SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 34

Geoff Cameron and Stoke City travel to Liberty Stadium to battle relegation-threatened Swansea City in one of this week's matches to target.

This is another interesting week in scheduling for the Premier League as Matchweek 34 is spread out over six days. FanDuel will provide a main slate of all four games that take place on Saturday. As has become customary, most of the games come in with a 2.5 goals over/under.

Matchweek 34
Saturday, April 22nd
Watford at Hull City
Stoke City at Swansea City
Everton at West Ham
Middlesbrough at Bournemouth


Saturday's matches are much more about the relegation battle with four of the bottom five clubs in action. Bournemouth have a seven-point edge over the relegation zone, but their two-game losing streak is not a good sign.

Let's see which two main-slate matches should be DFS-friendly affairs.

Swansea City vs. Stoke City

Swansea experienced a bit of a resurgence after the new year, but they have now lost five of their last six and slipped back into 18th place. Manager Paul Clement dropped Tom Carroll and Jordan Ayew last match to try to shake things up, but it was unsuccessful. The shutout last week against Watford was the fourth match without a goal in the last five weeks.

Stoke broke out of their funk last week against Hull, winning 3-1. It was their first win over the last six weeks, although Stoke have only been held scoreless twice in that time frame. The three goals scored was the most by Stoke since January 14th. They have averaged two goals per game in their matches against teams currently in the bottom five.

Despite the recent form of both teams, this match is one to target based on recent history, value, and what is at stake. Recent history says to expect goals as the last two Premier League matches between these two have resulted in four goals.

Gylfi Sigurdsson is the only player over $9,000, but he does lead the Premier League in assists from set pieces. Marko Arnautovic is the next player in line coming off a 42-fantasy-point game, but he is $1,000 cheaper. Xherdan Shaqiri is only $6,300 after scoring a worldie last week, which you can see below, and many other starters like Geoff Cameron, Erik Pieters, and Martin Olsson are less than $6,000.


As far as what is at stake, it is pretty obvious for Swansea. Time is running out for them to get out of the relegation zone. A loss this week could see them five points from safety with both teams below them having a game in hand. Swansea have officially entered desperation time.

Some Stoke fans are calling this the least memorable season under manager Mark Hughes. The last six matches will likely determine what direction the team takes over the summer. A poor finish could lead to a lot of changes, including the manager. Finishing in the top half of the table and a quality ending to the season would likely bode well as the board reviews the team.

Needless to say, there is plenty on the line at the Liberty Stadium.

West Ham vs. Everton

This is the game with the highest over/under (3.0) on the small slate. Everton have scored at least two goals in four of their last six matches across all competitions. There has also been over 2.5 goals scored in six of the last seven Premier League matches for both teams.

West Ham are not in the best form, but they have earned points in the last two matches after a five-game losing streak. They have only collected four clean sheets since the middle of December and have allowed at least two goals against in five of the last six matches.

Everton are in great form with just two loses in their last 13 matches. However, they have given up seven goals in the last four matches with none of them ending in a shutout.

Phil Jagielka has scored in his last three matches and now costs $6,300. However, Romelu Lukaku has been Everton's engine. He is the most expensive player on the entire slate at $12,500, but that's unlikely to keep him from seeing high ownership. He has scored in each of his last nine appearances against West Ham. The individual value for Everton comes from the midfield or Mason Holgate on the back line.


West Ham have more value plays. Winston Reid, Michail Antonio, and Pedro Obiang are all out for extended periods, while Mark Noble and Sam Byram are serving suspensions. The Hammers' potential starters at outside back, Arthur Masuaku and Havard Nordtveit, are less than $5,500 and should be busy.

Robert Snodgrass may be the best offensive player to target for West Ham. He should step in for Noble on direct free kicks on Saturday. At $6,900 he is a solid play.