DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Picks

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday EPL Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

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

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Fulham v. Leicester City
2:45 p.m: Burnley v. Liverpool
2:45 p.m: Wolverhampton v. Chelsea
2:45 p.m: Everton v. Newcastle
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Arsenal
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Southampton

FORWARDS

Mohamed Salah, LIV at BUR ($10,500): Despite the high price, Salah is likely to be decently owned in cash games and GPPs because of his excellent matchup. It's not even that Salah leads Liverpool in goals, shots, shots on goal, assists and chances created while also having a role on set pieces, but he's also facing a Burnley side that's conceded the most shots, shots on goal and chances, as well as the second-most goals and assists among teams on the slate. With Sadio Mane ($9,100) potentially missing out because of a foot injury, we might get slightly cheaper access to the Liverpool front line in the form of either Daniel Sturridge ($7,900) or even Divock Origi ($6,700), but their prices are too high to really consider in cash games. That being said, they obviously make for fine GPP options as they possibly lead the line for the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. NEW ($8,800): Sigurdsson's share of Everton's set pieces continues to fall, but he's still been active in the attack, taking at least three shots in three of his last four games, sending in 11 crosses

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

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Fulham v. Leicester City
2:45 p.m: Burnley v. Liverpool
2:45 p.m: Wolverhampton v. Chelsea
2:45 p.m: Everton v. Newcastle
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Arsenal
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Southampton

FORWARDS

Mohamed Salah, LIV at BUR ($10,500): Despite the high price, Salah is likely to be decently owned in cash games and GPPs because of his excellent matchup. It's not even that Salah leads Liverpool in goals, shots, shots on goal, assists and chances created while also having a role on set pieces, but he's also facing a Burnley side that's conceded the most shots, shots on goal and chances, as well as the second-most goals and assists among teams on the slate. With Sadio Mane ($9,100) potentially missing out because of a foot injury, we might get slightly cheaper access to the Liverpool front line in the form of either Daniel Sturridge ($7,900) or even Divock Origi ($6,700), but their prices are too high to really consider in cash games. That being said, they obviously make for fine GPP options as they possibly lead the line for the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE v. NEW ($8,800): Sigurdsson's share of Everton's set pieces continues to fall, but he's still been active in the attack, taking at least three shots in three of his last four games, sending in 11 crosses over that span, including zero in the Merseyside derby last weekend. The matchup against Newcastle is one worth using Sigurdsson in despite the lower floor he's shown of late, as the Magpies have allowed the third-most shots, second-most crosses and second-most corners among teams on the slate. Sigurdsson is useful for cash games and GPPs, but those looking to spend down at forward may get the benefit of a random start from Ademola Lookman ($4,900), whose floor will come from shots and fouls drawn (sound familiar for an Everton attacker?) though he hasn't really played enough to warrant consideration in cash games, at least in terms of safety.

Harry Kane, TOT v. SOU ($10,100): There aren't many (any?) reasonable cheap forwards for cash games, which is why we could see a few Salah/Kane lineups, at least for players who are willing to fade Sigurdsson. They are all pretty goal dependent now, but Kane has shown a very good floor of late (better than Sigurdsson's), as he's not only scored five goals in his last six games, but he's done that by taking 30 shots, including 18 on goal, and drawing 24 fouls, an average of 5.0 shots, including 3.0 on goal, and 4.0 fouls drawn per 90 minutes (that equates to 12.00 fantasy points per 90). There are a few viable cheaper midfielders for cash games, so don't rule out paying all the way up for the two best forwards on the slate.

MIDFIELDERS

James Maddison, LEI at FUL ($7,700): It's tough to get a full read on Fulham, as they have been the worst defensive side in the Premier League this season, but they also recently changed managers to help with those issues. Then again, they conceded two goals on 19 shots and 33 crosses to Southampton in manager Claudio Ranieri's first match and then two goals on 16 shots and 14 crosses to Chelsea last weekend. Maddison continues to have a monopoly of set pieces for Leicester, who are slight away favorites against Fulham, who have conceded the most goals, most assists, second-most shots, second-most shots on goal, most crosses and third-most corners among teams on the slate. All of that lines up for Maddison, whose floor points haven't been as consistent of late, though he did make up for it a bit with a goal last weekend against Watford, his first since Sept. 22. Maddison isn't the only Leicester midfielder worth considering, as Wilfred Ndidi ($3,500) continues to be a solid floor player despite his low price, scoring at least 5.50 floor points in five consecutive games thanks to his contributions with shots, tackles won, interceptions and fouls drawn.

Lucas Torreira, ARS at MUN ($4,100): Torreira has been excellent for Arsenal, as he had one goal on eight shots, including two on goal, five tackles won and seven fouls drawn in his last three games. The matchup against Manchester United won't be easy, especially at Old Trafford, but they're still a side that's conceded multiple goals in two of their last three Premier League games. Manchester United have also committed the most fouls among teams on the slate, and while that helps Torreira for his own foul-drawing ability, it could also potentially help his set-piece situation, as regular corner and free-kick taker Granit Xhaka ($5,100) is suspended, while Mesut Ozil ($5,800) is doubtful because of a back spasm. Set pieces aren't guaranteed, as Henrikh Mkhitaryan ($8,200) has taken a few recently, but Torreira's price makes him well worth the gamble for set pieces versus Mkhitaryan, who likely needs to get on the scoresheet to pay off his high salary.

Jean Michael Seri, FUL v. LEI ($5,300): The case for Seri is that he seems to have reclaimed set pieces for Fulham, who are home underdogs to a team whose former manager is now the Fulham manager. Seri had two shots, including one on goal, five crosses, two fouls drawn and one tackle in last weekend's loss to Chelsea, which is solid overall production for a set-piece taker. However, what if I told you there was a player on Seri's team who had three shots, all of which were on goal, won three tackles and had seven interceptions, finishing with 11.50 fantasy points? And what if that match was preceded by one where he scored 6.00 fantasy points thanks, in part, to three shots and three interceptions. It's not much, but what if I also told you he was $3,000 on Wednesday's slate? Unfortunately, he doesn't fit a midfield spot, but if you think you need some floor points out of Fulham, you may as well give a look to defender Calum Chambers, who has started the last three matches in midfield.

DEFENDERS

Lucas Digne, EVE v. NEW ($5,600): Sigurdsson's reduced floor of late is a direct result of Digne taking on more set pieces, something that's helped the defender send in 59 crosses in his last six games, never having fewer than seven in a match over that span. Digne hasn't had an assist since Sept. 1, but he created 21 chances over his past 10 games, setting up multiple shots in six straight, and he provides an excellent floor from an Everton player for those who want to spend up for Salah and Kane while fading Sigurdsson.

Danny Rose, TOT v. SOU ($4,500): The possible return of Kieran Trippier ($6,400) will have plenty of fantasy players looking his way because of his role on set pieces for a solid favorite, though I am always slightly hesitant to pay so much if Christian Eriksen ($9,000, midfielder) starts as well. Trippier's price isn't outrageous, but Rose has shown a solid floor when he starts, averaging 2.01 crosses, 2.01 tackles won and 2.26 fouls drawn per 90 minutes in his four starts this season. Rose has taken a few corners as well, and while there shouldn't be any expectation that he takes them Wednesday, it's theoretically possible if Eriksen and Trippier don't start.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at BUR ($6,000): There is definitely a path to paying up for three defenders in cash games, and Alexander-Arnold should be one of those thanks to his matchup against a Burnley side that's conceded the third-most crosses and most corners among teams on the slate. He shared set pieces with Xherdan Shaqiri ($8,400, midfielder/forward) during last weekend's Merseyside derby, though even without corners he's shown to be an active open-play crosser, which could come into play Wednesday.

GOALKEEPERS

Hugo Lloris, TOT v. SOU ($5,600): Lloris is coming off a nightmare performance in which he conceded four goals to Arsenal, but he's otherwise been strong at home this season, making 12 saves while conceding just three goals, which included one each to Fulham, Chelsea and Manchester City. Meanwhile, Southampton come in having scored the fourth-fewest goals (12 in 14 matches), and second-fewest among teams on the slate, but they've also forced the third-most saves. That combination fits nicely for Lloris, who has the highest win and clean sheet odds among home goalkeepers (Liverpool's Alisson is ahead of him but is away to Burnley). For those who don't want to pay up at goalkeeper, Fulham's Sergio Rico ($4,500) has made 18 saves in his last three games, helping him to fantasy scores of 7.0, 13.0 and 10.0, respectively, despite allowing two goals in each match and only winning once.

Want to Read More?
Subscribe to RotoWire to see the full article.

We reserve some of our best content for our paid subscribers. Plus, if you choose to subscribe you can discuss this article with the author and the rest of the RotoWire community.

Get Instant Access To This Article Get Access To This Article
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only Soccer Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire Soccer fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew M. Laird, the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's Head of DFS Content and Senior Soccer Editor. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 469
Sorare MLS: Deke's Diamonds GW 469
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
Fantrax Premier League Player Rankings: Gameweek 34
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Wednesday, April 17: Do You Trust Arsenal?
DraftKings DFS UCL Strategies Podcast for Wednesday, April 17: Do You Trust Arsenal?
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Manchester City vs. Real Madrid
Champions League Best Bets: Picks, Odds & Predictions for Manchester City vs. Real Madrid