RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! We have yet another congested week of fixtures and it is imperative to consider early substitutions in these matches.
The top favorite for this week is Manchester United -320 vs. Sheffield United +650. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 2:45 p.m. EDT.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Jordan Pickford - DK $3.7K || FD $9
Opponent - Liverpool
If looking to be different or just a punt play with floor potential, Jordan Pickford is the guy. Liverpool in the domestic season is on par between Shots Per 90 and Goals For Per 90; however, it has been wildly inconsistent over its last five domestic away fixtures. Furthermore, Everton on average concedes more Shots Against Per 90 than Goals Against Per 90. Even if Pickford does concede two or more goals, as long as he manages to make enough saves -- as he is projected to -- he will maintain value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Alisson (DK $5.8K || FD $13), Sa (DK $4.6K || FD $10)
EPL DFS Forwards
Anthony Gordon - DK $9.6K || FD $20
Opponent - Crystal Palace
Many will be on Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund -- mentioned in Others To Consider -- and rightfully so. Sheffield United is a bottom-two club defensively in the top flight this season and it is traveling to Old Trafford. However, Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United offers a much better floor.
With teammate Kieran Trippier still out, it looks like Gordon has officially claimed the monopoly of set pieces for the Magpies. In his last five domestic appearances, he has two goals, three assists, 15 shots, 15 created chances, 29 crosses, 19 corners, five tackles, and three interceptions. Crystal Palace is a bottom-five club in both Big Chances Created Against Per 90 and Crosses Against Per 90. If Gordon can produce even half of what he did against Tottenham, he will surpass value and more.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $9K || FD $23), Hojlund (DK $7.6K || FD $20)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes - DK $10.3K || FD $24
Opponent - Sheffield United
Bruno Fernandes however, will be almost "impossible" to pass on. The midfield maestro is the heartbeat of Manchester United and against Sheffield United at home, he is expected to thrive. In Bruno’s most recent five domestic fixtures, he has five goals, 18 shots, 13 created chances, 21 crosses, 17 corners, eight tackles, three interceptions, nine clearances, and two blocks.
For those playing on FanDuel, Fernandes is a gold mine thanks to his plethora of peripherals. As mentioned, Sheffield United is a bottom-two club defensively in the top flight and if there was ever a time for the Red Devils to bag a handful of goals, the time is now.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): McNeil (DK $8.3K || FD $19), Sarabia (DK $7K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold - DK $5.9K || FD $15
Opponent - Everton
It is hard to predict if Trent Alexander-Arnold, aka TAA, will start this match after starting at the weekend. Especially when he is just coming off a lengthy absence and only started three of his last five matches. In that window, he has one goal, one assist, three shots, six created chances, 24 crosses, four corners, three tackles, two interceptions, and four clearances.
Despite playing away, Liverpool is still expected to dominate the majority of this match, which in turn means plenty of opportunity for TAA to accumulate peripherals. As the projected highest-owned defenseman on the slate, TAA is a "must" if he plays.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dalot (DK $4.7K || FD $14), Semedo (DK $4.6K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Wolverhampton: Sarabia
- AFC Bournemouth: Cook/Christie
- Crystal Palace: Eze/Olise
- Newcastle United: Gordon/Murphy
- Everton: McNeil
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold
- Manchester United: Fernandes
- Sheffield United: Hamer
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
