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 FC Porto -240 vs Shakhtar Donetsk +650. 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
Gregor Kobel - DK $4.3K || FD $10
Opponent - Paris Saint-Germain
Kobel has been anything but terrific lately with 24 saves and 12 goals conceded over his last five domestic matches. However, in the Champions League, he is a completely different player and so is the club. In five Group Stage fixtures, Kobel has 14 saves, three goals conceded, and three clean sheets. Needing a win or draw to win the Group, Kobel will be relied on heavily and he will also be busy with PSG’s high-powered offense constantly knocking at the door.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Pena (DK $5.7K || FD $12), Maignan (DK $4.2K || FD $9)
UCL DFS Forwards
Antoine Griezmann - DK $10.3K || FD $24
Opponent - Lazio
Griezmann remains integral to Atletico despite the rumors of him potentially leaving. In his last five domestic fixtures, he has two goals, two assists, 10 shots, nine created chances, 25 crosses, 18 corners, four tackles, four interceptions, and two clearances. The Frenchman easily has the best value and ceiling at his position due to his role on set-pieces as a striker. He is also playing in one of the better matchups. Lazio needs a win to win Group E, however, if Atletico wins or draws, they will secure the Group.
Christian Pulisic - DK $8.6K || FD $16
Opponent - Newcastle United
After a brief stint out of the lineup, Pulisic returned in a much-needed way. In his five domestic matches since, he has a goal, two assists, eight shots, eight created chances, 13 crosses, seven corners, three tackles, and an interception. Pulisic shares set-pieces with teammate Theo Hernandez and the former also has open-play value playing as a winger in a 4-3-3. As one of the primary catalysts for the Rossoneri, Pulisic is expected to be involved early. Especially considering that both Newcastle and AC Milan need to win and PSG to lose to remain in the Champions League.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Felix (DK $9.8K || FD $20), Evanilson (DK $6.9K || FD $20)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Julian Brandt - DK $8K || FD $19
Opponent - Paris Saint-Germain
Despite Brandt only having a single point in four Champions League matches in the Group Stage, the midfielder has been producing. In that timeframe, he has a goal, six shots, 11 created chances, 19 crosses, 17 corners, three tackles, and six clearances. The midfielder/winger hybrid has been doing it all for the die Schwarzgelben. The hosts only need to draw to secure the Group. Being on set pieces, expect Brandt to constantly be involved in setting an optimal floor.
Luis Alberto - DK $6.9K || FD $18
Opponent - Atletico Madrid
As mentioned above, Lazio needs a win to secure their group title and Alberto is the primary playmaker for the visitors. In his last five domestic matches, he has 11 shots, seven created chances, 27 crosses, 17 corners, four tackles, an interception, and a clearance. In his five Champions League fixtures, he has an assist, 10 shots, 15 created chances, 32 crosses, 25 corners, two tackles, six interceptions, and two clearances. Alberto brings his best in the European competition. With a Group title on the line, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to reach double-digit fantasy points.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Stengs (DK $7.3K || FD $18), Vitinha (DK $6.5K || FD $13)
UCL DFS Defenders
Kieran Trippier - DK $7.8K || FD $14
Opponent - AC Milan
Trippier is suspended for the next domestic match due to yellow card accumulation setting him up to start in the final Group Stage match. In his prior five Champions League appearances, he has an assist, two shots, five created chances, 37 crosses, 19 corners, nine tackles, five interceptions, and 12 clearances. As previously mentioned, both Newcastle and AC Milan need wins and a PSG loss to remain in the UCL. Trippier has been a major catalyst for the Magpies thus far and he will continue in that role in a much-needed home win.
Zaidu Sanusi - DK $3.8K || FD $12
Opponent - Shakhtar Donetsk
Sanusi has been a fill-in at defense for FC Porto and he is expected to make his fourth Group Stage appearance here. The fullback has three shots, one created chance, six crosses, a corner, three tackles, four interceptions, and four clearances in his three appearances thus far. The hosts have proven that they can keep Shakhtar at bay in the reverse fixture where they won 3-1. With a Group title on the line, expect Sanusi and company to push the perimeter all match.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hernandez (DK $5.1K || FD $14), Christensen (DK $3.5K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Atletico Madrid: Griezmann
- Lazio: Alberto
- Celtic: O’Riley
- Feyenoord: Stengs
- Borussia Dortmund: Brandt
- Paris Saint-Germain: Vitinha/Mbappe
- Newcastle United: Trippier
- AC Milan: Pulisic/Hernandez
- FC Porto: Eustaquio
- Shakhtar Donetsk: Sudakov/Zubkov
- Royal Antwerp: Wijndal/Ejuke
- FC Barcelona: Felix/Pedri
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
