SOCCER

FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 11/7/20

If you have played daily fantasy sports for a while, you know the importance of being contrarian in large-field tournaments. Recognizing which players are going to be popular and finding others who you think have a similar point projection but will be much less popular can really separate yourself from your opponents.

The same goes for DFS EPL. Even though the large-field tournaments aren't quite as large as they are for other sports, there is still value in identifying quality under-the-radar plays.

This article will discuss FanDuel's main Saturday slate, which starts at 10:00 a.m. EST and features three matches.

Matchweek 8
Saturday, November 7th
Leeds at Crystal Palace
Sheffield at Chelsea
Fulham at West Ham


Matchweek 8 features one big-six side in Chelsea (-280), who is listed as a home favorite against Sheffield United. The Blues are the largest favorites on the slate -- followed by West Ham (-125) at home against Fulham. Leeds (+145) round out the slate as slight favorites on the road against Crystal Palace.

All eyes will be on Chelsea for this slate. They are coming off a three-goal victory over Rennes in the Champions League on Thursday and have won their last three fixtures across all competitions, part of a 10-match unbeaten run. The Blues will be popular, but a full fade of their attackers is very risky with options limited elsewhere on the slate. The Blades have performed admirably in their last two matches -- a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool and a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City -- but this is still an excellent spot for Chelsea.

For large-field tournaments, consider looking for ways to gain exposure to Chelsea via players who will be less popular. Timo Werner ($22) figures to be the most popular play on the slate, and simply fading just him will go a long way to creating a more unique lineup.

With all that in mind, here are two players to consider on this slate -- especially for tournament formats -- who may fly under the radar.

Mateusz Klich, FWD/MID, Leeds

FanDuel Salary: $16

The $16-$17 salary range is packed with players in decent situations this weekend, which should see popularity spread out across the players in that range. Most notably, Mason Mount ($17), Hakim Ziyech ($17), and Wilfried Zaha ($17) should all be decently popular, drawing attention away from Leeds players in that range.

Leeds' Jack Harrison ($17) has been in excellent form so far this season, averaging 19.33 FanDuel points per game despite scoring only one goal, which should make him the preferred option for many who do look to Leeds. That should allow Klich to fly under the radar despite his own nice production this season. Operating in the center of Leeds 4-1-4-1 formation, Klich is averaging 18.44 FanDuel points per game this season with two goals and two assists in seven appearances. With Kalvin Phillips still out with a shoulder injury, Klich is expected to share set-piece responsibilities with Harrison and potentially Pablo Hernandez ($7).

Crystal Palace has been so-so defensively this campaign, allowing an average of 1.57 goals per match through seven fixtures. They haven't kept a clean sheet since September, conceding at least one goal in each of their last six matches. Leeds' backline has been even worse, allowing an average of 1.85 goals per match, and there could be multiple goals on both sides of this one.

With Leeds on the road and big names like Zaha likely drawing popularity on the Palace side, Klich and Leeds' other forwards/midfielders are intriguing options for large-field tournaments this weekend.

Tom Cairney, FWD/MID, Fulham

FanDuel Salary: $11

Cairney has started and played the full 90 minutes in six of Fulham's seven matches so far this season, averaging 13.57 FanDuel points per fixture. In his six appearances, he has slotted in at defensive-mid twice, central-mid three times, and attacking-mid once. Excluding his two defensive-mid appearances, he is averaging 20.25 FanDuel points per game, an excellent value at his salary of just $11.

That average is boosted by a 43.9 FanDuel-point performance against Crystal Palace in October, but he has produced point totals of 9.3, 16.6, and 10.3 in the other three matches, demonstrating a decent floor. When lineups are released an hour before kickoff, Cairney's position will provide further information about his outlook.

West Ham is emerging from a brutal run of fixtures that has seen them clash with Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham, Leicester City, Wolves, and Arsenal over their last six. They have performed decently well, netting two wins, two draws, and two losses in that span. As such the masses may be on the Hammers' side for this clash with Fulham. That said, the Hammers are only slight favorites (-125) and are far from a sure thing, especially with Fulham coming into this one off their first win of the season last time out.

Similar to the Crystal Palace-Leeds fixture, there could be multiple goals on both sides of his one, but West Ham will likely be more popular as the home favorites. On a larger slate, Cairney and Fulham would be less appealing, but on this three-game slate, they are worth considering.