DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Champions League Targets

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, FCB at ATL ($4,000): The two highest priced keepers could end up in such one-side games that their upside completely evaporates. Ter Stegen will see some action from a competent, though inefficient, Atletico attack. The risk of giving up goals for the upside of making saves is worth the extra cap space in this instance. I would pay up for Manuel Neuer before Keylor Navas, if paying up at GK is the route you're determined to take.

DEFENDER

Serge Aurier, PSG at MCI ($4,200): From a completely subjective point of view, Aurier could be the best right back in the world. His ability to dually respond defensively and impulsively get up field on offense is second to none. Character can be a question, as evidenced by his embarrassing suspension, but he will pick up big defensive stats while also proving very capable delivering crosses and even taking part in the occasional goal.

Filipe Luis, ATL v. FCB ($3,800): In a one-goal hole, Atletico will need to score and will likely push forward offensively more than they usually would against a side like Barcelona. Luis has been the most consistent source of points from a defender throughout the Champions League season and with added attacking incentive, that isn't likely to stop.

Gael Clichy, MCI v. PSG ($3,400): I'm a bit of a broken record on the defensive front, but the underpriced full back is simply where the best value lies. Clichy was rested at the weekend to be ready for this contest.

MIDFIELDER

Toni Kroos, RM v. WOB ($4,700): After a shock 2-0 loss in the first leg, Madrid has a mountain to climb to overcome the deficit. Well, the bookmakers give them an 81 percent chance to win and a 50 percent chance to go through to the next round. The minimum result for Madrid to advance would be a 2-0 win followed by a victory via penalties (which would come after extra time). 3-0 and 4-1 are two results that would send them through without extra time or penalties. You'll have more than enough chance to spend up on the forwards, but Kroos gets you access at a reasonable price with a very good floor via his peripheral stat capabilities.

Yannick Carrasco, ATL v FCB ($4,400): Carraco has played the full 90 minutes just once this Champions League season, so there's an extremely good chance he gets subbed off in the second half. That said, he is an important offensive weapon for Atletico on the wing, and has as good a goal-scoring upside as anyone in this price range. If you go any lower you will be bargaining on getting your points through defensive stats, which from a midfield position can be tough. Some my go down to Adrien Rabiot, who now has three goals on four shots in the Champions league. 75 percent conversion rate? Yeah, that's not even remotely sustainable. If I'm really trying to save some money in the midfield, Joshua Guilavogui ($3,000) will have a tall task trying to help defend against Real Madrid, but that will also give him the optimal opportunity to pick up defensive stats.

FORWARD

Cristiano Ronaldo, RM v. WOB ($10,200) or Karim Benzema, RM v. WOB ($7,400): Let's look at this decision from a statistical perspective: Ronaldo has an implied probability to score of 73.3 percent, while Benzema is at 61.9 percent. To put that in other terms, Ronaldo is 27.5 percent more expensive than Benzema while being just 15.6 percent more likely to score. This clearly indicates Benzema as the better value, from a pure goal-scoring perspective at least.

Gareth Bale, RM v. WOB ($7,100): Bale is sub-even money to score himself, while possessing a better floor than either Ronaldo or Benzema through peripherals. You're going to want to find a way to get some major exposure to Real Madrid. Expect goals. Bayern Munich's six-goal onslaught in the second leg of the quarterfinal against Porto last season has a lot of parallels to this, as they too were in a two-goal deficit. If you need a discount at the second forward spot to afford Ronaldo, Bruno Henrique ($3,600) and Goncalo Guedes ($3,500) represent the best value.