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 -650 vs Sheffield United +1400. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 2:30 P.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.
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
EPL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Caoimhin Kelleher - DK $5.9K || FD $13
Opponent - Sheffield United
There are favorites and then there is Liverpool. The Reds are the biggest favorites on the slate by a few miles, despite traveling to Bramall Lane. Even at home, Sheffield is one of the worst clubs in the top flight, getting outscored 7 to 19 in seven matches. Liverpool’s defense has been suspect at best lately, although, this is THE get right match for them. In Kelleher’s only start in the Premier League this season – last match – he made 2 saves and conceded 3 goals.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Steele (DK $5.4K || FD $10), Johnstone (DK $5K || FD $11)
EPL DFS Forwards
Cody Gakpo - DK $9.3K || FD $17
Opponent - Sheffield United
It is almost a guarantee that Gakpo starts at striker in this match after coming off the bench in the close win over Fulham at the weekend. Gakpo has been far from the player he was with PSV Eindhoven since arriving in the Premier League and he has yet to truly catch fire this season. In his last five domestic appearances – one start – he has six shots, two tackles, two interceptions, a clearance, and a block. Yes, Sheffield United concede a plethora of both goals and shots, however, until Gakpo can sustain shot volume, he is a ‘boom-or-bust’ play.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gibbs-White (DK $9.6K || FD $18), Edouard (DK $7.1K || FD $21)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Michael Olise - DK $10.3K || FD $20
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
Olise makes it in back-to-back articles with another premium matchup, this time at home. The Cherries are in the bottom three in every meaningful metric besides Big Chances Created Against Per 90 – they are the seventh-worst. The two most important things though are that AFC Bournemouth is the third-worst in Created Chances Against Per 90 and they are the second-worst club in Penalty Area Defense. This sets up Olise for a massive performance. Not only does he generate chance after chance, but Bournemouth concedes close proximity goals. Throughout Olise’s first three matches this season (two starts) he has a goal, nine shots, three created chances, 26 crosses, nine corners, five tackles, and three interceptions.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Gross (DK $9.9K || FD $20), Mac Allister (DK $5.6K || FD $16)
EPL DFS Defenders
Trent Alexander-Arnold - DK $8.2K || FD $15
Opponent - Sheffield United
Trent Alexander-Arnold will be one of the highest-owned players on the slate, especially in ‘CASH’ contests. The fullback will already start with what will eventually become a clean sheet bonus and he will also be on full set pieces for the biggest home favorite and if anyone watched his goal that turned into an own-goal by Bernd Leno at the weekend, it was a masterpiece. Over his most recent five domestic fixtures, he has two goals, 10 shots, 11 created chances, 27 crosses, 14 corners, six tackles, six interceptions, and six clearances. He won’t generate much of defensive peripherals, however, his crossing and shots will be the highest by any defender on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Ream (DK $3.2K || FD $10), Julio (DK $2.8K || FD $8)
Corner Takers
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross
- Brentford: Mbeumo/Jensen
- Crystal Palace: Olise
- AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier/Cook
- Fulham FC: Pereira
- Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White
- Sheffield United: Hamer/Norwood
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!