FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 1/16/21

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 four matches.

Matchweek 19 features one big-six side, Chelsea, and includes a fourth game on the Saturday main slate for the first time this season! Chelsea (-195) is the largest favorite on the slate, followed closely by Leicester City (-125) and West Ham (-125). Leeds (+110) round out the slate as slight home favorites against Brighton.

From an odds perspective, there isn't a clear target in this one. Chelsea, Leicester City, and West Ham all have relatively similar outlooks. However, stars from Chelsea and Leicester City will almost certainly be more popular than players from West Ham despite the Hammers' similar odds. For large-field tournaments, don't be afraid to fade Chelsea in favor of some choices from Leicester City and West Ham. Fulham isn't having a great season, but they have been solid at the back recently, conceding just three goals over their last five fixtures, including just one each to Liverpool and Tottenham.

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

Said Benrahma, FWD/MID, West Ham

FanDuel Salary: $11

After a slow start to the season following his arrival on a season-long loan from Brentford, Benrahma has now started in each of West Ham's two fixtures since the start of January. The 25-year-old has yet to find the back of the net in his six appearances, but he has recorded two assists. He earned his loan move to the Premier League by notching 17 goals and 9 assists in 46 appearances for Brentford in 2019 in the Championship and could begin to make a similar mark for the Hammers if his consistent playing time continues.

Benrahma has operated primarily as an attacking central midfielder in West Ham's 4-2-3-1 formation but received a start on the wing in their recent victory over Stockport County in the FA Cup. Either position would put him in a solid spot this weekend facing a Burnley side that has conceded a goal in three of their last four matches. Benrahma's low salary makes him a decent value, as well, as a central attacking option for a home favorite.

Burnley has been a decent side recently, but the same can be said of West Ham, who have just 1 loss in their last 7 fixtures and only 2 defeats in their last 11. Given Benrahma's history of assists, stacking him with a teammate is an option, but neither of these sides has been involved in any high-scoring contests recently, making him better as a single inclusion from this fixture.

Neal Maupay, FWD/MID, Brighton

FanDuel Salary: $16

With 13 combined goals over their last five fixtures, Leeds will be the more popular side in the Leeds-Brighton game, especially given Brighton's terrible start to the season. However, there could be goals from both sides in this contest, as Brighton has shown signs of life recently in the final third, and Leeds is far from secure at the back.

Brighton sits 17th on the league table, with just two wins on the season, but they have managed six goals over their last five games in all competitions. Taking away one-goal losses to Manchester City and Arsenal, in their last three Premier League fixtures against non-big-six opposition, they have averaged two goals per match. Maupay was part of that, notching goals against Wolves and West Ham, giving him a goal in each of his last two starts.

His salary is still a touch high for his outlook, but that should keep his popularity low. Leeds has had some impressive performances this season, but their defense remains a weak spot. They have conceded 6 goals in their last 2 fixtures, and 33 total through 17 Premier League matches, the second-most behind only West Brom. This match may go a little overlooked on this four-game slate, if the masses flock to the big names on Chelsea and Leicester, and any interest it does generate is likely to center on Leeds' attackers. The Whites are in a good spot, but don't forget the other side of the pitch and Brighton's matchup against Leeds' defenders.