This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Arsenal v. Leicester City
2:45 p.m: Middlesbrough v. Sunderland
3:00 p.m: Crystal Palace v. Tottenham
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Wayne Hennessey, CRY v. TOT ($3,800): Hennessey will line up against a Spurs attack that has been dominant of late, scoring multiple goals in seven consecutive games, finding the back of the net 22 times in that span. However, the competition hasn't been overly difficult (v. Stoke, v. Everton, v. Southampton, at Burnley, at Swansea, v. Watford, v. Bournemouth), and Palace have been solid at home, allowing Hennessey to make nine saves while posting three clean sheets in his last four at Selhurst Park. Leicester City's Kasper Schmeichel could also get some fantasy attention with his salary just $100 less than Hennessey, but playing Arsenal at the Emirates is a taller task with likely fewer save chances.
DEFENDER
Antonio Barragan, MID v. SUN ($4,400): The defender pool is pretty ugly on Wednesday's slate, as even the higher-end options don't have reliable floors. Barragan at least has the benefit of being the more regular crosser among the Boro fullbacks, and he's one of the few averaging at least two tackles per 90 minutes. It's not much, but Boro do have a shot at getting him the three-point clean sheet bonus to help make up for the lack of double-digit (or even five) crosses.
Kieran Gibbs, ARS v. LEI ($4,800): Gibbs is far from guaranteed a spot in the starting XI, but with Nacho Monreal ($5,200) going 120 minutes in Arsenal's FA Cup win over Manchester City on Sunday, there seems to be an opening for Gibbs in the lineup. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has used three center-backs in the last two games, which means Gibbs could be deployed as a wing-back, a perfect opportunity to send in crosses and get involved in the attack. Monreal is decent in that regard (he scored against Man City), but Gibbs is the more prolific crosser of the two and could get plenty of chances given the Gunners should have most of the possession.
Robert Huth, LEI at ARS ($2,800): Thanks to the poor defender crop on the slate, we start trying to convince ourselves that one of these center-backs will score. Huth comes in with two goals in his last five Premier League matches, while taking multiple shots in four of his last seven (unfortunately, they were all at home). Given Arsenal's penchant for conceding goals on set pieces, a Huth goal isn't out of the question, but it's a long-shot similar to any other center-back on the slate.
MIDFIELDER
Wahbi Khazri, SUN at MID ($4,800): Khazri's playing time has been very limited this season, which is astonishingly puzzling given his impact in Sunderland's last Premier League match when he finally got a start. He went the full 90 minutes and finished with one goal on four shots (the goal was actually from a corner), nine crosses, two fouls drawn, one tackle won and one interception for 24 fantasy points, a terrific return for $3,800. His salary has understandably risen but it's still very attractive if he gets the start against a Boro side that has been decent defensively this season but not as much lately and away from home. In fact, Boro have allowed nine goals in their last four matches, so while Sunderland have been atrocious this season, there's no reason to shy away from Khazri, especially at this price.
Christian Eriksen, TOT at CRY ($10,300): Eriksen is the most expensive midfielder on the slate, but no one else has anywhere near his high floor. Despite losing to Chelsea in the FA Cup this past weekend, Eriksen still finished with two assists, three shots (one on goal) and 16 crosses en route to 29 fantasy points. He's been very strong in Premier League play lately too, with two goals on 23 shots (eight on goal), two assists and 33 crosses in his last five games. Playing away to Crystal Palace is a bit tougher than it was earlier in the season, but Eriksen should still do plenty to rack up the fantasy points while providing an explosive return if he can find the back of the net again.
Stewart Downing, MID v. SUN ($6,500): Paying this much for Downing feels a bit mad, but if his name was left out and you saw $6,500 for the set piece taker playing at home against Sunderland, you'd probably jump at the opportunity. Sunderland come in after a solid 2-2 draw at home against West Ham last weekend, but they were shut out in nine of their prior 10 matches, including seven in a row. Boro aren't exactly fighting for a Champions League spot, but Downing is the man on set pieces now and he'll be up against a Black Cats side that's allowed the most goals, assists, shots, shots on goal, crosses, corners and chances created per game this season among teams on the slate.
FORWARD
Alexis Sanchez, ARS v. LEI ($10,100): Alexis played the full 120 minutes against Manchester City on Sunday, but Arsenal still need to win all of their remaining Premier League matches to have a shot at finishing in the top four. Alexis continues to be their best attacking option by far, and he comes in tied with Harry Kane ($10,300) for the best anytime goal-scoring odds. Rostering both will kill the rest of a fantasy roster, and while Kane has been in solid form of late, his matchup is tougher.
Heung-Min Son, TOT at CRY ($8,500): If you're looking for additional exposure to the Spurs' attack, it's tough to justify paying $10,500 for Kane when you can save $3,000 on Son, who has five goals on 18 shots (eight on goal) and one assist in his last four games (three starts). Sixteen of Son's 18 shots have come in the last three games, and while Kane has the higher anytime goal-scoring odds, he'll have to have a monster game to make value versus Son.
Alvaro Negredo, MID v. SUN ($6,500): Negredo shouldn't come anywhere near a cash lineup, but he's fully in play for GPPs lining up against the horrific Sunderland defense. He has two goals on 11 shots (five on goal) in his last three starts, and he had two assists when these teams met earlier this season. Some may look toward Jermain Defoe given Boro's struggles defensively as well, but he has just two goals in his last 11 Premier League games and they both came in the same game, Feb. 4 at Crystal Palace.
