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 this weekend is Brighton & Hove Albion -270 vs AFC Bournemouth +600. I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 9:00 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 Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
EPL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Bart Verbruggen - DK $5.6K || FD $13
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
Verbruggen is the unanimous keeper of choice for almost all contests tomorrow, as he is the only ‘safe’ keeper on the slate. There are others like Alisson and Robert Sanchez, but they have both been suspect at best lately. Bournemouth is the third-worst in Goals For Per 90 – 0.8 – thus far and despite Brighton averaging 1.00 Goals Against Per 90, they have held both Newcastle and Manchester United to a goal in their respective matches. If the Seagulls can hold big clubs to a goal, they are expected to have high odds of recording a clean sheet at home against Bournemouth. In two domestic appearances for Verbruggen, he has 6 saves and 4 conceded goals.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinez (DK $4.3K || FD $10), Areola (DK $3.7K || FD $7)
EPL DFS Forwards
Evan Ferguson - DK $8.5K || FD $21
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
With all of the fixtures popping up, Brighton should see heavy rotation for their home matchup against the Cherries and Evan Ferguson is one of the lucky candidates to see a starting XI spot. On the other side of the pitch, AFC Bournemouth is the third-worst in Shots Against Per 90 – 18.8 – and the fourth-worst in Created Chances Against Per 90 – 12.4 –. Things are not looking bright for Bournemouth, albeit making multiple additions to their club this offseason, including defense. Brighton forward Ferguson has had moments of brilliance this season and he could be in for a big performance here. Through his first five domestic fixtures – 2 starts –, he has 4 goals, 14 shots, 1 created chance and 1 block.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Salah (DK $10.5K || FD $23), Saka (DK $10.2K || FD $22)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Douglas Luiz - DK $5.7K || FD $15
Opponent - Chelsea
It is important to find solid value on this slate due to the pickem nature of most matches and Luiz fits the bill. The midfielder has begun what is expected to be another solid season. Throughout his first five domestic matches, he has 2 goals, 6 shots, 5 created chances, 8 crosses, 11 corners, 11 tackles, 3 interceptions and 2 blocks. In a battle with the Blues, Luiz will be a focal point of Aston Villa’s transition game and could rack up peripherals in bunches. Keep in mind he also shares set-piece providing a floor at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Maddison (DK $9.3K || FD $22), Lallana (DK $4.1K || FD $10)
EPL DFS Defenders
Ben Chilwell - DK $6.2K || FD $11
Opponent - Aston Villa
Commence Part 18 of Return of The Wingback. Chilwell is projected to be in the starting XI for Chelsea this weekend after another absence due to injury. The defender and midfielder last started on September 2nd and since then has only made an appearance off the bench for ten minutes against Bournemouth two weeks later. Over his five domestic appearances this season – 4 starts –, he has 1 assist, 6 shots, 9 created chances, 19 crosses, 10 corners, 4 tackles, 2 interceptions and 1 clearance. Aston Villa is the fifth-worst in Goals Against Per 90 – 1.8 – and the second-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90 – 3.2 –. This bodes well for Chilwell who creates plenty of opportunities from the flank. In what should be a back-and-forth matchup, Chilwell will have every chance to hit value and more.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Robertson (DK $7.2K || FD $15), Estupinan (DK $6K || FD $16)
Corner Takers
- Arsenal: Saka
- Tottenham Hotspurs: Maddison
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Estupinan
- AFC Bournemouth: Tavernier
- Chelsea: Chilwell
- Aston Villa: Luiz/McGinn
- Liverpool: Robertson
- West Ham United: Ward-Prowse
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
