Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 2024-25 season! We are back after a round of Nations League and International Play! Between the International Break and upcoming European play, there is a strong chance that clubs will see rotation. Let’s kick off Matchweek Thirteen!
The top favorite for this weekend is Arsenal -300 vs Nottingham Forest +850. 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.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Mats Sels - DK $3.6K || FD $7
Opponent - Arsenal
Value at the goalkeeper position is few and far between for this weekend’s slate of fixtures. Mats Sels of Nottingham Forest offers a glimpse of value in a matchup where he is expected to see numerous Shots on Target. Arsenal, or the Gunners, are in the bottom ten in Goals For Per 90 and are the seventh-best in Goals For Per 90.
Nottingham Forest is just outside the bottom ten in Shots Against Per 90 and is the third-best in Goals Against Per 90. In his last five domestic matches, Sels has made 18 saves, conceded five goals, and recorded two clean sheets. If he can ‘lock in’ early, Sels will have the potential to break the slate open.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $5.6K || FD $12), Verbruggen (DK $4.6K || FD $10)
EPL DFS Forwards
Dwight McNeil - DK $9.8K || FD $18
Opponent - Brentford FC
After missing the 0-0 draw at West Ham United before the International Break, Dwight McNeil is now ready to return to the starting XI for the Toffees. The attacking midfielder has two goals, one assist, eight shots, seven created chances, 24 crosses, 14 corners, three tackles, and two interceptions in his last five domestic matches.
McNeil is projected to slot back into Everton's number ten. With his move inside–after playing primarily on the wing–his value and ceiling have decreased. However, McNeil is Everton's go-to playmaker, and sitting behind teammate Dominic Calvert-Lewin (DK $5.4K || FD $15), the former could make up for the lack of crosses in the Shots Assisted category. Decisions and stances must be made with multiple high-salaried players on the slate. In a matchup against Brentford’s bottom three defense, McNeil makes a strong case as a ‘lock’ in ‘CASH’ contests.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Cunha (DK $9K || FD $22), Welbeck (DK $5.9K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Bryan Mbeumo - DK $10.4K || FD $22
Opponent - Everton
Bryan Mbeumo continues to dominate headlines. The attacker now has three goals, one assist, eight shots, seven created chances, 21 crosses, eight corners, five tackles, one interception, and eight clearances in his last five domestic matches. Everton could be a stronger club defensively. However, they are a better club defensively than in years past.
They are a bottom-ten club in all meaningful metrics against Per 90, though. Everton is also tied with Brentford as the third-worst club against the cross. In what is expected to be a back-and-forth meeting, Mbeumo is projected to maintain value at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tielemans (DK $6.2K || FD $17), Hughes (DK $4.9K || FD $12)
EPL DFS Defenders
ent - Crystal Palace
Lucas Digne has been getting more and more opportunities to produce from the flank over the last handful of matches in all competitions. In his most recent five, he has six shots, nine created chances, 29 crosses, nine corners, eight tackles, seven interceptions, and 14 clearances. Crystal Palace remains a bottom ten club defensively and, more importantly, is a bottom five club in Big Chances Created Against Per 90.
They are also the fifth-worst club against the cross on the slate. All it takes is for one cross from Digne to bounce in his favor, and he can surpass value instantly. Nevertheless, his peripherals are increasing, creating a safer ‘floor’. Thus making him a ‘safer’ ‘CASH’ defender with an ‘affordable’ salary.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Estupiñán (DK $4.8K || FD $12), Young (DK $4.7K || FD $13)
Corner Takers
- AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Estupiñán
- Arsenal: Saka
- Nottingham Forest: Anderson/Gibbs-White
- Aston Villa: Digne/Tielemans
- Crystal Palace: Hughes
- Everton: McNeil/Lindstrøm
- Brentford FC: Mbeumo/Jensen
- Fulham: Pereira
- Wolverhampton: Cunha/Sarabia
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!