Champions League Final FanDuel Single-Game Helper: Real Madrid vs. Dortmund (6/1/24)
The 2024 Champions League final takes place at 3 p.m. EST on Saturday, and it's a clash between Real Madrid and Dortmund.
Real Madrid advanced to the final by winning Group C with a perfect record and then eliminating RB Leipzig, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages. They are looking to win the competition for the second time in three seasons and fifth time since 2014-15.
Dortmund earned their place in the final by winning Group F, this year's Group of Death, then knocking out PSV, Atletico Madrid, and PSG. Dortmund is looking to win their second UCL title and first since 1996-97. Their last appearance in the finals came in 2012-13 when they lost to Bayern Munich.
According to the Champions League Betting Odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, Real Madrid are the favorites to lift the cup (-350) with Dortmund underdogs at +250.
FanDuel is offering single-game DFS contests for this monumental clash. Which players should you roster for Saturday's UCL final?
Champions League Final DFS Picks
Slate Overview
Real Madrid (-350) vs. Dortmund (+250)
Over 2.5 Goals: -144 | Most Likely to Score: Joselu (+135)
Positional Breakdown
Captain Choices
Vinicius Junior ($15), Real Madrid
Real Madrid's UCL success this season has been driven by their attack. Their 1.95 goals/90 is third-best in the competition, and they have scored in each of their 12 UCL fixtures. They have netted multiple goals in eight of those, including three of their last four against top-class competition in Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Vinicius is at the heart of that attack -- his nine combined goals plus assists leads the team and is tied for second in the competition. He is averaging 2.89 shots/90 and 0.56 goals/90 in the UCL this season and has the second-best odds to score a goal (+145) and best odds to score or assist (-145).
Jude Bellingham ($14), Real Madrid
Bellingham is wrapping up one of the most impressive debut seasons in Real Madrid history following his move from Dortmund last June. In La Liga, he finished third in goals (19), goals/90 (0.74), and fourth in goals plus assists (25). He was incredibly efficient, finishing second in goals minus xG (+7.9) -- per FBref.
That efficiency was also on display in the UCL, where Bellingham scored four times from 2.8 xG and recorded four assists from 2.3 expected assists. He has the third-best odds to score (+160) and fourth-best odds to score or assist (-110).
Forwards/Midfielders
Julian Brandt ($13), Dortmund
Dortmund ranked 12th in goals/90 (1.42) in the UCL, leaning more on defense to advance to the final. They have been held to a single goal in three of their last four UCL fixtures and five of their six contests in the knockout stages. The good news for Brandt is Real Madrid has allowed a goal in five consecutive UCL fixtures and their 1.22 goals allowed/90 ranks 10th.
Brandt has been the engine at the center of Dortmund's attack, with seven goals and 11 assists in 32 matches in the Bundesliga and two goals and two assists in 11 UCL fixtures. In the semifinals, he combined for four shots and six chances created.
Niclas Fullkrug ($12), Dortmund
Fullkrug has the best odds to score (+330) of any player expected to be active for Dortmund on Saturday. In the UCL this season, he leads Dortmund in both goals (three) and goals plus assists (five). Following his move from Werder Breman in August, Fullkrug has enjoyed a positive first season, totaling 20 goals plus assists in 31 starts in the Bundesliga. He has been a difference maker for Dortmund in the knockout stages, with goals against both Atletico Madrid and PSG.
Rodrygo ($12), Real Madrid
Rodrygo is an excellent option on this single-game slate. He will likely be a less popular selection than his megastar teammates, but his outlook is comparable. He has the fifth-best odds to score (+200) and fifth-best odds to score or assist (+100). He led Real Madrid in xG in the UCL this season (5.7) and tied Vinicius on goals with five. He is less efficient than Vinicius and Bellingham, but they will certainly receive more attention from Dortmund's defenders (and DFS players), which could free up Rodrygo to make a difference on Saturday.
Marcel Sabitzer ($10), Dortmund
Sabitzer has been a consistent presence in Dortmund's midfield this season. He has reached double-digit FanDuel points in nine consecutive UCL starts and is averaging 17.96 FanDuel points per UCL fixture overall. He has a goal and five assists in the competition and is well-positioned to have opportunities to produce FanDuel points on both ends of the pitch in this one. He has been getting forward more often recently, with seven shots combined across his last three UCL matches.
Defenders
Dani Carvajal ($9), Real Madrid
Speaking of involvement on both ends of the pitch, Carvajal has been doing just that for Madrid in the knockout stages. He has a shot in each of his last four UCL fixtures and has reached double-digit FanDuel points in each of his past six despite recording just one assist. With so much salary likely to be allocated towards star forwards on both sides, Carvajal could go overlooked in this one.
Ian Maatsen ($8), Dortmund
Maatsen has been an impact player since his loan move from Chelsea in January. He made his UCL debut in the Round of 16 clash against PSV and has started each knockout match since. He has recorded at least 15.3 FanDuel points in each of those fixtures, scoring a goal against Atletico Madrid. He is averaging 20.7 FanDuel points and 2.0 chances created per match and has been a key part of Dortmund's impressive defense.
Nico Schlotterbeck ($7), Dortmund
Schlotterback has also been a crucial part of Dortmund's UCL-leading defense. In back-to-back clean sheets against PSG in the semifinals, he recorded 26.2 and 22.0 FanDuel points, adding an assist in the first leg. If Real Madrid control this game and have a lot of the ball, Schlotterbeck should be busy.
New to FanDuel Sportsbook? You’ll receive $150 in Bonus Bets if you win your first bet of at least $5! See here for full terms and conditions. Learn about today’s other offers at FanDuel Sportsbook Promos.
Looking to build some UCL DFS lineups? Check out FanDuel’s daily fantasy soccer lobby to see all the offerings for today’s slates.
Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!
The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.