SOCCER

FanDuel Soccer: EPL DFS Under-the-Radar Plays for 10/1/22

Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke could have a big day at a low draft percentage against Brentford. Who else could go overlooked on this six-match slate?

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 EPL DFS. 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 six matches. All betting lines come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and they may change after the article is published.

Slate Overview

Brentford (+120) at Bournemouth (+230)
Over 2.5 Goals: -104 | Most Likely to Score: Toney (+150)

Chelsea (-115) at Crystal Palace (+320)
Over 2.5 Goals: +106 | Most Likely to Score: Aubameyang (+140)

Brighton (+700) at Liverpool (-280)
Over 2.5 Goals: -182 | Most Likely to Score: Salah (-110)

Everton (+240) at Southampton (+115)
Over 2.5 Goals: +104 | Most Likely to Score: Armstrong and Adams (+200)

Newcastle (+135) at Fulham (+200)
Over 2.5 Goals: -112 | Most Likely to Score: Mitrovic (+130)

Wolves (+320) at West Ham (-110)
Over 2.5 Goals: +122 | Most Likely to Score: Antonio (+200)

Matchweek 8 features two big-six sides, with Chelsea and Liverpool both in action.

Liverpool (-280 to win) are the largest favorite on the slate, and Mohamed Salah ($22) has the best odds to score (-110) of anyone expected to be active on Saturday.

Chelsea (-115 to win) are the second-biggest favorite, followed by West Ham (-110 to win). Southampton (+115 to win), Brentford (+120 to win), and Newcastle (+135 to win) round out the slate.

Both Liverpool and Chelsea have had slow starts to their Premier League campaigns this season, but each has won two of their last three before the break. Despite their struggles, their stars will still be popular, but fading either or both is worth consideration for large field tournaments this weekend.

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

Dominic Solanke, FWD/MID, Bournemouth

FanDuel Salary: $17

After a rough start to the season that saw them concede 16 goals combined in their first four matches, Bournemouth had begun to turn things around before the break. They are undefeated in their last three fixtures with two draws and a win. They've scored a combined score of four goals scored and three goals conceded. In all games against non-big-six opposition this season, Bournemouth has two wins, two draws, and a +3 goal differential.

Brentford has had a mixed bag of results so far. They've posted big wins over Manchester United and Leeds -- and losses to Fulham and Arsenal. Their 2.2 goals scored per game mark is tied for fourth highest in the Premier League, unfortunately, so are there 1.7 goals conceded per game. Playing at home, Bournemouth has a chance to take advantage of Brentford's issues at the back -- even if they give up a couple of goals themselves in the process.

Solanke is likely to go overlooked at the top of a Bournemouth side that has scored just six times this season. However, four of those six came in their last two matches, and they are averaging 1.5 goals per game against non-elite opposition. Solanke has FanDuel point totals of 10.2, 31.3, and 12.6 in these last three matches, and his odds to score (+220) are not that much lower than the +150 odds for Ivan Toney's ($20).

Miguel Almiron, FWD/MID, Newcastle

FanDuel Salary: $11

Newcastle enters Saturday's clash with Fulham shorthanded on the attack. Both Alexander Isak and Chris Wood are ruled out, and Allan Saint-Maximin is doubtful to play. That should guarantee another start and 75+ minutes for Almiron despite his lack of production so far this season.

Almiron has started all seven games for Newcastle this season, averaging 82.9 minutes played per fixture. He has managed just 1 goal on 13 shots with 5 chances created during that stretch, but a meeting with Fulham could turn things around.

Fulham currently sits sixth on the table, with 12 goals scored and 11 goals conceded. All three of their wins are by a one-goal margin, and they have only recorded one clean sheet this season, which was a draw against Wolves in August. They have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five matches and are masking some defensive issues with a strong 1.7 goals scored per match average on the other end.

Newcastle has struggled to score this season, playing to four goalless or one-goal draws, but they did score three times against Manchester City and once against Liverpool. A matchup with Fulham should give Almiron plenty of chances to record his second goal of the season.

Anthony Gordon, FWD/MID, Everton

FanDuel Salary: $18

After a scorching stretch of games in August with FanDuel point totals of 37.9, 41.5, and 29.9, Gordon entered the break with two disappointing games with just 8.0 and 5.2 FanDuel points. A full month removed from his last impressive performance in the Premier League, he may go slightly overlooked on Saturday.

On a slate where the top options don't inspire as much confidence, as say Erling Haaland and Manchester City would, Gordon has a chance to be the slate's top option. He's facing a Southampton side that has lost three of their last four, including their most recent two. Everton have been far from impressive but are undefeated in their last five Premier League fixtures with four draws and one win. They've also posted a goal in four of their last five.

Gordon's odds to score (+270) are similar to Chelsea's Raheem Sterling ($19) (+250), but he should come at a fraction of the draft percentage.