EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (9/21/24) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 5

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! We have gone through our first International Break and our first Champions League slate. There is potential for rotation, especially with the Europa League this upcoming week. Let’s kick off Matchweek Five!

The top favorite for this week is Liverpool -380 vs AFC Bournemouth +900. I will guide you through this six-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

Mark Flekken - DK $3.8K || FD $7

Opponent - Tottenham

When assessing the slate for value at goalie, Mark Flecken of Brentford immediately jumps off the paper, and for a very good reason. In four domestic starts this season, he has 22 saves and six goals conceded. He has played Manchester City and Liverpool in that stretch.

Furthermore, in Per 90 stats, Brentford is the second-worst in Shots Against, the third-worst in Chances Created Against, and they are the sixth-best in Goals Against. If Brentford’s backline holds, Flekken is expected to produce an optimal floor, with the chance of a ceiling performance.                                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $5.6K || FD $12), Ramsdale (DK $5.2K || FD $11)

EPL DFS Forwards

Dwight McNeil - DK $9.2K || FD $20

Opponent - Leicester City

Dwight McNeil is expected to see North of 60 percent ownership on the slate as the only forward-eligible player with a monopoly of set pieces. Include his matchup against Leicester and it is a recipe for success. In the midfielder’s first four domestic fixtures this season, he has one goal, two assists, four shots, 17 created chances, 35 crosses, 15 corners, four tackles, and three interceptions.

In Per 90 stats, Leicester City is in the bottom ten or worse in all meaningful metrics against. More importantly, they are bottom five in both Chances Created Against and Big Chances Created Against, and they are in the bottom three in both In-the-Box Shots Against and In-the-Box Goals Against. Despite McNeil being the fourth-highest salaried player on the slate, his matchup and role for Everton, he is still an optimal ‘value’ player and a MUST in ‘CASH’ contests.                 

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $10.4K || FD $23), Gordon (DK $8.8K || FD $19)

EPL DFS Midfielders

James Maddison - DK $8.5K || FD $21

Opponent - Brentford FC

Despite Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken already featuring in this article, Tottenham playmaker and midfielder James Maddison will also feature. The attacking midfielder is the leading set piece taker for the Spurs and has two assists, six shots, nine created chances, 33 crosses, 23 corners, five tackles, and three interceptions. As mentioned above, Brentford is the second-worst in Shots Against Per 90 and the third-worst in Created Chances Against Per 90. Playing on DraftKings, whose scoring model includes Shots Assisted, these stats benefit Maddison’s potential ceiling.

To start the season, Tottenham is fourth in Shots Per 90 and sixth in Created Chances Per 90. Even if Maddison does not score against Brentford, his playmaking and set piece role are expected to maintain value.                                                             

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Pereira (DK $7.8K || FD $18), Smallbone (DK $4.1K || FD $13)

EPL DFS Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold - DK $6.7K || FD $14

Opponent - AFC Bournemouth

There are a handful of viable defenders on the slate this weekend, garnering an expected 20 percent or more in ownership. However, Trent Alexander-Arnold, or ‘TAA’ of Liverpool, has arguably one of the best matchups on the slate. The Cherries are averaging 1.25 Goals Against Per 90 through their first four domestic fixtures.

Bournemouth are also letting Kepa Arrizabalaga take over between the sticks. In his only appearance thus far, he made six saves and conceded two goals in a close 3-2 win at Goodison Park. Alexander-Arnold has a viable path to a ceiling performance between set pieces and attacking the flank.                    

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Sugawara (DK $5.8K || FD $14), Digne (DK $5.6K || FD $14)

Corner Takers

• Aston Villa: Digne/Tielemans
• Wolverhampton: Cunha
• Fulham FC: Pereira
• Newcastle United: Gordon/Hall
• Leicester City: Kristiansen/Winks
• Everton: McNeil
• Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold/Tsimikas
• AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
• Southampton: Sugawara/Smallbone
• Ipswich Town FC: Davis/Phillips
• Tottenham: Maddison
• Brentford FC: Mbeumo/Jensen

Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!

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