Now to our preview.  

 

Big Hitters to sign:  

Arif Aiman (6.5M) - 38 points (owned by 47%)  

It’s a no-brainer pick to make sure you include the 22-year-old Malaysian star in your Starting XI ahead of Matchday 7. 

 

Not only do Arif’s four goals and one assist put him amongst the highest returning players in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Fantasy Football, he’s also facing off against a favourable opposition in the upcoming match.  

 

Johor Darul Ta’zim are looking to enhance their hopes of a return to the last 16 when they travel to already-eliminated Central Coast Mariners, the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 winners who have picked up just one point from six outings.  

 

As long as Arif stays clear of injury, you can almost guarantee he will be in the line-up to face off against the Mariners so there’s plenty of potential to add to his points tally. 

Ramin Rezaeian (7M) - 23 points (owned by 34.5%)  

One of the most important fixtures in the West on Matchday 7 is the clash between Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal and Iraq’s Al Shorta in a contest with major last 16 implications. 

One player who stands out in terms of potentially making a big return is Esteghlal star wing-back Ramin Rezaeian. The 34-year-old has already collected 23 points this season with a goal and two clean sheets as he continues to rack up points at both ends of the pitch. 

 

With Al Shorta yet to win a match, sitting bottom in the West with two points and having scored just four goals in six matches, the attack-minded Iranian international may well be spending more time in the opposition half than his own. 

 

Esteghlal are currently eighth in the 12-team table, just inside the qualification zone and knowing a win will stand them in good stead to advance. Rezaeian may be the man to help his team – and yours – pick up the points needed to move up the league. 

 

What are you waiting for? Snap him up now! 

Guilherme Bissoli (8.5M) - 18 points (owned by less than 1%)  

It’s still to our surprise how Buriram United’s Guilherme Bissoli has only been selected by less than 1% of all Fantasy owners. Yes, his hefty 8.5M price tag may be a factor, but the 27-year-old has been firing on all cylinders. 

Ever since joining the nine-time Thai League 1 champs in early 2024, he’s scored more than 40 goals and boasts double-digit assists in all competitions.  

 

Although he blanked on his three most recent games on the continent, a home fixture against Ulsan HD, who have the second-worst defence in the East, is a great opportunity for him to get back to his superlative form.  

 

So if you’re looking for a difference maker who’s gone under the radar, the Thunder Castle’s Guilherme Bissoli could be your answer.  

Wildcards to Steal:  

Marcos Leonardo (4M) - 21 points (owned by less than 5%)  

 

You want to strengthen your side but don’t seem to have enough budget to do so? Well, let us persuade you to select Al Hilal’s Marcos Leonardo.  

The 21-year-old Brazilian is one of the cheapest players in the game, priced at an affordable 4M. With over 20 appearances and 15 goals (at the time of writing) throughout the 2024/25 season, he’s getting plenty of game time on the pitch and delivering when called upon.  

 

So far in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25, he’s played in all but one match and has netted in three of them ahead of the visit of Persepolis to Kingdom Arena on Matchday 7. 

 

With qualification to the last 16 already secured for the hosts, the Saudi giants should be in relaxed mode and Leonardo is a great shout to add to his goal tally.  

Yuichi Maruyama (4M) - 15 points (owned by less than 2%) 

One of the most overlooked players who has performed admirably so far in the tournament is Kawasaki Frontale’s defender Yuichi Maruyama.  

The 35-year-old is one of the highest returning players priced under 5M, already bagging 15 points. He was the first-choice central defensive option for former Kawasaki boss Toru Oniki, appearing in all four of the most recent AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 matches and picking up back-to-back clean sheets on Matchdays 5 and 6. 

 

However, with the start of the new J1 League season, Kawasaki have appointed Shigetoshi Hasebe as their new head coach, and the big question is whether he sticks with the veteran centre-back, who was not a regular in the domestic campaign last season.  

 

Nonetheless, owned by less than 2% of Fantasy users and playing for the team boasting one of the best defences in the competition, it’s worth a punt to transfer in the experienced defender.  

Ali Majrashi (6M) - 22 points (owned by less than 10%)  

Thinking about a sure-fire defender who is relatively cheap, returns well and not owned by many managers? It’s time to call Ali Majrashi.  

The 25-year-old has started in Al Ahli Saudi’s backline in every match in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 as they have already confirmed their place in the last 16 having conceded just five goals in six games.

He may cost you a bit more than the two aforementioned names, but as a mainstay of one of only four defences in the tournament that have conceded fewer than a goal per game, Majrashi could be the perfect choice to bring in ahead of Al Ahli’s trip to Al Sadd. 

Again, just a friendly reminder for anyone who’s new to AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Fantasy Football, you can join our brand new Redemption League at: 

 

(https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite/fantasy.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=topMenuBar&utm_campaign=aclefantasy&utm_content=ENG).  

 

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