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. Will an English club take home the coveted Champions League final on home turf?
The top favorite this week is Manchester United -310 vs FC Copenhagen +800. I will guide you through this five-match slate starting at 3:00 P.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.
UCL DFS Goalies
Goalies
Alex Remiro - DK $4.4K || FD $8
Opponent - SL Benfica
After two matches played by all clubs in the Champions League this season, this slate is full of unknowns, especially at the goalkeeper position. Remiro and the rest of Real Sociedad have been as steady as they come though. In La Liga with goalies who have played at least five matches this season – 21 –, Remiro is the ninth-best in Goals Conceded Per 90 – 1.2 –, he is the fifth-best at In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90 – 2.5 – and the seventh-best in Shots Saved Per 90 – 3.8 –. Benfica has struggled against top sides even in Liga Portugal and after being blanked by a similar defense named Inter Milan, another low-scoring affair is on the books for this encounter.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Raya (DK $5.4K || FD $11), Ronnow (DK $4.3K || FD $9)
UCL DFS Forwards
Bukayo Saka - DK $9.5K || FD $20
Opponent - Sevilla FC
After a shocking 2-1 defeat at the hands of RC Lens before the International Break, Arsenal is due for a big bounce-back performance, especially considering they have won 1-0 against Manchester City and drawn 2-2 at Chelsea since. In Saka’s two performances in the UCL, he has 1 goal, 2 assists, 1 shot, 4 created chances, 2 crosses, 2 corners and 2 tackles. Saka’s lack of peripherals is concerning, however, he has proven time and time again that he can be trusted whether he makes the score sheet or not.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hojlund (DK $7.2K || FD $20), Politano (DK $6.3K || FD $16)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes - DK $9.4K || FD $22
Opponent - FC Copenhagen
Manchester United is barely surviving after dropping their first two matches of the Group Stage and are desperate for a win. Throughout the midfielder’s first two appearances of the UCL this season, he has 1 assist, 7 shots, 3 created chances, 14 crosses, 9 corners, 4 tackles and 4 clearances and over his last five domestic matches, he has 1 goal, 1 assist, 14 shots, 13 created chances, 38 crosses, 24 corners, 6 tackles, 4 interceptions and 8 clearances. So far in Group Stage play, FC Copenhagen is the third-worst in Crosses Against Per 90 and the sixth-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90. If one played is to dig out the Red Devils, it will be the midfield maestro, Bruno Fernandes.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Bellingham (DK $9.7K || FD $23), Veerman (DK $6.8K || FD $14)
UCL DFS Defenders
Christopher Trimmel - DK $5.7K || FD $9
Opponent - SSC Napoli
After sliding into fourth place to end the season last year, Union Berlin’s start to this season has taken a full 180. In their last eight matches in all competitions, they are 0-8 and have been outscored 5 to 19 and when breaking it down by home and away splits, they are 0-4 in that time frame while being outscored 2 to 11. Trimmel has yet to play in the Champions League this year, but in his last five domestic appearances, he has 1 assist, 10 created chances, 49 crosses, 18 corners, 3 tackles, 5 interceptions and 9 clearances. With Josip Juranovic most likely out for another match – missed the Stuttgart clash at the weekend –, Trimmel will be the sole set-piece taker, providing immense value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Zinchenko (DK $4.1K || FD $9), Reguilon (DK $3.5K || FD $10)
Corner Takers
- Manchester United: Fernandes
- FC Copenhagen: Goncalves
- Sevilla FC: Rakitic
- Arsenal: Saka
- RC Lens: Thomasson/Frankowski
- PSV Eindhoven: Veerman/Bakayoko
- SC Braga: R. Horta/Pizzi
- Real Madrid: Modric
- FC Union Berlin: Trimmel
- SSC Napoli: Politano/Zielinski
- SL Benfica: Kokcu/Mario
- Real Sociedad: Kubo/Mendez
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
