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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 11, Day Two! Today's top favorite is Arsenal -240 vs PSV Eindhoven +600. I will guide you through this three-match slate starting at 4:00 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.
UCL DFS Goalies
Emiliano Martínez - DK $5.5K || FD $12
Opponent - vs. Club Brugge
After missing the 1-0 win at Gtech Community Stadium over the weekend, Emiliano Martínez is expected to return to the net. Throughout the keeper’s last five matches in all competitions, he has produced 11 saves, conceded five goals, and recorded one clean sheet.
Finding value at the goalie position relies on Walter Benítez not repeating his 7-1 loss from Arsenal FC in the first leg. Otherwise, fantasy players will find themselves paying up at the goalie position. Considering that Aston Villa has already won the first leg 3-1 on the road, they are expected to sit back more in the second leg and protect their advancement. This has the potential to set up Martínez for an optimal saves floor.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Jan Oblak (DK $4.8K || FD $11) vs. Real Madrid
- Walter Benítez (DK $3.8K || FD $7) at Arsenal FC
UCL DFS Forwards
Antoine Griezmann - DK $6.9K || FD $22
Opponent - vs. Real Madrid
The last time Antoine Griezmann’s salary was this low was when he came onto the scene as a professional player. The playmaker and catalyst for Atletico Madrid is the leading set-piece taker. His floor alone should easily reach value, despite the difficult matchup at home. In his most recent five appearances in all competitions, he has one assist, three shots, four chances created, 12 crosses, nine corners, six tackles, three interceptions, and five clearances.
Including eliminated clubs, Real Madrid is a middle-of-the-park club defensively across the board. This meeting was close, with Real Madrid winning 2-1 at the Bernabeau in the first leg. Can Griezmann lead Atletico into the next round in a crucial second-leg home fixture?
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Rodrygo (DK $10K || FD $21) at Atlético Madrid
- Noa Lang (DK $6.7K || FD $19) at Arsenal FC
UCL DFS Midfielders
Martin Ødegaard - DK $9K || FD $20
Opponent - vs. PSV Eindhoven
Predicting when the moon will next turn red is easier than predicting Arsenal FC’s starting XI for this matchup. The hosts produced a shocking 7-1 win on the road in the first leg against PSV Eindhoven and will return home to host the second half. They are also coming off a successful 1-1 draw at Old Trafford over the weekend. In Martin Ødegaard’s last five fixtures in all competitions, he has two goals, one assist, 11 shots, 13 chances created, 20 crosses, 14 corners, and one interception.
Over the Champions League season, including eliminated clubs, PSV Eindhoven is bottom-10 in Goals Against Per 90, Big Chances Created Against Per 90, In-the-Box Goals Against Per 90, and Penalty Area Defense. This sets up Ødegaard for another potential ceiling performance if he starts and sees the pitch past half-time.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Youri Tielemans (DK $6.8K || FD $18) vs. Club Brugge
- Hans Vanaken (DK $3.6K || FD $13) at Aston Villa
UCL DFS Defenders
Maxim De Cuyper - DK $5.6K || FD $14
Opponent - at Aston Villa
Maxim De Cuyper will make his case as the most owned player in any position. The fullback for Club Brugge is the leading set piece taker and in his last five appearances in the Champions League, he has one goal, four shots, six chances created, 14 crosses, six corners, 15 tackles, five interceptions, seven clearances, and three blocks.
The matchup at Villa Park will not be easy; however, Club Brugge already lost 3-1 in the first leg and will need to push. Expect De Cuyper to join the attack in a do-or-die situation.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Mauro Júnior (DK $3.6K || FD $11) at Arsenal FC
- Axel Disasi (DK $3.6K || FD $9) vs. Club Brugge
Corner Takers
- Aston Villa: Youri Tielemans/Leon Bailey/Marcus Rashford
- Club Brugge: Maxim De Cuyper
- Atlético Madrid: Antoine Griezmann
- Real Madrid: Rodrygo/Luka Modric
- Arsenal FC: Martin Ødegaard/Declan Rice
- PSV Eindhoven: Noa Lang
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
