RADIO
Welcome back to The Kick-Off, and welcome to the 2024-25 season! Fixture congestion is here to stay! Rotation will continue to be a factor until fixtures start spreading out again. Let’s kick off Matchweek 27!
The top favorite for today's match is Brighton & Hove Albion +110 vs. AFC Bournemouth +230. I will guide you through this three-match slate starting at 2:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, February 25.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Kepa Kepa - DK $4.6K || FD $9
Opponent - Brighton & Hove Albion
The value model has not been doing well recently, with lackluster performances from the chosen goalies, but the tide continues! For Day 1 of Matchweek 27, we have Kepa Arrizabalaga, or Kepa Kepa, on DraftKings. The goalkeeper has made 18 saves, conceded four goals, and recorded two clean sheets over his last five matches in all competitions.
The Cherries, over the season in Per 90 metrics against, are a bottom-10 club in shots but a top-5 club in goals. Brighton & Hove Albion is a middle-of-the-park club in both goals and Shots Per 90 this season and has seen a recent uptick in offense. Can Kepa keep them at bay, or will the Seagulls strike once more?
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $4.7K || FD $11), Sá (DK $4.5K || FD $10)
EPL DFS Forwards
Matheus Cunha - DK $10K || FD $22
Opponent - Fulham FC
Just when pundits started to doubt Cunha’s ability to keep his goal streak alive, he scored a massive match-winning goal after getting loose in the box over the weekend. The striker and playmaker now has four goals, 25 shots, nine chances created, 23 crosses, 13 corners, nine tackles, and three interceptions in his last five fixtures in all competitions.
He is now averaging five shots Per 90! As mentioned at the weekend, these are staggering and career-high numbers. There is no doubt that Cunha will be a highly sought-after player in the summer transfer window.
Fulham, from a metrics standpoint, is still treading water, but it is in danger of falling into the bottom 10 defensively. As Wolverhampton's leading set-piece taker on a short three-fixture slate and the only forward-eligible player with a projected floor, Cunha is a "LOCK" in "CASH" contests.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Minteh (DK $8.4K || FD $17), Asensio (DK $6.1K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Eberechi Eze - DK $9.4K || FD $17
Opponent - Aston Villa
Eberechi Eze continues to be the focal point of the Eagles attack. The visitors are not strangers to inconsistent form after drawing two of their last three matches to then win 2-1 versus Chelsea over the weekend. Like Matheus Cunha, Eze is the leading set-piece taker for his respective club -- Crystal Palace -- making him an invaluable player when playing "CASH" contests.
Aston Villa is typically an average club defensively. However, it has been conceding more goals recently than normal. Luckily, Eze produced enough peripherals to provide a steady floor with the ability to reach value without producing points. In the playmaker’s most recent five domestic fixtures -- three starts -- he has one assist, 15 shots, 14 chances created, 21 crosses, 10 corners, and four tackles.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tielemans (DK $7.2K || FD $17), Pereira (DK $6.9K || FD $13)
EPL DFS Defenders
Nélson Semedo - DK $4.2K || FD $12
Opponent - Fulham FC
It is imperative to eat the "chalk" wherever possible on small slates. Unfortunately, there are not any obvious standout plays on defense. This could lead to the defender position being the last position filled.
Nevertheless, Nélson Semedo could make a case as a top defender on the slate. He has one assist, three shots, three chances created, 11 crosses, 10 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 clearances within his most recent five matches in all competitions.
Fulham FC struggled against Crystal Palace’s 3-4-3 formation, and Wolverhampton is going to run something similar. To have any chance at seeing green, Semedo needs to reach value at the least, something he is expected to do.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Muñoz (DK $6.4K || FD $15), Andersen (DK $3.3K || FD $12)
Corner Takers
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Minteh
- AFC Bournemouth: Christie/Cook
- Crystal Palace: Eze
- Aston Villa: Tielemans
- Wolverhampton: Cunha
- Fulham FC: Pereira
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
