RADIO
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 Liverpool -410 vs Fulham +1000. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 9:00 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.
EPL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Sam Johnstone - DK $4.3K || FD $
Opponent - West Ham United
There are a few favorites on the slate, however, with so many big names to pay up for, it is worthwhile taking a flyer at keeper. Johnstone and the Eagles is the perfect spot to do just this. The hosts are in the bottom ten or just outside the bottom ten in all relative metrics and Crystal Palace sits in the middle of the table in all defensive metrics. The ceiling may not be as high as many would like for Johnstone due to the lack of shot volume from West Ham, although his chances of recording a clean sheet are relatively high for an away keeper. At just $4.3K on DraftKings, Johnstone needs a few saves and he will maintain value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $5.2K || FD $), Steele (DK $4K || FD $)
EPL DFS Forwards
Jhon Duran - DK $6.3K || FD $
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
After missing Thursday’s Europa Conference League match due to injury, Watkin’s chances of starting are small and it could lead to Jhon Duran taking his spot. Over his last five domestic matches – zero starts –, he has 1 goal, 5 shots, 1 cross, 1 tackle and 2 clearances. Duran was able to score once over that span, playing a combined 49 minutes. If he can do that off the bench averaging less than 10 minutes per match, imagine what he can do starting against one of the league’s worst defenses. The Cherries are the third-worst in both Created Chances Against and Goals Against – all Per 90 –. They are also the second-worst club in Shots Against, In-the-Box Shots Against, In-the-Box Goals Against and Penalty Area Defense – all Per 90 –. In Aston Villa’s last five fixtures in all competitions, excluding splits, they are averaging two Goals Per 90 and Bournemouth are currently being outscored 6 to 10 at home so far this season. This is a huge value/ceiling play that could pay massive dividends.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $10K || FD $), Pedro (DK $7.3K || FD $)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Michael Olise - DK $9.3K || FD $
Opponent - West Ham United
Unfortunately for Crystal Palace, they continue to get hit by the injury bug with star playmaker Eberechi Eze the newest victim. This sets up Olise to be the main producer moving forward and it could stay this way going into Winter Break. In the midfielder’s first two matches of the season, he has 1 goal, 7 shots, 3 created chances, 17 crosses, 6 corners, 5 tackles and 2 interceptions. West Ham have fallen off in the defensive aspect of the game and they now sit in the bottom five in all meaningful metrics. With nobody to challenge Olise for set pieces, he is the ultimate floor play on this four-game slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gross (DK $8.9K || FD $), Luiz (DK $7.5K || FD $)
EPL DFS Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold - DK $6.9K || FD $
Opponent - Fulham FC
Along with Michae Olise – aforementioned above –, TAA will be another ‘chalk’ play on this small four-game slate. With Andrew Robertson out, Alexander-Arnold is set up to be the primary set piece taker compared to him sharing sets when Robertson does start. Throughout TAA’s last five domestic appearances, he has 1 goal, 10 shots, 9 created chances, 30 crosses, 16 corners, 6 tackles, 7 interceptions and 5 clearances. With Fulham also struggling to score, Alexander-Arnold has a firm chance of recording a clean sheet bonus.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Digne (DK $5.5K || FD $), Julio (DK $2.6K || FD $)
Corner Takers
- AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
- Aston Villa: Luiz
- Chelsea: Palmer/Gallagher
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold
- Fulham FC: Pereira
- West Ham United: Ward-Prowse
- Crystal Palace: Olise
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
