This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
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MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Real Madrid v. Paris Saint-Germain
2:45 p.m: Porto v. Liverpool
FORWARDS
Cristiano Ronaldo, MAD v. PSG ($13,500): In situations like these, Madrid have leaned on Ronaldo to propel them onward. The same might have to take place this time around, as Los Merengues have struggled in La Liga play this season, and the Parisians are coming to town. PSG are arguably the favorite to win the tournament this year, and unlike most knockout stages in the past, Madrid finds itself as the underdog. CR7 should never be considered an underdog, and if he is still capable of putting the team on his back, he will likely do so at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Roberto Firmino, LIV at POR ($12,000): Firmino is more of a tournament pick, but he typically has a few quality chances to score when he starts up front. He should lead the line Wednesday, and with Liverpool's attacking style of play, the Brazilian should have at least one clear goal-scoring chance.
Moussa Marega, POR v. LIV ($7,500): Marega has 16 goals in 19 games in the Primera Liga this season, including five braces. This is a good indicator of his sky-high ceiling, which would allow him to blow past his value.
MIDFIELDERS
Mohammed Salah, LIV v. POR ($11,000): This man has become one of the finest players in the world in just a year. He has scored 31 goals in 35 competitions for Liverpool this season, including in each of his last four matches. The Premier League is unwinnable at this point, but with Liverpool still alive in the Champions League, Salah should have no problem getting up for Porto on Wednesday.
Toni Kroos, MAD v. PSG ($8,500): Madrid will likely need to come out with a victory Wednesday if they have any chance of advancing to the next stage. Kroos is the set piece taker for Los Blancos, and there should be plenty of dead-ball situations, which means there will be many opportunities to grab an assist. In addition, he is a box-to-box midfielder, which allows him to collect more defensive stats than an offensive player.
Ricardo Pereira, POR v. LIV ($7,500): Pereira is a sneaky play at the midfield position Wednesday. He is a natural right-back, but there is a chance that he starts in the midfield against Liverpool. As a result, he should have more opportunities in attacking positions, which adds to his safe floor provided by his defensive output. Pereira has reached 20 fantasy points in each of the five Champions League games that he has started in this season.
DEFENDERS
Marcelo, MAD v. PSG ($5,000):Marcelo has been underpriced on FanDuel for some time. He is one of Real Madrid's main attacking options, as he streams up the left side of the field to deliver crosses and link up with the forwards. In fact, he had a goal and three assists in his last four La Liga matches, and he seems primed to put in another strong shift Wednesday.
Maxi Pereira, POR v. LIV ($4,500): Pereira fits well with the FanDuel scoring system due to his strong defensive play. He is a very fit and strong right-back with international pedigree, and he has played in plenty of big games. He will likely be trying to mark the pacy Sadio Mane, who will force Pereira to stay back defensively, but his defensive stat production could allow him to reach value on its own.
Andrew Robertson, LIV at POR ($4,000): Robertson is an absolute steal if he starts. He has not yet played in the Champions League this season, but after becoming a key fixture in the lineup over the past couple months, he is likely to enter the fold Wednesday. At $4,000, he is priced as a reserve player, but if he lines up at the left-back position, he is, essentially, a must play.
GOALKEEPER
Keylor Navas, MAD v. PSG ($4,500): It's tough to find a safe pick at goalkeeper for Wednesday's slate, so let's go with the cheapest one who happens to be at home. Navas is one of the finest shot-stoppers on the planet, and he is sure to see a handful of shots come his way; if he can manage to keep them all out of the net, he will be in for a monster fantasy performance.
