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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel UCL DFS lineup picks for Champions League Soccer on 1/22/25 (Matchweek 7, Day Two). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off,” and welcome to the 24-25 Champions League season! The Champions League is back, and with domestic play at the weekend, squad rotation is inevitable! Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances. Can Borussia Dortmund make back-to-back appearances in the final? Can Bayern Munich make their long-awaited return to the Champions Lounge? For that and more, make sure to use Rotoballer as your one-stop shop for the Champions League season!
Let’s kick off Matchweek Seven, Day Two! Today's top favorite is Real Madrid -1600 vs Red Bull Salzburg +3000. I will guide you through this seven-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
Peter Vindahl - DK $3.9K || FD $8
Opponent - Inter Milan
Peter Vindahl is a ‘boom-or-bust’ option today and that is the story of the slate at the goalkeeper position unless there is enough salary for the top options. Vindahl has made 30 saves, conceded 18 goals, and recorded one clean sheet in six appearances in the Champions League this season.
He will now play host to Inter Milan who has not struggled this season, but they also haven't performed to expectations. The visitors are barely above the bottom 10 in metrics Per 90. Considering Vindahl’s salary, as long as he can avoid a repeat of the 4-2 Feyenoord loss, he will make value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Neuer (DK $5.5K || FD $12), Zagorac (DK $3.7K || FD $7)
UCL DFS Forwards
Rodrygo - DK $9K || FD $18
Opponent - Red Bull Salzburg
Finding floor value at the forward position could be deemed impossible today, excluding Ousmane Dembele and Rodrygo. The latter will be featured due to his matchup.
Rodrygo has three goals, three assists, 13 shots, 11 created chances, 19 crosses, 16 corners, three tackles, and five interceptions in his last five matches in all competitions. The winger has also started to take more of the set pieces, sharing duties with teammate Luka Modric (DK $5.9K || FD $12).
Red Bull Salzburg is the closest club to the bottom of the Champions League on the slate, sitting in the bottom half of the league and just outside the bottom 10 in all metrics against Per 90. They also average two Goals Against Per 90 through six Champions League fixtures. Rodrygo is expected to produce double-digit fantasy points in arguably the best matchup of the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Dembélé (DK $10K || FD $20), Kühn (DK $5.9K || FD $17)
UCL DFS Midfielders
Martin Ødegaard - DK $5.4K || FD $16
Opponent - Dinamo Zagreb
The Gunners are without Bukayo Saka until March, leaving the majority of creativity and set piece duties in the hands of Martin Ødegaard. The attacking midfielder has produced one assist, seven shots, 16 created chances, 37 crosses, 20 corners, one tackle, and one clearance throughout his last five fixtures in all competitions.
It is worth mentioning that teammate and fellow midfielder Declan Rice (DK $4.8K || FD $15) has also been taking set pieces. Nevertheless, Ødegaard will be the first man up and possesses better open-play value.
Dinamo Zagreb will not be a walk in the park, especially with Arsenal operating more out of central midfield. However, the visitors are averaging just under two Goals Against Per 90 in six Champions League matches this season. Whether Ødegaard registers a point or not, his floor alone is expected to help him maintain value at his ‘lucrative’ salary.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Pulisic (DK $10.5K || FD $5), Engels (DK $8.7K || FD $19)
UCL DFS Defenders
Federico Dimarco - DK $6.1K || FD $13
Opponent - Sparta Praha
Taking the article to its third and final set-piece partnership, we have Federico Dimarco of Inter Milan. Teammate and midfielder Hakan Çalhanoğlu is out for this matchup, leaving set piece duty in Dimarco and Kristjan Asllani's hands (DK $4.9K || FD $11).
Throughout Dimarco’s most recent five matches–four starts–he has one assist, eight shots, two created chances, 22 crosses, eight corners, two tackles, two interceptions, and three clearances.
As mentioned above, Inter Milan’s form is less than desirable considering their history and current starting XI. However, whether it is a close meeting or a blowout, Dimarco is expected to be one of the primary producers for the ‘Nerazzurri.’ Inter Milan is expected to run a 3-5-3 formation as well, further boosting Dimarco’s value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Johnston (DK $3.9K || FD $10), Garcia (DK $3.7K || FD $9)
Corner Takers
- Celtic: Engels/Johnston
- BSC Young Boys: Ugrinic
- Feyenoord: Paixão/In-beom
- Bayern Munich: Kimmich/Olise
- AC Milan: Pulisic
- Girona: Tsyhankov
- Paris Saint-Germain: Dembélé
- Manchester City: De Bruyne/Foden
- Sparta Praha: Kairinen/Birmančević
- Inter Milan: Dimarco/Asllani
- Arsenal: Ødegaard/Rice
- Dinamo Zagreb: Baturina
- Real Madrid: Modric/Rodrygo
- Red Bull Salzburg: Gloukh
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
