SOCCER

FanDuel Premier League Matches to Target in Matchweek 36

Etienne Capoue and Watford travel to Leicester in one of this week's matches to target. Which other match provides the best value this weekend?

Matchweek 36 in the Premier League starts on Friday and extends to Wednesday, May 10. FanDuel will present a five-game main slate on Saturday, and it features 8 of the bottom 10 teams in the league, including already relegated Sunderland.

Matchweek 36
Saturday, May 6th
Stoke City at Bournemouth
West Brom at Burnley
Sunderland at Hull City
Watford at Leicester City
Everton at Swansea City


A process of elimination can help determine which games to target. No match has an over/under above 2.5 goals. The match at Burnley is just a 2-goal over/under partially because of West Brom's lack of offense lately. Sunderland have very little to play for, so there should be plenty of Hull players in lineups this weekend as the Black Cats are only playing for pride.

Let's see what's left.

Leicester City vs. Watford

These teams both have 40 points and are safe for next year. With no indication otherwise, most of the normal starters will be on the pitch. Watford is dealing with a lengthier injury list as Wes Morgan is the only major Leicester concern.

Leicester have won their last four home Premier League matches, scoring at least two goals in each of those games. LCFC also have a chance to finish in the top half of the table after a disastrous start and are looking to build momentum for next season. The Foxes are the odds-on favorite to win this matchup.

The odds also say that the top six most likely goals scorers are Leicester City players, with Jamie Vardy leading the way. Vardy is $9,600, one of just four players on the slate above $9,000. Riyad Mahrez has scored in his last two Premier League matches against Watford. His contribution has helped Leicester get points from four of the last five against Watford.

Watford have the edge over Leicester in shots per game on the year and did win the reverse fixture. However, they have failed to score in their last two matches, meaning the better value is likely on defense.

Adrian Mariappa averages over 20 FanDuel points per match at $5,400. Christian Kabasele is $500 less and will likely start in a three-man back line. Daryl Janmaat looks ready to start in a wing back role and could provide defensive action points while getting forward to supply crosses.

Leicester have given up 54 goals this season, including 2 to Watford earlier in the season. Etienne Capoue scored in the first minute of the reverse fixture and has averaged closed to 18 fantasy points per game over 33 appearances.

Regardless, Leicester's form makes them the favorites. Plenty of FanDuel teams should be dominated by Leicester and Hull players.

Swansea City vs. Everton

Swansea City are hoping that Hull falters so that a win will pull them out of the last relegation spot with two games to play. Swansea have a favorable schedule in the last two weeks of the season, so the results of this game could determine their future.

Swansea are unbeaten in their last five against Everton, but they have struggled at the Liberty Stadium. Swansea may get reinforcements as Jack Cork, Leroy Fer, and Martin Olsson should be available this weekend.

As always, Swansea is led by Gylfi Sigurdsson. He has scored more goals on free kicks than any other Premier League player since January 2012. He is $9,900 and the second-most expensive player on the slate.

Everton have been shut out in their last two matches after scoring seven goals in the two prior matches. Romelu Lukaku, the slate's most-expensive player, leads the league in goals.

Enner Valencia and Dominic Calvin-Lewin saw playing time last week as manager Ronald Koeman juggled his side. If he continues to shuffle his side as the season winds down, then there will be plenty of value available on a team that will still be the favorite in the match. However, Everton are still playing for a European spot, so they will want the win.

Four of the last five matches between these sides have ended in a draw. Odds say that is likely the case again, with both teams scoring.