RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off,” and welcome to the 2024-2025 season! Fixture congestion is here to stay! Rotation will continue to be a factor until fixtures start spreading out again. Let’s kick off Matchweek 27!
The top favorite for today's match is Manchester United -200 vs. Ipswich Town FC +500. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 2:30 P.M. EST on Wednesday, February 26.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Matz Sels - DK $4.1K || FD $9
Opponent - Arsenal FC
Unlike yesterday, today’s slate offers value at the goalie position. Nottingham Forest is a bottom-10 club in Shots Against Per 90, but they are a top-5 club in Goals Against Per 90. Arsenal will not be an easy matchup, but Sels is known for his save-making ability. In his last five starts in all competitions–four starts–he has produced 23 saves, conceded 11 goals, and recorded one clean sheet.
Arsenal is coming off a 1-0 loss to West Ham United and are currently down multiple attackers. If Sels can lock in early, he will have every opportunity to reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Flekken (DK $5.1K || FD $11), Vicario (DK $4.3K || FD $9)
EPL DFS Forwards
Anthony Elanga - DK $9K || FD $15
Opponent - Arsenal FC
Outside of Son Heung-Min, Anthony Elanga is the only other forward-eligible player with set-piece potential for their respective club. In Elanga’s most recent five fixtures in all competitions, he has three assists, 11 shots, 12 chances created, 36 crosses, 16 corners, four tackles, and one clearance.
Arsenal is a sound club defensively and will prove difficult for Elanga and company to penetrate. Nevertheless, as the leading set piece taker for Nottingham, with open-play value, Elanga is expected to reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Heung-Min (DK $9.6K || FD $19), Zirkzee (DK $5.7K || FD $14)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Bryan Mbeumo - DK $11K || FD $21
Opponent - Everton FC
Two players will be instant ‘locks’ in all ‘CASH’ contests today. Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes. Both players are the leading set piece takers for their respective clubs, and both are in prime matchups at home. Throughout Mbeumo’s last five domestic appearances, he has two goals, one assist, 18 shots, eight chances created, 33 crosses, 13 corners, three tackles, four interceptions, and six clearances.
Over the season, in Per 90 metrics against, Everton is not a defensive juggernaut, but they continue to rely on their goalkeepers. Considering that Mbeumo has open-play value and a large share of the set pieces for Brentford FC, he is expected to reach value and possibly surpass it as well.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fernandes (DK $10.5K || FD $21), Foden (DK $6.5K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Defenders
Patrick Dorgu - DK $6.2K || FD $13
Opponent - Ipswich Town FC
Patrick Dorgu was the only player acquired by Manchester United during the Winter Transfer Window to make the starting XI. The fullback is also quickly becoming a significant piece to the bigger puzzle. In his first three appearances in all competitions, he has two shots, two chances created, 10 crosses, eight tackles, three interceptions, and seven clearances.
With Dorgu and the Red Devils hosting a bottom-three Ipswich Town FC, it remains to be seen if he will continue to produce at the pace he is. Dorgu is known for his two-way play, something he may not get to show in this matchup. However, he will have numerous opportunities to join the attack. As the second highest-salaried player on DraftKings, he does come with risk. Although, he also has a high ceiling.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Porro (DK $6.5K || FD $14), Aina (DK $3.6K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Brentford FC: Mbeumo
- Everton: Harrison
- Nottingham Forest: Elanga/Anderson
- Arsenal FC: Nwaneri/Rice
- Tottenham Hotspurs: Heung-Min/Porro
- Manchester City: Foden
- Manchester United: Fernandes
- Ipswich Town FC: Davis/Hutchinson
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
