RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances. Will an English club take home the coveted Champions League final on home turf? Unlike the majority of slates where this article is more cash-centric, this slate is going to dive deep into GPP territory.
The top favorite this week is Bayern Munich -460 vs FC Copenhagen +1100. I will guide you through this six-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
Alexander Schlager - DK $3.9K || FD $8
Opponent - Real Sociedad
Despite Schlager being both the away and underdog keeper, he is one of the top value plays on the slate. The veteran has made save after save so far in this Champions League and he is the single reason that RB Salzburg has stood a chance in most of their matches. In four starts he has 15 saves, four goals conceded, and one clean sheet. Real Sociedad are in very good form, however, their goal-to-shot conversion can be very poor at times. For under $4K salary on DraftKings, Schlager is easily worth a shot.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Matheus (DK $5.1K || FD $10), Sommer (DK $4.6K || FD $11)
UCL DFS Forwards
Leroy Sane - DK $10.1K || FD $21
Opponent - FC Copenhagen
The times of Kimmich are a changing and it is moving slowly in Leroy Sane’s favor. Over the last handful of fixtures in all competitions, Sane has started to slowly eat into Kimmich’s set pieces. This makes Sane extremely valuable in both ‘CASH’ and ‘GPP’ builds. He not only holds a minority stake in set pieces, but he still holds open play value as well and is one of the primary feeders to goal-scoring king, Harry Kane. In a match that is expecting to see plenty of goals in Bayern’s favor, Sane is a MUST in ‘CASH’ builds.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Saka (DK $10.5K || FD $22), Di Maria (DK $6.5K || FD $16)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Rodrigo Zalazar - DK $5.7K || FD $13
Opponent - Union Berlin
Zalazar looks to have potentially taken over set pieces for Sporting Braga and at his salary range on DraftKings, it screams VALUE. In four appearances – three starts – in the UCL, the midfielder has an assist, three shots, seven created chances, 15 crosses, 12 corners, seven tackles, two clearances, and a block. He offers a bit of everything and in what could lead up to being a ‘boring’ match, the peripheral floor will come into play.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Bellingham (DK $9.6K || FD $23), Kubo (DK $7.7K || FD $16)
UCL DFS Defenders
Christopher Trimmel - DK $6.6K || FD $11
Opponent - Sporting Braga
On the other side of the pitch is Christopher Trimmel and the Union Berlin squad. Defender is a landmine at best this slate and you will need to either pay up for a floor or pay down for salary at other positions. If playing safe though, Trimmel is the man. Throughout his last five fixtures in domestic play – four starts – he has three shots, eight created chances, 50 crosses, 16 corners, three tackles, an interception, and nine clearances. His open-play value alone will do wonders, averaging 10 crosses in his last five appearances. With Union Berlin most likely playing from behind, expect Trimmel to be whipping in crosses from left, right, and center.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dedic (DK $3.5K || FD $12), de Vrij (DK $3K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Sane
- FC Copenhagen: Goncalves
- Arsenal: Saka
- RC Lens: Thomasson/Frankowski
- Real Madrid: Modric/Bellingham
- SSC Napoli: Politano/Zielinski
- SC Braga: Zalazar
- FC Union Berlin: Trimmel
- SL Benfica: Kokcu/Mario
- Inter Milan: Calhanoglu
- Real Sociedad: Kubo
- RB Salzburg: Gloukh
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
