Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances and chances of getting a European spot for next season. Will we see a new title winner this season or will Liverpool and Manchester City continue to battle it out for the top spot?
The top favorite for this weekend is Arsenal -260 at Nottingham Forest +700. 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 Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Dean Henderson - DK $5.7K || FD $12
Opponent - Sheffield United
When looking in terms of strict ‘CASH’ options, Dean Henderson immediately stands out. As the top home favorite goalie, Henderson does not have much to worry about. Especially considering Sheffield United remains the worst offensive club in the top flight. However, that comes with its cons as well. Henderson’s ceiling will be heavily capped in this fixture unless Sheffield all of a sudden finds a knack for taking shots. In order for Henderson to maintain value, he must record a clean sheet, or make multiple saves with the former a more reasonable outcome.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Leno (DK $4.8K || FD $10), Turner (DK $3.7K || FD $7)
EPL DFS Forwards
Bukayo Saka - DK $10.5K || FD $23
Opponent - Nottingham Forest
Unsurprisingly, Saka is the top option at striker on the slate. Within his last five domestic fixtures, he has 1 goal, 20 shots, 15 created chances, 33 crosses, 16 corners, 8 tackles, 2 interceptions and 2 clearances. Saka is doing it all and his shot volume is the most impressive part and thankfully so. The striker along with the rest of the Gunners squad is dropping form quickly and Saka’s shot volume is what is keeping him relevant. Furthermore, Nottingham Forest will not be a walk in the park either. The hosts are the third-worst in Goals Against Per 90 and in the bottom ten in Shots Against Per 90, however, in everything else they are middle of the table. If Arsenal are to pick up all three points here, Saka will be the focal point.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): McNeil (DK $8.3K || FD $19), Willian (DK $7K || FD $15)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Michael Olise - DK $9.4K || FD $22
Opponent - Sheffield United
After missing the 5-0 drubbing at Emirates, Olise is back and available for selection. If the winger does start, he will instantly eat a part of teammate Eberechi Eze’s set-pieces role, providing an instant floor. Olise is also the winger as mentioned, providing open-play value in comparison to the already mentioned Eze who plays behind the attack and is more limited in what he can do. Sheffield United have yet to change their defensive woes, sitting in the bottom two in all meaningful metrics this season. Olise lines up as the top option on the slate at any position in terms of raw floor and ceiling potential. Throughout his last five domestic appearances, he has 4 goals, 1 assist, 16 shots, 12 created chances, 29 crosses, 12 corners, 7 tackles, 2 interceptions and 7 clearances.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gross (DK $9.9K || FD $22), Pereira (DK $6.7K || FD $16)
EPL DFS Defenders
Kieran Trippier - DK $7K || FD $16
Opponent - Aston Villa
Another slate with Newcastle United means another slate with Kieran Trippier. However, DFS players will be tasked with a very hard question this midweek. “Is Trippier truly a viable option?” Despite his cemented role on set-pieces, Trippier is playing at Villa Park against a surging Aston Villa side. Luckily, DraftKings and FanDuel do not punish defenders for goals against, otherwise, Trippier’s value would be minimal right now. Nevertheless, as mentioned, he is solely in charge of set-pieces and throughout his last five domestic fixtures, he has 1 shot, 13 created chances, 51 crosses, 26 corners, 21 tackles, 9 interceptions, 15 clearances and 2 blocks. On FanDuel – a more defensive rewarding platform –, Trippier will hold precedent over most other players at defense.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Estupinan (DK $6K || FD $15), Botman (DK $2.7K || FD $12)
Corner Takers
- Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White
- Arsenal: Saka/Martinelli
- Fulham FC: Pereira
- Everton: McNeil/Harrison
- Luton Town FC: Doughty/Townsend
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross
- Crystal Palace: Olise/Eze
- Sheffield United: Hamer
- Aston Villa: Luis/McGinn
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!