EPL DFS Targets: Tuesday, February 2nd
With a midweek game slate on DraftKings, and with the January transfer window coming to a close, we find ourselves in a bit of unknown territory as teams begin the home stretch for the season.
With 15 matches remaining on the season, every point counts and every little bit matters. Teams will be looking to begin this stretch on a good note, and so do we as DFS players. Here are the top plays for Tuesday!
Goalkeepers
David De Gea, Manchester United $4,400 – Once again DraftKings has updated the pricing to reflect the current odds to win, and once again the tem with the best odds at a clean sheet and win features the highest priced goalkeeper. This is a cash game pick, as De Gea has upside facing a Stoke squad that has shown some offensive prowess in recent weeks. De Gea himself shouldn’t be very highly owned as there are several options at the top and for just a $100 or $200 savings you can go to just as good options, which makes De Gea a good play for both cash and tournaments.
Adrian, West Ham $4,200 – For not that-much savings you could pivot down to Adrian as West Ham face a bottom of the table Aston Villa who seem destined for relegation and have been miserable in recent weeks especially on the road where they are winless on the season and just recently failed to score against League 2 side Wycombe in the FA cup. Adrian should have an easy day with a good chance at a clean sheet and win.
Defenders
Charlie Daniels, Bournemouth $3,700 – He’s been contributing in every facet of the game in recent weeks with a goal and an assist last match along with some shots, tackles, and interceptions not to mention crosses, Daniels is in a great spot this week as Bournemouth face a weak Crystal Palace squad that has scored just a single goal in the last 6 game weeks. Daniels is also on penalty duty for the Cherries, and while I advocate not paying for a player just because they take penalties (we can’t predict when penalties will be given) I do believe that Daniel’s upside is uncapped as a defender as he has the potential for a 20+ point game as he showed last time out.
Scott Dann, Crystal Palace $2,600 – Speaking of potential, Can you name the defender who has the most touches in the opponent’s penalty area since week 19? If you answered Scott Dann then you were as surprised as I was when I realized this. Dann has been getting some interesting run with the Eagles as they look to right the ship that has run aground in recent weeks. In the last four game weeks Dann has 4 headed goal attempts as Palace has been using his height to push forward on set pieces. In fact on the season Dann has taken 15 shots, with 13 of them coming from his head and has scored 3 goals as a result. He’s a GPP play to be sure as his floor is essentially zero, but he can net a goal and prove to be worth the gamble.
Guillermo Varela, Manchester United $2,600 – If Darmian continues to miss out then expect Varela to be in at full back for Manchester United. Varela played very well against Derby in the FA cup and impressed defensively and may deserve the nod at right full-back in this match.
Otherwise, I think this is a week to wait and see if lineups deliver with a value play or two that can be fit into your roster to free up space as there are plenty of expensive options that are worth considering at other positions this week.
Midfielders
David Silva, Manchester City $5,800 – My lock of the day is David Silva as he gets the uptick from both a role increase as well as matchup against a weak Sunderland squad. Manchester City is going to be missing Kevin De Bruyne for two months with injury, which means that Silva will likely be returning to his pre-KDB role which constitutes taking corners and presiding over the wing duties. Silva averaged double digit fantasy points in the four game weeks prior to KDB arriving at the Etihad, and if he returns to that level of production you’ll find that his fantasy price tag should vault to $7.5K+ range very soon. So take advantage of the cheap price tag.
Christian Eriksen, Tottenham $7,300 – He’s known to be a shot taker, but in recent weeks Eriksen has been delivering crosses as well as the Spurs have scored 13 in their last 6 matches with Eriksen netting twice and upping his crosses per game in the last three matches. Eriksen makes for a safe high priced play at the midfield as he should have a floor of about 10 points with an upside north of 20. With the recent high flying offensive threat that the Spurs have become, look for them to continue that trend against a Norwich side that can concede plenty of goals and get into a back-and-forth shoot out if need be.
Nacer Chadli, Tottenham $3,400 – Speaking of the Spurs offensive prowess, Chadli has revived some long forgotten form here in the month of January as he’s scored 3 goals and 2 assists in just his last three matches in all competitions. He’s also taken 14 total shots in his last two matches and his price has yet to reflect this. He’s another must play in my teams this week as the Spurs should be a game you can consider stacking between Eriksen, Chaldi and Dele Alli in the midfield and Kane in the forward.
Dimitri Payet, West Ham $7,500 – Since his return from injury Payet has shown why he is the most sought after midfielder in daily fantasy soccer. Prior to his injury he led the league in fantasy points scored and since his return he’s managed point totals of 30 and 19 with an outlier of 9 against Newcastle. If 9 fantasy points is his floor we’ll be disappointed, but each game is different and in a matchup against bottom of the table Aston Villa, I expect Payet to at least get several good chances if not net a goal or two.
Jesse Lingard, Manchester United $3,700 – Manchester United play Stoke this week in what should be expected to be a dull affair and likely a low scoring one. At his low price however, Lingard makes for an interesting tournament play as United need a win here for LVG to keep his job. Rooney has looked revitalized in recent weeks with six goals in his last seven matches, Lingard does have an assist in the most recent match against Derby in the FA cup. And in a home matchup against Stoke, maybe Lingard and Rooney can connect once more.
Forwards
There are plenty of viable forwards this week so I’ll rank them based on which ones I like and believe have the best chances of scoring goals this week. Here are my rankings.
Harry Kane, Tottenham $8,000 – He’s one of my top options this week and with his recent form as well as his team’s offensive prowess I expect him to be highly owned. His price puts him ahead of Sergio Aguero this week as he is $800 cheaper.
Sergio Aguero, Manchester City $8,800 – No Kevin De Bruyne, No problem. I expect the City attack will continue churning out goals the way they always do this week against Sunderland. A road matchup has me a bit concerned, but not concerned enough to ignore him completely.
Benik Afobe, Bournemouth $4,200 – He’s my favorite forward play this week because of price, matchup as well as perception. He’s got a red Q next to his name, that should lead to lower ownership, but rest assured, he should be fit for this match and the Cherries have a great matchup against Crystal Palace that might see them score a goal or two. Afobe should (hopefully) be in the mix for those.
Roberto Firmino, Liverpool $5,700 – He’s got the same potential as Jamie Vardy, Alexis Sanchez and Wayne Rooney this week, but at a significant discount. If you’re trying to load up on midfielders or fit in an expensive defender or other forward, then Firmino may be a direction that a lot of people go to. I like the matchup against Leicester as they can concede goals as well as shots. Firmino has found some form in recent weeks as well.
Wayne Rooney, Manchester United $7,000 – as mentioned earlier, six goals in seven matches. Playing at home and with the crowd on his side, Rooney is back to his old ways. Will he score again?
Jamie Vardy, Leicester City 7,100 – I think he’s over what ails him and should begin to score again for his Leicester side that are in danger of slipping in the standings. Their last match against Stoke was a step in the right direction so look for Vardy and Mahrez to continue to do good things that may potentially benefit your fantasy teams.
Alexis Sanchez/Olivier Giroud, Arsenal $7,400/$7,900 – You know it’s a stacked week at forward when Sanchez/Giroud at home against Southampton shows up this far down the list. However, I love this matchup this week as a chance for Sanchez to start and net his first goal since November before he left with injury. Giroud has been trending upwards in price which makes me want to fade him due to his risk of going without scoring. Sanchez is a bit too cheap, for what he can contribute. I Wouldn’t begrudge taking either of them in this matchup however.
Enner Valencia, West Ham United $5,400 – He has hat-trick upside especially against Aston Villa. Valencia can deliver on few shot attempts and for a cheap price tag he’s a great option.
Charlie Austin, Southampton $4,000 – I love Chaz Austin and believe he’s going to be getting consistent starts for the Saints soon. His price tag is much too cheap and he came off the bench last match and scored a winner against Manchester United. If Pelle is still injured then look for Austin to get his first start for the Saints against the Gunners at home in what should be a tough matchup.