FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday EPL Targets

For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Tuesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Arsenal v. Cardiff
2:45 p.m: Fulham v. Brighton
2:45 p.m: Huddersfield v. Everton
2:45 p.m: Wolverhampton v. West Ham
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Burnley
3:00 p.m: Newcastle v. Manchester City

FORWARDS

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, ARS v. CAR ($12,000): If you miss on your forward Tuesday, you won't win any money. That's likely how this slate will play out, with Marcus Rashford ($13,000) and Sergio Aguero ($12,500) towering in price above the rest. That's why I'm going with Aubameyang against Cardiff, who have allowed the most shots (90) in the last five gameweeks, as well as the second-most goals (44) this season. Not including the match against Chelsea, Aubameyang has five goals and two assists in his last four home matches. With just as good of odds to score as Rashford and Aguero, it only makes sense to go with the cheaper Aubameyang, with the hope that everyone looks at Aubameyang's form and avoids him.

Aleksandar Mitrovic, FUL v. BHA ($11,000): While Rashford, Aguero and Aubameyang will be the most popular forwards, Mitrovic could end up being the best GPP play. With just one goal in his last 10 starts, not many will be backing the forward even in a favorable match. However, if you throw out the difficult matchup against Tottenham, Mitrovic scored at least 14.9 fantasy points in his last five home starts, including four with at least 20.0. He scored at Brighton earlier this season, and they've given up the second-most shots (355), as well as multiple goals in their last three away matches in league play. If you can't trust him, Alexandre Lacazette ($10,500) and Anthony Martial ($10,500) are in matches with more expected goals, though Lacazette gets the nod from me if he starts again.

Raul Jimenez, WOL v. WHU ($9,500): The number of viable, cheap forwards on this slate is troubling. I prefer Jimenez because his floor is usually around 10 fantasy points thanks to a combined 2.42 shots on goal and chances created per 90 minutes. Diogo Jota ($8,500) could be more popular given his recent hat trick, but his floor has more often than not been around five fantasy points. If you don't have the money, Jota makes sense, but Jimenez touches the ball more and, outside of their last match, usually has more shots. The other part is that West Ham have given up multiple goals in their last three away games, highlighted by a 4-2 loss at Wimbledon over the weekend. If you don't want to spend, there aren't many other ways to go unless you think Oumar Niasse ($7,000) can do something with his new club.

MIDFIELDERS

Paul Pogba, MUN v. BRN ($11,000): The Man City players are great, but I prefer Pogba at home against a weaker team. Plus, he's surpassed 40.0 fantasy points in three of his last five starts, while neither Raheem Sterling ($11,000) nor Leroy Sane ($10,000) have surpassed 30.0 since early December. For Pogba, he has 15 shots on goal and 11 chances created in his last five league matches, and that upside and consistency is the main reason to spend on him over Sterling and Sane. Burnley are playing somewhat better, but they just fell 5-0 at Man City on Saturday and have a minus-13 goal differential (9-22) in 12 away matches this season.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, EVE at HUD ($8,500): It's either spend everything or spend in the mid-range for midfielders, and Sigurdsson falls in the latter. The best reason to use Sigurdsson is that his floor has been at least 10 fantasy points through shots on goal, chances created or tackles. He also allows you to spend up on both forwards. While on the road, this match is still plenty favorable as Huddersfield aren't doing many things well and only have five points from 12 home matches. Kevin De Bruyne ($9,500) could get more attention because he's cheaper than the other Man City midfielders, but I'll take my chances on Sigurdsson. As for the rest, Felipe Anderson ($8,500) is too hard to trust on the road, while Jesse Lingard ($8,000) and Richarlison ($8,000) are mostly goal or bust.

Jason Puncheon, HUD v. EVE ($5,000): Puncheon is quietly sitting near the bottom of the list, but he already showed he could be an immediate factor for Huddersfield with three shots and two chances created at Cardiff. At this price, you're not expecting anything, but he allows you to spend on multiple high-end forwards or Pogba in the midfield. Either way, there's no reason to trust Everton's back line after they conceded two goals last league match at Southampton and three at Millwall over the weekend. The Toffees have also allowed the fifth-most corners (32) in the last five gameweeks and that could help Puncheon's floor, depending on how the rest of the lineup looks. If you have a little more money to spend, Joao Moutinho ($7,500), Andre Schurrle ($7,500) and Bernard ($7,000) are all worth a gamble in decent situations.

DEFENDERS

Luke Shaw, MUN v. BRN ($5,500): Shaw may not get the eight clearances he had last match, but his floor should be above 10 fantasy points with favorable odds to get a clean sheet. He isn't creating a ton of chances, but his ability to accrue every kind of defensive stat has helped his floor. Plus, I'm not sure any of the expensive defenders are worth the money outside of Sol Bamba ($6,000), who is cheaper than usual. On the other side of Shaw, Ben Mee ($5,500) is a guarantee to have at least five clearances and may be a safer play if you don't think United can get a clean sheet. Calum Chambers would be my pick at this price, but I'm not sure how much defensive action Brighton will force.

Florian Lejeune, NEW v. MCI ($4,500): Lejeune may be my favorite play on the slate as long as he keeps starting. He's incredibly cheap compared to the other Newcastle center-backs and he's had a floor above 15 fantasy points in his first two starts thanks to 12 clearances and four tackles. Over the last five gameweeks, Man City have forced the second-most clearances (153) and second-most tackles (105). At this price, you're usually looking for a floor around 10 points, and he adds a few more to that in a good matchup. The Fulham defenders have also been fairly consistent at the same price, while Kyle Walker($4,500) could be very popular because he's cheap, plays for City and assisted last match.

Tommy Smith, HUD v. EVE ($4,000): If Smith gets another start over Florent Hadergjonaj, he's my favorite of the cheap defenders after putting together a floor of 15.6 fantasy points against Man City. Everton should be in the attack plenty against Huddersfield, and that should lead to more action for Smith. If not, I'd probably test my luck with Ruben Vinagre, who is also questionable to start. He at least showed some upside with eight crosses and a few defensive stats last match. If you're intent on spending on a more consistent option, Jonny ($4,500) is more likely to play a full 90 and reach 10 fantasy points.

GOALKEEPER

Rui Patricio, WOL v. WHU ($4,500): Patricio may not be a great play after allowing eight goals in the last three matches, but he's made enough saves to surpass double-digit fantasy points in two of those games. For the price, that's good enough as a favorite, and West Ham were shut out at Bournemouth in their last league match. The return of Marko Arnautovic may help the Hammers, but their attack has been unreliable most of the season. Otherwise, Ederson ($6,000) has the best clean-sheet odds and Sergio Rico ($5,000) is the other viable, cheap goalkeeper at home against Brighton.