This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
- 12:55 pm: Real Madrid vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
- 12:55 pm: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Lokomotiv Moscow
- 3:00 pm: Ajax vs. Liverpool
- 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Atlético Madrid
- 3:00 pm: FC Midtjylland vs. Atalanta
- 3:00 pm: Inter Milan vs. Mönchengladbach
- 3:00 pm: Manchester City vs. FC Porto
- 3:00 pm: Olympiacos vs. Marseille
FORWARDS
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. POR (€24): Manchester City are the second-biggest favorite on the slate but have the highest implied goal total, while Aguero comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds among all players. He is recently back from injury but played 60 minutes last weekend and seems ready to lead the line once again in a very favorable matchup.
Patson Daka, RBS v. LOKO (€24): Many fantasy players could be drawn to big names like Robert Lewandowski, Romelu Lukaku or Mohamed Salah, but Daka comes in with excellent anytime goal scorer odds and playing for the third-biggest favorite on the slate (bigger than Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Liverpool). He's been on a tear this season, bagging braces in back-to-back matches within his last three, which was preceded by a game with a goal off the bench. Let others pay up for the stars and enjoy the fantasy points that come with Daka's goals.
Duvan Zapata, ATA at FCMI (€17): The Atalanta attack is very strong, and Zapata is a big part of that, coming in with one goal on nine shots, including five on goal, and two assists on six chances created in his first three Serie A starts this season (he was held to 45 minutes this past weekend). Even though he's cheaper than most of the elite forwards, Zapata has the same anytime goal scorer odds as Salah, which means they're better than Daka, Lukaku and Raheem Sterling.
MIDFIELDERS
Dominik Szoboszlai, RBS v. LOKO (€16): Similar to Daka, Szoboszlai figures to be a bit overlooked given the star power on the slate, but as the primary set-piece taker for the third-biggest favorite, he absolutely needs to be in consideration. He had two assists on four chances created in their most recent domestic league game, and he bagged a goal in their previous game, so don't think you're only playing for a few peripheral points because he's so much cheaper than the upper-tier midfielders on this slate.
Luka Modric, RMA v. SHK (€17): Modric's upside is fully dependent on whether Toni Kroos (€27) is in the lineup. Kroos returned from injury this past weekend, playing 78 minutes, and the quick turnaround plus somewhat weak opponent could give the team an opportunity to keep him fresh. If that's the case, Modric should be on most set pieces, which naturally puts him in positions to create chances and potentially get on the score-sheet. Modric does chip in on some defensive work, but he's really here for the set pieces.
Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. POR (€26): Mahrez is expected to take a decent share of set pieces because of the injury absence of Kevin De Bruyne (knee), and while he doesn't have great goal odds, he's still an excellent shot-taker, ripping off 11, including three on goal, in his three Premier League starts this season. It's also possible to get some cheaper exposure through Phil Foden (€19), especially since he was on a few dead balls this past weekend.
DEFENDERS
Nacho, RMA v. SHK (€13): Sergio Ramos (€22) is the most expensive defender on the slate, but he's been ruled out with a knee injury, which gives us a much cheaper entry point to the highest clean sheet odds on the slate. Nacho really doesn't do much to make us want him if he was more expensive, but the matchup and price are ideal. You can also grab Ferland Mendy (€14), if he starts, for only a little more, and he at least provides some attacking upside in addition to the clean sheet potential.
Ruben Dias, MCI v. POR (€15): Manchester City are still figuring things out defensively, but we can't ignore that they have the second-highest clean-sheet odds on the slate. None of their defenders are overly expensive, maybe because they don't get involved in the attack much, but Dias is a solid contributor for a heavy favorite.
Robin Gosens, ATA at FCMI (€16): Gosens has been stuffing the stat sheet recently, earning fantasy points with shots, interceptions, tackles won and fouls drawn. Atalanta's attack has plenty of weapons, and Gosens can be a part of that, as we've seen him take six shots and create four chances in four Serie A starts this season, helping him to one goal and two assists. Atalanta may be away for their match against Midtjylland, but they are still bigger favorites than Inter Milan, Liverpool and Olympiacos.
GOALKEEPER
Cican Stankovic, RBS v. LOKO (€12): RB Salzburg are the third-biggest favorite on the slate and have the fifth-highest clean sheet odds, which makes Stankovic's low price appealing. You can make a similar case for Atalanta's Marco Sportiello at the same price, though you're buying into lower clean sheet odds with that move.
