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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel EPL DFS lineup picks for English Premier League Soccer on 1/31/26 (Matchweek 24). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to "The Kick-Off," and welcome to the 2025-2026 season! Domestic fixture congestion has calmed down, but Champions League and Europa League congestion came back once more with the final Group Stage matches! Expect plenty of rotation given the lack of rest between this last weekend's fixtures and the midweek fixtures. Let's kick off Matchweek 24!!
The top favorite for this week is Arsenal FC (-180) at Leeds United (+500). I will guide you through this three-match slate starting at 10:00 A.M. EST on Saturday, January 31.
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
Jordan Pickford - DK $4.1K || FD $9
Opponent - at Brighton & Hove Albion
Goalkeepers are clear and ‘obvious’ if you are paying up at the position this weekend. Once you start looking at value, it isn’t straightforward. Brighton & Hove Albion, in their last five domestic matches, excluding splits, are in the middle of the table across all meaningful metrics. However, they are bottom-ten in Big Chances Scored Per 90, Big Chances Created Per 90, and In-the-Box Shots Per 90.
In Jordan Pickford’s last five starts in all competitions, he has made 19 saves, conceded seven goals, and recorded one clean sheet. Considering Brighton’s shot volume, lack of big chances, and Pickford’s ability to make saves, he showcases himself as an optimal goalkeeper on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Đorđe Petrović (DK $4.9K || FD $11) at Wolverhampton FC
- Karl Darlow (DK $3.8K || FD $7) vs. Arsenal FC
EPL DFS Forwards
Bukayo Saka - DK $10.3K || FD $22
Opponent - at Leeds United
Bukayo Saka continues to struggle alongside the rest of Arsenal FC. Despite his struggles and lack of goals and assists, he is still generating plenty of fantasy value thanks to his set pieces and open-play contributions. The winger now has two assists, 12 shots, 12 chances created, 32 crosses, 16 corners, three tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances in his most recent five fixtures–three starts–in all competitions.
Luckily for Saka and the Gunners, they will travel to Elland Road this weekend. Leeds have been playing much better defensively, conceding just six goals in their last five domestic home matches, however, their metrics tell a different story. One that does not favor the hosts. In their last five domestic fixtures, excluding splits, they are in the bottom three in all meaningful metrics. Which trend will break first? Bad metrics or a good goalie?
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Evanilson (DK $7.7K || FD $18) at Wolverhampton FC
- Viktor Gyökeres (DK $4K || FD $17) at Leeds United
Bukayo Saka 🆚 Milos Kerkez 👊 pic.twitter.com/s9XPY3yTSk
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 9, 2026
EPL DFS Midfielders
Pascal Groß - DK $8.4K || FD $18
Opponent - vs. Everton FC
Pascal Groß is back, folks, and he is projected to be the most-owned player at any position on this small three-fixture slate. After a brief stint away from the English Premier League, he has returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, and he has been thrust directly into the starting XI. Groß is projected to line up as the #10 for the Seagulls this weekend and will be solely responsible for set pieces. This provides immense value, especially at his given salary. Since returning to Brighton, in five fixtures in all competitions–four starts–Groß has produced four shots, eight chances created, 29 crosses, 15 corners, nine tackles, five interceptions, five clearances, and two blocks.
In their past five domestic matches, excluding splits, Everton ranks second-worst across most meaningful metrics. Furthermore, they are the worst in Shots Against Per 90, Big Chances Created Against Per 90, and In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90. Groß is projected to have the highest floor out of any position on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- James Garner (DK $8K || FD $20) at Brighton & Hove Albion
- Lewis Cook (DK $3.5K || FD $13) at Wolverhampton FC
JAMES GARNER FIRES IT INTO THE BOTTOM CORNER TO DOUBLE EVERTON'S LEAD! pic.twitter.com/Y1sQk1fQsT
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 24, 2025
EPL DFS Defenders
Defenders
Hugo Bueno - DK $5.9K || FD $11
Opponent - vs. AFC Bournemouth
Hugo Bueno is another player who will garner high ownership on this small slate. The wingback has been lining up on the left flank in a 3-5-2 formation for the Wolves and has been in charge of a bulk of the set pieces. He also has open-play value at both ends of the pitch. Over his last five fixtures in all competitions, he has produced one assist, five shots, seven chances created, 34 crosses, 16 corners, eight tackles, six interceptions, and 16 clearances. On FanDuel, where defensive actions are weighted more heavily, he has immense value.
AFC Bournemouth will not be a walk in the park, and this matchup is projected to be one of the faster-paced fixtures on the slate. Despite being the highest-salaried defender on the slate, his peripherals alone will provide enough to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Álex Jiménez (DK $3.7K || FD $12) at Wolverhampton FC
- Nathan Patterson (DK $3.3K || FD $9) at Brighton & Hove Albion
Corner Takers
- Brighton & Hove Albion: Pascal Groß
- Everton FC: James Garner/Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
- Leeds United: Anton Stach
- Arsenal FC: Bukayo Saka/Declan Rice/Martin Odegaard
- Wolverhampton FC: Hugo Bueno/Mateus Mané
- AFC Bournemouth: Lewis Cook/Amine Adli
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
