The first round of the Champions League group stage begins this evening when 16 teams kick-off at 7.45pm. Here we’ll run through some key picks for DraftKings contests to assist you in picking an eight-player line-up as well as highlighting the top contests available in the lobby.
DraftKings is also continuing with their big welcome offer from last week, which gives new players the opportunity to get four free entries for just £5.
The most substantial pot on offer is the $35,000 Opening Kick-Off, which has a $3 entry fee and a first prize of $4,000. There will also be contests going live covering the Wednesday night Champions League fixtures.
In tonight’s matches Paris Saint-Germain welcome Arsenal in Group A’s stand-out head-to-head. The Gunners go into the tie in better health after registering their second Premier League win in a row on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the hosts are clearly missing the talismanic presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who moved to Manchester United in the summer. They go into the match having lost to Monaco and drawn with Saint Etienne in their last two fixtures.
Group B’s Napoli have scored nine goals in the opening three Serie A matches, making their forwards tempting prospects. The Italian side travel to Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev, who drew with league rivals Shakhtar Donetsk at the weekend. It is worth noting that their domestic campaign began in July so they may have the edge in terms of fitness.
In Group C, both Barcelona and Manchester City will be expected to pick up three points as they face Celtic and Borussia Monchengladbach respectively. Sergio Aguero, who served the first of a three-match domestic ban at the weekend, is available for City, while Celtic’s chances of victory look slim after Barcelona rested several of their stars at the weekend, most notably Lionel Messi and Luiz Suarez.
Bayern Munich have netted 13 goals with no reply over their first three league and cup outings so the visit of Russian side FK Rostov shouldn’t trouble Carlo Ancelotti’s men. Group D’s other clash in Holland is far closer to call with both Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven in good form, registering 4-0 away victories at the weekend.
Group A
Basel v Ludogorets Razgrad
PSG v Arsenal
Group B
Benfica v Besiktas
Dynamo Kiev v Napoli
Group C
Barcelona v Celtic
Manchester City v Borussia Monchengladbach
Group D
Bayern Munich v FC Rostov
PSV Eindhoven v Atletico Madrid
Register Now For Four Free $3 Entries
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Right off the bat you can use this to enter tonight’s UCL Kickoff Special contest, which has a $35,000 prize pool.
New account holders who deposit funds ahead of this weekend will get four free tickets that can be used in any $3 contests.
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Key Picks
As always DraftKings allows changes right up to kick off, allowing you to adjust your line-ups to fit in last minute bargains.
If you are new to DraftKings you can check out our player selection guide. Here are some players to consider for the Champions League this evening:
GK – Tomas Vaclik – Basel – $5,500
Basel’s home advantage for the match-up with Ludogorets Razgrad should increase the chances of a clean sheet for the Czech keeper, who has conceded only twice in four outings in front of his own fans so far.
D – Lucas Digne – Barcelona – $4,000
Nine crosses, worth 0.75 each, in his last appearance for Barcelona suggest that Digne’s raids down the flank and delivery from out wide is something to consider against Celtic.
D – Faouzi Ghoulam – Napoli – $4,400
The Algerian looks perfectly suited to the DraftKings scoring matrix. Ghoulam is averaging 14.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG) over his three appearances in Serie A this term – a weekend assist helped contribute but it is the 27 crosses over that trio of outings that makes him worth considering.
D – Juanfran – Atletico Madrid – $4,900
The right-back provided an assist against Celta Vigo at the weekend and has an average score of 9.7 FPPG. A total of 12 crosses is superior to the 11 produced by team-mate Filipe Luis ($5,500) and while the left-back may have a slightly better points average of 10.4 FPPG, Juanfran appears the value pick from the Atletico defence.
M – Santi Cazorla – Arsenal – $7,200
Arsenal’s deep-lying playmaker won’t have as many opportunities away from home at a side like PSG but remains full of potential for DraftKings. Cazorla is in fine form, registering 23 crosses, a pair of assists, six shots and two converted penalties in four league matches, and has a share of dead-ball duties to heighten his appeal.
M – Koke – Atletico Madrid – $8,400
As Atletico’s number one for free-kicks and corners, the central midfielder is another player that looks ideally suited to the DraftKings scoring system. An impressive 34 crosses in four appearances as well as a goal and two assists earns Koke a considerable price tag, yet his consistency, which has provided an average of 18 FPPG, will mean he’s worth the investment.
M – Ivan Rakitic – Barcelona – $8,900
The midfielder could prove to be a cheap alternative to the hefty price tags of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez. On corners, which should help with crossing numbers, Rakitic has also looked a threat this term, accruing eight shots and scoring twice in four appearances.
M/F – Ricardo Quaresma – Besiktas – $5,900
Despite suggestions that he may be past his best, the veteran winger has turned in some promising recent displays. With seven crosses in his last outing, Quaresma – who is his side’s number one contender for set-pieces – has the potential to be a versatile budget option for our eight-man line-ups.
M/F Jose Callejon – Napoli – $7,400
The Spaniard, who is suited to both forward and wing roles, has had a blistering start to the season, scoring a brace in each of his last two matches. Over his last three Serie A fixtures, Callejon has racked up nine shots and an assist ahead of the trip to Ukraine. He’s also Napoli’s number one for corners, which bodes well for his cross count.
M/F – Kevin De Bruyne/Raheem Sterling – Man City – $9,700/$7,600
The Belgian was the stand out performer in the Manchester derby, scoring once from six attempts on goal. De Bruyne has delivered 30 crosses and 17 shots over his last five appearances for City, which explains the lofty price tag. Sterling may well provide better value in a slate where there are plenty of big-hitters to fit in. The ex-Liverpool player has scored twice and served up three assists in the Premier League, whilst his FPPG of 13.9 compares favourably to De Bruyne’s 14.7 FPPG.
M/F – Thomas Muller – Bayern Munich – $10,200
After their excellent start to the season, Bayern Munich players will be popular picks for those that can find the funds. Muller is likely to be the most coveted after bring in 44.3 fantasy points in his last match, thanks to a brace, an assist and six shots.
F – Kostas Mitroglou – Benfica – $7,500
The Greek striker had a successful loan spell last year in the Portuguese top division, bagging 20 goals and five assists to earn a permanent move to Benfica from Fulham. Mitroglou could prove to be a canny differential – a goal and two assists for Greece last week against Gibraltar should have built up some confidence for the visit of Besiktas.
F – Seydou Doumbia – Basel – $7,800
The Ivorian has enjoyed an impressive start to the season on loan from Roma, scoring five goals in the Swiss side’s opening six league fixtures.
F – Andriy Yarmolenko – Dynamo Kiev – $8,200
Yarmolenko looks set for another big season, after notching 13 goals and ten assists in 23 matches in the Ukrainian league last term. Two goals in five league outings this season suggests he could be worth the investment, given he is also the main man for free-kicks and corners.
Free $100k NFL Contest
In addition to our brand of football, DraftKings offer contests on a raft of different sports, including NFL. This week there is yet another opportunity to take part in the Fantasy NFL Millionaire contest plus there is a $100,000 contest that is free to enter.
Enter the NFL Free contest here
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