them. There's always a chance Mahrez bags another hat trick, but since that's unlikely to happen, the varied production from City allows you to focus on other teams, as well.

James Maddison, LEI at FUL ($17): While Man City don't have a ton of floor players, there are plenty in the other matchups. Maddison may be the best of the bunch, and he isn't too expensive with at least 13 fantasy points in each of his last 10 starts. Fulham surprisingly won the first meeting 2-1, but Maddison still managed three shots and 10 crosses. His role on set pieces makes him a consideration in a matchup that Leicester should control, and his recent goal-scoring adds in some upside. Harvey Barnes ($15) doesn't take set pieces, but he's cheaper and has been just as lethal with 11 chances created and five shots on target in the last four matches. Maddison and Barnes are both in play in all formats, and their prices doesn't ruin the rest of your lineup like Liverpool and some Man City players do. 

Jack Grealish, AVL v. WHU ($19): Grealish doesn't have an exclusive role on set pieces, but he's made the score-sheet in four of his last five starts and has at least nine fantasy points in every match this season. He should be in the Sterling and Sadio Mane price range, but he continues to be undervalued. When these teams met earlier in the season, Grealish scored and had a 20-point floor from five chances created and another shot on target. Villa are one of the most attack-heavy teams in the league and that leads to opportunities no matter the opponent, especially one like West Ham, who have given up six goals in their last three matches. Ollie Watkins ($18) has shown a higher floor in recent matches, but I'm not ready to use him in cash games, while Bertrand Traore ($14) and Ross Barkley ($13) seem to split opportunities, limiting their floors. If anything, Michail Antonio ($18) could be the best stacking piece with Grealish if you want to bet on goals in this matchup. Antonio has made the score-sheet in three of the last four matches and is the best bet to get there if West Ham score. That said, Villa have struggled against set pieces and that's something Jarrod Bowen ($17) and Tomas Soucek ($16) usually capitalize on. But if I have the money, I'd rather back Antonio to brace than Soucek to randomly find himself with two goals again.

James Rodriguez, EVE at LEE ($17): I remember backing the over 2.5 goals between Everton and Leeds last meeting. It looked like a good play, but neither team could score in a 1-0 Leeds win from a late Raphinha ($15) goal. However, each team had tons of opportunities, combining for 14 shots on target and 31 chances created. Rodriguez had 28.9 floor points in that matchup, and he's another value cash play on a slate with a slew of them. His numbers have been a bit down because he's battled injuries, but if this match is played the same as the prior one, it only makes sense to back Rodriguez to get opportunities up front. It's also the perfect spot for Dominic Calvert-Lewin ($19) to get back in form, while Richarlison ($16) is always an option. The problem with Leeds is that they have a couple injuries and if Raphinha sits, their production could be even more spread out. I think there will be chances for guys like Patrick Bamford ($20) and Jack Harrison ($17), but that's only worth trying in tournaments. If Raphinha sits, Helder Costa ($9) could be a decent value option.

I'm somewhat tentative on Liverpool, but they'll be popular because of the odds as the only team in the same range as Man City in terms of implied goal total. Mohamed Salah ($22) could be the most popular player on the slate coming off a brace, but I'm still worried about the matchup. Brighton have held three straight clean sheets and kept Man City to one goal before that stretch. They're playing well in the back, and while Liverpool have found some form of late, I'm not convinced they're back to 2019/20 form and guaranteed to score multiple goals. Either way, Salah has the best odds to score on the slate and has to be mentioned in this article. If Sadio Mane ($21) were healthy, I'd probably consider him first, but it's Salah or bust in Liverpool's attack if Mane misses out again. Otherwise, I'm still staying away from Roberto Firmino ($18) even though he's made the score-sheet in back-to-back matches.

DEFENDERS

Caglar Soyuncu, LEI at FUL ($7): Soyuncu should be back in the starting XI. and while he may not be forced into much defensive action, he's the cheapest of the expected starters and is a center-back. Ben White ($7) is a center-back in a three-man back line, and while he faces Liverpool, his floor has sometimes dipped below five points. Erik Pieters ($7) is also a possibility and even as a left-back, he should come close to 10 fantasy points only because he'll be on the defensive all match against Man City.

Mason Holgate, EVE at LEE ($10): There are some high-end defenders with great floors, but I'd rather save money at defender on this slate. If you have a few extra bucks, all of the $10 defenders are in play for cash games. Holgate is slated to return to the starting XI and had a floor of 15 points in the first meeting against Leeds. The same goes for Angelo Ogbonna ($10), who had nine clearances in the loss against Villa. Kenny Tete ($10) doesn't have the same floor, but he has at least 10 fantasy points in each of his last four starts from six chances created and 14 tackles.

GOALKEEPER

Ederson, MCI at BRN ($14): Ederson has the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet and hasn't allowed a goal in his last seven league starts. Given the price of guys like Foden and Maddison, there is a method to get Ederson in the squad, though maybe not if you're backing Liverpool and Sterling. If you're not rostering Grealish or a Villa forward, Lukasz Fabianski ($8) is cheap and had five saves in the prior meeting. Nick Pope ($6) is also an option to rack up saves, but he's more likely to allow five goals. Robin Olsen ($5) could be the most popular goalkeeper because he's getting a rare start for the injured Jordan Pickford. Everton are underdogs, but he's cheap and it's worth a play if you need to save money.