DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Champions League Targets

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Goalkeepers:

Gianluigi Buffon, JUV v. BAY ($3,600): It's far from a small task to shut down the powerful attack of the great Bayern Munich, but a talented Italian side playing at home presents just about the best situation for it to happen. Bayer Leverkusen managed a clean sheet at home against Bayern earlier this month, so it's certainly possible. Juve and Buffon have kept clean sheets domestically in NINE consecutive matches. That's quite a staggering number. For the price, Buffon seems to be a really good contender to open up some value for the prolific attacks we all want pieces of this week.

Jan Oblak, ATL at PSV ($3,900): Despite being on the second-heaviest favorite, Oblak is the fourth-highest priced goalkeeper. The real kicker, however, is just how good Atletico Madrid's defense has been this season. They find themselves second in La Liga ahead of Real Madrid despite scoring less than half the number of goals, as they've done it by allowing less than half the amount of goals (just 11 in 25 league matches). PSV is a solid Dutch squad I hold respect for, but this Atletico Madrid defense warrants Oblak to be the chalk play.

Other goalkeepers: Joe Hart, MCI at DYK ($4,000); Manuel Neuer, BAY at JUV ($4,100)

Defenders:

Gael Clichy, MCI at DYK ($2,300): City put out a C squad on Sunday against Chelsea in the FA Cup. They lost, but they won't mind. That secondary squad included Aleksandar Kolarov at left-back, which could indicate Clichy has a spot reserved in the Champions League game. Clichy isn't quite as prolific crossing and overall offensively as Kolarov, but he is speedy, can rack up interceptions and will throw a couple crosses in. He had an assist against Tottenham two weekends ago in Premier League action.

Jetro Willems, PSV v. ATL ($2,400): Willems is a very attack-minded fullback. Evidence can be pulled from his domestic game this past weekend when he sent in 12 crosses and had an assist, his second consecutive game with one. Those numbers would likely dip a little against a formidable opponent like Atletico, but at this price a little dip still makes him a great play at the price.

Other defenders: Juanfran, ATL at PSV ($4,000); Philipp Lahm, BAY at JUV ($3,400); Juan Bernat, BAY at JUV ($2,900); Filipe Luis, ATL at PSV v. ATL ($3,600); David Alaba, BAY at JUV ($4,000); Dani Alves, Barcelona ($4,300)

Midfielders:

Gabi, ATL at PSV ($4,100):: If he's taking corners, Gabi is a near lock to reach value. He crossed at least six times in four of the group stage matches, reaching double-digit fantasy points each time. The other two matches he totaled five points. He needs to be on corners.

Thiago Alcantara, BAY at JUV ($3,600):
I know Buffon was my top keeper, at least value wise, but this price on Thiago is obscene. He had four assists in four Champions League matches and averaged 16.25 fantasy points per game. In his last two domestic starts, he tallied a goal and an assist.

Juan Cuadrado, JUV v. BAY ($4,600): Things didn't work out for the Columbian at Chelsea, but towards the end of Jose Mourinho's stay that seemed to be the case for just about everyone. In 12 starts (and eight appearances as a sub) Cuadrado has supplied three goals and four assists this season. His wide role, extreme skill and quick pace end up leading to several fouls drawn and crosses to give him a nice floor as well.

Arturo Vidal, BAY at JUV ($5,100): I can't go without at least mentioning the Vidal narrative of returning to his former home to face his old squad after a productive four-year tenure. He has two goals and three assists this season in the Bundesliga.

Other midfielders: David Silva, MCI at DYK ( ($5,800); Arjen Robben, BAY at JUV ($7,000); Oleg Gusev, Dynamo Kiev ($3,200); Saul Niguez, ATL at PSV v. ATL ($3,500); Ivan Rakitic, Barcelona ($4,200); Kingsley Coman, BAY at JUV ($5,000); Paul Pogba, JUV v. BAY ($5,300); Koke, ATL at PSV v. ATL ($5,800)

Forwards:

Antoine Griezmann, ATL at PSV $7,400): Greizmann comes in just under the elite priced attackers, and ELITE is wholeheartedly the correct word. He leads Atletico in goals by a large margin, with nearly a goal every two matches while providing four in the group stage. Atletico are actually the second heaviest favorites behind the best club in the world, and this game could be the most offensive back-and-forth one of the quartet. It's also worth mentioning they are second in La Liga, ahead of Real Madrid. They win a lot with their defense, but Griezmann is undoubtedly their top goal-scoring weapon.

Alexis Sanchez, ARS v. FCB ($8,000): Let's not forget where Alexis was before he put on the Gunner uniform, as he spent three seasons playing for Barcelona, totaled 42 goals and 27 assists across La Liga and the Champions League. Those are some BIG numbers. In the critical win over Leicester before the break, Sanchez had five crosses, foul fouls drawn and six shots. The matchup is tough (though Barca hasn't been nearly as elite in defense as it has been in attack), but there is both a narrative angle and the fact the Chilean is extremely talented – possibly even underrated within Premier League circles.

Neymar, FCB at ARS ($9,000), Luis Suarez, FCB at ARS ($9,400), Lionel Messi, FCB at ARS ($10,400): The best attacking trio in soccer belongs in the debate for the best attacking trio of all-time. That's how good these guys are. Among the three in La Liga this season, they have 58 goals and 26 assists. Barca leads La Liga by eight points after winning eight consecutive matches, and they have not lost a game since early October. The reigning champs win with offense and these three guys will bring it; sorry, Arsenal, there's no stopping them. They've been shut out once all year. In Champions League play, Messi and Suarez are both averaging one goal per match while Neymar has just two in five, but has also supplied three assists. Neymar crosses the most and draws the most fouls of the trio, so if it's a floor you're looking for, he may be your man. The other two guys are two of the three best goal scorers in the world. Have fun pulling your hair out deciding what to do, but thankfully there are lots of discount selections to help.

Other forwards: Sergio Aguero, MCI at DYK ($8,800); Andriy Yarmolenko, DYK v. MCI ($5,300); Douglas Costa, BAY at JUV ($7,100); Thomas Muller, BAY at JUV ($7,700); Paulo Dybala, JUV v. BAY ($4,900); Robert Lewandowski, BAY at JUV ($8,500); Raheem Sterling, MCI at DYK ($6,400); Luciano Narsingh, PSV v. ATL ($4,500); Fernando Torres, ATL at PSV ($5,700)