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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel EPL DFS lineup picks for English Premier League Soccer on 5/18/25 (Matchweek 37). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off,” and welcome to the 2024-2025 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 37!
The top favorite for this week is Brentford FC +100 vs Fulham FC +250. I will guide you through this three-match slate starting at 9:10 A.M. EST on Sunday, May 18.
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
Alphonse Areola - DK $4.5K || FD $10
Opponent - vs. Nottingham Forest
Alphonse Areola has turned up form again, making 19 saves, conceding seven goals, and recording one clean sheet in his last five domestic appearances. If not for his 3-2 loss at Brighton, he would have a cleaner record in that timeframe. In the only match against Nottingham Forest this season–a 3-0 away loss–Areola did not play.
West Ham United, in their last five domestic matches, are a bottom-four club in Shots Against Per 90 and a top-10 club in Goals Against Per 90. Nottingham Forest, in their most recent five domestic matches, are a bottom-10 club in Shots Per 90 and a bottom-five club in Goals Per 90. Areola’s floor and ceiling may be limited. However, for his salary, he is still a top value option on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Mark Flekken (DK $5.7K || FD $12) at Fulham FC
- Matz Sels (DK $4.8K || FD $10) at West Ham United
EPL DFS Forwards
Jamie Vardy - DK $3.7K || FD $16
Opponent - vs. Ipswich Town FC
Jamie Vardy may break the ownership record for this season in what will be his final send-off at King Power Stadium. Despite Leicester City’s poor form for the majority of the season, Vardy still managed to bag the most goals in the Premier League, 18, in a single season, since his 2019 campaign. In his last five domestic fixtures, he has recorded one goal, one assist, five shots, one chance created, one cross, one tackle, and two interceptions.
The veteran striker will play at home against arguably the worst club in the top-flight this season, Ipswich Town FC. In Per 90 metrics against their last five domestic matches, Ipswich is bottom-five or worse across the board, notably the worst in both In-the-Box Shots and Penalty Area Defense. In the best matchup of the slate, in his final send-off, while possessing a salary under $4K, will push all ownership onto Jamie Vardy this weekend.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Jarrod Bowen (DK $10.6K || FD $21) vs. Nottingham Forest
- Anthony Elanga (DK $10.4K || FD $15) at West Ham United
EPL DFS Midfielders
Bryan Mbeumo - DK $11.2K || FD $24
Opponent - vs. Fulham FC
Bryan Mbeumo has beaten his single-season record this season with 18 goals and seven assists. Previously, his best season was his first full campaign with Brentford in the English Championship, where he recorded 16 goals and seven assists in three more starts. Over his last five domestic fixtures this season, Mbeumo has produced two goals, two assists, 13 shots, 12 chances created, 35 crosses, 18 corners, 11 tackles, and nine clearances.
Fulham FC has played improved defense in their last five domestic fixtures. This will prove difficult for Mbeumo. Nevertheless, he is the main set piece taker for the Bees, providing a safe floor and moderately high ceiling.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Julio Enciso (DK $5.4K || FD $15) at Leicester City FC
- Blial El Khannouss (DK $4.9K || FD $14) vs. Ipswich Town FC
EPL DFS Defenders
Luke Thomas - DK $4.3K || FD $10
Opponent - vs. Ipswich Town FC
Thanks to the different ways to save salary on the slate, the option to pay up at defense for security or ‘safe’ points is possible. Enter Luke Thomas of Leicester City FC. Thomas has amassed three shots, five chances created, 12 crosses, two corners, nine tackles, 11 interceptions, and 16 clearances over his last five domestic matches.
As mentioned above, Ipswich Town FC is a bottom-five club in every meaningful metric from a Per 90 viewpoint. Unfortunately, Thomas is not expected to be pressed off the ball very much. However, he is expected to have more opportunities on the ball when joining the attack. For only $4.3K on DraftKings, in a prime matchup, expect Thomas to reach value easily.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Neco Williams (DK $6.2K || FD $13) at West Ham United
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DK $4.6K || FD $13) vs. Nottingham Forest
Corner Takers
- West Ham United: James Ward-Prowse/Jarrod Bowen
- Nottingham Forest: Anthony Elanga
- Brentford FC: Bryan Mbeumo
- Fulham FC: Andreas Pereira
- Leicester City FC: Bilal El Khannouss
- Ipswich Town FC: Julio Enciso
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
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