This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Tuesday Cheat Sheet.MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Manchester United (England) v. FC Basel (Switzerland)
2:45 p.m: Barcelona (Spain) v. Juventus (Italy)
2:45 p.m: Olympiacos (Greece) v. Sporting CP (Portugal)
2:45 p.m: Benfica (Portugal) v. CSKA Moscow (Russia)
2:45 p.m: Chelsea (England) v. Qarabag (Azerbaijan)
2:45 p.m: Roma (Italy) v. Atletico Madrid (Spain)
2:45 p.m: Celtic (Scotland) v. Paris Saint-Germain (France)
2:45 p.m: Bayern Munich (Germany) v. Anderlecht (Belgium)
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
David de Gea, MUN v. BAS ($5,800): A 2-2 draw at Stoke over the weekend put an end to de Gea's run of five straight games with a clean sheet, but he's in a good spot to get back on track with a home fixture against Basel to kick off Champions League group stage action. If you have the funds to spend, Thibaut Courtois and Manuel Neuer are both top options for heavy home favorites, but De Gea offers a slight discount if needed.
Craig Gordon, CEL v. PSG ($3,900): Gordon is the cheapest home goalkeeper but faces a tall task in keeping Edinson Cavani, Neymar and the Paris Saint-Germain attack at bay. PSG aren't overwhelming favorites, but they should test Gordon enough to where he could pay off his cheap price with enough saves even if he concedes.
DEFENDER
Joshua Kimmich, BAY v. AND ($5,400): Through the first three Bundesliga games, Kimmich leads Bayern Munich in both crosses (31) and corners (10). He's split corner kicks with Franck Ribery, but he's capable of putting up big numbers regardless and has a desirable matchup against Anderlecht to showcase his attacking upside.
Daley Blind, MUN v. BAS ($5,200): Blind was rested at Stoke over the weekend, but he still leads the team in crosses (23) and corners (13) through four games. He's likely to return to the starting lineup in a favorable home match against Basel, and is a sound play at the position based on his involvement on set pieces coupled with a good shot at picking up clean sheet points.
Kieran Tierney, CEL v. PSG ($3,500): Tierney provides salary relief at the back with double-digit fantasy point potential. The left-back had a combined 10 crosses and 20 fantasy points over two games in Celtic's recent UCL playoff series against Astana. PSG are obviously a much tougher opponent, but that could force Tierney to be even more involved in the attacking end if Celtic are forced to play catch-up.
MIDFIELDER
Cesc Fabregas, CHE v. QAR ($7,200): Fabregas leads Chelsea in corners (17), crosses (16) and chances created (10) through the first four games of the Premier League season. With Eden Hazard likely sitting out, Fabregas could split corners with Willian. He's reasonably priced as the set-piece taker on one of the heaviest favorites on the slate, and he should have sufficient opportunities to put together a solid fantasy line.
Marcos Acuna, SPO at OLY ($7,000): Acuna averaged 24 fantasy points per game over Lisbon's two-leg UCL playoff win over FCSB. He's a high volume crosser and leads the team with four assists through five games. Olympiacos present a stiffer challenge defensively, but with points at a premium in a group with Barcelona and Juventus, look for Acuna to be active in the attack as Lisbon look to kickstart their group stage campaign with a good result in Greece.
Pizzi, BEN v. CSK ($6,200): Pizzi isn't the flashiest play on the board, but he flirts with double digits any time he takes the field thanks to his role on set pieces for Benfica. Drawn into one of the weaker groups with Manchester United, CSKA Moscow and FC Basel, Benfica have a good shot at advancing to the knockout round. It all starts with taking care of business at home against Moscow, with Benfica leaning on Pizzi to trigger the attack.
FORWARD
Neymar, PSG at CEL ($10,300):Neymar's wasted no time putting up big numbers with his new club. He has four goals and four assists through four games, and is two weeks removed from a monster 54 fantasy points in Ligue 1 play. So far he's split corner kicks with Angel di Maria and Julian Draxler, but with Di Maria already ruled out, and Draxler no guarantee to start at Celtic, we can expect an uptick in set piece points from Neymar. Despite the away fixture, Neymar's likely to see plenty of opportunities in the attacking third.
Michy Batshuayi, CHE v. QAR ($7,700): Chelsea boss Antonio Conte made it clear in his pre-match press conference that he will be rotating his lineup ahead of their Group C opener against Qarabag. He specifically singled out resting Alvaro Morata, with Batshuayi likely to be the beneficiary. Batshuayi's off to a slow start this season, albeit in limited playing time off the bench. We'll want attacking exposure to one of the biggest favorites on the slate, and a home fixture against Qarabag presents a prime opportunity for Batshuayi to get off the mark.
Leigh Griffiths, CEL at PSG ($5,200): Griffiths has been dealing with a calf injury but has been deemed fit for Celtic's Group B opener against PSG. He played a big role in helping Celtic dispatch of Astana 8-4 on aggregate to advance to the group stage, totaling 39 fantasy points in two games with a goal, two assists, seven shots and nine crosses. He takes the majority of set pieces for Celtic and, despite the tough matchup, checks in as an attractive play at $5,200.
