Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances and chances of getting a European spot for next season. Will we see a new title winner this season or will Liverpool and Manchester City continue to battle it out for the top spot?
The top favorite for this weekend is Manchester City -1100 vs AFC Bournemouth +2700. I will guide you through this five-match slate starting at 11:00 A.M. EST.
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 Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Sam Johnstone - DK $4.9K || FD $10
Opponent - Burnley FC
Thankfully, this is a slate with a clear path forward for goalies. There is the big home favorite with Manchester City, the big away favorite with Brighton and then there is Crystal Palace traveling to Turf Moor. The Clarets are the second-worst in Goals For, Shots For, Created Chances For, Big Chances Created For and they are the worst in In-the-Box Shots and Goals – all Per 90 –. This does not leave much room for a ceiling game from Johnstone unfortunately, however, it gives him some of the best odds at a clean sheet on the slate. If salaries get tight and neither Steele nor Ederson can fit, Johnstone is a perfect changeup from the majority of the field.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ederson (DK $5.9K || FD $13), Steele (DK $5.1K || FD $11)
EPL DFS Forwards
Julian Alvarez - DK $9K || FD $23
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
Unsurprisingly, Manchester City is getting featured in the article with a supreme matchup at home against the Cherries. These two clubs are in polar opposite directions this season despite Bournemouth making numerous additions to the club. They are the fourth-worst in Penalty Area Defense and Created Chances Against, as well as, being the second-worst in both Shost Against and In-the-Box Shots Against and the third-worst in Goals Against – all Per 90 –. Meanwhile, the hosts are in the top three in almost every meaningful category offensively. Alvarez is projected to start this match and will once again oversee the bulk of the set-pieces. In his last five appearances, he has 2 goals, 14 shots, 5 created chances, 24 crosses, 17 corners, 4 tackles and 3 clearances. In a match expected to be dominated by Manchester City, it would be astonishing for Alvarez to walk away without at least a goal and an assist.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ayew (DK $8.1K || FD $17), Ferguson (DK $7.4K || FD $20)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Eberechi Eze - DK $9.5K || FD $16
Opponent - Burnley FC
Eze is expected to make a return this weekend after a long layoff due to a hamstring injury. In his five matches before the injury, he had 1 goal, 15 shots, 10 created chances, 26 crosses, 18 corners, 11 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 clearance and 1 block. Similar to their aforementioned offense, Burnley also struggles defensively and is in the bottom three in almost all worthwhile metrics. The Eagles were able to sustain the majority of their form without one of their star players. However, with him back and in a prime matchup albeit being away, expect Palace to have a big game. The Eagles make for a perfect “GPP” stack to get away from the high ownership of Manchester City.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gross (DK $8.2K || FD $20), Gomes (DK $3.9K || FD $14)
EPL DFS Defenders
Nelson Semedo - DK $4.3K || FD $12
Opponent - Sheffield United
Undoubtedly, Sheffield United will be relegated this season and it has made them an easy target when on a slate. The hosts are the worst club in every metric that makes an offense tick and they will be going against a stingy defense in Wolverhampton. Semedo isn’t anything to write home about, however, the lack of attacking wingbacks on the slate leads us here. Throughout his last five fixtures, he has 2 shots, 1 created chance, 10 crosses, 9 tackles, 7 interceptions, 16 clearances and 3 blocks. Even if Semedo doesn’t provide much of a floor, he will at least have a very high chance of collecting a clean sheet bonus.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ward (DK $3.8K || FD $10), Ake (DK $3.8K || FD $9)
Corner Takers
- Brentford: Mbeumo/Jensen
- West Ham United: Ward-Prowse
- Burnley FC: Brownhil/Tresor
- Crystal Palace: Eze
- Everton: McNeil/Harrison
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross
- Manchester City: Alvarez
- AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
- Sheffield United: Norwood
- Wolverhampton: Gomes
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!