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 Aston Villa -175 vs Nottingham Forest +450. I will guide you through this four-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
Bernd Leno - DK $4.1K || FD $8
Opponent - Manchester United
Manchester United has been on a much-needed run of form lately thanks to in-form striker Rasmus Hojlund. However, Hojlund is now out for three weeks due to injury, leaving the Red Devils in a scramble to fill his production. The hosts have been able to generate shots without the aforementioned Hojlund, however, they are struggling to convert those shots to goals. This leaves Leno in a perfect spot for a floor and potential ceiling. In Leno’s last five domestic starts, he has 11 saves, six goals against and one clean sheet.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $5.7K || FD $12), Johnstone (DK $5.2K || FD $11)
EPL DFS Forwards
Danny Welbeck - DK $6.5K || FD $19
Opponent - Everton
Everton may not be one of the worst clubs in Crosses Against Per 90, however, they are in the bottom ten in Shots Against Per 90, Created Chances Against Pet 90 and In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90. All three of those stats line up perfectly for Welbeck who will spearhead the Seagulls attack. In Welbeck’s most recent five domestic fixtures, he has one goal, one assist, nine shots, three created chances, four tackles, one interception and seven clearances. In one of the better home matchups on the small four-game slate, Welbeck is expected to easily see north of 20 percent ownership.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Watkins (DK $9.2K || FD $22), Gibbs-White (DK $7.5K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Pascal Gross - DK $10.5K || FD $23
Opponent - Everton
As mentioned, Everton is playing better, but not good enough to hold back multiple top-level clubs, week after week. As the most expensive midfielder by quite a margin on DraftKings, Gross deserves every bit of it. He owns the monopoly of set-pieces for Brighton, providing him the most steady and consistent floor on the slate. In Gross’s last five domestic appearances, he has one goal, three assists, nine shots, 16 created chances, 40 crosses, 21 corners, 15 tackles, three interceptions, three clearances and two blocks. He is also averaging just below 20 fantasy points on DraftKings in this timeframe. Gross is expected to reach 15 DraftKings points at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fernandes (DK $8.7K || FD $23), Luiz (DK $7.4K || FD $20)
EPL DFS Defenders
Adam Wharton - DK $5.8K || FD $17
Opponent - Burnley FC
Despite Wharton playing his entire career as a midfielder, DraftKings has him listed as a defender and we are not going to complain. In three domestic matches with Crystal Palace since he was acquired – two starts –, Wharton has five created chances, nine crosses, six corners, 12 tackles, six interceptions, four clearances and two blocks. Burnley may not be one of the weakest clubs in Crosses Against Per 90, but they are not the best either. Considering Wharton plays a midfielder role, boosts his upside even more.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Digne (DK $6.3K || FD $13), Munoz (DK $4.7K || FD $5)
Corner Takers
- Aston Villa: Luiz/McGinn
- Nottingham Forest: Gibbs-White
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Gross
- Everton: McNeil/Harrison
- Crystal Palace: Wharton
- Burnley FC: Gudmundsson/Brownhill
- Manchester United: Fernandes
- Fulham FC: Pereira
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
