UCL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (11/27/24) - Champions League Soccer Matchweek 5 - Day Two

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, Day Two! Today's top favorite is PSV Eindhoven -240 vs Shakhtar Donetsk +600. 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

Lucas Chevalier - DK $4.6K || FD $10

Opponent - Bologna

Finding value at the goalkeeper position is not necessarily cut and dry today. However, Lucas Chevalier offers an attempt. The goalie has 13 saves, four conceded goals, and two clean sheets in his last five appearances in all competitions. The primary concern for Chevalier is the potential lack of saves.

Bologna is a mid-table team in Serie A, and its metrics per 90 back it up. Furthermore, Lille remains a top-five club in Ligue One, and its metrics against Per 90 also back it up. Therefore, Chevalier is still expected to make saves. However, if he concedes at all, he may not reach value.                                                                 

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Benitez (DK $6K || FD $14), Perin (DK $4.5K || FD $9)

UCL DFS Forwards

Johan Bakayoko - DK $9.4K || FD $20

Opponent - Shakhtar Donetsk

Unlike yesterday, there are no true set-piece takers who are forward-eligible. This pushes selection more toward open-play value in good matchups. Enter Johan Bakayoko of PSV Eindhoven. The winger has one goal, one assist, 14 shots, eight created chances, 16 crosses, four tackles, two interceptions, and one clearance in his last five Champions League and Euros fixtures.

Shakhtar Donetsk is in good form and won their last UCL match, albeit against BSC Young Boys, who just lost at home 6-1 to Atalanta yesterday. Meanwhile, PSV is surging. The hosts have won by at least three goals in four of their last five fixtures in all competitions, including a 4-0 win versus Girona in the Champions League. Bakayoko is expected to score at least one point, three shots, two created chances, and three crosses.                  

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Beier (DK $7.8K || FD $14), Conceição (DK $5.6K || FD $17)

UCL DFS Midfielders

Julian Brandt - DK $5.9K || FD $15

Opponent - Dinamo Zagreb

Like Mateo Retegui or Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta yesterday, Julian Brandt is the next best value play. The attacking midfielder is expected to oversee most set pieces for Dortmund with teammate and fellow midfielder Pascal Groß expected not to start. In Brandt’s most recent five fixtures in all competitions, he has one goal, nine shots, nine created chances, 15 crosses, six corners, three tackles, and four interceptions. 

Dinamo Zagreb is similar to the above Shakhtar Donetsk. They are playing well enough in their respective domestic leagues; however, can this translate to the Champions League against ‘higher’ caliber clubs? Dortmund is not in the best of form either. Despite it all, Brandt is under $6K on DraftKings in a prime role for his club, making him a top-value play on the slate.                                                              

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Tillman (DK $7.4K || FD $21), Zhegrova (DK $6.4K || FD $17)

UCL DFS Defenders

Maxim De Cuyper - DK $6.6K || FD $13

Opponent - Celtic

Maxim De Cuyper is a clear ‘lock’ on the slate today. The wingback is the set piece taker for Club Brugge, and in his four Champions League fixtures this season, he has four shots, eight created chances, 23 crosses, 11 corners, five tackles, five interceptions, and three clearances. Celtic will not be an easy match with the Scottish club in top form this season. However, De Cuyper’s chances of producing a valuable enough floor are some of the highest on the slate.

Despite his salary being the highest at the defender position, he remains the clear number one when building lineups. Add in his ability to attack from the flank and he becomes an all-around wingback that can provide value at both ends of the pitch.                                                          

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Alexander-Arnold (DK $5.5K || FD $5), Dams (DK $3.4K || FD $11)

Corner Takers

• Aston Villa: Tielemans
• Juventus: Koopmeiners/Yildiz
• Bologna: Miranda/Orsollini
• Lille: Zhegrova
• Celtic: Engels
• Club Brugge: De Cuyper
• Dinamo Zagreb: Baturina
• Borussia Dortmund: Brandt
• PSV Eindhoven: Tillman
• Shakhtar Donetsk: Sudakov
• Liverpool: Alexander-Arnold/Robertson
• Real Madrid: Modric
• AS Monaco: Camara/Akliouche
• SL Benfica: Di Maria

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

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