UCL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (11/26/24) - Champions League Soccer Matchweek 5

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 and the International Break prior to that, squad rotation is inevitable!  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 Five! Today's top favorite is FC Barcelona -800 vs Stade Brestois +1600. 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

Franco Israel - DK $4.6K || FD $9

Opponent - Arsenal

Franco Israel continues to stay strong in between the sticks with 16 saves, two conceded goals, and two clean sheets in four Champions League appearances this season. Coming off a 4-1 win over Premier League giants Manchester City is a significant feat for the Leões. Now, they will face another Premier League test with Arsenal. 

Arsenal are coming off an expected 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Forest keeper Mats Sels recorded three saves and three conceded goals in that fixture. Sporting is known for its defensive prowess and will be a more challenging test for Arsenal than Nottingham Forest. Expect Israel to concede one goal and make four saves.                                                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Peña (DK $6K || FD $14), Donnarumma (DK $4.3K || FD $8)

UCL DFS Forwards

Raphinha - DK $11K || FD $23

Opponent - Stade Brestois

Raphinha has been possessed so far this season. The forward has eight goals, six assists through 14 appearances in domestic play and five goals and two assists in four appearances in the Champions League or UCL. In his last five appearances in all competitions, he has four goals, two assists, 14 shots, ten created chances, 22 crosses, 21 corners, one tackle, one interception, and four clearances.

Stade Brestois is out of form coming into this match, having lost their last two away fixtures, most notably a 3-1 loss to Montpellier, the bottom of Ligue One. The visitors are a bottom-ten club in all meaningful metrics against Per 90 this season and are the third-worst in Big Chances Created Against Per 90. This sets up Raphinha for a ceiling performance, making him a viable play in both ‘CASH’ and ‘GPP’ formats.                   

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dembélé (DK $8.9K || FD $20), Lookman (DK $7.6K || FD $20)

UCL DFS Midfielders

Hakan Çalhanoğlu- DK $7.1K || FD $20

Opponent - RB Leipzig

After missing another match due to injury, Hakan Çalhanoğlu is expected to return to Inter Milan's starting XI. The set-piece taker has two goals, 11 shots, six created chances, 14 crosses, 12 corners, five tackles, five interceptions, and five clearances in his last five appearances–four starts–in all competitions.

RB Leipzig is in arguably its worst form of the season so far, dropping three of its last four matches in all competitions, most notably a 0-0 draw against Borussia Mgladbach and a 4-3 loss at Hoffenheim this weekend. Prior to this poor run of form, it was a top-eight club defensively. Can it return to form, or will a reinvigorated Inter Milan barry the Germans further?                                                                     

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Foden (DK $10.6K || FD $21), Pote (DK $5.5K || FD $18)

UCL DFS Defenders

Álex Grimaldo - DK $6.1K || FD $15

Opponent - Red Bull Salzburg

Álex Grimaldo continues to shine for Bayern Leverkusen. The wingback now has eight shots, 16 created chances, 34 crosses, 17 corners, five tackles, three interceptions, and nine clearances throughout his most recent five fixtures in all competitions. A once prominent Red Bull Salzburg has seen one of its most significant drops in form from one season to another. A typical leader in the Austrian Bundesliga, the visitors barely survive in the league's top half. This is primarily a result of their poor offensive performances.

Salzburg remains a strong defensive unit despite its offensive inefficiencies, limiting opponents to two goals or less. However, they have yet to meet a strong and consistent club like Bayern Leverkusen. Grimaldo is the primary set-piece taker for the hosts, and he joins the majority of the attacks from the flank. He is set for a floor game at a minimum, with a ceiling performance not out of the question.                                                        

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Bellanova (DK $6.3K || FD $11), Dimarco (DK $5.7K || FD $13)

Corner Takers

• FC Barcelona: Raphinha
• Stade Brestois: Del Castillo
• Bayern Leverkusen: Grimaldo/Garcia
• Red Bull Salzburg: Gloukh
• Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Olise
• Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé
• Inter Milan: Çalhanoğlu/Dimarco
• Red Bull Leipzig: Kampl
• SL Benfica: Di Maria/Kökçü
• Manchester City: Foden/De Bruyne
• Feyenoord Rotterdam: Paixão/In-Beom
• SCP: Pote
• Arsenal: Saka
• BSC Young Boys: Ugrinic
• Atlanta: Lookman

Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!

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