FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for Wednesday 5/19/21

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 Wednesday slate, which starts at 1:00 p.m. EST and features six matches.

Matchweek 37 features three big-six sides in Liverpool, Tottenham, and Arsenal. A highly motivated Liverpool (-470) side is the largest favorite on the slate, followed by Tottenham (-190) and Arsenal (-190). Newcastle (-135) and Everton (-115) round out the slate as home favorites.

From an odds perspective, this slate is all about Liverpool. Following their miraculous last-second goal against West Brom, Liverpool needs another result to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish. When motivation and situation and matchup all perfectly align this late in the season, it creates a situation that is difficult to fade. That said, all of these conditions were met for Liverpool's clash with West Brom last Sunday, and they still nearly dropped points. Liverpool is still a far cry from the dominant side they used to be, but with three wins in a row, things are moving in the right direction as time runs out on their season. The Reds' stars will be popular, and they are likely worth including in lineups even if that is the case.

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

Dele Alli, FWD/MID, Tottenham

FanDuel Salary: $13

The expected popularity of Liverpool's stars should draw some attention away from Tottenham, with the main narrative following Spurs firmly focused on the recent transfer demand of Harry Kane ($23). Spurs are still in contention for a top-five spot and have an excellent matchup against an Aston Villa side that has conceded three goals in two of their last three fixtures.

Alli has battled injuries for most of the season, appearing in 13 Premier League fixtures for Spurs this year, with just five starts. It's a notable decline from his previous two seasons with Tottenham, but his recent run of form provides optimism for a solid performance against Aston Villa on Wednesday. Over Spurs' last three fixtures, Alli has started in back-to-back-to-back games for the first time this season, managing FanDuel point totals of 14.5, 14.3, and 16.5. Over that stretch, he has a combined total of eight shots (three on goal), two chances created, and one assist.

With the focus on Liverpool and Spurs' other stars, Alli is well-positioned to go relatively overlooked despite his recent run of form and excellent situation. Add onto that a very friendly salary of just $13, and he is firmly in consideration for Wednesday's slate.

Allan Saint-Maximin, FWD/MID, Newcastle

FanDuel Salary: $14

Newcastle has had an eventful last six matches, to say the least. Over their last six fixtures, they have scored a combined 13 goals, the most in the Premier League, and conceded 12 goals, the second-most in the league. At first glance, their two wins, one draw, and one loss over their last four matches don't jump off the screen, but when you consider that those results came against Manchester City, Leicester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, they should.

Before that brutal run of opponents, Newcastle produced back-to-back wins over Burnley and West Ham, scoring a combined five goals in those fixtures. Saint-Maximin excelled in those matches, producing FanDuel point totals of 33.0 and 26.3 with a combined seven shots (three on goal), seven chances created, one goal, and one assist. He's struggled against elite opposition, with four consecutive starts of single-digit FanDuel points, but fortunately for his outlook on Wednesday, Sheffield United is on the other end of the table.

With their relegation secured weeks ago, the Blades have little to play for and have conceded 10 goals over their last six fixtures. Their 35 goals conceded on the road this season is the second-most in the Premier League, and they have managed just seven points from 18 away fixtures, the fewest in the league. Saint-Maximin is positioned to produce as he did before Newcastle's difficult run of opponents, and he will likely go overlooked on a six-game slate.