FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 2/27/21

If you have played daily fantasy sports for a while, you know the importance of being contrarian in large-field tournaments. Recognizing which players are going to be popular and finding others who you think have a similar point projection but will be much less popular can really separate yourself from your opponents.

The same goes for DFS EPL. Even though the large-field tournaments aren't quite as large as they are for other sports, there is still value in identifying quality under-the-radar plays.

This article will discuss FanDuel's main Saturday slate, which starts at 10:00 a.m. EST and features three matches.

Matchweek 25 is one of the few main slates to not feature at least one big-six side. Brighton (-110) is the largest favorite on the slate, followed by Leeds (+115) and Wolves (+130). Newcastle (+230), Aston Villa (+220), and West Brom (+310) round out the slate as underdogs.

From an odds perspective, this is one of the more evenly projected slates of the season. The absence of all big-six sides creates a player pool where Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins ($22) is the highest-salaried player. Adding to the top of the player pool woes is the absence of Jack Grealish ($20), who will miss this weekend's match with a lower leg injury. All of this comes together to create one of the most wide-open main slates of the season.

With all that in mind, here are two players to consider on this slate -- especially for tournament formats -- who may fly under the radar.

Alexis Mac Allister, FWD/MID, Brighton

FanDuel Salary: $11

On a slate lacking top-end talent, Mac Allister's low salary is less of a benefit than it could have been on previous slates. That said, he is still worth consideration as he is operating at the heart of the attack for the slate's largest favorite. Until their recent shock defeat to Crystal Palace, a game they thoroughly controlled despite the final score, Brighton had been on a solid run of form with two wins and two draws over their last four. The result against Palace may be enough for that run of form to be forgotten by some, but they have looked a better side recently.

Mac Allister has produced double-digit FanDuel points in four of his last six starts. He hasn't had any ceiling performances yet this season, maxing out at 16.2 FanDuel points, but on a slate without much top-shelf talent, that's less of a concern at his salary. His involvement in the final third in recent fixtures shows that a ceiling performance is possible as he has a combined 15 shots over his last four matches but has placed only 2 on goal. Combine that with at least one chance created in seven of his last eight, and the potential for more is there.

Adding to the chance at a breakout performance is a matchup against a West Brom side whose struggles on defense have been well documented. They have conceded 12 goals over their last six matches, tied for second-most in the Premier League in that span, and a league-high 55 this season. Brighton is a better side than their most recent result suggests, and they should have every chance to prove it this weekend.

Willian Jose, FWD/MID, Wolves

FanDuel Salary: $14

Saturday's clash between Newcastle and Wolves will be an interesting one. Wolves enter this weekend coming off back-to-back losses, but those came against Manchester United and Chelsea -- and the results were worse than their performances deserved. Wolves have turned things around recently, taking 11 points from their last six fixtures, the fifth-most in the league over that stretch. All that to say: this could be a better contest than it appears at first glance.

Jose's recent play and lack of production certainly leave much to be desired. He has now gone seven starts since his last goal, but it's not for lack of involvement. Against Leeds last Friday, he created four chances, and in his match before that, he produced three shots (one on goal) against Southampton. He should go completely overlooked in favor of the more popular names on Wolves, but on this slate, he is certainly in consideration for large-field tournaments.

While Newcastle's losses to Chelsea and United looked worse on the final scoresheet than the Magpies' performances deserved, one thing that is fair to criticize is their defense. Their goals conceded over their last four include three to United, two to Chelsea, two to Southampton, and two to Crystal Palace.

Wolves are well-positioned to continue their good run of form and take advantage of a struggling Newcastle on Saturday.