SOCCER

FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 11/20/21

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 separate you 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 seven matches. All betting lines come from EPL odds, and they may change after the article is published.

Slate Overview

Brentford (+170) at Newcastle (+160)
Over 2.5 Goals: -102 | Most Likely to Score: Wilson (+135)

Brighton (+200) at Aston Villa (+140)
Over 2.5 Goals: +104 | Most Likely to Score: Ings (+140)

Crystal Palace (+170) at Burnley (+175)
Over 2.5 Goals: +116 | Most Likely to Score: Wood (+160)

Manchester United (-200) at Watford (+500)
Over 2.5 Goals: -152 | Most Likely to Score: Ronaldo (-145)

West Ham (+140) at Wolves (+200)
Over 2.5 Goals: +108 | Most Likely to Score: Jimenez (+150)

Southampton (+105) at Norwich (+260)
Over 2.5 Goals: -108 | Most Likely to Score: Pukki (+160)

Arsenal (+550) at Liverpool (-210)
Over 2.5 Goals: -198 | Most Likely to Score: Salah (-140)

Matchweek 12 features three big-six sides, with Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal in action, and is highlighted by an afternoon showdown between the Gunners and Reds. Liverpool (-210 to win) is the largest favorite on the slate, while Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo ($23) has the best odds to score (-145) of any player expected to be active on Saturday.

Manchester United (-200 to win) is the second-biggest favorite behind Liverpool. Southampton (+105 to win), West Ham (+140 to win), Aston Villa (+140 to win), Newcastle (+160 to win), and Crystal Palace (+170 to win) round out the slate.

All in all, this shapes up to be one of the more evenly contested slates of the season. The two largest favorites both sit at odds where an upset is well within the range of outcomes, and the other five matches are all essentially pick'ems between non-big-six sides. Liverpool will likely be the most popular side on Saturday, but they come into this one off a loss to West Ham and will face an Arsenal side on a three-match winning streak. Add Manchester United's consistency issues to that, and there are reasons to consider fading both sides on Saturday.

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

Jarrod Bowen, FWD/MID, West Ham

FanDuel Salary: $19

The top end of the player pool is full of enticing options from Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal. Bowen slots in right next to Sadio Mane ($19), Mason Greenwood ($19), and Bruno Fernandes ($21). Their presence should keep Bowen from being too popular on Saturday despite his consistent production since the start of October.

Over his last five matches, Bowen has FanDuel point totals of 28.9, 25.6, 6.9, 41.2, and 20.0. During that stretch, he has a combined for two goals, two assists, 11 shots, and seven chances created. Since mid-September, he is averaging 2.5 shots per game. Add to that his split-role on set pieces, and he offers an excellent combination of floor and upside.

Following his thunderbolt of a goal against the USMNT earlier in the week, West Ham teammate Michail Antonio ($20), who is averaging 25.59 FanDuel points per game this season, should further decrease Bowen's popularity.

His opposition, Wolves, has four wins in their last six fixtures but have had issues keeping clean sheets, with at least one goal conceded in each of their last five matches. On a wide-open slate, Bowen's outlook at his expected draft percentage makes him well worth consideration for large-field tournaments this weekend.

Tariq Lamptey, DEF, Brighton

FanDuel Salary: $8

After spending the opening months of the season on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, Lamptey finally returned to the starting lineup on November 6th, recording 13.6 FanDuel points in a 75-minute performance against Newcastle. Despite his defender tag on FanDuel, Lamptey operates primarily as a right-sided midfielder for Brighton, with 10 of his 11 starts last season coming in the midfield.

Consistent playing time has been a problem due to injuries, but when Lamptey has been on the pitch, he's had flashes of production, averaging 11.1 FanDuel points per game last season. Against Newcastle last matchweek, he produced two shots (one on target) and created two chances.

Steven Gerrard's first game in charge of Aston Villa may see Brighton's players go overlooked across the board. Villa has been horrid defensively, but a home game with a new manager creates a narrative that might make them the more popular side this weekend, further lowering Lamptey's draft percentage.

At a salary of just $8 and operating as a midfielder with defender eligibility on FanDuel, Lamptey is an intriguing value option this weekend.

Allan Saint-Maximin, FWD/MID, Newcastle

FanDuel Salary: $15

Following Saint-Maximin's impressive start to his season, things have been quiet for him since the start of October. His first six matches of the season saw him produce more than 20.0 FanDuel points four times, a mark he has failed to reach since the end of September. With his hot start now an afterthought for many, ASM should go overlooked in a good spot against Brentford on Saturday.

Brentford has lost four straight and has conceded an average of two goals per match over their last six fixtures, tied for the third-most in the Premier League in that span. Newcastle is still winless on the season, but their issues have been primarily on the defensive end. Their 24 goals conceded are second-worst in the league while their 12 goals scored are 12th-best. They have failed to score in only one fixture this season, a three-goal defeat to Chelsea.

On a wide-open seven-game slate, Saint-Maximin's potential upside combined with an expected low draft percentage makes him well worth consideration on Saturday. During his fantasy slump, he has played the full 90 in four of five matches and should have plenty of opportunities against Brentford.