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There are five English Premier League (EPL) games on Wednesday’s schedule, with Liverpool’s first game at Anfield since the league’s resumption the pick of the matches. Before that, Sheffield United could climb above Manchester United if they can win at Old Trafford. The Wolves could also finish the day fifth in the standings if they can beat struggling Bournemouth at Molineux. Aston Villa (at Newcastle) and Norwich (home to Everton) need points to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.
DraftKings is offering multiple ways for soccer fans to cash in on the EPL, including a Wednesday Winger contest with a $150,000 prize tool that pays out $50K to the winner. Set your lineups here: EPL $150K Wednesday Winger [$50K to 1st]. This contest is a four-game slate that features all of the 1:00 p.m. ET games.
Soccer fans can also get in on the action by downloading the DK Sportsbook app or heading over to the DraftKings Sportsbook website.
In this article, I will highlight the players that I think are worth rostering on DraftKings, as well as looking at some of the bets offered on DraftKings Sportsbook. For the full list of available bets, download the DraftKings Sportsbook app or check out the DraftKings Sportsbook website.
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.
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Manchester United to beat blunt Blades
‘Project Restart’ has not been kind to Sheffield United, who was denied victory at Aston Villa in their catch-up game four days before they were beaten 3-0 at Newcastle on Sunday. Defender John Egan was sent off five minutes into the second half with the score tied at 0-0. Any momentum built up going into lockdown has all but gone and a trip to Old Trafford, where the Blades have not won since December 26, 1973, does not make things any easier. If Chris Wilder’s side can pick up all three points, it would end a run of seven successive defeats at the ground.
If recent games are anything to go by, the chances of both teams not scoring (-159) in this fixture are high. In United’s last five league games at the Theatre of Dreams, they have won to nil three times, lost to nil once and drawn the other time. As for the visitors, they have won to nil, lost to nil and drawn the third in their last three league games away from Bramall Lane. The away side has only scored once in their last six journeys to Old Trafford. Defeat in this game could have a serious impact on the home side’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Prediction: Both teams not to score (-159)
Players to consider for DraftKings DFS
One player that stands out for me in this fixture is Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes ($11,300), who has made an immediate impact since joining the Red Devils from Sporting Lisbon. In his last five EPL appearances, Fernandes has either provided an assist or scored a goal and that includes his successful penalty that rescued a point for United in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham on Friday. Fernandes has set a high standard, averaging 21.4 DFS points per game. Against Tottenham, he earned 29.7 points. Fernandes linked up well with substitute Paul Pogba ($6,100), and the Frenchman’s game could be boosted by playing alongside United’s new star. Pogba, who won the penalty converted by Fernandes, should benefit from playing alongside the Portuguese international.
Marcus Rashford ($9,500) scored his side’s third goal in seven minutes to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 lead when these two sides met in November. However, his goal did not turn out to be a winner as the Blades rescued a point in injury time. Blades’ impressive goalkeeper Dean Henderson, on loan from Manchester United, is not permitted to play against his parent club. Henderson’s back-up Simon Moore ($3,600) conceded three goals against the Red Devils at Bramall Lane and it could be another busy night for the keeper. Billy Sharp ($4,700) has not scored a league goal away from Bramall Lane since the season opener and in the twilight of his career, opportunities to score at Old Trafford are running out. If he does score, it could be a consolation goal.
Prediction: Fernandes to have an assist (+200)
Wolves to push Bournemouth closer to relegation
It should not have surprised anyone who read my preview of the Wolves’ trip to West Ham that they left it until the second half before securing a 2-0 win on Sunday. It continued a remarkable sequence of second half performance by Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who has now scored 18 of their last 25 EPL goals after halftime. They have also conceded just four second half goals in their last 17 league encounters. I do not mean to be disrespectful to Bournemouth, but the Wolves should be able to get the job done against a struggling Cherries side that looked as though they had come to terms with the fact their time in the Premier League might be coming to an end.
I would expect the home side to win the first half (+107). The Wolves scored first against West Ham on Sunday and they will be favorites to open the scoring in this fixture too (-305) just like they did in the reverse fixture, which they won 2-1 thanks to two goals in the opening 31 minutes. Bournemouth found themselves 2-0 down after 23 minutes against Crystal Palace on Saturday and if they are to put up a fight in their relegation battle, they are going to have to start games better. Five of the last six goals the away side has conceded have come in the 33rd minute or earlier, which is not giving them a chance of winning.
Prediction: Wolves to win the first half (+107)
Players to consider for DraftKings DFS
Your search for a goalkeeper to draft should begin and end with Rui Patricio ($5,700). The Portugal keeper is aiming to register a sixth shutout in his last seven EPL games. Against West Ham, Patricio earned 15.2 DFS points and another big scoring game could be on the cards against a Bournemouth team that has now failed to score in nine of their last 16 league games.
At the other end of the pitch, Raul Jimenez ($10,500) is in a great run of form. His goal against the Hammers on Sunday was his sixth in eight league games. He also found the back of the net when the Wolves won 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium in November to go with a goal in each of the two league meetings with Bournemouth last season. Jimenez is scoring 16.5 points a game over his last four outings to prove his value. Matt Doherty ($6,200) enhanced his reputation as one of the league’s best attacking defenders with an assist. Averaging just over 16 points a game, Doherty deserves your attention.
For Bournemouth, Callum Wilson ($5,000) has scored at Leicester, Sheffield United and Liverpool this season and is most likely to score for the visitors. Eddie Howe’s side has lost their last six games away from the Vitality Stadium and a seventh in this game could be a devastating blow to their chances of staying in the EPL.
Prediction: Jimenez to score anytime (+110)
Set your lineups here: EPL $150K Wednesday Winger [$50K to 1st].
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is CharliePMullan) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
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