This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Manchester City
- 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. Real Madrid
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. RMA ($8,500): Liverpool need to win by at least two goals to advance to the semi-final, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Salah, who comes in with a goal in four of his last five games, including the first leg against Real Madrid. Teammate Diogo Jota ($7,600) could also be a consideration given how efficient he's been in front of net, while Sadio Mane ($7,400) is always lurking as a great GPP play. Mane's struggled for much of the season, but he has just as much upside as the other forwards on the team. We could also see Jurgen Klopp use a heavily attacking lineup with those three and Roberto Firmino ($5,400), which just adds to the potential stacking options for those who want multiple Liverpool attackers.
Raheem Sterling, MCI at BVB ($6,800): Even though they won the first leg, Manchester City are likely going to have to score in Germany to ensure they make it through. Sterling's floor is pretty low, making him fairly risky for cash games, but his low price is enticing if he can make the starting XI. If not, Riyad Mahrez ($7,800) has reached double-digit fantasy points in seven consecutive starts and would be a usable cash-game option for those with the salary. Of course, Manchester City will likely need to score because Erling Haaland ($8,000) is a menace and trails only Salah in terms of anytime goal scorer odds. I can't fault anyone for playing Haaland in cash games because Dortmund need a goal, but he's unlikely to be helpful if he doesn't find the back of the net.
Thiago Alcantara, LIV v. RMA ($3,900): Thiago likely wouldn't be much of a consideration if he was just a midfielder (which he actually is in real life), but as a cheap forward for a team that has to score, he's not the worst play in the world for those who need the salary. That being said, the optimal construction likely doesn't have a really cheap forward.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at BVB ($9,500): Manchester City are the the biggest favorite on the slate and De Bruyne takes basically all of their set pieces, which will likely make him one of the most popular players in cash games. Using De Bruyne with at least one Manchester City forward is a solid strategy in GPPs, though he's also perfectly correlated with Phil Foden ($7,900), who starts more than enough as a forward to justify positional eligibility, but he's only a midfielder on this slate.
Toni Kroos, RMA at LIV ($7,200): Kroos takes all set pieces for Real Madrid, though you can make the argument that he's not a must on this slate, at least in cash games, because his team won the first leg 3-1 and won't have to score if Liverpool can't score multiple times. Then again, Real Madrid aren't a side to just sit back and take a beating regardless of the opponent, so you certainly can't be faulted for being interested in Kroos' safe floor.
Giovanni Reyna, BVB v. MCI ($4,200): There aren't many cheap midfielders with high ceilings, but Reyna somewhat fits the category if he starts in place of the banged up Marco Reus ($6,600). Even though they are underdogs, Dortmund will still be plenty active in the attack when they have the ball, and Reyna at least provides some exposure at a lower price.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. RMA ($6,500): Alexander-Arnold is the most expensive defender on the slate, but he also figures to be the most popular player at any position, at least in cash games, because he takes set pieces for a home favorite. He's also a prolific open-play crosser who gets particularly active on the wing if Liverpool are trailing. Oh, look, they need at least two goals to advance passed Real Madrid, how convenient! Teammate Andrew Robertson ($4,900) could also be a consideration because he takes some set pieces too, but as usual, he is better as a complement to Alexander-Arnold than a replacement.
Raphael Guerreiro, BVB v. MCI ($4,600): Guerreiro has reclaimed a role on set pieces, and while Dortmund are underdogs at home against Manchester City, they absolutely have to score if they want to win the tie. Even if they don't have a ton of the ball, Guerreiro is likely to be active when they are in the attack, and his relatively modest price makes his inclusion not overly prohibitive.
Emre Can, BVB v. MCI ($2,700): Can could be the cheapest starting player on Wednesday's slate, and even though he's just as likely to score less than one point than to score more than two, some people will be interested in him because he could be playing in the midfield but can fill a defender spot. It feels like a pretty big trap, but the salary savings is certainly helpful.
GOALKEEPER
Thibaut Courtois, RMA at LIV ($4,500): Similarly to Tuesday's slate with Keylor Navas, Courtois seems to have the most save upside because he's facing a team that needs to score multiple goals and doesn't usually hesitate to take shots. You could make a similar argument for Ederson ($5,800) against Borussia Dortmund, but he's the most expensive goalkeeper and Dortmund aren't a team that forces a ton of saves anyway.
