FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday EPL Targets

For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday EPL Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Cardiff v. Everton
2:45 p.m: Huddersfield v. Wolverhampton
2:45 p.m: Leicester v. Brighton
3:00 p.m: Newcastle v. Burnley

FORWARDS

Raul Jimenez, WOL at HUD ($11,000): There are only two players on the slate who cost more than $9,500: one of them is Jimenez and the other is Jamie Vardy ($10,500). Similar to last match, there are few reasons to back Vardy, who hasn't scored in his last five starts, and even when he does, rarely surpasses 30.0 fantasy points. As for Jimenez, he's made the score sheet in four of his last five, scoring at least 30.0 fantasy points in three. His floor usually surpasses 10.0 fantasy points thanks to 1.18 shots on goal and 1.30 chances created per 90 minutes to go with a few tackles, interceptions and clearances. His matchup is also just as favorable as Vardy's since Huddersfield are guaranteed to allow at least one goal and have taken only one point from their last 14 matches.

Salomon Rondon, NEW v. BRN ($9,000): I said Rondon was basically Sergio Aguero last week and he went on to score 43.0 fantasy points with a goal and an assist. This matchup isn't as good, but Burnley are still questionable in the back and have allowed 25 away goals in league play. And again, if you throw out matches against top clubs like Tottenham, Chelsea and Man United, Rondon has made the score sheet in seven of his last nine starts. Ayoze Perez ($9,500) has a slightly better floor but not the same upside, and while Ashley Barnes ($9,500) is also a reasonable bet having scored in his last four starts, Newcastle have been surprisingly stout at home, with the lone goal allowed in their last three coming against Man City.

Dwight McNeil, BRN at NEW ($8,000): McNeil is relatively cheap considering he has a higher floor than Vardy, scoring at least 11.0 fantasy points in his last eight starts. He doesn't have great upside since he rarely gets shots on target, but he continues to create chances from the wing with close to two per match from 7.14 crosses per 90 minutes. Even if Burnley don't score, McNeil could still hit 10.0 fantasy points, and that can easily match a lot of the higher-priced options. Otherwise, if you want to save money at forward, the other options are goal-or-bust like Chris Wood ($8,500) or Glenn Murray ($8,000).

MIDFIELDERS

Joao Moutinho, WOL at HUD ($9,500): The best strategy may be to roll with both Moutinho and Jimenez and hope they connect on a goal or two. Even if they don't, Moutinho's floor has hit at least 17.0 fantasy points in the last two matches with the help of eight chances created and seven tackles. It also helps that Huddersfield have allowed the second-most chances in the last 10 gameweeks, mostly because they lose every match.

James Maddison, LEI v. BHA ($9,500): Maddison would probably be my top midfielder, but since I prefer Jimenez at forward, it makes more sense to go with the Wolves combo. Still, Maddison has been awesome in the last two matches with 13 chances created, helped by 18 corners. At some point he's going to make the score sheet, and that could easily come against Brighton, who have given up multiple goals in their last four road trips, the last of which was a 4-2 loss at Fulham. The main worry is that Maddison won't play a full 90 since it's a short week and he's often been a sub candidate throughout the season. While Moutinho and Maddison are the best plays, Matt Ritchie ($9,000) and Gylfi Sigurdsson ($9,000) aren't far behind. Ritchie's floor has consistently hit 15.0 fantasy points since he accrues defensive stats as well as corners, while Sigurdsson's numbers have dropped lately, partly due to schedule, but there's a decent chance he returns to form at Cardiff.

Youri Tielemans, LEI v. BHA ($7,500): Speaking of players who have a good floors, Tielemans fits that category with at least 14.0 fantasy points in his first two starts for Leicester. This may be overload for a struggling Leicester side, but it's hard not to like them against Brighton. Tielemans often hit a floor of at least 10.0 fantasy points with Monaco, so his early performances are legit. He's taking shots and creating chances, but also adding a few defensive stats to help his floor. In a favorable match, he could add a few points and hit 20.0 if all goes well. Leander Dendoncker ($7,000) is also worth a look with a floor just above 10.0 fantasy points and at least one shot on goal in his last four starts. Miguel Almiron ($6,500) may be the most popular play after scoring 35.6 fantasy points in his first start with Newcastle, and while he won't match those numbers, if you need a cheap midfielder the potential is there. Oddly, he has almost the same odds as Rondon to score.

DEFENDERS

Ricardo Pereira, LEI v. BHA ($6,000): In difficult matchups, Pereira usually racks up enough defensive stats to come near 15.0 fantasy points. Against easier opponents like Brighton, he creates a few more chances and can have a floor near 20.0 fantasy points to go with some added upside. Brighton have allowed the third-most chances to defenders this season, and that fits perfectly for Pereira, who doesn't break the bank. Fabian Schar ($7,000) is always a good bet to hit 20.0 fantasy points, and Sol Bamba ($7,500) has at least 30.0 fantasy points in his last three starts, but I'd rather save money and get better upside with Pereira.

Florian Lejeune, NEW v. BRN ($4,500): Lejeune's clearances have dropped in recent starts, but interceptions and tackles have kept his floor in a good spot, reaching at least nine fantasy points in all six starts, and 14.3 fantasy points in four of those. This will be a tricky match to bet, but in Burnley's recent run of form, they've allowed the seventh-most clearances to defenders in the last 10 gameweeks. That's not a huge number, but it's on the same level as teams like Spurs and Man United. Even if he only reaches 10 fantasy points, that's still better than a lot of defenders in this range who are lucky to surpass 10.0 points. DeAndre Yedlin ($4,500) isn't much different than Lejeune, but he's less consistent as a full-back who often relies on creating chances.

Jonny, WOL at HUD ($4,500): Jonny is the other cheap defender who has a good chance to reach at least 10.0 fantasy points, having done so in six of his last seven starts. The matchup also helps since he should get up the field plenty as a wing-back against Huddersfield, who help defenders by forcing tons of clearances, third-most in the league. If you want to spend a few more, Bruno Ecuele Manga ($5,000) usually has a floor close to 15.0 fantasy points no matter where he plays on the back line.

GOALKEEPER

Rui Patricio, WOL at HUD ($4,500): When the goalkeeper with the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet isn't the most expensive option, he's usually an easy pick. Patricio falls into that category against Huddersfield, who haven't scored more than one goal at home in league play since last February. In 14 home matches this season, they've been held scoreless eight times. Martin Dubravka ($4,500) is the next best play, but Burnley are playing well so he's not as easy to back.