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Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 24-25 Champions League season! We are back with our third Matchweek of the Champions League season! Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances. Can Borussia Dortmund make back-to-back appearances in the final? Can Bayern Munich make their long-awaited return to the Champions Lounge? For that and more, make sure to use Rotoballer as your one-stop shop for the Champions League season!
With many value options at the midfield position, today offers the chance to pay up for premium forwards without having to sacrifice your lineup. The top favorite this week is Arsenal -1150 vs Shakhtar Donetsk +2500. I will guide you through this seven-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 X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
UCL DFS Goalies
Dominik Takác - DK $3.7K || FD $8
Opponent - Girona FC
There are a few options to consider in terms of value at the goalie position for Day One of Matchweek Three for the Champions League. Dominick Takác has the potential to be the ‘Goalie Of The Slate' thanks to his premium matchup at Estadi Montilivi. The hosts are averaging one goal Per 90 over their last five home fixtures and have been shutout twice in that time frame.
ŠK Slovan Bratislava is not playing stellar defense, however, Girona’s lack of goal scoring and average shot output sets Takác up well for an optimal performance. As the second-most ‘affordable’ expected starting goalie on the slate, he will have every opportunity to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Raya (DK $6K || FD $14), Kobel (DK $4.3K || FD $9)
UCL DFS Forwards
Ousmane Dembélé - DK $10.4K || FD $21
Opponent - PSV Eindhoven
With Bukayo Saka (DK $11K || FD $22) potentially not starting or being completely out in Arsenal’s match against Shakhtar Donetsk, Dembélé is the only other forward-eligible option and offers a ‘safe’ floor. The French winger is PSG’s only other set piece taker outside of teammate and midfielder Lee Kang-In (DK $8.6K || FD $17).
In Dembélé’s last five matches–four starts–including Champions League play, he has three goals, two assists, 24 shots, 14 created chances, 26 crosses, nine corners, and two tackles. In the Eredivisie, PSV Eindhoven is playing well over their last five fixtures, and their strength of schedule helps tenfold. However, in their match against ‘stronger’ competition–Juventus–they lost 3-1 at Allianz Stadium. As the fourth-most ‘expensive’ forward on the slate, the winger will still garner north of 40 percent ownership.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Martinelli (DK $6.1K || FD $17), Catamo (DK $4.8K || FD $13)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Douglas Luiz - DK $3.2K || FD $12
Opponent - VfB Stuttgart
After being a key cog to the machine with Aston Villa, Douglas Luiz has been a dispensible midfielder at Juventus. The box-to-box midfielder has only started twice in nine potential matches all season, with the most recent match coming at the weekend. In his last five fixtures–one start–including the Champions League, he has four shots, six created chances, eight crosses, seven corners, five tackles, and one interception.
With teammate Teun Koopmeiners out, Luiz and possibly teammate and defender Andre Cambiaso–mentioned below–will be in charge of set pieces. This instantly makes Douglas Luis a ‘lock’ on the slate due to his potential ‘floor’ at almost minimum salary on DraftKings.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tielemans (DK $6.4K || FD $18), Groß (DK $5.8K || FD $13)
UCL DFS Defenders
Andrea Cambiaso - DK $4.8K || FD $14
Opponent - VfB Stuttgart
As mentioned above, Teun Koopmeiners is out, and Andrea Cambiaso and Douglas Luiz are now in charge of Juventus' set pieces. Furthermore, depending on the formation, Cambiaso may slot in at the winger position, increasing his potential ‘ceiling’. In his last five fixtures–four starts–including the Champions League, he has one assist, one shot, nine created chances, 15 crosses, two corners, 12 tackles, and two interceptions.
If Luiz does not start, Cambiaso becomes a ‘lock’, especially for ‘CASH’ contests and his position within the formation will ultimately set his ownership. In what is expected to be a close encounter, the wingback has the opportunity to produce on both ends of the pitch.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): White (DK $5.7K || FD $10), Digne (DK $5.7K || FD $14)
Corner Takers
- Aston Villa: Tielemans
- Bologna: Moro/Urbanski
- Girona FC: Danjuma
- ŠK Slovan Bratislava: Tolić/Mak
- Juventus: Luiz/Cambiaso
- VfB Stuttgart: Rieder/Stiller
- Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé
- PSV Eindhoven: Bakayoko/Tillman
- SK Sturm Graz: Horvat
- Sporting CP: Catamo/Trincão
- Arsenal: Rice
- Shakhtar Donetsk: Sudakov
- Real Madrid: Modric
- Borussia Dortmund: Groß
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
