RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! Yesterday was a rather nice surprise with the majority of favorites winning their respective matches. Today we will have our typical favorites Bayern Munich -250 and then slate favorites Chelsea -1200. The only other true favorite is Manchester United, however, it is hard to call them favorites after their recent play.
The main slate will kick-off at 3:00 PM EST with the six matches. Chelsea and Juventus will be the best teams at a chance of a clean sheet and Bayern Munich should once again dominate in their match against Benfica.
Remember that during the Champions League and Europa League play, things are much messier and goals come from everywhere or nowhere. When betting, it is not as easy to predict as the domestic play, but the heavy favorites typically never disappoint. On that note, let’s jump right into the matchups and their projected players for the day.
Featured Promo: For this week only, take 50% off any full-season or yearly Premium Pass on the site! Just enter discount code THANKS when checking out. Thanks for being a reader, and Happy Holidays! Sign Up Now!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] or via Twitter @df_solutions or on “SLACK”.
The Kick-Off - UCL Matchweek 4 - Day 2
[H] Benfica (+610) vs [A] Bayern Munich (-250): Total: 3o
Both clubs come into this match with almost identical form. Both clubs have been stellar this season and they each lost one match prior to the International Break. However, Bayern have much better depth and they should be able to walk to yet another win in the Group Stage. In their last two meetings, Bayern has won both, while outscoring Benfica 7-1. Bayern have yet to concede in the Group Stage as well.
Expected Outcome: 3-0 Bayern
BEN:
Cash/GPP:
D: Grimaldo($4.1K)
M/F: Mario($4.3K)
GPP: Rafa($6.2K), Yaremchuk($5.2K)
BAY:
Cash/GPP:
G: Neuer($5.8K)
M/F: Lewandowski($12.5K), Muller($9.7K), Sane($9.4K), Gnabry($8.6K), Kimmich($8.1K)
[H] Manchester United (-129) vs [A] Atalanta (+330): Total: 3o
The Red Devils started out the season in blazing form while Atalanta did not. Now the reverse of fortunes for each club respectively has happened. Manchester United are struggling for any positive play and Atalanta have found their rhythm. One positive note for the hosts is the return of Marcus Rashford at the left-flank. The young striker scored in limited minutes off the bench in his season debut and he will look to instantly inject much-needed offense from the left side. As long as they start off strong early, they will be able to manage the Italian visitors in a much-needed win.
Expected Outcome: 3-1 Manchester United
MU:
Cash/GPP:
D: Shaw($5.5K)
M/F: Ronaldo($9.3K), Fernande($9.2K), Greenwood($7.5K)
GPP: Rashford($8.8K), de Gea($5.5K)
ATA:
Cash/GPP:
D: Zappacosta($4.9K)
M/F: Malinovskyi($7.4K)
GPP: Zapata($8.2K), Ilicic($7.6K), Musso($4.2K)
[H] Young Boys (+220) vs [A] Villarreal (+118): Total: 2 1/2o
Villarreal has yet to win away this season and their fortunes have turned since last year’s Europa win. Meanwhile, Young Boys have been playing inspiring ball and they barely lost to Atalanta last time out. Having the home crowd behind them and good form, it will not be surprising to see the hosts shut out the Yellow Submarine.
Expected Outcome: 2-0 Young Boys
YB:
Cash/GPP:
G: Ballmoos($4.6K)
D: Garcia($5.8K)
M/F: Aebitscher($5.8K), Siebatcheu($5.1K)
GPP: Ngamaleu($7.8K), Elie($6.4K)
VIL:
Cash/GPP:
M/F: Parejo($5.7K)
GPP: Moreno($7.7K), Trigueros($5.1K)
[H] Lille (+245) vs [A] Sevilla (+125): Total: 2o
Lille continue to struggle since their title-winning season last year. Sevilla has also struggled this year after some key acquisitions. Neither club has been able to score recently and this could play out as the least exciting matchup of the slate.
Expected Outcome: 1-1
LIL:
Cash/GPP:
D: Celik($3.7K)
M/F: Yilmaz($7K), Yazici($6.5K)
GPP: David($6.7K), Grbic($4.5K), Sanches($4K)
SFC:
Cash/GPP:
D: Acuna($6.6K), Navas($6.5K)
M/F: Rakitic($4.5K)
GPP: Lamela($7K), Mir($6.5K), Bounou($5.1K)
[H] Chelsea (-1200) vs [A] Malmo FF (+3200): Total: 3 1/2u
Over the last eleven matches, Malmo has lost seven of them. They also have yet to score in the Group Stage. None of it is ideal for the Swedish visitors who will be going against one of the better defenses at Stamford Bridge. The only issue is the possibility that Romelu Lukaku sits in this matchup after a few games of not scoring.
Expected Outcome: 3-0 Chelsea
CHE:
Cash/GPP:
G: Arrizabalaga($5.8K)
D: Alonso($5.7K)
M/F: Mount($8.7K), Werner($8K), Havertz($7.1K),
GPP: Hudson-Odoi($6.6K)
MAL:
Cash/GPP:
D: Larsson($3.5K)
M/F: Christiansen($4K)
[H] Zenit (+250) vs [A] Juventus (+115): Total: 2 1/2u
Zenit is coming into this match with nothing but home side advantage. The hosts have lost their last two matches and Juventus will be visiting in hopes to solidify themselves at the top of the table. They have also won their last three matches with clean sheets in all three.
Expected Outcome: 2-0 Juventus
ZEN:
Cash/GPP:
D: Santos($5.6K)
M/F: Malcom($6.9K)
GPP: Claudinho($6.4K), Azmoun($5.7K), Wendel($4.8K)
JUV:
Cash/GPP:
G: Szczesny($5.2K)
D: Cuadrado($5.9K)
M/F: Chiesa($8.4K), Morata($8K), Kean($6.7K)
GPP: Bernardeschi($5.8K), Locatelli($5K)
Expected Corner Takers:
Benfica: Mario/Soares/Grimaldo
Bayern Munich: Kimmich
Atalanta: Malinovskyi
Manchester United: Telles/Dalot
Young Boys: Garcia/Aebischer
Villarreal: Parejo
Lille: Xeka/Yazici
Sevilla: Suso/Gomez/Rakitic
Chelsea: Chilwell/Alonso
Malmo FF: Christiansen/Olsson
Zenit: Claudinho/Malcom
Juventus: Cuadrado
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off! Good luck in all of your contests today!
