This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 3:00 pm: Barcelona vs. Napoli
- 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, BAY v. CHE ($10,900): Bayern Munich have a commanding 3-0 lead, so there could be some worry that they won't be attacking much in this match. That being said, they are still huge favorites with the highest implied goal total on the slate, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Lewandowski, who had nine goals on 30 shots in eight games after the Bundesliga re-start, and he's averaged 5.98 shots, including 3.93 on target, per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season (he averaged 4.50, including 2.25, during Bundesliga play). Paying the highest price for Lewandowski likely takes fantasy players into a fade of Barcelona's Lionel Messi ($10,700), but with Napoli presenting a much tougher defensive test than Chelsea, it makes sense from an upside perspective to side with Lewandowski.
Lorenzo Insigne, NAP at BAR ($7,100): Napoli are solid underdogs, and playing away to Barcelona is never an easy situation, but Napoli will really need to push if Barcelona score because they've already conceded an away goal. Insigne comes in with a decent role on set pieces and would certainly be an important part of a contrarian lineup for those who are looking for ways to go against Barcelona. He also comes in with a slight injury, and if he is unable to
MATCHES (EDT)
- 3:00 pm: Barcelona vs. Napoli
- 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, BAY v. CHE ($10,900): Bayern Munich have a commanding 3-0 lead, so there could be some worry that they won't be attacking much in this match. That being said, they are still huge favorites with the highest implied goal total on the slate, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Lewandowski, who had nine goals on 30 shots in eight games after the Bundesliga re-start, and he's averaged 5.98 shots, including 3.93 on target, per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season (he averaged 4.50, including 2.25, during Bundesliga play). Paying the highest price for Lewandowski likely takes fantasy players into a fade of Barcelona's Lionel Messi ($10,700), but with Napoli presenting a much tougher defensive test than Chelsea, it makes sense from an upside perspective to side with Lewandowski.
Lorenzo Insigne, NAP at BAR ($7,100): Napoli are solid underdogs, and playing away to Barcelona is never an easy situation, but Napoli will really need to push if Barcelona score because they've already conceded an away goal. Insigne comes in with a decent role on set pieces and would certainly be an important part of a contrarian lineup for those who are looking for ways to go against Barcelona. He also comes in with a slight injury, and if he is unable to start then we'd get Jose Maria Callejon ($5,700) on set pieces at a cheaper price. If you don't worry about set pieces, Dries Mertens ($6,900) could have the highest anytime goal scorer odds among Napoli starters, and he was responsible for Napoli's lone goal in the first leg.
Olivier Giroud, CHE at BAY ($5,200): If you subscribe to the thought that Bayern won't care quite as much because they already have a three-goal aggregate lead, then Giroud makes plenty of sense as the most likely goal scorer for Chelsea, at least according to the odds-makers. Giroud's floor is pretty weak for cash games, but he has been an excellent GPP play since the Premier League restarted, scoring six goals in six starts, taking 23 shots over that span. With Christian Pulisic ($6,300), Willian ($6,000) and Pedro ($4,800) all ruled out through injury, Giroud could be the only forward-eligible starter for Chelsea, unless Tammy Abraham ($4,700) gets the call with him, or possibly Callum Hudson-Odoi ($4,500).
MIDFIELDERS
Joshua Kimmich, BAY v. CHE ($6,800): As the primary set-piece taker for Bayern Munich, Kimmich is basically a cash-game lock on a two-game slate, though you can certainly question how much they'll have to attack given they have a three-goal lead. I'm not sure if it's a plus that they've been off for more than a month because the Bundesliga restarted earlier than the other European leagues, but we at least know Bayern are well rested. Meanwhile, Serge Gnabry ($8,000) actually has the third-highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate (trailing only Lewandowski and Messi), while we could see Philippe Coutinho ($7,700) or Ivan Perisic ($5,800) start in place of the injured Kingsley Coman, providing fairly cheap exposure to the Bayern attack. One thing to consider is that Kimmich could lose some set pieces to Coutinho if the latter starts.
Mason Mount, CHE at BAY ($4,700): Chelsea are sizable underdogs away to Bayern, but they still have to attack quite a bit to try and make up a three-goal deficit. Willian's absence means Mount should have a vast majority, if not a monopoly, of set pieces, which should provide him with enough of a floor to make him popular in cash games. His price is fairly low for the potential production, so Mount figures to be popular even in GPPs too, though you're relying quite a bit on Bayern not being as dominant as they were for basically the entire season.
Thiago Alcantara , BAY v. CHE ($4,400): Thiago doesn't present a bunch of upside, but his defensive work could be prolific against a Chelsea side that needs to attack despite missing many of their top attacking options. Thiago could start alongside Leon Goretzka ($4,500), with Kimmich pushed back to his old right-back position in place of the injured Benjamin Pavard, but either way, they make solid pay-down plays as huge home favorites.
DEFENDERS
Reece James, CHE at BAY ($4,000): James' defensive skill doesn't need to be considered, as all we're after is what he can do in the attack with Chelsea chasing a 3-0 deficit. UEFA.com is even projecting Emerson Palmieri ($3,600) to get a start because of a plethora of injuries for the English side, so there are definitely opportunities to roster cheap defenders for a team that has to push. Obviously they're big underdogs and unlikely to make huge impacts, but they make sense due to their situation of trailing.
Mario Rui, NAP at BAR ($4,100): Rui is a solid attacking fullback, capable of earning fantasy points with shots, crosses, fouls drawn and chances created. Napoli don't have to attack as much as Chelsea, but conceding an away goal in the first leg certainly makes it necessary to get one in Spain.
Alphonso Davies, BAY v. CHE ($6,100): Davies is the most expensive defender on the slate and probably doesn't need to be had due to that price, but if you're in a situation where you have the salary, you're at least getting the top attacking defender for the biggest favorite on the slate. But really, there seems little reason to prioritize Davies, especially in cash games.
GOALKEEPER
Wilfredo Caballero, CHE at BAY ($3,800): Chelsea are the biggest underdog on the slate, and their opponent has the highest implied goal total, so targeting Caballero seems a bit nuts. You probably have the opportunity to pay up at goalkeeper, which puts both Manuel Neuer ($5,800) and Marc-Andre ter Stegen ($5,600) in play, with the former likely seeing more shots from a desperate Chelsea side trying to make up a three-goal deficit. I don't usually care about specific goalkeepers, but I legitimately changed my mind to Caballero from Alex Meret ($4,000) when it seemed that David Ospina ($4,000) was going to start. Either way, it's goalkeeper and anything can happen, but at least Caballero is playing for the team that could care the least, if that makes any sense.
