This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Copenhagen v. Qarabag FK
2:45 p.m: CSKA Moscow v. Young Boys
2:45 p.m: Liverpool v. Hoffenheim
2:45 p.m: Steaua Bucuresti v. Sporting CP
2:45 p.m: Slavia Praha v. Apoel Nicosia
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Igor Akinfeev, CSK v. YB ($5,400): Akinfeev turned in a five-save, 20-point performance in a 1-0 first leg win at Young Boys. The return game is projected to be another low-scoring affair, and with Moscow knowing a 0-0 draw is good enough to put them through to the Champions League group stage, Akinfeev looks attractive at a slight discount compared to the two most expensive goalkeepers on the board.
Florin Nita, SBR v. LIS ($4,300): Nita showed up with a clutch three-save, 13-point effort at Lisbon in the first leg and now checks in as the cheapest home goalkeeper on the slate. With a spot in the Champions League group stage at stake, FCSB will look to Nita to keep Sporting at bay once more as they look to pull off the upset.
DEFENDER
James Milner, LIV v. TSG ($7,500): His price seems outrageous but Milner has to be mentioned here in case he starts. He entered the Liverpool starting XI as a midfielder in Saturday's win over Crystal Palace and took over set-piece duty for the Reds. He finished with two shots, four corners and six crosses en route to 10 fntasy points, which is sub-par for the price but can be seen as an indicator of how active he is in the attack. If Milner doesn't start and Trent Alexander-Arnold ($4,800) does, Alexander-Arnold would likely have a share of set pieces and would warrant strong consideration even at an inflated price.
Pavel Kaderabek, TSG at LIV ($4,200): Kaderabek pumped in eight crosses against Liverpool in the first leg, and with Hoffenheim chasing goals another multi-cross effort could be in order. Kaderabek didn't start in Hoffenheim's Bundesliga opener over the weekend so, as with Milner above, watch for starting lineups when they are released.
MIDFIELDER
Sadio Mane, LIV v. TSG ($9,100): Mane's averaging over 16 fantasy points per game over the first three games of the season and looks set for another double-digit total with a spot in the Champions League group stage up for grabs. He is usually good for a handful of points through multiple statistical categories, making him arguably the safest play of all the Liverpool attackers.
Marcos Acuna, LIS at SBR ($6,400): Acuna has been a crossing machine since joining Sporting. He put in a whopping 16 in the first leg 0-0 draw against FCSB, and with everything still to play for he's in line for another big performance.
Kerem Demirbay, TSG at LIV ($5,900): Demirbay was another player who paid dividends in the first leg with 10 crosses as part of 15 fantasy points against Liverpool. He equalled that total with another 10 crosses in Hoffenheim's Bundesliga season opener Saturday, and a back-and-forth affair in the second leg plays into the possibility of Demirbay hitting double-digit crosses for the third straight game.
FORWARD
Roberto Firmino, LIV v. TSG ($9,000): Despite a disappointing five fantasy points in the first leg win at Hoffenheim, it's back to the well with Firmino. Hoffenheim have an attack worthy of making a series out of it, and Liverpool aren't the type of team that can sit back and absorb pressure. Firmino got off five shots against Crystal Palace on Saturday and could top that against Hoffenheim on Wednesday if things get interesting.
Denis Alibec, SBR v. LIS ($5,500): Alibec came close to helping FCSB pull off a big upset at Lisbon in the first leg, taking four shots (three on goal) and finishing with 10 fantasy points. A quick glance through his game logs shows how physical of a forward Alibec is, but in general his fouls committed are offset by his fouls drawn. With a spot in the UCL group stage in sight, look for FCSB to continue to feed their target man in the second leg.
