Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to season 23-24! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have taken big steps this offseason to boost their cup chances. Will an English club win the coveted Champions League final at home?
The big favorite this week is Manchester City -1800 against Crvena Zvezda +4100. I’ll walk you through this list of six matches starting at 3:00 p.m. EST.
If you have any questions about today’s agenda, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, feel free to email me at [email protected], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
UCL DFS Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart – NSP $3.9K || FD$8
Opponent – Feyenoord
The confused looks are already starting and the article has just started. Many will be discouraged by Feyenoord’s good performances recently, winning by a combined score of 17-3 in their last three domestic matches – Almere City, FC Utrecht and Heerenveen -. However, the first two clubs mentioned are both bottom of the Eredivisie, with only Heerenveen having a ‘worthwhile’ victory. Celtic, on the other hand, are also unbeaten in the league and have also lost their only competitive match in the Cup – 1-0 at Kilmarnock –. However, they are coming off a huge 1-0 away win against rivals Rangers FC. With plenty of big names to pay to open the Champions League campaign 23-24, Hart offers plenty of salary relief with the potential to put in a big performance.
Others to consider (CASH/GPP): ter Stegen ($5.9k DK || $13 FD), Costa ($5.4k DK || $10 FD)
UCL DFS Forwards
Julian Alvarez – DK $8.1K || FD$22
Opponent – Red Star Zvezda
This is a MUST in all competitions. Alvarez has mostly taken over set-pieces for Manchester City with teammate Kevin de Bruyne on the mend from an injury early in the season. In his first five national appearances this season, he has 2 goals, 3 assists, 16 shots, 16 chances created, 30 crosses, 17 corners, 3 tackles and 1 interception. The Citizens are expected to score at least three goals on their home Champions League debut and expect Alvarez to play an important role.
Others to consider (CASH/GPP): Dembele ($10.2K DK || $21 FD), Griezmann ($9.3K DK || $19 FD)
Midfielder UCL DFS
Ivan Jaime – NSP $3.9K || FD$6
Opponent – Shakhtar Donetsk
At every position there are plenty of big names to pay for, as mentioned above, and there are places where it will be mandatory to pay for salary relief. Jaime is the “perfect” place to do just that. The winger has taken the bulk of the set pieces in recent times for FC Porto and the same is to be expected here. In just two national matches this season – 1 start – he has 2 shots, 14 crosses, 8 corners and 2 tackles. Although FC Porto are playing away, they remain favorites and Jaime should see plenty of opportunities on the flank.
Others to consider (CASH/GPP): Stengs ($8.4K DK || $17 FD), Gundogan ($6.9K DK || $18 FD)
UCL DFS Defenders
Alistair Johnston – NSP $3.1k || FD$7
Opponent – Feyenoord
Yes, Kyle Walker is only $400 more on DraftKings and everyone is wondering why he isn’t the star defender instead of Johnston. In Walker’s first five national appearances this season he has 2 shots, 7 chances created, 13 crosses, 6 tackles, 1 interception and 5 clearances and in three national appearances for Johnston he has 2 shots, 11 crosses, 2 tackles and 1 interception. . In reality, either winger is worth the play and maybe both are… hint, hint. To conclude, Johnston is more involved at both ends of the pitch for Celtic than Walker who is relied upon to hold down Manchester City’s back line.
Others to consider (CASH/GPP): Geertruida ($4.6K DK || $14 FD), Walker ($3.5K DK || $8 FD)
Corner takers
- Feyenoord: Stengs/Paixao
- Celtic: O’Riley
- Lazio: Alberto
- Atlético Madrid: Griezmann
- Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé
- Dortmund: Brandt
- Manchester City: Alvarez/Foden
- Red Star: Kanga/Bukari
- FC Barcelona: Gundogan
- Royal Antwerp: Balikwisha/Vermeeren
- Shakhtar Donetsk: Zubkov
- FC Porto: Jaime/Galeno
Thank you for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all your competitions today!
More betting choices and DFS