This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. RB Leipzig
- 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, BAR at PSG ($11,000): Barcelona have to make up a 4-1 aggregate deficit, which is probably too much to overcome. Nevertheless, they will certainly try, which means Messi is going to be the most popular player on the slate. His floor is incredibly high, as is his ceiling, and being the most expensive active player isn't likely to push many people away. Teammates Ousmane Dembele ($8,200) and Antoine Griezmann ($6,700) could be cheaper paths to the Barcelona attack, but they are likely more useful as complementary pieces than pivots from Messi.
Christopher Nkunku, RBL at LIV ($9,600): Nkunku is likely to take a majority of set pieces for an RB Leipzig team that needs to overcome a 2-0 deficit. It won't be easy, as they are still underdogs against Liverpool at Anfield, so it's understandable that there could be some hesitation on paying this much for him. If anything, we might be better off focusing on the Liverpool side, with Mohamed Salah ($9,900) likely to be more popular than Sadio Mane ($9,300), though Diogo Jota ($7,200) could be a very viable option because of the significant salary savings. What this all tells us is that there are expensive forwards and not much else, with fantasy players likely to be disappointed if they decide to pay down
MATCHES (EST)
- 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. RB Leipzig
- 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, BAR at PSG ($11,000): Barcelona have to make up a 4-1 aggregate deficit, which is probably too much to overcome. Nevertheless, they will certainly try, which means Messi is going to be the most popular player on the slate. His floor is incredibly high, as is his ceiling, and being the most expensive active player isn't likely to push many people away. Teammates Ousmane Dembele ($8,200) and Antoine Griezmann ($6,700) could be cheaper paths to the Barcelona attack, but they are likely more useful as complementary pieces than pivots from Messi.
Christopher Nkunku, RBL at LIV ($9,600): Nkunku is likely to take a majority of set pieces for an RB Leipzig team that needs to overcome a 2-0 deficit. It won't be easy, as they are still underdogs against Liverpool at Anfield, so it's understandable that there could be some hesitation on paying this much for him. If anything, we might be better off focusing on the Liverpool side, with Mohamed Salah ($9,900) likely to be more popular than Sadio Mane ($9,300), though Diogo Jota ($7,200) could be a very viable option because of the significant salary savings. What this all tells us is that there are expensive forwards and not much else, with fantasy players likely to be disappointed if they decide to pay down for Thiago Alcantara ($4,000) or Pedri ($5,300) simply to fill a forward spot.
MIDFIELDERS
Leandro Paredes, PSG v. BAR ($4,300): PSG don't have to push much, but Paredes' low salary makes his viability a plus because of a recent role on set pieces. There's no guarantee he gets those corners, and he'll surely be splitting with Angel Di Maria ($10,200, midfielder/forward) in a realistic best-case scenario, but with the way PSG play, he should get enough opportunities to score some points. The upside is limited, but Paredes could get there while helping pay up at the other spots.
Dani Olmo, RBL at LIV ($5,900): Consideration for Olmo is mostly around the belief that RB Leipzig will be pushing as much as possible, and Olmo has been one of their most consistent shot-takers and chance creators recently. His price feels a bit high for cash games, but GPPs players should surely be on board, along with Marcel Sabitzer ($6,300). Those playing double-ups could be more interested in Amadou Haidara ($3,900) because he'll likely be playing as a wing-back, especially because Tyler Adams ($3,500) just so rarely produces enough points to justify playing him on a Champions League slate.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. RBL ($7,100): Alexander-Arnold is likely to be the second most-popular player because of his big role on set pieces for Liverpool, the biggest favorite on the slate. He doesn't have a monopoly, which is why some people will consider Andrew Robertson ($5,900) too, and we shouldn't be surprised if many people play both because the midfield pool is just so ugly.
Oscar Mingueza, BAR at PSG ($3,000): Mingueza could line up as a full-back, which will certainly have some people look his way because he'd be playing out wide for a team chasing a three-goal deficit. However, be warned that he's definitely a center-back and expectations need to be set accordingly.
GOALKEEPER
Peter Gulacsi, RBL at LIV ($4,400): Gulacsi is the cheapest goalkeeper on the slate. That's it. From a save perspective, you can make the case Keylor Navas ($5,000) has the most upside against a Barcelona side desperate to score, but he's also the most expensive and may not be the easiest to fit if you're paying up for two elite forwards and defenders.
