DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Picks

For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EDT)

3:00 p.m: Barcelona v. Inter Milan
3:00 p.m: Borussia Dortmund v. Atletico Madrid
3:00 p.m: Lokomotiv Moscow v. FC Porto
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. FK Crvena Zvezda
3:00 p.m: Galatasaray v. Schalke
3:00 p.m: Paris Saint-Germain v. Napoli

FORWARDS

Neymar, PSG v. NAP ($11,600): On the plus side, we don't have to consider whether to play Neymar or Lionel Messi ($11,100) because the latter is out because of an arm injury. The PSG star has been arguably the best fantasy asset in the world this season, as he's scored a goal or assisted one in every match he's played in Ligue 1 and the Champions League. He's been particularly great of late, scoring six goals on 19 shots (13 on target), picking up one assist on 11 chances created, sending in 16 crosses and drawing 18 fouls in his past three games. No player has a higher floor, and while the matchup at home against Napoli isn't the easiest one on the slate, fading Neymar might be the scariest fade possible. Those who still want to do it could certainly turn to Kylian Mbappe ($10,300), who doesn't have quite as high a floor but has managed six goals on 18 shots (10 on target) and one assist on seven chances created in his last three games, while Edinson Cavani ($9,000) has the goal upside but the lowest floor. Oh, and of course there's Angel Di Maria ($8,500), who has a role on set pieces, which has helped him to one goal on nine shots (four on target), two assists on 11 chances created and 20 crosses in his last three games. He doesn't have the upside of Mbappe or Cavani, but the floor is surely higher.

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. CRV ($10,000): Messi's absence doesn't mean we're out of high-priced forwards to strongly consider, as Salah comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds and plays for the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total. Salah has taken multiple shots in every match this season, and while his role on set pieces isn't that big, Liverpool's expected dominance is likely to make him a popular cash-game play. In fact, Liverpool are such huge favorites that fantasy players could theoretically fade PSG because of their tougher matchup and stack Salah with Sadio Mane ($9,300) and/or Roberto Firmino ($8,100) and/or Xherdan Shaqiri ($8,600) and hope you can grab all their goals.

Matteo Politano, INT at BAR ($6,500): Politano is one of the more active crossers on the slate, and while a matchup against Barcelona isn't necessarily a great one on the surface, it's worth recognizing that not only are they without Messi, but they have allowed multiple goals in four of their past six games. Meanwhile, crosses are an integral part of the Inter Milan attack, one that has scored multiple goals in four of their last five. If you don't want to test the Barcelona defense, Galatasaray's Sinan Gumus ($5,700) continues to take most of their set pieces and he's at least favored at home.

MIDFIELDERS

James Milner, LIV v. CRV ($7,800): Simply put, Milner is the main set-piece taker on the biggest favorite on the slate, one with a higher implied goal total than Real Madrid had against Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday. Milner really doesn't shoot that much, but he makes up for it slightly with his defensive work. That being said, his defensive responsibilities are probably going to be light against Crvena Zvezda, so fantasy players can simply focus on his set-piece opportunities.

Philippe Coutinho, BAR v. INT ($8,300): Messi's absence is a bit of a positive for Coutinho, who is likely to get a bigger role on set pieces while more of the attack will be geared toward getting him shots. He stepped up this past weekend when Messi got hurt, finishing with one goal on five shots, including three on goal, five crosses, four chances created and three fouls drawn. Inter have been a very good defensive team this year, but few teams are able to fully contain Coutinho, at least in terms of shots. His salary isn't cheap, but Barcelona are still the third-biggest favorite on the slate, with Coutinho having the highest floor and ceiling on the team.

Nabil Bentaleb, S04 at GAL ($4,000): Bentaleb's upside isn't overly high, but his matchup is basically a pick 'em and he's been taking set pieces for Schalke of late. Known more as a defensive midfielder, Bentaleb has been getting more involved in the attack because of his role on corners, something that helped him take multiple shots in three of four games before sending in nine crosses during last weekend's match against Werder Bremen. Finding a set-piece taker in his price range doesn't happen often, and with plenty of players worth paying up for, Bentaleb provides some solid salary savings. Or, if you need even more, it's worth giving Sebastian Rudy ($3,200) a look if he starts, though he's unlikely to have a major role on set pieces. The other side of this match shouldn't be ignored either, with, Younes Belhanda ($4,400) an interesting target because of his shared role on set pieces, which he makes up for by taking more shots than someone like Bentaleb or Rudy.

DEFENDERS

Alex Telles, POR at LKM ($5,800): Porto must travel farther than any other side on Wednesday's slate, but they are still decent favorites over Lokomotiv Moscow and Telles continues to have a monopoly of their set pieces. He missed a penalty in their Champions League opener but bounced back at home against Galatasaray, picking up an assist on one of his five chances created, helped out by 11 crosses. His price is high but he has the safest floor at the position. If upside is what you're looking for, either Trent Alexander-Arnold ($6,000) or Andrew Robertson ($5,900) would work considering Liverpool's high implied goal total.

Sime Vrsaljko, INT at BAR ($4,200): Vrsaljko battled a few different injuries early this season, but he's been an impressive fantasy producer of late thanks to a role on set pieces. Inter Milan have a number of quality crossers, but Vrsaljko's price makes him a solid option despite the matchup away to PSG. Thanks to his opportunities on corners, Vrsaljko has sent in 10 and 13 crosses in the past two games, respectively, picking up one assist on six chances created. Barcelona have been far from good defensively this season, while Inter lead Serie A in crosses by averaging 33.44 per match, providing optimism that Vrsaljko will still get his opportunities despite being an underdog.

Hamza Mendyl, S04 at GAL ($4,600): The best way I can describe Mendyl is that he's fine. Nothing jumps out, but he's a decent crosser from his left-back spot, and he's had a few games with multiple fouls drawn and tackles won. His salary is in a bit of a weird range, but if you find yourself there and using the money elsewhere doesn't really help, plugging in Mendyl should be.......fine.

GOALKEEPER

Samir Handanovic, INT at BAR ($3,900): You wouldn't normally jump at an opportunity to take the goalkeeper playing away to Barcelona, but Handanovic comes in with the huge boost that Messi won't play. That advantage doesn't make him a must play, but it sure does make him more attractive. Not only that, Inter have been excellent defensively this season, as Handanovic hasn't allowed multiple goals since Aug. 26, and he has three clean sheets and 17 saves in his last six starts. With many people likely stacking Liverpool and/or Paris Saint-Germain, taking the goalkeeper against a Barcelona side that they're fading could be a popular choice, with Liverpool's Alisson ($6,000) certainly the top one worth paying up for because of his high clean sheet odds and excellent play this season, particularly at Anfield.