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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel EPL DFS lineup picks for English Premier League Soccer on 2/22/25 (Matchweek 26). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off,” and welcome to the 24-25 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 26!
The top favorite for this today is Arsenal FC -380 vs West Ham United +1000. I will guide you through this five-match slate starting at 10:00 A.M. EST on Saturday, February 22.
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.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Bernd Leno - DK $4.9K || FD $11
Opponent - Crystal Palace
Bernd Leno is far from an in-form goalie; however, his matchup at home this weekend is appealing. The goalkeeper has produced nine saves, conceded six goals, and recorded one clean sheet in his last five matches in all competitions.
Fulham is not considered a defensive juggernaut by any means, but it is not a bottom club defensively, either. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace is a bottom-five club in Goals Per 90 and sits middle of the pack in Shots Per 90. As long as Fulham’s backline can mitigate high-danger shots against, Leno will have the ability to at least reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Palmer (DK $4.4K || FD $9), Henderson (DK $4.2K || FD $10)
EPL DFS Forwards
Matheus Cunha - DK $9.4K || FD $22
Opponent - AFC Bournemouth
After a bit of a lull, Matheus Cunha is back in the scoring column. The striker and playmaker now has three goals, 27 shots, six chances created, 22 crosses, 11 corners, 10 tackles, three interceptions, three clearances, and one block in his most recent five fixtures in all competitions. That means he is averaging just below five shots per 90! Is this production from very good form, or is it from the system he plays in? Cunha has flown past his season-high shot total–73 shots in 32 appearances in the English Premier League last season–in eight fewer appearances. He is also on the verge of breaking his season-high 49 chances created, set in 2020 with Hertha Berlin of the Bundesliga.
Cunha may not extend his goal streak to four matches, but his chances of surpassing value are high. AFC Bournemouth is a bottom-ten club in Shots Against Per 90, Chances Created Against Per 90, and In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90. As the third highest-salaried active player on DraftKings, he deserves the ownership he will generate in ‘CASH’ contests this weekend.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Semenyo (DK $8K || FD $20), Tel (DK $6.6K || FD $17)
EPL DFS Midfielders
Ethan Nwaneri - DK $8.1K || FD $16
Opponent - West Ham United
Ethan Nwaneri is quickly becoming a teenage sensation for the Gunners. The winger now has two goals, one assist, 10 shots, four chances created, 23 crosses, 11 corners, eight tackles, one interception, and one clearance in his last five appearances–three starts–in all competitions. With no Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, AND Gabriel Martinelli, Arsenal is desperate for production from other sources, and Nwaneri is stepping up just in time.
The young phenom also has arguably the most optimal matchup on the slate. West Ham United, in Per 90 metrics against, remains a bottom-five club across the board. They are also relying on their backup goalie, Alphonse Areola, who has performed well against lesser competition. Sitting just above $8K on DraftKings, Nwaneri may be the highest-owned player in any position this weekend. Especially considering his growing role in set pieces.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Eze (DK $9.4K || FD $18), Pereira (DK $6.9K || FD $13)
EPL DFS Defenders
Pedro Porro - DK $6.4K || FD $15
Opponent - Ipswich Town FC
Pedro Porro has, at this point, taken complete control over set pieces again, and his open-play value is a bonus. The fullback has one assist, 10 shots, eight chances created, 37 crosses, 11 corners, 19 tackles, 10 interceptions, 15 clearances, and two blocks in his most recent five matches in all competitions. Those numbers are staggering and impressive, considering how poorly Tottenham has looked over the last month.
It is not expected that Porro will be needed on both ends of the pitch, however, Ipswich Town has proven before that their home advantage is not something to be taken lightly. Nevertheless, the hosts are a bottom-three club defensively. Porro will have every opportunity to reach value in this road match.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kerkez (DK $4.9K || FD $12), Welington (DK $2.9K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- AFC Bournemouth: Christie/Cook
- Wolverhampton: Cunha
- Arsenal FC: Nwaneri/Ødegaard/Rice
- West Ham United: Bowen/Cresswell
- Fulham FC: Pereira
- Crystal Palace: Eze
- Ipswich Town FC: Enciso/Davis
- Tottenham Hotspurs: Porro/Maddison
- Southampton: Fernandes/Manning
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Minteh
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
