Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! It has been a while and we are finally here once again. We are here once and for all, the final matchweek of the Group Stage, where dreams are made and fears become reality.
The main slate will kick-off at 3:00 PM EST with the six matches. This will be the hardest slate with a few matches that all of some sort of stake. Dortmund -465 and Ajax -220 are two of the biggest favorites with a few matches looking more like pickems, albeit Vegas’s one-sided bets.
Remember that during the Champions League and Europa League play, things are much messier and goals come from everywhere or nowhere. When betting, it is not as easy to predict as the domestic play, but the heavy favorites typically never disappoint. On that note, let’s jump right into the matchups and their projected players for the day.
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The Kick-Off - UCL Matchweek 6 - Day 1
[H] FC Porto (+175) vs [A] Atletico Madrid (+165): Total: 2 1/2u
Neither club are in the greatest of form, however, Atletico is absent in the offensive department. They continue to run slow-paced forwards and it will not match up well against a Porto side that is looking to at minimum draw to move on to the next round. This will be a do-or-die match for both clubs and one the hosts should pocket.
Expected Outcome: 2-1 Porto
POR:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Oliveira($5.2K)
GPP: Diaz($6.3K), Taremi($6.2K), Otavio($5.5K), Evanlison($4.7), Costa($4.7K), Mario($3.8K)
ATL:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Griezmann($7.3K), Koke($3.4K)
GPP: Cunha($5.6K), Correa($5.9K)
[H] AC Milan (+105) vs [A] Liverpool (+215): Total: 3u
AC Milan continues to struggle in multiple areas of the field and one of them is consistent scoring. It does not help that they will be playing against one of the most dominant teams in Europe right now either, albeit Liverpool conducting a full squad rotation. AC Milan has to win this match to move onto the Knockout Stage and it will surely be a tightly contested match at that.
Expected Outcome: 1-1
ACM:
Cash/GPP:
D: Hernandez($5.4K)
M/F: Bennacer($4.4K)
GPP: Messias($7.1K), Leao($6.5K)
LIV:
Cash/GPP:
G: Alisson($4.5K)
D: Tsimikas($6.5K)
M/F: Morton($3.2K)
GPP: Salah($10K), Origi($7K), Oxlade-Chamerlain($4.8K)
[H] Dortmund (-465) vs [A] Besiktas (+900): Total: 3 1/2u
Both clubs are in horrendous form and this match does not mean anything to either of them. Dortmund will look forward to the Europa League and Besiktas are on a seven-game winless streak that will look to continue here. Dortmund will need to bounce back with a win to conclude their season in the Champions League.
Expected Outcome: 2-0 Dortmund
DOR:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Reus($9.3K)
GPP: Malen($7.4K), Reyna($7.2K), Guerreiro($6.2K), Kobel($5.9K)
BSK:
Cash/GPP:
D: Rosier($3.5K)
M/F: Ghezzal($4.9K)
GPP: Larin($4.5K), Batshuyai($4.1K), Topal($3K)
[H] Ajax (-220) vs [A] Sporting Lisbon (+550): Total: 3o
Yet another match that does not mean anything on the flip side of Group C. Both Ajax and Sporting respectively will be marching on to the Knockout Stage with Ajax securing the group. Each club is also in immense form right now, however, Ajax will hold the advantage after they won the reverse fixture in fashion with a 5-1 battering.
Expected Outcome: 3-1 Ajax
AJA:
Cash/GPP:
D: Tagliafico($5.8K)
M/F: Haller($10.3K), Neres($7.8K), Klaassen($5.6K), Gravenberch($4K)
GPP: Daramy($6K), Onana($5.7K)
LIS:
Cash/GPP:
D: Porro($4.3K)
GPP: Pote($9K), Sarabia($7.1K), Paulinho($6.9K), Nunes($3.6K)
[H] Real Madrid (-105) vs [A] Inter Milan (+215): Total: 2 1/2o
This will be one of the more exciting matches to pay attention to with the top of Group D at stake. Madrid just needs a draw, while Inter needs a win. Both clubs are undefeated in their last six matches and Real Madrid pulled off the reverse fixture. However, Inter Milan will look to instill some confidence when they travel to the Bernabeu.
Expected Outcome: 2-1 Inter Milan
RMA:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Jovic($3.5K), Kroos($7.7K)
GPP: Rodrygo($7.2K), Courtois($5.3K), Camavinga($3.4K)
INT:
Cash/GPP:
G: Handanovic($4.3K)
M/F: Brozovic($4.5K)
GPP: Dzeko($8.9K), Martinez($7.5K), Perisic($6.8K), Dumfries($5K)
[H] Shaktar Donetsk (-185) vs [A] Sheriff Tiraspol (+475): Total: 2 1/2o
Both clubs are coming into this match with almost identical form. However, FC Sheriff has truly shown their potential this season, while Shakhtar has just one goal to their name. With nothing but pride to play for and conditioning, look for Sheriff to end their Champions League campaign with a win.
Expected Outcome: 2-0
SHK:
Cash/GPP:
GPP: Pedrinho($4.6K), Maycon($4.1K), Tete($3.6K)
TIR:
Cash/GPP:
G: Athanasiadis($3.9K)
D: Constanza($3.5K), Cristiano($3.3K)
M/F: Thill($6.1K)
GPP: Traore($4.4K), Velez($3.8K), Yakhshiboev($3.1K)
Expected Corner Takers:
FC Porto: Oliveira/Otavio
Atletico Madrid: Griezmann/Koke
AC Milan: Hernandez/Bennacer
Liverpool: Tsimikas
Dortmund: Reus
Besiktas: Ghezzal
Ajax: Gravenberch
Sporting Lisbon: Pote/Sarabia
Real Madrid: Kroos
Inter Milan: Brozovic
Shakhtar Donetsk: Maycon
Sheriff Tiraspor: Thill
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off! Good luck in all of your contests today!