RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! We finally encountered our first International Break and we have our first Champions League slate this upcoming week that could lead to potential rotation! Let’s kick off Matchweek Four!
The top favorite for this week is Manchester City -650 vs Brentford +1400. I will guide you through this five-match slate starting at 10:00 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 X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Mads Hermansen - DK $4.1K || FD $9
Opponent - Crystal Palace
When analyzing the slate for a ‘CASH’ centric goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen of Leicester City jumped out the most. In the goalkeeper's first three domestic fixtures this season, he has 12 saves and five goals conceded. Those matches were against Tottenham, Fulham and Aston Villa.
Despite the Eagles being no ‘walk in the park’, the hosts in their first three domestic matches are the second-worst in Goals For Per 90, and they are the seventh-worst in Shots For Per 90. Neither statistic is worth shouting from the mountains, although Palace does produce more shots than goals, which bodes well for Hermansen’s value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Steele (DK $5.5K || FD $12), Flekken (DK $3.6K || FD $7)
EPL DFS Forwards
João Pedro - DK $7.8K || FD $20
Opponent - Ipswich Town FC
Surprisingly, João Pedro did not start the season well, with just one shot and zero goals or assists in a 3-0 win at Goodison Park. He did, though, follow up with two goals, four shots, and two created chances against Manchester United and Arsenal. Luckily, Ipswich Town FC is averaging 2.33 Goals Against Per 90 in the first three domestic fixtures of the season, as well as 13 Shots Against Per 90.
With all of the attention on both Erling Haaland of Manchester City and Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, João Pedro could see less ownership despite potentially having a better matchup than the two aforementioned strikers. At under $8K on DraftKings, Pedro needs one goal, and he will instantly make value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $10.6K || FD $23), Bowen (DK $6.8K || FD $19)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Andreas Pereira - DK $8.1K || FD $17
Opponent - West Ham United
Andreas Pereira is the king of ‘CASH’ contest at this point. The attacking midfielder has now maintained full control over set pieces for the third-straight match to start the season. In that timeframe, he has two shots, 14 created chances, 35 crosses, 21 corners, and one interception. Once again, Pereira’s value comes solely from set pieces, with little to no action from tackles and interceptions, despite playing as a ‘deeper’ midfielder.
Although Pereira does not generate interceptions and tackles, he does maintain a heavy presence in the opponent’s final third. The midfielder is first in Key Passes and third in Shot-Creating Actions Per 90. As long as Pereira can generate Shot Assists, he can still hold value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Eze (DK $8.5K || FD $20), Mitoma (DK $6.2K || FD $19)
EPL DFS Defenders
Pervis Estupiñán - DK $6.2K || FD $13
Opponent - Nottingham Forest
Defense could see spread-out ownership between a handful of defenders on this slate. With players like Pervis Estupiñán, Andrew Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and more, there are plenty of options to choose from. For the sake of this article and a recent change in set piece takers in Brighton, fullback Pervis Estupiñán will be the highlighted defenseman.
After not starting the first two matches of the season, Estupiñán came off the bench in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal, producing two shots, two created chances, four crosses, and two corners. Brighton’s 4-2-3-1 formation will benefit the fullback’s play, who enjoys playing on both ends of the pitch. Ipswich Town concedes the ninth-most Created Chances Against Per 90 and the most Big Chances Created Against Per 90 so far this season. There is no better time than now for Estupiñán to start his first match with a potential double-digit fantasy outing on the cards.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Alexander-Arnold (DK $6.9K || FD $15), Muñoz (DK $4K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Estupiñán/Hinshelwood
- Ipswich Town FC: Davis/Phillips
- Crystal Palace: Eze/Wharton
- Leicester City: Kristiansen/Winks
- Fulham FC: Pereira
- West Ham United: Bowen
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold/Robertson
- Nottingham Forest: Anderson/Elanga
- Manchester City: De Bruyne
- Brentford FC: Mbeumo/Jensen
- Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
