RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 24-25 Champions League season! The Champions League is back, and with domestic play at the weekend, it could lead to potential rotation! 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!
Let’s kick off Matchweek Four, Day Two! Today's top favorite is FC Barcelona -450 at Crvena Zvezda +1100. 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
Jan Oblak - DK $4.1K || FD $8
Opponent - Paris Saint-Germain
Value at the goalie position is few and far between on this slate, with Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid making another appearance in the article. The veteran keeper has struggled this season with 11 saves, six goals conceded, and one clean sheet in his last five starts in all competitions. He has eight saves and eight goals conceded in his three starts in the Champions League or UCL.
Paris Saint-Germain or PSG, will be the most challenging opponent he has faced in the UCL. The French giants are leading Ligue One. Despite their offensive prowess, clubs like Feyenoord Rotterdam have held them to under two goals in their matches. Considering that Atletico Madrid is known for its defensive play, as long as the backline can mitigate box entry, Oblak is expected to reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Peña (DK $5.9K || FD $14), Blaswich (DK $3.9K || FD $8)
UCL DFS Forwards
Raphinha - DK $10.2K || FD $23
Opponent - Crvena Zvezda
Raphinha will be the first player in every lineup on the slate, no matter the contest. The striker and winger has five goals, four assists, 12 shots, 18 created chances, 16 crosses, 15 corners, ten tackles, one interception, and four clearances throughout his last five fixtures in all competitions. Drilling down to his three UCL matches, he has four goals, one assist, ten shots, nine created chances, 11 crosses, eight corners, four tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance.
Crvena Zvezda, or Red Star Belgrade, is in terrific form in Mozzart Bet Superliga but is one of the worst clubs to start the 2024-2025 Champions League campaign. In three matches, they have been outscored 11-2. With Raphinha and Barca dominating opponents lately, expect the winger to quickly surpass value in a match Barcelona is projected to dominate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dembélé (DK $9K || FD $21), Paixão (DK $6.8K || FD $20)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Romain Del Castillo - DK $4.6K || FD $14
Opponent - Sparta Praha
There are a few optimal midfielders on the slate for Day Two of the Champions League; however, Romain Del Castillo projects to be one of the top value plays. His role on set pieces for Brest provides him with the floor required, and his open-play value sets up a potential ceiling.
Sparta Praha is in less than optimal form, dropping four of their last five matches in 1. Liga to the top third of the table. Their only domestic win came against Slovan Liberec who sit at the bottom of the table. Despite being at the Etihad, they also conceded five goals to Manchester City in Matchweek Four. Nevertheless, Del Castillo is expected to maintain value for under $5K on DraftKings in an optimal matchup. In his last five appearances in all competitions– four starts–he has one goal, one assist, four shots, 13 created chances, 23 crosses, six corners, eight tackles, and three interceptions.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Çalhanoğlu (DK $6.5K || FD $18), Rieder (DK $4.2K || FD $14)
UCL DFS Defenders
Kenny Lala - DK $3.5K || FD $12
Opponent - Sparta Praha
Kenny Lala will make a case as a ‘lock’ of the slate, similar to the Raphinha above. In his last five appearances in all competitions, Lala has two shots, five created chances, 19 crosses, three corners, ten tackles, seven interceptions, eight clearances, and one block. Four of the fixtures were starts. Analyzing his three starts in the Champions League, he has two shots, four created chances, 12 crosses, two tackles, three interceptions, seven clearances, and one block.
Lala does, at times, provide set piece value; however, teammate Romain Del Castillo is expected to start and will be in charge of all set pieces for the French side. Lala’s value comes from his open play on the flank or wing. He is an attacking-minded fullback, and he will cross until he cannot cross any longer, providing a very safe floor at a low cost.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Mittelstädt (DK $3.9K || FD $15), Bueno (DK $3.1K || FD $10)
Corner Takers
- FC Barcelona: Raphinha
- Crvena Zvezda: Elsnik
- Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Olise
- SL Benfica: Di Maria/Kökçü
- Feyenoord Rotterdam: Paixão/In-Beom
- Red Bull Salzburg: Gloukh
- Inter Milan: Çalhanoğlu/Dimarco
- Arsenal: Saka
- Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé
- Atletico Madrid: Griezmann
- Sparta Praha: Kairinen
- Stade Brestois: Del Castillo
- Vfb Stutgart: Rieder/Millot
- Atalanta: Lookman
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
