RADIO
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, 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 Nine! Today's top favorite is Bayern Munich -10000 vs Celtic +2500. I will guide you through this three-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
Radosław Majecki - DK $4.1K || FD $9
Opponent - SL Benfica
Value is unheard of at the goalie position on Day One of Matchweek Nine. This leaves two options, ‘punt’ at goalie or spend up. For the article's sake, spending down will be the route taken. Radosław Majecki has recorded 18 saves and conceded 11 goals in his most recent five matches. Furthermore, AS Monaco, as a whole, has been underperforming and is middle of the pack in both Goals Against Per 90 and Shots Against Per 90.
SL Benfica is not much better in terms of metrics Per 90 this season, struggling to convert chances. If Majecki can click in early, he could set the pace for the goalkeeper position.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Neuer (DK $6K || FD $14), Patricio (DK $5.7K || FD $11)
UCL DFS Forwards
Harry Kane - DK $10.8K || FD $24
Opponent - Celtic FC
When playing ‘CASH’ type contests, it is highly recommended to focus on strikers that have floors over those with high upside. For this slate, that is not entirely possible. This leaves Harry Kane. Kane will be the highest-owned forward-eligible player on the slate. He is projected to have the highest goal-scoring odds as well. In his last five starts in all competitions, he has six goals, 17 shots, two chances created, three crosses, two tackles, and one interception.
Celtic FC is far from being an underperforming defense, although Bayern Munich has proven to be matchup-proof time and time again. It is worth noting that Kane was not present at training on Monday and he may not start. If that is the case, teammates like Thomas Müller (DK $7.5K || FD $14) and Serge Gnabry (DK $8.5K || FD $16) are also viable options.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Retegui (DK $9.5K || FD $18), Pavlidis (DK $8.5K || FD $21)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Lazar Samardzic - DK $7.4K || FD $15
Opponent - Club Brugge
Lazar Samardzic is riding five total points in 30 appearances–eight starts– for Atalanta this season and has not produced a single point since December. In the midfielder’s last five appearances in all competitions–three starts–he has four shots, six chances created, five crosses, six corners, and five tackles. With teammate and striker Ademola Lookman still out, Samardzic is being relied on as the leading set piece taker for the l Nerazzurri.
Luckily, Club Brugge is a bottom-ten club defensively in Champions League play this year. Furthermore, they are a bottom-five club in In-the-Box Shots Against Per 90. Samardzic will get every opportunity to maintain value at a minimum.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Olise (DK $10.2K || FD $22), Kökçü (DK $7K || FD $17)
UCL DFS Defenders
Maxim De Cuyper - DK $5.6K || FD $12
Opponent - Atalanta
Did someone say Club Brugge? Enter, Maxim De Cuyper. The attacking fullback remains a focal point of the visitors’ attack and defense. Throughout his last five Champions League matches, he has six shots, seven chances created, 19 crosses, nine corners, 12 tackles, four interceptions, and four clearances. As mentioned numerous times throughout the Group Stage play, De Cuyper is the set piece taker for Club Brugge, instantly setting him apart from the rest of the defenders on the slate.
This fixture will not be easy, however, Atalanta is far from a strong defense. If De Cuyper can get involved offensively early, there may be no stopping him.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Boey (DK $4.6K || FD $9), Salisu (DK $3.1K || FD $14)
Corner Takers
- SL Benfica: Kökçü/Di Maria
- AS Monaco: Camara/Seghir
- Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Olise
- Celtic FC: Engels
- Atalanta: Samardzic
- Club Brugge: De Cuyper
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
