This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 12:55 pm: Club Brugge vs. Galatasaray
- 12:55 pm: Olympiacos vs. Tottenham Hotspur
- 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Juventus
- 3:00 pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Lokomotiv Moscow
- 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Red Star Belgrade
- 3:00 pm: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Atalanta
- 3:00 pm: FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, FCB v. CRV (€30): Lewandowski is the most expensive player on the slate, but Bayern Munich are gigantic favorites at home against Crvena zvezda and Lewandowski has by far the best odds to score at least one goal. He's also been dominating the Bundesliga this season, scoring seven goals in four games while averaging 5.25 shots, including 3.00 on target, and 2.25 fouls won per 90 minutes. It won't be easy to stack Bayern Munich, but getting their leading goal scorer should be a priority.
Duvan Zapata, ATA at DZG (€19): The Atalanta attack has really been clicking this season, as they've scored multiple goals in all three Serie A matches and lead the Italian first division in saves forced. Zapata has been a major part of that effort, as he has three goals on 16 shots, including seven on target, and he comes in with higher anytime goal scorer odds than more-expensive forwards like Cristiano Ronaldo (€29), Karim Benzema (€28), Gareth Bale (€27), Eden Hazard (€25) and Son Heung-Min (€23). Given the name recognition of those players, Zapata's ownership doesn't figure to be that high, giving GPP players a step up if he can continue his hot start to the season.
Radamel Falcao, GAL at CLUB (€10): Galatasaray are underdogs playing away to Club Brugge, but Falcao's minimum price really shouldn't be overlooked. He scored 15 goals in 33 appearances for Monaco last season and bagged one in his first start for the Turkish side last week. He's long been a player who puts a decent number of his shot attempts on target, and while there are forwards with higher upside on the slate, it's tough to find one at his price. If you're looking at the other side of this match for a cheap goal, David Chidozie Okereke (€10) fits the mold.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at SHK (€27): De Bruyne is the engine that makes the Manchester City attack go, which we saw last weekend against Norwich City when it sputtered without him, but he's fully expected back in the starting XI for Wednesday's game. His shot upside isn't that consistent, but he's an excellent chance creator and likely to get on the scoresheet if City score as much as the oddsmakers expect them to. The lineup is still up in the air, but a €20 Riyad Mahrez would also make for excellent exposure to their high-flying attack at a reasonable price.
Kingsley Coman, FCB v. CRV (€14): Coman is also more chance creator than goal scorer, but his price is very cheap given Bayern Munich's expected dominance of Crvena zvezda. In fact, Serge Gnabry (€15) is very inexpensive too considering you have to pay €24 for Philippe Coutinho, if he starts, and he's just as goal or assist-dependent as the others. This is pretty much a play on Bayern crushing in this match, but given the bookmaker odds, that's exactly what's expected to happen.
James Rodriguez, RMA at PSG (€17): Real Madrid aren't expected to beat Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but the oddsmakers are definitely expecting goals on both sides. James' role has grown lately, as he even shared set pieces with Toni Kroos (€25) in last week's game, and he was solid in both of the past two La Liga matches, accumulating seven shots, seven chances created, three accurate crosses and four tackles won. Given that you usually have to pay top price for Real Madrid attackers, James comes in at a comfortable level where you don't have to make sacrifices to fit him in.
DEFENDERS
Joshua Kimmich, FCB v. CRV (€22): No defender is more expensive than Kimmich, but it's a deserved price given he's the primary set-piece taker for the biggest favorite on the slate who also happens to have the best clean sheet odds. Kimmich's upside isn't too high because he rarely takes shots, but he's Bayern's best chance creator and they are overwhelming favorites at home. If you're playing the clean sheet game with Bayern, Lucas Hernandez (€13), Niklas Sule (€14) and Benjamin Pavard (€15) are cheaper paths, though they don't have the attacking upside of Kimmich, who has been playing as a midfielder for most of this season.
Wendell, B04 v. LOKO (€10): Speaking of clean sheets, Bayer Leverkusen have the third-best clean sheet odds on the slate -- second-best among home teams -- and their four expected starting defenders are minimum priced, though it's worth pointing out that Lars Bender will not get clean sheet points because he's classified as a midfielder. Wendell leads the team's defenders in tackles won and fouls won, while Sven Bender has been the most attack-minded in the group, at least in terms of shots.
Joao Cancelo, MCI at SHK (€16): Cancelo has played only one Premier League minute this season, but he is expected to start Wednesday in place of Kyle Walker at right-back. He is a solid fantasy producer, as he's able to join the attack through accurate crosses, fouls won and a few shots while also winning tackles. It's possible that City start only two defender-eligible players on Yahoo, with Nicolas Otamendi (€15) the other option, and while that kind of defensive situation doesn't scream "shutout," the oddsmakers are still giving City the best odds for a clean sheet after Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.
GOALKEEPER
Lukas Hradecky, B04 v. LOKO (€10): Continuing the trend of minimum-priced players from Bayer Leverkusen, Hradecky comes in with the third-highest win odds and second-highest clean sheet chances on the entire slate. It can't be overlooked that he just allowed four goals away to Borussia Dortmund this past weekend, but he conceded just three goals and made 10 saves in the three previous matches.
