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Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 24-25 season! The first round of UEFA matches has officially concluded, and the first five matchweeks have been played. Let’s kick off Matchweek Six!
The top favorite for this week is Arsenal -650 vs Leicester +1500. I will guide you through this six-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 $4.5K || FD $9
Opponent - Nottingham Forest
Bernd Leno has been ‘Mr. Consistent’ to start the season. He has 16 saves and five goals against in his first five domestic starts. If he continued this form throughout the season, it would become his third-all-time best and second-best season in the English Premier League. In Per 90 stats, Forest is in the bottom ten in both Shots and Goals.
His opponent, Nottingham Forest, certainly helps his chances of maintaining form. The pace of play is expected to be below average when these two clubs meet, making it crucial that Leno makes the saves when they come.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Flekken (DK $5.3K || FD $11), Pickford (DK $4.7K || FD $9)
EPL DFS Forwards
Bukayo Saka - DK $9.8K || FD $23
Opponent - Leicester City
Bukayo Saka will be the first player in most lineups this weekend, barring a user making a contrarian lineup. The winger has one goal, five assists, 11 shots, 12 created chances, 20 crosses, 11 corners, and nine tackles. He also has the bulk of the set pieces for the Gunners, as well as open-play value.
Excluding West Ham United, Leicester City is the weakest club on the slate. In Per 90 stats, the Foxes are in the bottom ten in both Goals Against and Created Chances Against, the bottom five in Shots Against and Big Chances Created Against, and the bottom three in In-the-Box Shots Against and In-the-Box Goals Against.
Every single one of these stats perfectly matches Saka’s skill set. It is not out of the realm of possibility that the forward produces one of the best performances of the domestic season.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): McNeil (DK $9K || FD $21), Bowen (DK $8.2K || FD $19)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Bryan Mbeumo - DK $7.1K || FD $21
Opponent - West Ham United
Bryan Mbeumo has 57 percent of the seven goals for Brentford FC -- four goals --, and it has only been five matches. In his five domestic fixtures this season, he also has ten shots, ten created chances, 20 crosses, 11 corners, three tackles, one interception, and one block. Mbeumo and the Bees have arguably the best matchup on the slate against the Hammers.
In Per 90 stats, West Ham United is the sixth-worst in Goals Against, the fourth-worst in Shots Against, and the worst in Chances Created Against, Big Chances Created Against, and In-the-Box Shots Against. Thanks to his role on set pieces, the winger is expected to maintain value even if he does not register a point in this matchup.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Eze (DK $8.8K || FD $20), Andreas Pereira (DK $7.8K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Defenders
Riccardo Calafiori - DK $4.4K || FD $10
Opponent - Leicester City
There are no true workhorse defenders on the slate. However, there are a few fullbacks in premium matchups, and Riccardo Calafiori is expected to be a popular option. In three domestic appearances – one start – he has one goal, one shot, three tackles, and one interception. Unfortunately, Calafiori has yet to acclimate to Arsenal’s more attacking approach compared to his days in the Seria A with Bologna.
Nevertheless, Leicester, whose poor defense has been aforementioned, will concede plenty of opportunities for Calafiori to make value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Robinson (DK $4.8K || FD $15), Munoz (DK $4.3K || FD $13)
Corner Takers
- Arsenal: Saka
- Leicester City: Kristiansen/Winks
- Brentford FC: Mbeumo/Jensen
- West Ham United: Bowen
- Chelsea: Palmer
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Estupiñán/Mitoma
- Everton: McNeil
- Crystal Palace: Eze
- Nottingham Forest: Ward-Prowse/Anderson
- Fulham FC: Pereira
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
