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 Napoli -230 vs SC Braga +550. 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.
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UCL DFS Goalies
Alex Remiro - DK $3.8K || FD $8
Opponent - Inter Milan
With both Inter Milan and Real Sociedad in need of a win to take Group D, Remiro is in for a busy match. In the last five domestic appearances for the keeper, he has 11 saves, 4 goals conceded and 1 clean sheet and in his five Group Stage matches in the Champions League, he has 8 saves, 2 goals conceded and 3 clean sheets. It is no surprise Remiro does so well as Real Sociedad has one of the better defenses in La Liga this season and they are known for their defensive play style. Going up against one of the powerhouses of Italy, Inter Milan, Remiro is expected to have a relatively optimal floor.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kepa (DK $5.4K || FD $13), Schlager (DK $4.2K || FD $9)
UCL DFS Forwards
Leroy Sane - DK $9.6K || FD $20
Opponent - Manchester United
Unlike the last Champions League match, Sane is expected to start here. In the winger’s last five domestic fixtures, he has 2 goals, 6 assists, 14 shots, 26 created chances, 27 crosses, 21 corners, 4 tackles and 2 interceptions and in his five Group Stage matches in the Champions League – four starts –, he has 1 goal, 1 assist, 13 shots, 9 created chances, 14 crosses, 8 corners and 4 tackles. Unexpectedly, Bayern has been held to moderate performances throughout the Group Stage, limiting Sane’s potential. Although, he has another matchup against Manchester United. In their first meeting in Munich, Sane had 1 goal, 4 shots, 3 created chances, 2 crosses, 2 corners and 1 tackle. That happened to be one of his most productive performances of the Group Stage. Furthermore, United is clueless when it comes to defending in the box, ranking as the fourth-worst at In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90 and the second-worst at Goals Against Per 90 – throughout Group Stage play –. Sane and company will have a multitude of opportunities to bury United’s chances of any further European competitions.
Matteo Politano - DK $8.6K || FD $17
Opponent - SC Braga
With many futures on the line in this gameweek, matches will be played much harder, making it more difficult to find goal scorers. This leads to Matteo Politano who is not a primary goal scorer, but more of a peripheral winger who occasionally sets up a goal. Over Politano’s most recent five fixtures in Serie A, he has 11 shots, 14 created chances, 21 crosses, 8 corners, 2 tackles and 2 interceptions and in his five Group Stage matches, he has 1 goal, 9 shots, 8 created chances, 16 crosses, 11 corners, 1 tackle and 1 clearance. Politano does take a share of the set-pieces for Napoli too and he has the open-play value over teammate Piotr Zielinski, however, you will be paying for the extra value in the former. Keep in mind that Politano did start and play 72 minutes at the weekend and is a risk of possibly not starting here.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Rodrygo (DK $9.2K || FD $21), Di Maria (DK $7.3K || FD $15)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes- DK $9.3K || FD $23
Opponent - Bayern Munich
It is do or die for Manchester United this week. They must win this match against Bayern Munich to even stand a chance of passing through into the Knockout Stage and that will only happen if FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray draw their match. Bruno has been much better in the Champions League, than in domestic matches this season and in his five UCL Group Stage fixtures, he has 2 goals, 2 assists, 12 shots, 13 created chances, 26 crosses, 19 corners, 12 tackles, 2 interceptions and 8 clearances. With Fernandes suspended in domestic play due to yellow card accumulation, he will see as many minutes as he can get in European competitions. After Bayern was battered with a healthy squad in Frankfurt 5-1 at the weekend, anything is possible for the Red Devils.
Oscar Gloukh - DK $4.1K || FD $16
Opponent - SL Benfica
Gloukh gets to go back in time and face Benfica one final time. The same club that he happened to score his first goal of the Champions League campaign against. Over his five Group Stage fixtures, he has 2 goals, 6 shots, 6 created chances, 12 crosses, 6 corners, 6 tackles and 2 interceptions. As the main set-piece taker, Gloukh will be an integral part of Salzburg’s attack and will need to do every little bit to ensure the club secures their trip to the Knockout Stage of the Europa League. Furthermore, as a set-piece taker at home, Gloukh’s ownership is expected to be 15 percent or higher, especially in ‘CASH’ contests.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Mario (DK $7.3K || FD $19), Kubo (DK $6.6K || FD $15)
UCL DFS Defenders
Federico Dimarco - DK $6.3K || FD $12
Opponent - Real Sociedad
As aforementioned, this week will be a challenge to pinpoint matches because so many clubs need wins or not to lose to move on into the Knockout Stage of the Champions League or the Europa League. This leads to building ‘safer’ lineups and that all starts with set-piece takers. Dimarco is expected to start along with teammate and midfielder, Hakan Calhanoglu. They both share set-pieces, however, similar to Matteo Politano from Napoli, Dimarco has open-play value too and Inter Milan plays in the best possible formation for Dimarco to succeed. Over his last five domestic matches, he has 2 goals, 7 shots, 9 created chances, 36 crosses, 6 corners, 10 tackles, 3 interceptions and 6 clearances. With a close battle expected between the two clubs, Dimarco will have unlimited opportunities to rack up peripherals on both ends of the pitch.
Diogo Goncalves - DK $5.7K || FD $19
Opponent - Galatasaray
Not everyone agrees, however, statistically and the eye test shows that Diogo Goncalves is as big of a catalyst as they come for a club. The fullback is the engine behind both the offense and defense. Attacking the flank is his specialty and it shows with 17 crosses and 6 created chances over his five Group Stage matches. In that window, he also has 2 goals, 1 assist, 11 shots, 12 corners, 6 tackles, 6 interceptions and 2 clearances. He does it all for FC Copenhagen and in a match at home where they need to win, expect him to be everywhere.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Juranovic (DK $4.5K || FD $14), Natan (DK $3.6K || FD $11)
Corner Takers
- Manchester United: Fernandes
- Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Sane
- FC Copenhagen: Goncalves
- Galatasaray: Akturkoglu
- SSC Napoli: Politano/Zielinski
- SC Braga: Zalazar
- FC Union Berlin: Juranovic
- Real Madrid: Kroos/Modric
- Inter Milan: Dimarco/Calhanoglu
- Real Sociedad: Kubo
- RB Salzburg: Gloukh
- SL Benfica: Kokcu/Mario
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
