Home sides in the box seat
The remaining quarter-finalists for the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League will be determined this week when the 2nd legs of the four outstanding ties are concluded. The four visiting teams would appear to have a mountain to climb if they are to progress. Dynamo Kiev and Arsenal both have 2-goal deficits to overturn, Juventus travel to Bayern Munich, with the German side having secured two precious away goals from the 1st leg, while PSV were held to a goal-less stalemate in Eindhoven. The bookmakers seem to have pretty much written off the chances of all four sides.
Fantasy football managers will surely be focusing on all the home sides but the statistic that really catches the eye is the low goal projection for PSV Eindhoven in Madrid. Diego Simeone’s troops have conceded just 12 goals in 29 La Liga matches, a quite staggering statistic, when you consider that league-leaders Barcelona have conceded 22 and city rivals Real have let in 28.
Atlético Madrid conceded just a paltry 3 goals in the group stage as well, so it really is a mammoth task that faces the Dutch side when they visit the Vicente Calderón Stadium. Focusing on the Atléti rear-guard looks a good call for fantasy managers searching for those elusive clean sheet bonuses and the home side will be more than happy to settle for a single goal game victory.
Bayern Munich versus Juventus is undoubtedly the tie of the round but despite coming back from 2 goals down in the 1st leg, the Old Lady would appear to have it all to do. Last year’s finalists are really starting to click into gear, though, so it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world to see them giving the German champions a real fright.