Chelsea: Olivier Giroud a near lock for FanDuel EPL Wonder Strike points

Chelsea have three players in this Sunday’s FanDuel EPL Wonder Strike contest, where the key is to select under-the-radar players who will produce points other FanDuellers will miss.

Sunday contests are typically more difficult than Saturday because there are only two matches to choose to from. This means you have to have a couple players that most others won’t have to separate yourself and gain points they will not have. The early match is the undefeated Blues versus West Ham United, and the later match is Arsenal versus Everton. Let’s take a look at what selections made the squad this week.

FWD: Olivier Giroud, Chelsea – 9,500

No less than my colleague Travis and FanDuel join me in expecting Olivier Giroud to start. Against Cardiff last week I started Alvaro Morata, and Giroud had 32.5 points, mostly because of two assists. If he plays as he did last start, a goal and an assist can be expected. He linked up well with Eden Hazard and was a productive part of the offense. The price is fair, but definitely a player half the entries will also have.

FWD: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Arsenal – 11,500

Aubameyang is looking to bounce back from a poor week last time out, a measly 1.3 points. But this week they are playing Everton, not Newcastle. Against the Toffees the match will be more open, meaning more goals. Aubameyang’s speed should be an issue for Everton’s back line. The problem then becomes if the Arsenal forward can finish. At some point he has to start scoring goals, right?

MID: Andriy Yarmolenko, West Ham United – 6,000

I was on the right end of West Ham vs Everton last week, and Yarmolenko was an absolute beast. It felt as if every time he had the ball at his feet he was going to blast it into the net. He just seemed so dangerous. While I’m hoping against Chelsea he does absolutely nothing, objectively I have to select him because of his past performance and the cheap price tag. Could be a player to separate you from the pack.

MID: Richarlison, Everton – 8,000

Well, ladies and gentlemen, he is back, and I absolutely love this player. I liked him last season when he was flying under the radar fantasy-wise. But this season his form has been stellar for club and country. The price is extremely below what he’s worth in comparison to others. For instance, N’Golo Kante averages 12.9. Richarlison is averaging almost double that at 28.5. But you can bet your last dollar (pound, euro, whatever) 75% of people in the contest will select him.

MID: Granit Xhaka, Arsenal – 7,000

Xhaka has been a good fantasy option the past two matches averaging 26.6 points, as long as he stays on the pitch without seeing red. He will have a lot to do versus Everton, and the Arsenal back line isn’t the best. With a goal and an assist plus four chances created in the last two, Xhaka is an excellent pick for 7,000. Again, the only worry is if Xhaka gets sent off, and it’s a very valid concern.

DEF: Marcos Alonso, Chelsea – 7,500

Much like Sergio Aguero in the striker spot, if Marcos Alonso is available you select him. Of the defenders to start five matches this season, no one averages more than Alonso. I don’t want to hear about his pace. He’s averaging over four clearances and ten passes a match. Even when he’s not scoring he’s producing in other areas. I’m usually against spending more on a defender than a midfielder, but the points are too consistent from Alonso to pass up.

DEF: Jonjoe Kenny, Everton – 4,500

Getting his first start of the season last match, Kenny had an assist, and with injuries to the Everton back line he will likely get another start. And 4,500 is cheap, which frees up space for our next position. But again in an open match versus Arsenal, another assist would be outstanding and worth the risk. One of those picks that can help you get points that others didn’t.

GK: Arrizabalaga, Chelsea – 6,000

He is the most expensive keeper in the list this week. It’s okay, though, with two clean sheets in five, and expecting multiple shots and a clean sheet against West Ham. The two matches in which he had a clean sheet brought 20 points. Twenty from your keeper is a good week.

Whether Chelsea can keep West Ham United off the board or not is a scary answer. But FanDuel sets their price tags very strategically, probably overthinking it. Splurging for the number one keeper will hopefully pay off.