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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel EPL DFS lineup picks for English Premier League Soccer on 5/17/26 (Matchweek 37). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to "The Kick-Off," and welcome to the 2025-26 season! Fixture congestion is gone, and we are at the final homestretch of the season. Who will qualify for the UEFA Champions League and Europa League? The end is near, with a few fixtures left, and then we begin the World Cup Watch! The final push to the title is on! Let's kick off Matchweek 37!!
The top favorite for this week is Brentford FC (-155) vs. Crystal Palace FC (+400). I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 17.
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.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Bart Verbruggen - DK $5K || FD $11
Opponent - at Leeds United
It is almost a requirement or ‘highly recommended’ to pay up at the goalie position for this weekend’s four-match slate. The lower-salaried goalies are too ‘risky,’ and the higher-salaried goalies offer the optimal floor and ceiling. In Bart Verbruggen’s most recent five appearances in all competitions, he has recorded 13 saves, five goals against, and three clean sheets.
In Brighton’s last five fixtures in all competitions, excluding splits, they are the fourth-worst in Shots Against Per 90, and they are in the top ten in Goals Against Per 90. Furthermore, Leeds United is a top-four club in both Goals Per 90 and Shots Per 90. Verbruggen has a strong chance at posting a fourth clean sheet in his last six starts.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Jordan Pickford (DK $5.4K || FD $12) vs. Sunderland AFC
- José Sá (DK $4.2K || FD $9) vs. Fulham FC
EPL DFS Forwards
Mateus Mané - DK $6.6K || FD $15
Opponent - vs. Fulham FC
Anymore these days, Wolverhampton carries large negative sediment for numerous reasons. Not too often do they feature in an article in a positive light. However, their attacking midfielder, Mateus Mané, has changed that. He is now in the process of showcasing himself for his next big move, with the Wolves relegated for the 2026-2027 season. In Mané’s last five appearances in all competitions–three starts–he has produced six shots, seven chances created, 24 crosses, eight corners, seven tackles, one interception, and two clearances.
Before anyone starts wondering why Mané is getting featured with so many other matchups on the slate, let’s take a look at the bigger picture. First and foremost, he is forward eligible with a set piece role. Secondly, Fulham is the second-worst club in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 and the third-worst club in Chances Created Against Per 90, over their last five fixtures, excluding splits. At his salary, as long as he is able to provide a glimmer of offense, he will maintain value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Yankuba Minteh (DK $7.6K || FD $17) at Leeds United
- Igor Thiago (DK $7.2K || FD $21) vs. Crystal Palace FC
Mateus Mane announced himself to the Premier League when he starred in @Wolves 🆚 @WestHam!
The two sides meet again on Friday 🤝 pic.twitter.com/zQihPiazGn
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 9, 2026
EPL DFS Midfielders
Enzo Le Fée - DK $6.7K || FD $16
Opponent - at Everton FC
The Toffees are struggling on defense once again and continue to rely on their goalie to save them match in and match out. From a Per 90 Against viewpoint in their last five matches in all competitions, excluding splits, they are the fourth-worst in Shots, the third-worst in Goals, Big Chances Created, and Penalty Area Defense, and they are the second-worst in Chances Created, In-the-Box Shots, and In-the-Box Goals.
Enzo Le Fée remains one of the key cogs in the machine we call Sunderland AFC. The creative attacker has amassed one assist, eight shots, 12 chances created, 20 crosses, 12 corners, 14 tackles, four interceptions, and five clearances over his most recent five matches in all competitions. Given his salary and role with the club, he will challenge for the top-value player on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (DK $8.4K || FD $19) vs. Sunderland AFC
- Mathias Jensen (DK $5.9K || FD $14) vs. Crystal Palace FC
EPL DFS Defenders
Maxim De Cuyper - DK $5.8K || FD $12
Opponent - at Leeds United
Maxim De Cuyper is required to roster now when he starts. The Belgium defender showcased that in his first start for the Seagulls in over three months. In his start against Wolverhampton, he produced two assists, six chances created, seven crosses, five corners, one tackle, and one clearance. In his last five matches–one start–he now has three assists, eight chances created, nine crosses, six corners, three tackles, one interception, and three clearances.
Leeds United will not be an easy matchup, especially at Elland Road. However, Brighton & Hove Albion are fighting for a spot in the UEFA Europa League next season, and they will be pushing for the majority of this match. De Cuyper has a chance at hitting his ceiling here.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Hugo Bueno (DK $6.3K || FD $12) vs. Fulham FC
- Jake O’Brien (DK $3.6K || FD $10) vs. Sunderland AFC
Maxim De Cuyper finds space in the area and makes no mistake to put Brighton in front at the City Ground. 💪 pic.twitter.com/Ycnow6wK3t
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 30, 2025
Corner Takers
- Brentford FC: Mathias Jensen
- Crystal Palace FC: Adam Wharton/Yéremy Pino
- Everton FC: James Garner/Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Sunderland AFC: Enzo Le Fée/Granit Xhaka
- Leeds United: Anton Stach/Sean Longstaff
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Maxim De Cuyper/Pascal Groß
- Wolverhampton FC: Mateus Mané/Hugo Bueno
- Fulham FC: Saša Lukiĉ/Harry Wilson
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
