This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, please check out our daily cheat sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Middlesbrough v. Liverpool
2:45 p.m: West Ham v. Burnley
2:45 p.m: Sunderland v. Chelsea
3:00 p.m: Manchester City v. Watford
3:00 p.m: West Brom v. Swansea City
3:00 p.m: Stoke City v. Southampton
3:00 p.m: Crystal Palace v. Manchester United
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Hull City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPERS
Fraser Forster, SOT at STK ($6,000): Forster has three clean sheets in his last four games (including against Liverpool and Everton), though the big negative is that he's only made five saves over that span. However, Stoke have looked livelier of late, particularly at the bet365 Stadium, so Forster should be tested more, though he's unlikely to concede enough to make him a poor fantasy option.
Victor Valdes, MID v. LIV ($6,300): If there's a goalkeeper likely to see plenty of save opportunities, it's Valdes, as Liverpool are stacked with players who love to shoot but don't always score. Additionally, they haven't been nearly as dominant without Philippe Coutinho, so the shots Valdes does see aren't likely to be as hard to corral.
DEFENDERS
Marcos Rojo, MUN at CRY ($4,900): Rojo has racked up 49 clearances in the last four games, the second-most in the Premier League over that span, and he'll now face off against a Palace side that has forced the most clearances this season. Rojo's clearances give him an excellent floor, as he's scored over 20 fantasy points in four straight games, though it's worth monitoring where he plays, as he's been at center-back lately but could be moved outside in light of Antonio Valencia's suspension.
Lamine Kone, SUN v. CHE ($4,800): Kone is also a clearance play, as he'll face a Chelsea side that has been clicking on all cylinders of late. He doesn't tackle much, though he'll have plenty of opportunities to rack up all sorts of defensive stats in a match that's expected to be very one-sided, and not his his favor.
Cesar Azpilicueta, CHE at SUN ($3,100): Azpilicueta's upside isn't overly high as part of Chelsea's three-man back line, but this price is simply too low to ignore for a player who has scored over 24 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He can certainly go quiet at times, but Sunderland are still likely to attack as much as they can at the Stadium of Light, so Azpilicueta should be busy enough to make value on his incredibly attractive price with defensive stats alone.
MIDFIELDERS
Christian Eriksen, TOT v. HUL ($10,400): Eriksen is tied for the league-lead in shots on target over the past four games (nine) while Alexis Sanchez (16) is the only player with more chances created than Eriksen's 12. He's also scored three goals over that span and now faces a Hull defense that has allowed the third-most shots on target and second-most chances created. It's a perfect storm for Eriksen to put up massive fantasy points.
Dimitri Payet, WHU v. BUR ($8,900): There are a number of upper-tier midfielders with fantastic matchups Wednesday, and Payet is one of them despite a price that is $1,300 cheaper than Eden Hazard (at Sunderland) and $1,900 below Kevin De Bruyne (v. Watford). Payet has been far from the dominant player he was last season, but a free-kick goal this past weekend reminded everyone why he's so special. Additionally, if Andy Carroll gets the start up front, Payet will have a big target in the box for all the crosses he sends in, which sets him up for chances created and, hopefully, assists.
Willian, CHE at SUN ($7,700):Willian hasn't been starting of late, which obviously has had a large effect on his playing time, but if manager Antonio Conte rotates his lineup in the middle of three games in a week, the Brazilian midfielder makes for a tremendous value. He'll likely be on corners and many set pieces, a role he played exceptionally well before moving to the bench. The Sunderland defense has been better in recent weeks, but Willian has tremendous upside if he gets close to 90 minutes.
FORWARDS
Diego Costa, CHE at SUN ($13,400): Costa's sky-high price is well deserved, as he comes in with three goals, two assists, 11 chances created and 12 fouls drawn in the last four games. Meanwhile, Sunderland have allowed the second-most shots on target and the third-most chances created this season.
Harry Kane, TOT v. HUL ($12,800): On a slate with a number of elite goal scorers, Kane comes in with the best goal-scoring odds, according to the bookmakers. He is tied with Eriksen for the most shots on target in the last four games, and his four goals over that span only trailed Alexis.
Nolito, MCI v. WAT ($9,500):Nolito came off the bench this past weekend and picked up a goal on four shots (two on target) to mark his third consecutive game with at least 19.5 fantasy points. With plenty of rotation expected throughout the league, you'd have to think Nolito could get a start against a Watford side that has been far from a dominant defensive team on the road this season.
Editor's note: Eden Hazard was ruled out for Wednesday's match after the article was submitted.
