FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 4/1/23
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 EPL DFS. 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 six matches. All betting lines come from the soccer odds at FanDuel Sportsbook and FoxBet, and they may change after the article is published.
Slate Overview
Leeds (+1000) at Arsenal (-400)
Over 2.5 Goals: -205 | Most Likely to Score: Jesus (+125)
Brentford (+450) at Brighton (-160)
Over 2.5 Goals: -128 | Most Likely to Score: Ferguson (+135)
Fulham (+190) at Bournemouth (+150)
Over 2.5 Goals: +112 | Most Likely to Score: Vinicius (+180)
Wolves (+150) at Nottingham Forest (+200)
Over 2.5 Goals: +146 | Most Likely to Score: Cunha (+240)
Leicester City (+190) at Crystal Palace (+160)
Over 2.5 Goals: +114 | Most Likely to Score: Vardy (+175)
Aston Villa (+450) at Chelsea (-150)
Over 2.5 Goals: -104 | Most Likely to Score: Aubameyang (+170)
Matchweek 29 features two big-six sides, with Arsenal and Chelsea in action on a six-game main slate.
Arsenal (-400 to win) are the largest favorite on the slate, and Gabriel Jesus ($20) has the best odds to score (+125) of any player expected to be active on Saturday.
Brighton (-160 to win) are the second-largest favorite, followed by Chelsea (-150 to win). Bournemouth (+150 to win), Wolves (+150 to win), and Leicester (+160 to win) round out the slate.
After an eventful international break, the focus shifts back to the Premier League. Arsenal's struggles in February are now firmly behind them. The Gunners have won their last six Premier League fixtures and are averaging an absurd 3.2 goals per match over that stretch. They are in the driver's seat to win the league and have shown little signs of slowing down.
Chelsea are undefeated in their last four matches, but their performances have been far less convincing, and they tied Everton in their final match before the international break. Expect Arsenal's stars to be extremely popular this weekend. They are a risky fade facing a Leeds side that has kept just one clean sheet in their last 10 fixtures.
With that in mind, here are three players to consider -- especially for tournament formats -- who may fly under the radar.
Raul Jimenez, FWD/MID, Wolves
FanDuel Salary: $16
Jimenez has struggled this season with no goals and one assist in 13 appearances but has started to turn things around recently with a combined five shots on goal and four chances created in his last three games. A match with a struggling Nottingham Forst provides him with an opportunity to get his first goal of the season.
Forest has allowed the second-most goals in the Premier League this season and has conceded an average of 2.3 goals per game over their last six. Wolves have had struggles of their own but they have scored a combined three goals in their last two fixtures and found the back of the net in four of their last five.
Jimenez's odds to score of +290 are the same as Chelsea's Mason Mount ($12) and slightly better than Hakim Ziyech (+300). With most of the focus on Arsenal on Saturday, Jimenez could go overlooked in an excellent spot.
Andreas Pereira, FWD/MID, Fulham
FanDuel Salary: $15
Fulham enter Saturday in a bit of a slump with one draw and two losses in their last three fixtures. They are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Manchester United in the FA Cup quarterfinals and will be without Aleksander Mitrovic and Willian, who are both suspended. The absence of those two diminishes the outlook for Fulham's goal-scoring chances but should lead to Pereira taking on a large role in the final third.
Pereira has been a fixture of Fulham's starting lineups this season, starting all 27 of their Premier League matches. He has scored double-digit FanDuel points in just three of his last 10 fixtures but has had stretches of production this season. Most notably a stretch of games before November's World Cup that saw him produce more than 17.3 FanDuel points in six straight matches.
Facing a Bournemouth that has conceded the most goals in the Premier League this season, Pereira has a great chance to be productive. He should go overlooked due to Fulham's recent struggles, but this is a side that has impressed at multiple points this season and could bounce back against a weaker opponent on Saturday.
Michael Olise, FWD/MID, Crystal Palace
FanDuel Salary: $14
Palace are winless in their last 13 matches but have a chance to change that on Saturday in Roy Hodgson's first game back as manager. Facing a Leicester side that is winless in their last five, with a combined nine goals conceded during that period, Palace has a chance to turn things around on Saturday.
As is usually the case, the majority of interest in Palace will center on Wilfried Zaha ($16), which should allow Olise to go overlooked. Olise has been a consistent contributor for Palace this season, starting 21 matches with two goals and five assists. Most importantly, he is their primary corner kick taker and is involved on free kicks, as well.
At a salary of just $14, Olise should be heavily involved in this match. His odds to score (+430) are better than Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez ($14) (+650). In what should be a fierce match with relegation implications, Olise is worth consideration for large field tournaments this weekend.
