EPL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (10/26/24) - English Premier League Soccer Matchweek 9

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 2024-25 season! Another round of European play has begun and could force rotation for some clubs. This slate will come down to paying up at goalie and forward and finding value at the midfield and defense positions. Let’s kick off Matchweek Nine!

The top favorite for this weekend is Manchester City -950 vs Southampton +2100. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 10:00 a.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

Emiliano Martinez - DK $5K || FD $11

Opponent - AFC Bournemouth

Value at the goalie position is gone for Matchweek Nine, forcing most to pay up. To ensure lineups get the most out of a goalie when paying up, look for clean sheet potential and the ability to make saves when called upon. Emiliano Martinez, or ‘Emi Martinez,’ does just that. Known for his penalty-saving skills, Martinez has been a key to Aston Villa’s success over the last few years.

The Cherries are the third-best in Shots For Per 90 through eight weeks but are also in the bottom ten in Goals For Per 90. This offers a ‘safe’ floor for Martinez. They pose a risk in the box, though, and the veteran goalie could lose any hope of maintaining value if he concedes one or more goals without making a save. In his last five starts, he has 21 saves, three goals conceded, and three clean sheets.                                                       

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ederson (DK $6K || FD $14), Flekken (DK $5.3K || FD $12)

EPL DFS Forwards

Savinho - DK $9.4K || FD $19

Opponent - Southampton

Savinho is this Matchweek’s Dwight McNeil. The attacker has only made five appearances–four starts–in all competitions in Manchester City’s last six matches. In that timeframe, he has two assists, nine shots, 12 created chances, 37 crosses, 11 corners, five tackles, and one interception. Despite Manchester City’s constant lineup rotation, Savinho is still fifth in the top five leagues in Shot-Creating Actions Per 90. Within the English Premier League, he is fifth in Passes Into Penalty Area, fourth in Carries Into Penalty Area, and third in Goal-Creating Actions Per 90. 

In Per 90 stats, Southampton is in the bottom three in all meaningful metrics, notably the second-worst in Penalty Area Defense. Savinho is the only forward-eligible player on the slate who has a role on set pieces for the biggest favorite on the slate, making him an instant ‘lock’.      

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Rutter (DK $8.2K || FD $17), Lewis-Potter (DK $5.1K || FD $14)

EPL DFS Midfielders

Bryan Mbeumo - DK $9.6K || FD $22

Opponent - Ipswich Town FC

Bryan Mbeumo is another lock due to his role with set pieces and a prime matchup against Ipswich Town. The visitors are the third-worst in Goals Against Per 90 and In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90. They are also the second-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 and have the fourth-worst Penalty Area Defense.

Mbeumo is coming off a mediocre performance in the 2-1 loss at Old Trafford, where he produced one shot, two created chances, two crosses, two tackles, and one block. In his most recent five domestic matches, he has three goals, 11 shots, nine created chances, 24 crosses, 12 corners, nine tackles, one interception, and one block. For under $10K with the most significant set piece role for any midfielder and a premium matchup, expect Mbeumo to produce double-digit fantasy points and garner north of 40 percent ownership in most contests.                                                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tielemans (DK $7.5K || FD $17), Mitoma (DK $5.9K || FD $16)

EPL DFS Defenders

Leif Davis - DK $6.3K || FD $13

Opponent - Brentford FC

Leif Davis is coming off a contract extension, earning his stay at Portman Road through the 2027-2028 season. The versatile fullback has generated three shots, 17 created chances, 35 crosses, 25 corners, eight tackles, six interceptions, eight clearances, and one block throughout his most recent five domestic fixtures.

Brentford is expected to win this match, and they will likely lead early, forcing Davis to join the attack more often. As the leading set piece taker for the Tractor Boys and his open-play value on the flank, he will still have the opportunity to meet and exceed value here.                                                               

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Estupinan (DK $5.7K || FD $11), Digne (DK $5.6K || FD $12)

Corner Takers

• Aston Villa: Tielemans/Digne
• AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
• Brentford FC: Mbeumo/Jensen
• Ipswich Town FC: Davis/Phillips
• Brighton & Hove Albion: Ayari/Hinshelwood/Estupinan
• Wolverhampton: Cunha
• Manchester City: Savinho/Foden
• Southampton: Dibling

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

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