This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed stats and odds, check out the Fantasy Premier League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Swansea City v. Tottenham
2:45 p.m: Arsenal v. West Ham
2:45 p.m: Hull City v. Middlesbrough
2:45 p.m: Southampton v. Crystal Palace
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. Bournemouth
3:00 p.m: Chelsea v. Manchester City
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Emiliano Martinez, ARS v. WHU ($3,600): With Petr Cech out with a calf injury and David Ospina doubtful because of a knock, Martinez could provide significant cost savings while still providing access to a favored team. Finding a starting keeper of any kind for under $6,000, let alone under $4,000, is nearly impossible, making the cost savings simply too good to pass up.
DEFENDER
Steve Cook, BOU at LIV ($6,500): Cook is the third-most expensive defender on the slate, but he's been very consistent, scoring at least 20 fantasy points in six of his last eight games, including four of his last five, all without a single goal or assist. He does it by racking up defensive peripheral stats, as he comes in fourth in the Premier League in blocked shots and first in clearances. He'll now face a strong Liverpool attack that has had the most shots blocked against them this season, as well as the second-most clearances.
Damien Delaney, CRY at SOU ($4,800): Delaney is expected to get the start at center-back thanks to injury absences to both James Tomkins (calf) and Scott Dann (knee), and while his upside is fairly limited, he provides solid exposure to a Palace side that is away and not favored. The Southampton attack hasn't been nearly as good without Manolo Gabbiadini (groin), but they still have capable enough attackers to provide Delaney with defensive peripheral stat opportunities.
Kyle Naughton, SWA v. TOT ($5,400): Naughton is coming off two fairly pedestrian outings, which were preceded by three solid ones, but a simple look at opponents helps us understand why: his last two games came at home against Burnley and Middlesbrough, while the three prior ones were at Manchester City, home against Leicester and at Chelsea. Given the strength of opponents in the earlier matches, Naughton was able to push his fantasy points up from his defensive contributions, namely tackles, clearances and interceptions, and he should be able to do that again Wednesday against a strong Spurs side that has had the most tackles won against them and had the second-most blocked shots per game among teams on the slate.
MIDFIELDER
Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. BOU ($9,500): Coutinho has gotten multiple shots on goal and/or created multiple chances in six of the last seven games, even though he's played the full 90 minutes just twice over that span. Never hesitant to shoot, only Manchester City's Sergio Aguero averages more shots per 90 minutes than Coutinho among players on the slate. With Liverpool heavily favored and needing Coutinho even more in the attack thanks to injuries for Sadio Mane (knee) and Adam Lallana (thigh), he could have a field day.
Christian Eriksen, TOT at SWA ($10,000): Eriksen leads the league in chances created and is second in shots, though admittedly he's only ninth in shots on goal. However, he'll be attacking a Swansea defense that had allowed multiple goals in six consecutive matches before this past weekend's scoreless draw with Middlesbrough. Harry Kane is still sidelined with an ankle injury, but that shouldn't slow Eriksen too much. Teammate Dele Alli ($9,700) has higher goal upside, as evidenced by his three scores in the last four games (he also has two assists), but his floor is lower.
Michail Antonio, WHU at ARS ($6,900): Antonio, who is expected to start after recently recovering from a hamstring injury, has created at least one chance in nine consecutive games while also adding 20 fouls won, 23 shots (five on goal) and 11 clearances over that span. While West Ham are understandably road underdogs, they'll get a chance to attack an Arsenal defense that could be on their third-string goalkeeper and will be without their best center-back, Laurent Koscielny (Achilles), which should make life easier for Antonio in the box.
FORWARD
Divock Origi, LIV v. BOU ($8,900): Origi is expected to get the start up front because of the absences to Mane and Lallana, and he makes for a solid forward option for a team heavily favored and expected to score multiple goals. He bagged one off the bench last weekend in the Merseyside derby, and he had a run earlier this season of four goals in four games.
Alexis Sanchez, ARS v. WHU ($12,500): Despite poor lack of play by Arsenal of late, plus some key absences in the back, Alexis is still a player who can shine. He comes in with the best anytime goal scoring odds, while Arsenal are the second-highest favorites on the slate. He has multiple shots on goal or chances created in four consecutive games, and he was huge in Arsenal's match against West Ham earlier this season, scoring three times on four shots on goal while also creating five chances.
Andy Carroll, WHU at ARS ($8,500): Carroll is in the same situation as Antonio, facing off against a depleted Arsenal back line and at least a backup goalkeeper, if not a third-stringer. He has two goals and an assist in his last five games, and he's gotten five shots on goal and created four chances in his last two. He's definitely goal dependent to make value, but the situation is encouraging, despite being away from home.
