This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Manchester United v. CSKA Moscow
2:45 p.m: Chelsea v. Atletico Madrid
2:45 p.m: Roma v. Qarabag
2:45 p.m: Celtic v. Anderlecht
2:45 p.m: Benfica v. Basel
2:45 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Paris Saint-Germain
2:45 p.m: Barcelona v. Sporting CP
2:45 p.m: Olympiacos v. Juventus
FORWARDS
Edin Dzeko, RMA v FKQA (€19): Dzeko would be under serious consideration if he was the most expensive player in the pool, but getting him €8 cheaper than Lionel Messi makes him a slam dunk pick. As a result, expect Dzeko to be the highest owned player in any format, as he comes in as the leading shot taker and goal scorer for the biggest favorite on the slate that's expected to score the most goals. He is averaging 5.37 shots, including 2.18 on goal, per 90 minutes during Serie A play, and while his averages aren't as high during Champions League action, it's because he had to work through the tough defenses of Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. However, now that he's up against the worst team in the group, Dzeko should be incredibly active, potentially reaching double-digit shots for the fourth time this season.
Paulo Dybala, JUV at OLY (€23) Dzeko may lead Serie A in shots per 90 minutes among players with at least 180 minutes played, but Dybala is right behind him at 5.36, including 2.16 on goal. Juventus will book their place in the round of 16 with a win at Olympiacos, and they'll look to Dybala to lead the way. No player on Tuesday's slate has taken more shots during UCL play than Dybala, and while he's still looking for his first goal, it could surely come against a side that's allowed 11 in five group stage matches, including two to Juve in the reverse fixture.
Moussa Dembele, CEL v. ADL (€13): Dembele is expected to lead the line for the fifth-biggest favorite on the slate, which doesn't sound like much, but Celtic need a result to qualify for the Europa League. Dembele managed to take three shots against each of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain, finding the back of the net in Paris. Meanwhile, Anderlecht have allowed 17 goals during Champions League play, offering plenty of upside for Dembele at a fraction of the cost versus some bigger-name players.
MIDFIELDERS
Neymar, PSG at FCB (€27): I totally understand fading Neymar with PSG already booked for the knockout round and playing Bayern Munich in Germany. However, PSG have bigger aspirations this season and beating Bayern on their home turf fits into that narrative. I hate relying on narrative to make fantasy picks, but Neymar has the opportunity to become the first player to ever score in all six group stage matches. If you're building a Ballon d'Or case and accomplish something that neither Lionel Messi nor Cristiano Ronaldo has never done, that's a pretty good block to step on. And if you want stats to back it up, simply look at his 4.4 shots, 2.2 shots on goal and 4.0 fouls drawn per 90 minutes in Champions League play this season, including one goal on four shots and one assist on two chances created against Bayern Munich in the reverse fixture.
Radja Nainggolan, ROM v. FKQA (€15): Nainggolan is a do-it-all midfielder capable of filling up the stat sheet while still offering attacking upside. He was a little muted in Roma's first match against Qarabag, but needing a win to advance could spark the fire for a bigger game. Nainggolan has stepped up in big games, as seen when he had one goal on four shots (two on target), three chances created and three tackles won against Lazio last month, and with Roma such heavy favorites, he should be on the ball quite a bit. Teammate Diego Perotti (€21) is certainly worth considering as well, especially with some set-piece upside.
Adrien Trebel, AND at CEL (€14): Anderlecht are last in Group B, but they still have an opportunity to qualify for the Europa League with a win at Celtic. It won't be an easy task, but if they are able to accomplish it then Trebel likely played a role. He has scored at least seven fantasy points in three of five Champions League matches this season, with the two that came up short coming against PSG. Otherwise, Trebel scored 7.30 against Celtic and 8.60 and 7.00 against Bayern Munich, respectively. Those hauls aren't bad for a player with no goals and no assists. Both teams in this match have allowed 17 goals during the group stage, so don't be surprised if goals are flying Tuesday.
DEFENDERS
Aleksandar Kolarov, ROM v. FKQA (€15): A full Roma defensive stack is certainly in the cards against Qarabag, especially with Roma needing a win to advance. Despite mostly playing as a left-back, Kolarov is third in shots taken on the team during Serie A play, and his role on set pieces opens up opportunities for accurate crosses. The latter figure has been particularly good of late, as Kolarov was accurate on 10 of his 21 crosses over the last two Serie A matches while also taking five shots (two on goal) and picking up an assist on 10 chances created.
Medhi Benatia, JUV at OLY (€13): Benatia is expected to start alongside Andrea Barzagli (€14), and while they don't have the same attacking prowess as Alex Sandro (€14), they provide excellent defensive stability for a Juve side that has the second-best clean sheet odds on the slate. Juventus come in with three consecutive clean sheets, including one against Barcelona in Turin, and the matchup against Olympiacos shouldn't knock them off their streak, even in Greece.
Thomas Vermaelen, FBCN v. SPOR (€10): Vermaelen is expected to move into the starting XI in place of the injured Samuel Umtiti (€15), giving us a nice salary-saving option while still getting access to a Barcelona side that is the third-biggest favorite on the slate. Sporting are likely to come out flying, as they need all three points to even have a chance at the knockout stage, but the Barcelona defense held them scoreless in Lisbon back in September, and there's little reason to think it'll be easier in Spain.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson, ROM v. FKQA (€14): Roma have the best win and clean sheet odds on the slate, giving plenty of reason to select Alisson over the likes of Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen (€16), Chelsea's Thibaut Courtois (€15), Bayern Munich's Sven Ulreich (€15), PSG's Alphonse Areola (€15) or Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak (€14). Paying up for goalkeeper usually makes sense because the pricing isn't as spread out, but saving a few bucks for Alisson is simply a gift given Roma's expected dominance of the match.
