FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 10/23/21

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 separate you 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 five matches.

Slate Overview

Newcastle (+290) at Crystal Palace (-110)
Over 2.5 Goals: -102 | Most Likely to Score: Edouard/Zaha (+145)

Burnley (+290) at Southampton (-105)
Over 2.5 Goals: +100 | Most Likely to Score: A. Armstrong/Adams (+185)

Wolves (+180) at Leeds (+155)
Over 2.5 Goals: -112 | Most Likely to Score: Jimenez (+130)

Watford (+460) at Everton (-155)
Over 2.5 Goals: -104 | Most Likely to Score: Rondon (+130)

Manchester City (-260) at Brighton (+700)
Over 2.5 Goals: -122 | Most Likely to Score: Jesus (+135)

Matchweek 9 features one big-six side, with Manchester City in action on the road against Brighton.

At -260 to win, Manchester City are the largest favorite on the slate, while Salomon Rondon ($16) has the best odds to score at +130 of any player expected to be active on Saturday.

Everton (-155 to win) are the second-biggest favorite behind Manchester City, with Southampton (-105 to win) and Crystal Palace (-110 to win) joining them as home favorites. Leeds (+155) round out the slate.

Normally, Manchester City as the lone big-six side on a slate creates an incredibly high-risk fade situation, but their odds on Saturday lower that risk substantially. While City are still the largest favorite, their odds aren't that extreme, and there are three home favorites within shouting distance of their outlook this weekend.

Brighton has cooled off since their hot start to the season, with three draws in their last three fixtures, but they remain undefeated in their last five, with two clean sheets in a row and only five goals conceded on the season. City are capable of running rampant over any side at any time, but this may be a tougher task than it appears. Don't be afraid to fade them in favor of the other favorites on the slate.

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

Christian Benteke, FWD/MID, Crystal Palace

FanDuel Salary: $16

Spirits are soaring at Newcastle after their recent change in ownership, but things on the pitch are still very much falling flat. They have conceded 19 goals this season, the most in the Premier League by three, and are still winless in the league. They did produce an inspired performance against Tottenham in their last fixture but still conceded three goals and lost the match. Benteke and Palace should have plenty of chances to extend the Magpies' misery on Saturday.

Palace comes into this one at the end of a difficult run of fixtures. Over their last five, they have faced Tottenham, Liverpool, Brighton, Leicester City, and Arsenal. After beating Tottenham and losing to Liverpool, they managed to string together three consecutive draws and now face their easiest opposition in over a month. Palace's 10 goals over their last six fixtures are tied for fifth-best in the Premier League, just one goal behind Chelsea, Leicester, and Manchester City.

Benteke is as goal-dependent as they come, but he netted his first goal of the season on Monday against Arsenal, and his odds to score of +175 are in line with many of the higher-salaried strikers on the slate. At his salary of just $16, Benteke offers exposure to a home favorite playing against one of the worst defensive sides in the league.

Lucas Digne, DEF, Everton

FanDuel Salary: $11

Watford's 15 goals conceded is the third-most in the league, and they enter this weekend with just one win in their last six fixtures. They have managed to keep only one clean sheet across 10 matches in all competitions and are the second-largest underdog on the slate at +460 to win. It all sets up nicely for Everton on Saturday.

As the second-largest favorite on the slate, Everton's forwards and wingers will likely be popular. Dinge won't fly under the radar, either, but he offers an excellent way to gain exposure to Everton at a lower salary than Rondon, Richarlison ($20), or Andros Townsend ($19) .

Dinge has been one of the more consistent defenders in DFS so far this season, with double-digit points in six of eight fixtures, including his last five in a row. He is averaging 1.75 chances created per match, with at least one chance created in seven of his eight appearances this season. Neither Everton (39.9%) nor Watford (40.3%) are known for maintaining possession, but Everton should be able to control proceedings in this one, much to the benefit of Dinge and Everton's attacking options.

Hwang Hee-Chan, FWD/MID, Wolves

FanDuel Salary: $17

Leeds has just one win in their eight fixtures this season, while Wolves have taken 12 points from their last five matches. Despite that, their meeting on Saturday is projected to be the closest contest on the slate, but Wolves have shown signs of consistency in front of goal in recent weeks are worth consideration, even on the road.

Wolves are averaging two goals per match over their last three fixtures after managing to score just twice across their first five matches.

Hee-Chan has impressed since arriving on loan from RB Leipzig in late August. He scored in his first appearance -- as a substitute against Watford -- and has recently found his way into a consistent role, starting and playing at least 88 minutes in each of Wolves' last three matches. The consistent playing time hasn't yielded consistent FanDuel points, with outputs of 2.6, 44.3, and 0.0 in those fixtures, but it has displayed his upside.

His salary of $17 seems rather high for the inconsistent DFS production he has provided, but his upside and expected low popularity make him a worthwhile inclusion.