RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Holidays are over, but we are still in the thick of fixture congestion! Rotation will continue to be a factor until fixtures start spreading out again. Let’s kick off Matchweek Twenty-Four!
The top favorite for this today is Liverpool -145 vs AFC Bournemouth +360. I will guide you through this four-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 bmwvolleyball94@gmail.com, via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Kepa Kepa - DK $4K || FD $8
Opponent - Liverpool FC
Kepa Arrizabalaga is coming off a four-save clean sheet against Nottingham Forest. In his last five starts in all competitions, he has made 16 saves, conceded four goals, and recorded two clean sheets. This fixture will not be easy for Kepa or the Cherries, despite the club performing well against top-of-the-table clubs–look at the Newcastle match–.
Luckily, a win is not required from the goalkeeper to maintain value. Over the season in Per 90 metrics against, AFC Bournemouth is a bottom-ten club in Shots and a top-ten club in Goals. Liverpool is expected to dominate the majority of this match, leading to many shots. If Kepa can focus early, he has a legitimate chance to be a top-scoring goalie on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dúbravka (DK $5.7K || FD $13), Stolarczyk (DK $3.8K || FD $8)
EPL DFS Forwards
Anthony Gordon - DK $9.6K || FD $21
Opponent - Fulham FC
Anthony Gordon returns for yet another spin in the article. The winger has three goals, one assist, 17 shots, five chances created, 21 crosses, 10 corners, and three tackles over his last five fixtures in all competitions. Fortunately for ‘CASH’ players, there is one true floor player that is forward eligible on the slate and it is Gordon, making roster completion one position less stressful.
Unfortunately, he is not playing in the friendliest of fixtures. Fulham FC is a top-ten club defensively across the board and will not make things easy for the Magpies. Nevertheless, Gordon continues to have a role on set pieces for Newcastle and provide open-play value from the wing. The winger is projected to see north of 20 percent ownership in ‘CASH’ contests, making him a must.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $12K || FD $24), Philogene (DK $4.3K || FD $11)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Julio Enciso - DK $7.3K || FD $14
Opponent - Southampton
Julio Enciso was the victim of the bench with Brighton & Hove Albion, and luckily, the talented Paragyuan secured a loan move to Ipswich Town FC for the remainder of the season. He had one goal, 16 shots, one created chance, six crosses, two corners, two tackles, and one interception in his five matches in all competitions–three starts–prior to his move.
In his first appearance–off the bench–for Ipswich, he registered one assist, one created chance, one cross, and two corners.
Southampton, in metrics against Per 90 over the season, is the second-worst club in both Shots and Chances Created, and they are the worst in Goals, Big Chances Created, In-the-Box Shots, In-the-Box Goals, and Penalty Area Defense. Ipswich Town is a bottom-three club offensively, and it remains to be seen if Enciso can change that. Whether he produces a point or not, he is expected to make value as a set piece taker for the hosts.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Lindstrøm (DK $6.2K || FD $14), Fernandes (DK $5.9K || FD $16)
EPL DFS Defenders
Andrew Robertson - DK $5.8K || FD $11
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
Andrew Robertson had one of his ‘worst’ performances of the season in the 3-2 defeat at PSV Eindhoven during midweek play. In that match, Robertson had one interception and three clearances.
In his five matches in all competitions prior, he had one shot, seven created chances, 31 crosses, 11 corners, six tackles, three interceptions, and eight clearances. Robertson also splits set pieces with teammate and fellow defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (DK $8K || FD $).
As mentioned above, AFC Bournemouth is not the worst defensive club and performs well, excluding Shots Against Per 90. Robertson rarely shoots, limiting his potential ceiling, whereas teammate Alexander-Arnold consistently joins the attack. However, Robertson is the more ‘affordable’ option with an equal role on set pieces.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hall (DK $6.3K || FD $13), Manning (DK $4.4K || FD $10)
Corner Takers
- AFC Bournemouth: Christie/Cook
- Liverpool FC: Alexander-Arnold/Robertson
- Everton: Lindstrøm/Ndiaye
- Leicester City: Ayew/El Khannouss
- Ipswich Town FC: Enciso/Davis
- Southampton: Fernandes/Manning
- Newcastle United: Gordon/Hall
- Fulham FC: Pereira
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
