This article is part of our DraftKings Liga MX series.
GOALKEEPER
William Yarbrough, LEO vs. MOR ($4,400): The price reflects the fact that this is a small slate, as Yarbrough is a fantastic goalie and the clean sheet potential for Leon is the highest of all four teams. This is the safe cash play and should be the chalk as Tigres and Monterrey should be a shootout, while Leon has all the weapons to stifle Morelia.
Jonathan Orozco, MNT vs. TIG ($3,800): I am recommending a second goalkeeper because while I think Yarbrough is a lock for cash games, Orozco should be the high-upside tournament target. Orozco was simply on another planet in the first leg of this matchup. Tigres was the dominant team and while Monterrey capitalized well, it was a goalkeeping masterclass from Orozco that was the difference. This is a very cheap price, but I am still hesitant to make this play in cash games for the fact that Tigres must win and score three, so they will be pressuring for the full 90 minutes and could easily find the net three or four times, but the save upside is massive.
DEFENDER
Guillermo Burdisso, LEO vs. MOR ($3,800): I fully expect Leon to tighten up and control this match from start to finish, which puts Leon defenders as my prime clean sheet targets. Burdisso has double-digit upside without the bonus, and he has averaged two shots per game over the last three and can pile on defensive statistics.
Facundo Erpen, MOR at LEO ($2,700): While I do think Leon should handle this game fairly easily, it is hard to ignore that Erpen is one of the only defenders in this price range with legitimate double-digit upside. The Leon pressure should allow him the opportunity to collect points for interceptions and tackles won. The fact that Monterrey's defenders around this price can't keep pace with the Tigres wingers puts them in danger of committing many fouls and makes this choice much easier.
MIDFIELDER
Javier Aquino, TIG at MNT ($5,700): One of the main reasons we can afford to pay up for Gignac is the good value that Aquino brings at midfield. Aquino was only credited with six crosses in the first leg but dominated Monterrey's defense whenever he approached, and his crosses should turn into quality chances in a game where Tigres must press. Aquino's crosses were all targeted for Gignac in the first leg, so there is great assist potential as well as the solid floor.
Luis Montes, LEO vs. MOR ($4,200): Leon will certainly be the happier team after the first leg because they are tied on aggregate and carry an away goal into the second leg. Leon, however, are the better team and should be looking to blow this game open and establish their Liguilla presence. Montes has done a great job in the attacking midfield role, and seems to have won the spot over from Maximiliano Moralez, which will finally give him stable minutes. Montes makes a great pivot off of the expensive Elias Hernandez who put up his lowest DraftKings total in two months in the first leg.
Guido Pizarro, TIG at MNT ($2,900): Pizarro got the start and played very well for the possession-dominant Tigres club, which will only be attacking more in this match. Pizarro registered three shots, one of which was on goal, and would have had double-digit fantasy points if not for a booking.
FORWARD
Andre-Pierre Gignac, TIG at MNT ($8,400): When any club finds themselves with their backs against the wall, their best hope of fighting their way out comes with their most dynamic player. Even at $8,400, I will be rostering Gignac because Tigres' season depends on him scoring. With Monterrey up 3-1 on aggregate, including three away goals, Gignac must come out firing. Tigres was dominant in possession and attempts in the first leg, and Gignac seemed to be the focal point. Look for the trend to continue on the road, where Tigres inexplicably are a much more efficient attack.
Rogelio Funes Mori, MNT vs. TIG ($5,300): Funes Mori is the cheapest of Monterrey's "Big Four" (Funes Mori, Pabon, Cardona, C. Sanchez) but carries the same upside. We saw Monterrey execute their game plan perfectly in the first leg: they are not going to press or take shots but instead wait for opportunities to counter. This worked very well but it certainly hurts the floors of our attacking midfielders. Funes Mori is the cheapest threat to score, and when, not if, the game turns physical, Antonio Mohamed has shown in the past the Funes Mori will not be the first to come off.
