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 three matches. All betting lines come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and they may change after the article is published.
Slate Overview
Nottingham Forest (+420) at Wolves (-145)
Over 2.5 Goals: +104 | Most Likely to Score: Costa/Guedes (+180)
Bournemouth (+320) at Fulham (-120)
Over 2.5 Goals: -118 | Most Likely to Score: Mitrovic (-110)
Everton (+600) at Tottenham (-210)
Over 2.5 Goals: -124 | Most Likely to Score: Kane (-110)
Matchweek 10 features one big-six side, with Tottenham in action on a short three-game slate.
Tottenham (-210 to win) are the largest favorite on the slate, with Harry Kane ($22) and Aleksander Mitrovic ($21) tied for the best odds to score (-110). Please note: Mitrovic is dealing with an ankle injury and could miss this weekend's game.
Wolves (-145 to win) are the second-biggest favorite, followed by Fulham (-120).
On a short slate lacking in elite options, Tottenham's stars should be the most popular players on the slate, especially Son Heung-min ($20) who is coming off a brace in the Champions League during the week and has a lower salary than Kane does.
With that in mind, here are two players to consider -- especially for tournament formats -- who may fly under the radar.
Ruben Neves, FWD/MID, Wolves
FanDuel Salary: $18
With the focus on Tottenham, Neves may go overlooked relative to his outlook this weekend. Lineups including both Kane and Son will find it difficult to also get to Neves, which makes him an interesting pivot off what could be a popular lineup construction.
Neves has been solid but not spectacular for Wolves so far this season. He has failed to reach double-digit FanDuel points just once in eight matches and is averaging 18.8 FanDuel points per fixture. That consistency has come with only a single goal scored and no assists. Neves' consistent involvement provides a high floor and the potential for a high-ceiling performance that has happened only once so far this season.
If the goals and assists come, he should be among the highest-scoring players on this weekend's slate. Facing a Nottingham Forest side that has conceded 22 goals, second-most in the league, will give him an excellent chance to do that.
Demarai Gray, FWD/MID, Everton
FanDuel Salary: $12
Another way to create a unique lineup that still includes Tottenham's stars is to select a forward going against them. Spurs enter Saturday on a three-match unbeaten streak but have been far from perfect at the back -- conceding three times to Arsenal and twice to all of Leicester City, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Sporting CP since the middle of September.
Gray has started and played at least 81 minutes in all nine of Everton's Premier League matches so far this season. He has no assists and just one goal but is still averaging 12.6 FanDuel points per match thanks to 13 chances created and eight shots on goal.
Taking on the largest favorite on the slate, Gray should slip through the cracks despite his consistent production in Everton's attack.