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There are five Premier League matches taking place on Wednesday and this has resulted in a good opportunity to get involved on DraftKings. A word of caution before you read my recommendations. Some of the teams that are involved played as recently as Sunday and consequently may rest some players, therefore as always, I’d advise you wait for team news before confirming your line ups.
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Petr Cech – DK 4,200
Opponent – Swansea City
Petr Cech is the obvious choice in goal for Wednesday’s Premier League slate. The Arsenal goalkeeper is valued at $4,200 when playing at home against Swansea who sit 16th in the Premier League table. Goalkeepers are the only players who receive points for a victory and Arsenal are the most likely winners of the teams playing on Wednesday. Goalkeepers also receive five points if they keep a clean sheet and Arsenal have only conceded 26 goals this campaign, only Tottenham have conceded fewer. Furthermore, Swansea have struggled to score goals this season, they’ve only scored 26 times, only bottom of the table, Aston Villa have scored fewer goals. Finally, Petr Cech has averaged 10.2 points per game this season, that’s more than any other goalkeeper available this slate.
Heurelho Gomes – DK 3,400
Opponent – Manchester United
As a cheaper alternative to Petr Cech, you may wish to consider Watford goalkeeper, Heurelho Gomes who is priced at $3,400. Watford do have a relatively tough match against Manchester United, however they’re far from prolific goalscorers and are without Wayne Rooney. Goalkeepers do receive two points each time they make a save and Gomes will inevitably be in the thick of the action at Old Trafford. This season Gomes has averaged 7.6 points per game and this makes him a good addition to your team at a cheap price.
Phil Bardsley – DK 2,100
Opponent – Newcastle United
Stoke City’s regular right back, Glen Johnson has been ruled out injured for a second consecutive game and as a result, Phil Bardsley will keep his place in the side, thus making him a must have in your side at just $2,100. Despite failing to keep a clean sheet against Aston Villa, Bardsley scored eight points and he’s an attacking fullback, therefore I suspect he’ll be a big point-scorer against Newcastle Untied who are near the foot of the table.
Guillermo Varela – DK 2,800
Opponent – Watford
After a shaky start against Arsenal on Sunday, Guillermo Varela impressed and will inevitably maintain his position in the Manchester United starting 11. Varela has only started three Premier League matches this season but has averaged over 11 points in those games, which indicates he’s got the potential to be a good selection. There’s also a good chance that he’ll receive three bonus points for keeping a clean sheet, Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in eight of their 13 matches at Old Trafford this season.
Andros Townsend – DK 4,100
Opponent – Stoke City
In January, Andros Townsend signed for Newcastle from Tottenham after a lack of first team football and he’s got the potential to be a big point-scorer. He’s only played three League matches for Newcastle thus far, but has scored a combined 41 in those which indicates what a great purchase he is at just $4,100. The Englishman will score a lot of points because he gets a lot of crosses into the box and tends to shoot from long range.
Nacer Chadli – DK 3,400
Opponent – West Ham United
Nacer Chadli hasn’t had a lot of first team action this season but after coming off the bench to score the winning goal versus Swansea City on Sunday, he’s set to start against West Ham. The Belgian international is an attacking midfielder who would average a fair amount of points each game had he started more often. Despite only starting nine Premier League games this season, Chadli has scored three goals and last season he scored 11 times, therefore there is reason to believe that he’s a good addition to your team at $3,400. Furthermore, Chadi assisted five goals last season and he’s assisted two this campaign, which indicates there’s more to his game than goals.
Harry Kane – DK 8,300
Opponent – West Ham United
Harry Kane isn’t the most imaginative selection for Wednesday’s slate, however it’s very difficult to ignore a player who is averaging 14.6 points per game and facing average opposition in the form of West Ham United. Kane has scored 16 Premier League goals this campaign and is averaging 3.9 shots per game, so it’s no surprise to see him scoring so many points on a consistent basis. Finally, it should be noted that West Ham are without a right back which means they’ll have to shuffle their defence and this increases the likelihood of Kane scoring his 17th goal of the season.
Raheem Sterling – DK 6,000
Opponent - Liverpool
Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that Raheem Sterling will definitely start versus Liverpool on Wednesday. The talented Englishman is a pacey forward and when he’s started he’s consistently scored points. Sterling’s last four starts have seen him score 62 points and he hasn’t scored in any of these games, therefore he’s got potential to score even more. Manchester City face Sterling’s former club, Liverpool and he’ll undoubtedly be even more motivated than usual to put in a good performance and hopefully get a goal. Raheem is not a prolific goalscorer but he’s scored eight goals in 31 appearances this season, so there’s a possibility he’ll get on the scoresheet.
Xherdan Shaqiri – DK 5,700
Opponent – Newcastle
Since joining Stoke City in the summer, Xherdan Shaqiri has been an excellent point-scorer on DraftKings. He’s averaged 11.7 points per game and his most recent starts have seen him score 21 and 28 points. Stoke face Newcastle on Wednesday who are 18th in the Premier League and in all honesty a very poor side, therefore Shaqiri’s likely to score a fair amount of points. The Swiss international is Stoke’s corner taker and as a result scores the majority of his points though crossing the ball into the box. This can also lead to assists which are worth six points each and Shaqiri has assisted five goals in the Premier League since joining Stoke City.
Danny Rose – DK 4,300
Opponent – West Ham
My final selection for Wednesday’s slate is Danny Rose who has been excellent all season for Tottenham. He’s scored seven or more points in seven of his last eight matches and has averaged 10.9 points per game this season, which can only be bettered by two players. Admittedly, Rose is going to score you loads of points, however he’s a consistent point scorer and these type of players are crucial to succeeding on DraftKings. Finally, Rose will be eager to get forward because West Ham are without an out and out right back which Rose will inevitably be looking to exploit.
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