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!
Let’s kick off Matchweek Four, Day Two! Today's top favorite is Manchester City -1300 vs. Sparta Prague +3500. 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.
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UCL DFS Goalies
Ivan Nevistic - DK $3.7K || FD $9
Opponent - RB Salzburg
Similar to yesterday’s slate, the objective is to find a goalie with a ‘safe’ floor in a shot-heavy matchup. Ivan Nevistic ticks those boxes. GNK Dinamo Zagreb has struggled defensively this season, and in their last ten matches, excluding friendlies, they have recorded one shutout. Nevistic is also averaging 1.5 Saves Per 90 in that timeframe.
RB Salzburg has been inconsistent at best. In their last ten matches, they have been held scoreless in four and held to one goal in five. As long as Dinamo's backline can stand firm and offer support to Nevistic, the keeper will have the opportunity to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Sommer (DK $5.8K || FD $13), Gulácsi (DK $4.2K || FD $9)
UCL DFS Forwards
Igor Paixão - DK $4.6K || FD $19
Opponent - SL Benfica
Forwards Antoine Griezmann and Raphinha, mentioned in ‘Others To Consider’, will both be ‘go-to’ ‘locks’ at the forward position, especially in ‘CASH’ contests. This could bode well for those who play winger Igor Paixão of Feyenoord. Paixão has started to pull away from teammate and midfielder Hwang In-Beom (DK $7.1K || FD $) as the primary set piece taker. In Paixão’s two Champions League fixtures, he has one assist, two shots, five created chances, five crosses, three corners, three tackles, and one block.
Benfica is not an easy opponent, especially when traveling to Estadio da Luz. However, for under $5K on DraftKings and a big role on set pieces, the winger is expected to exceed value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Griezmann (DK $9.8K || FD $21), Raphinha (DK $9.2K || FD $20)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Angel Di Maria - DK $9K || FD $18
Opponent - Feyenoord Rotterdam
There are plenty of options at the midfield position on this slate, although Angel Di Maria stands out the most due to his monopoly on set pieces and open-play value. The winger, in his two Champions League fixtures, has one goal, five shots, five created chances, five crosses, two corners, three tackles, and one interception.
Feyenoord is not a strong club defensively, and despite offering a challenge, Di Maria is expected to produce double-digit fantasy points.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Foden (DK $10.8K || FD $23), Zhegrova (DK $5.7K || FD $14)
UCL DFS Defenders
Federico Dimarco - DK $5.7K || FD $13
Opponent - BSC Young Boys
Teammate and midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu is out for this meeting against Young Boys with a thigh injury, leaving Federico Dimarco in charge of all set pieces. If Dimarco does start, it will be his first Champions League fixture of the season. In his most recent five domestic fixtures, he has one goal, one assist, 11 shots, 14 created chances, 51 crosses, 18 corners, three tackles, one interception, six clearances, and two blocks.
Inter Milan are expected to set up in a 3-5-2 formation, placing Dimarco on the wing. This will unlock his full skill set as an attacking wingback on the flank. Expect for the defender to exceed value quickly. At his salary, he will see north of 40 percent ownership, making him an essential ‘lock’, especially in ‘CASH’ contests.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Lewis (DK $5.3K || FD $13), Guindo (DK $3.8K || FD $5)
Corner Takers
- Atletico Madrid: Griezmann
- Lille: Zhegrova
- FC Barcelona: Raphinha
- Bayern Munich: Olise/Kimmich
- SL Benfica: Di Maria/Kökçü
- Feyenoord Rotterdam: Paixão/In-Beom
- Red Bull Salzburg: Gloukh
- Dinamo Zagreb: Baturina
- Manchester City: Foden/Gündogan
- Sparta Prague: Birmancevic/Karinen
- Red Bull Leipzig: Simons
- Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold/Robertson
- BSC Young Boys: Ugrinic
- Inter Milan: Dimarco
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!