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-Three!
The top favorite for this today is Liverpool -1050 vs Ipswich Town FC +1900. 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
Matz Sels - DK $4.2K || FD $10
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
There are a few options for the goalkeeper position in terms of value this weekend. Matz Sels of Nottingham Forest leads the list, though. In his last five domestic starts, he has 17 saves, three conceded goals, and three clean sheets. Nottingham Forest is a bottom-ten club in Shots Against Per 90 but a top-five club in Goals Against Per 90.
Meanwhile, AFC Bournemouth is the second-best club in Shots Per 90 this season. If Nottingham's backline can step up early and mitigate high-probability shots, Sels has a chance of being the ‘Goalie of the Slate’.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dúbravka (DK $5.8K || FD $13), Verbruggen (DK $5.4K || FD $11)
EPL DFS Forwards
Anthony Gordon - DK $9.6K || FD $22
Opponent - Southampton
The forward position will make or break lineups this weekend, and for a good reason. There are a handful of strikers that will garner ownership for their potential ceiling and or their potential floor. Anthony Gordon offers the best of both. The winger has produced three goals, one assist, 16 shots, seven created chances, 21 crosses, eight corners, five tackles, one interception, and one clearance throughout his last five fixtures–four starts–in all competitions.
The Saints remain one of the worst clubs in the English Premier League. They are the second-worst in both Shots Against Per 90 and Created Chances Against Per 90 and they are the worst in every other meaningful metric against in a Per 90 viewpoint. With a prime matchup and a role on set pieces, Gordon is projected to have a big performance.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Elanga (DK $8.2K || FD $17), Núñez (DK $6.2K || FD $19)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Martin Ødegaard - DK $8K || FD $16
Opponent - Wolverhampton
Martin Ødegaard’s salary has increased by almost $3K on DraftKings since his appearance during the midweek Champions League fixture. In that match, the midfielder produced one goal, two shots, five created chances, eight crosses, seven corners, two tackles, and one clearance. Throughout his last five matches–four starts–in all competitions, he has one goal, one assist, eight shots, 20 created chances, 42 crosses, 27 corners, three tackles, and two clearances.
Wolverhampton has begun to falter in form lately, as expected when playing Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle, and Chelsea in their last six fixtures in domestic play. Nevertheless, they are the second-worst club in both Goals Against Per 90 and In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90. They are also the sixth-worst in Created Chances Against Per 90. Ødegaard possesses the majority of set pieces for the Gunners, while teammate Bukayo Saka is out with an injury. Considering his potential floor and Wolverhampton’s struggles against creative and direct offenses, Ødegaard could reach double-digit fantasy points with ease.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Murphy (DK $6.4K || FD $16), Mitoma (DK $6.3K || FD $19)
EPL DFS Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold - DK $7.1K || FD $16
Opponent - Ipswich Town FC
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to play the entire match this weekend after appearing off the bench for four minutes in the 2-1 win over Lille at midweek. In the fullback’s last five appearances–four starts–in all competitions, he has one goal, one assist, nine shots, eight created chances, 31 crosses, 11 corners, five tackles, seven interceptions, and seven clearances.
Ipswitch Town FC is not the worst club against the cross when compared to other clubs on the slate, however, they are not the best either. The visitors remain a bottom-five club in all meaningful metrics against Per 90. Despite TAA’s ‘high’ salary, he could very well pay it off in a premium matchup this weekend.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hall (DK $5.8K || FD $14), Estupiñán (DK $4.9K || FD $12)
Corner Takers
- AFC Bournemouth: Christie/Cook
- Nottingham Forest: Elanga/Anderson
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Ayari/Estupiñán
- Everton: Ndiaye/Lindstrøm
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold
- Ipswich Town FC: Davis
- Southampton: Fernandes/Manning
- Newcastle United: Gordon/Hall
- Wolverhampton: Cunha
- Arsenal: Ødegaard/Rice
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
