UEFA Champions League DFS Projections & Matchday 1 Preview
UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Preview
It’s been an exciting year in the soccer world. Messi won his first World Cup in Qatar and then joined the MLS at Inter Miami. Ronaldo and a load of other top European footballers left for the Saudi Pro League. With such big moves around the world, European soccer is looking pretty different.
Since we’ll be seeing some new faces on the pitch, we put together this preview of the 2023 UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 so you’re ready for all of the exciting Champions League DFS action.
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UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 Schedule
Tuesday, September 19:
- AC Milan vs. Newcastle
- Young Boys vs. RB Leipzig
- PSG vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Porto
- Manchester City vs. Crvena Zvezda
- Feyenoord vs. Celtic
- Barcelona vs. Antwerp
- Lazio vs. Atletico Madrid
Wednesday, September 20:
- Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin
- Galatasaray vs. Copenhagen
- Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United
- Benfica vs. RB Salzburg
- Braga vs. Napoli
- Arsenal vs. PSV
- Sevilla vs. Lens
- Real Sociedad vs. Inter Milan
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Top Games and Storylines: UCL Matchday 1
Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United:
As two perennial powerhouses in European soccer, Man U and Bayern should be one of the top matchups entering matchday 1. Bayern has enjoyed more success recently, especially on the UCL stage.
Man U is having an off year in the Premier League, but in the UCL, anything can happen. Keep an eye on Harry Kane, who recently transferred to Bayern after spending most of his career in the Premier League with Tottenham.
Manchester City Repeat Championship Hopes
As Man U have struggled in recent years, crosstown rivals, Man City have been nothing short of dominant. Last year they completed the elusive “treble” wherein a team wins their domestic championship, league championship, and UEFA Champions League championship.
Young star, Erling Haaland, could do no wrong last year for City, setting milestones all season long in production and goal scoring. This year, veteran leader, Kevin De Bruyne, is out with an injury. The absence of the talented midfielder has been felt across the team but especially by Erling Haaland who hasn’t performed as well without his co-star facilitating the action.
If City want to repeat their title finish, other top stars will have to emerge and make their presence known.
PSG vs. Borussia Dortmund
In this exciting matchup we’ll see familiar teams with some unfamiliar faces. Paris Saint-Germain was home to 3 of the world’s top footballers in recent years but now is about to lose their number one star. Messi left, Neymar left, and after this season we’ll likely see the departure of Kylian Mbappe who is considered one of the best, if not the best soccer player in the world currently.
PSG will do their best to get off to a good start to the UCL season. Dortmund won’t be an easy test, however. Though they’re historically overshadowed by Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Borussia Dortmund always seem to have a few tricks up their sleeve to put on a good show. All eyes will be on Mbappe to see what he’s capable of without other top talent.
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Top Champions League DFS Projections and Picks
Goals
Kylian Mbappe - Attacker, PSG
Having won multiple Ligue 1 titles, a World Cup, and a slew of other trophies and accolades, it’s safe to say that Kylian Mbappe is one of the best footballers in the world. With that said, PSG has struggled severely in recent years and this year looks just as bleak.
Despite PSG’s struggles, Mbappe is a top tier talent and will surely put up an impressive performance in primetime.
To view all UEFA Champions League DFS Projections and place entries, click here.
Harry Kane - Attacker, Bayern Munich
The Premier League and especially the Tottenham Hotspurs took a serious hit this offseason. Star striker, Harry Kane, left England to join the ranks of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and compete for greater trophies. Specifically, the UCL title.
In contrast to his former Hotspurs, Bayern Munich is always in contention to win the UCL. In just a few games this season, he’s already netted 4 league goals against top German teams. Now he makes his Bayern UCL debut against Man U who he’s played against many times throughout his tenure in England. Bayern will look to him for leadership and goals against the Premier League squad.
To view all UEFA Champions League DFS Projections and place entries, click here.
Passes Attempted
Rodri - Midfielder, Manchester City
Rodri, the Spanish national, is quickly establishing himself amongst the great Spanish midfielders of the past. This dominant run of Man City in the Premier League has been greatly facilitated by Rodri.
His quick decision making and quicker feet set up countless scoring runs with laser-like passes. In his 2023 UCL debut, look for the City midfielder to make an impact all game, especially with De Bruyne out.
To view all UEFA Champions League DFS Projections and place entries, click here.
Shots on Target
Christian Pulisic - Midfielder, Milan
It’s not every day we get to see an American competing at the highest level of soccer in Europe. So when we do, we're going to talk about it. After a few solid years playing at Chelsea in the Premier League, this rising American star is now playing for Milan, who made it to the UCL semi-finals last season.
On Tuesday he’ll face a former Premier League opponent in Newcastle and he’ll hope to make a name for himself on the UCL stage. He’s already racked up 2 goals on 5 shots in 4 games this season for Milan in their Serie A campaign. He’s averaged 1 shot on target per game for Milan so he’ll hope to keep making an impact as the UCL season begins.
To view all UEFA Champions League DFS Projections and place entries, click here.
UEFA Champions League DFS with PrizePicks
PrizePicks is the best daily fantasy sports platform for the UEFA Champions League and all soccer DFS play across the world. From Messi in the MLS, to Ronaldo in the Saudi Pro League, and back to Europe for the UCL, PrizePicks has you covered for all of your soccer DFS needs.
Follow along with PrizePicks daily fantasy sports so you don’t miss a second of soccer DFS action during the UCL season.
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