This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Chelsea v. Barcelona
2:45 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Besiktas
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, FCB v. BESI (€27): Bayern Munich are the dominant favorites on the two-game slate, and Lewandowski comes in with by far the best anytime goal scorer odds. He has five goals on 18 shots (six on goal) and an assist in his last five Bundesliga matches, including a late match-winner from the penalty spot last weekend against Wolfsburg. If there is one player who could garner Lionel Messi's level of ownership (and production), it's Lewandowski.
Lionel Messi, BCN at CHE (€27): Despite playing at Stamford Bridge, Barcelona come in as slight favorites, with Messi having the best anytime goal scorer odds among players in that game. He hasn't scored in either of his past two starts after finding the back of the net in five straight, but he's still taking plenty of shots (at least four in nine straight with multiple shots on goal in each of those games). Normally his price would require a goal to make value, but he's likely to be so highly owned that playing him is more a hedge against a huge game rather than needing his actual fantasy output.
Alvaro Morata, CHE v. BCN (€23): Morata is the rightful pivot if you decide to fade Lewandowski or Messi, with Besiktas' Ryan Babel (€19) probably the next best option. As a reminder, Babel is playing at Bayern Munich, who are the biggest favorites of the entire round of 16 first-leg matches. Morata has been slowed by injury of late, but he's had a great Champions League and has the best goal odds for anyone from Chelsea.
MIDFIELDERS
Arjen Robben, FCB v. BESI (€24): Paying up at midfielder starts with deciding between Robben and James Rodriguez (€24), even if Franck Ribery (€25) is actually a bit more expensive. Robben has taken more set pieces recently, though part of that is because James was rested this past weekend. Either way, they offer significant access to the Bayern Munich attack, one that is expected to score more goals than any other team on the slate. And, if he starts, there's every reason to consider Kingsley Coman (€18), who could start in Ribery's place after being rested this past weekend as well.
Arturo Vidal, FCB v. BESI (€17): Did you think talking about Robben, James, Ribery and Coman was going to be the only talk about the Bayern Munich midfield? Think again! Vidal was suspended for last weekend's Bundesliga match, so he's nicely rested to take on Besiktas. He plays as a box-to-box midfielder, so he's not a high volume shooter, but the matchup against Besiktas should certainly allow him to be more in the attack. And don't think he ignores his defensive duties. In fact, his last two Bundesliga matches show just what he's capable of, as he scored one goal on four shots (three on target) against Hoffenheim on Jan. 27 and then won 10 of 14 tackles against Schalke on Feb. 10.
Ricardo Quaresma, BESI at FCB (€17): The matchup at Bayern Munich is no walk in the park, but we get Quaresma at a discount versus what we normally should have to pay. Besiktas went undefeated in group play, finishing ahead of Porto, RB Leipzig and AS Monaco, and while Bayern are much better than all of those teams, it's not like Besiktas are pushovers. A goal is asking too much from a player who took two shots in four of five group stage matches, but Quaremsa's crossing ability puts him in good position to set up his teammates if they can find a way through the strong Bayern Munich back line.
DEFENDERS
Joshua Kimmich, FCB v. BESI (€16): Kimmich is likely to be the most popular defender given his excellent attacking exploits and Bayern Munich's dominant clean sheet odds. Kimmich's crossing numbers haven't been that great recently because he hasn't been taking as many corners, but he's still a strong attacker and should have little problem moving up against Besiktas. Teammate Mats Hummels (€16) offers an additional option who could make solid value, as Jerome Boateng (€14) and David Alaba (€14) don't pile on the peripheral stats as well (which is why they are cheaper).
Cesar Azpilicueta, CHE v. BCN (€15): I have less confidence in a Chelsea clean sheet than Bayern Munich, which is why I'd probably play Alaba or Boateng instead of Azpilicueta, but if you want to diversify your back line a bit, I think Azpilicueta will help. His passing stats give him a decent floor, but it's his ability to chip in through other defensive stats that provide his somewhat safety. Don't depend on the clean sheet, but Azpilicueta has been one of the most reliable fantasy defenders this season.
Gary Medel, BESI at FCB (€10): Medel's positive fantasy Champions League results were admittedly against easier opposition, but he should have plenty of opportunities to register defensive peripheral stats against Bayern Munich. Whether he starts as a centerback or a defensive midfielder, Medel's minimum salary will likely do more for what you can do with the added cash than what he can provide in terms of fantasy stats.
GOALKEEPER
Sven Ulreich, FCB v. BESI (€14): With Manuel Neuer (€16) still out with a foot injury, we get an opportunity to get the starting goalkeeper for the dominant favorite on the slate for only €1 more than his counterpart (and the same price as the two keepers from the other match, which is basically a pick 'em). Ulreich is not Neuer, but he has a much easier path to the win, not to mention the clean sheet, than any other option.
