This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 3:00 pm: Barcelona vs. Napoli
- 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, BAR v. NAP (€29): It's all to play for in Saturday's round-of-16 tilt between Barcelona and Napoli, with the series tied 1-1 on aggregate after the first leg. After the disappointment of finishing runner-up in La Liga, they now shift focus to lifting the most prestigious trophy in Europe. Messi is averaging over 21 fantasy points per game over his last five outings, and with a spot in the quarterfinals hanging in the balance, you better believe he will be up for this one.
Luis Suarez, BAR v. NAP (€29): While Robert Lewandowski (€30) comes with the best goal-scoring odds on the slate, Bayern Munich holds a 3-0 aggregate lead. I'll take the slim savings with Suarez, who has a bit more incentive to score with Barcelona neck-and-neck with Napoli for a spot in the quarterfinals. The Uruguayan has found the back of the net in each of his last three starts.
Jose Maria Callejon, NAP at BAR (€16): Callejon stands over a share of set pieces for Napoli, and considering they need at least a goal, we can expect he'll be looking to serve a ball up at any given opportunity. Dries Mertens is the big spend if we're taking our chances with Napoli pulling off the upset, but considering he costs the same as Messi and Suarez, I'll take the savings with Callejon to help squeeze in the heavy artillery elsewhere.
MIDFIELDERS
Joshua Kimmich, FCB v. CHE (€24): There really aren't many high-end midfielders to fit in, so Kimmich fits the bill as a reasonably priced floor midfielder. He continues to stand over the majority of set pieces, and while Bayern may be content to keep possession with a three-goal lead, they should have opportunities to hit on the counter with Chelsea throwing numbers forward.
Ivan Perisic, FCB v. CHE (€17): With Kingsley Coman set to miss out with a thigh injury, Perisic could slot into the starting XI. He has a goal and three assists across limited minutes in six UCL appearances this season, and if he gets the nod in this one, he could have some added motivation to add to his stats with a rare opportunity to log starter minutes.
Mason Mount, CHE at FCB (€17): Mount will be forced to shoulder much of the attacking load for Chelsea with Christian Pulisic, Willian, Pedro and Marcos Alonso all out. With Chelsea chasing a three-goal deficit, their only option is to lump numbers forward and hope to get an early goal to get themselves back in it. Mount should take the majority of set pieces, and if Chelsea come out on the front foot then he could have multiple opportunities to contribute.
DEFENDERS
Alphonso Davies, FCB v. CHE (€20): Davies boasts the highest attacking upside of any defender on this short slate, though it may not be needed with Bayern holding a 3-0 aggregate lead heading into the second leg. It's entirely possible that he'll continue to fly down the left-wing and make things happen going forward, but even if he doesn't he's still in a good spot to add a few clean sheet points against a depleted Chelsea attack.
Reece James, CHE at FCB (€15): James and Chelsea have a big hole to climb out of, but I don't see them just throwing in the towel from the opening whistle. I expect them to come out pressing for an early goal, and considering his ability to get involved going forward, James adds some attacking appeal at one of the defender slots in GPPs.
Nelson Semedo, BAR v. NAP (€15): Semedo bagged his first goal of the season in a substitute appearance on the final day of La Liga play. While he shouldn't always be trusted for attacking stats, he can certainly make his impact felt on the right flank, and if Barca are playing for the clean sheet the he's an economical way into having exposure to their defense.
GOALKEEPER
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, BAR v. NAP (€18): Technically, ter Stegen and Barca would qualify for the next round with a scoreless draw, so a case can be made for paying premium at the position. He's projected just behind Manuel Neuer (€19) with the best clean sheet odds on the slate and has posted a shutout in two of his last three appearances.
