This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Apoel Nicosia v. Slavia Praha
2:45 p.m: Sporting CP v. Steaua Bucuresti
2:45 p.m: Hoffenheim v. Liverpool
2:45 p.m: Young Boys v. CSKA Moscow
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPERS
Rui Patricio, LIS v. SBR ($6,000): Sporting are heavy home favorites in their first leg against FCSB, and Patricio has notched a clean sheet in five of his last six appearances across all competitions. With few high-dollar players to pay up for on the slate, paying up for Patricio against a less-than-threatening attack in Romanian side FCSB can be justified.
DEFENDER
Cristiano Piccini, LIS v. SBR ($5,700): The Italian right-back is expected to both bolster the Lisbon backline as well as contribute to the attack this season. He's been lively in his first two games since a summer transfer from Real Betis, with a shot and four crosses as he continues to get acclimated with his new environment. With Sporting pushing to take a good result back to Bucharest, Piccini has a good chance of contributing both attacking and defensive points.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at TSG ($4,200): With James Milner on the bench, and Philippe Coutinho out, it was Alexander-Arnold taking some of the corner kicks for Liverpool on Saturday. Aside from the added set-piece appeal, Alexander-Arnold was a bright spot in the lineup despite a disappointing 3-3 draw with Watford. If Milner returns to the starting lineup, he'd likely eat into any set pieces Alexander-Arnold might have, but with Coutinho already ruled out it's worth looking for Alexander-Arnold when lineups are announced.
MIDFIELDER
Gelson Martins LIS v. SBR ($7,900): Martins bagged a brace in Lisbon's Primeira Liga opener, and he sent in eight crosses in his last outing Friday. The speedy winger is a handful for opposing defenses, and with Lisbon the biggest favorite, Martins has a good chance at making a mark on the scoresheet with a goal or an assist.
Marcos Acuna, LIS v. SBR ($5,800): The left winger had an assist in his Primeira Liga debut, and he has 18 crosses through his first two games with Sporting. He supplies multiple crosses through both set pieces and open play, and sending balls into a big target like Bas Dost only adds to his fantasy appeal.
Kerem Demirbay, TSG v. LIV ($5,300): Demirbay was a key attacking piece for Hoffenheim last season and is sure to be a handful for a Liverpool defense that shipped three goals to Watford to open their season. Demirbay's open-play vision coupled with his role on set pieces plants him firmly on the radar at an attractive $5,300 price.
FORWARD
Roberto Firmino, LIV at TSG ($9,200): Firmino returns to his old stomping grounds on the heels of a strong showing in Liverpool's domestic opener. He converted a penalty and assisted on a goal in a 3-3 draw with Watford, and with Coutinho already ruled out, Firmino will continue to shoulder more of the attacking load as he builds chemistry with strike partner Mohamed Salah.
Bas Dost, LIS v. SBR ($8,200): Dost is the go-to goal scorer on the biggest favorite of the slate. The big 6-foot-5 target forward has scored 35 goals in 33 appearances for the club, and with Sporting looking to build a healthy lead in the first leg they'll continue to lean on Dost to supply the goals.
