DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Champions League Targets

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

Keylor Navas, RM v. ROM ($3,800): Before pricing came into play, I intended for Navas not to be the top choice. But, for some reason DraftKings decided to discount the heaviest favorited keeper by $500 and here we are. In cash games, expect Navas to border on 100 percent owned; it's simply impossible to look past him.

There's an anomaly in soccer where the very best teams often don't win via their defense; they score an onslaught of goals such that their opponent simply cannot reciprocate. Real Madrid is a prime example of this, having 81 goals (2.9 goals per match) domestically while allowing 27 (Atletico Madrid has allowed just 12). There are times in these two-leg Champions League matchups where teams go for a shutout, happy with a 0-0 draw. Most in Real Madrid's spot, coming in with a two-away goal advantage, would shoot for just such a result. Real Madrid simply doesn't play this way. They score, they move men forward, and they will do the very same against Roma. I think, amongst multiple likely goals, there's a good chance Roma sneaks a goal of their own; since being shutout in the first leg Roma has scored an impressive 12 goals in three domestic matches.

Koen Casteels, WOB v. GNT ($4,200): Wolfsburg carries the best chance at a clean sheet. Casteels comes into this match in very good form, allowing just one goal in his last two domestic matches while making six saves. What really hints at this being a clean sheet is the scenario this second leg falls within. With three away goals in the first leg, Wolfsburg advances under a number of circumstances; most of which simply require a limitation on goals allowed. Gent rolled through the first two-thirds of their domestic season, but since the calendar hit February they have a record of 2-1-4 in all competitions while losing the lead in the Jupiter League. The Belgian side overachieved to get this far, but it looks as if their run ends here.

Ederson Moraes, BEN at ZEN ($3,000): Moraes could get the start over Julio Caesar, who is a bit banged up. This could give you both a chance to grab a keeper for cheap, but also showcases an exploitable flaw in Benfica's defense.

Defenders:

Silvio, BEN at ZEN ($2,700): With a suspension of Andre Almeida, Silvio is the likely starter at right back. Almeida accumulated 10 fantasy points sans defensive bonus due to his midfielder designation in the first leg. Silvio saw the field in three group stage matches, with mostly pedestrian point totals – his best game was a six-cross, 10-fantasy-point game against Galatasaray. Squeaking double-digit fantasy points out of him would be enough to constitute this price.

Layvin Kurzawa, PSG at CHE ($2,700): I'd be lying if I said I knew Kurzawa will start – it'll be some duo from Gregory van der Wiel, Maxwell, Marquinhos and Kurzawa playing the fullback positions – but if he starts, his ability to attack and cross the ball makes him a near must use at this price.

Other defenders: Gregory van der Wiel, PSG at CHE ($3,600); Christian Trasch, WOB v. GNT ($3,600); Lucas Digne, ROM at RM ( ($3,700); Marcelo, RM v. ROM ($4,700); Ricardo Rodriguez, WOB v. GNT ($3,700)

Midfielders:

Brecht Dejaegere, GNT at WOB ($3,000): Dejaegere has hit double-digit fantasy points in each of his three Champions League starts, including 17 fantasy points and an assist in the first leg.

Danijel Milicevic, GNT at WOB ($4,700): Milicevic only played 61 minutes in the first leg, but he still managed to send in eight crosses. He's a crossing machine, and in a game where Gent needs a massive amount of offense, it's a safe bet that we'll see him continue those crossing ways. I've listed two Gent midfielders, though I tout the Wolfsburg defense. I don't think Gent scores, but I think these midfielders will pick up a good number of peripheral stats at discounted prices that allow us to pay up elsewhere.

Mohamed Salah, ROM at RM ( ($3,800): The Egyptian winger proved to be quite the thorn in Real Madrid's side in the last leg, and after two goals this weekend (11 total in Serie A this season) could very well be the one that breaks the skin of Los Blancos.

Other midfielders: Angel Di Maria, PSG at CHE ($8,000); Isco, RM v. ROM ($4,500); James Rodriguez, RM v. ROM ($6,200); Renato Sanches, BEN at ZEN ($2,600); Cesc Fabregas, Chelsea v. PSG ($5,100); Nicolas Gaitan, BEN at ZEN ($6,000); Andre Schurrle, WOB v. GNT ($4,700); Axel Witsel, ZEN v. BEN ($3,800); Vieirinha, WOB v. GNT ($3,700); Diego Perotti, ROM at RM ( ($3,400)

Forwards:

Cristiano Ronaldo, RM v. ROM ($10,300): Ronaldo scored four goals Saturday against a Celta Vigo side firmly in contention for a Europa League spot. Expect him to fire away in this matchup as well. Looking for some extra cap space, Gareth Bale ($7,000) is back in action, scoring a goal and 19 fantasy points in just 25 minutes in that weekend match against Celta Vigo.

Hulk, ZEN v. BEN ($7,800): It may seem like a bit of a cop out to court the two most logical forwards, sinking so much of your salary cap here, but there's enough value elsewhere to easily pull it off. Zenit hosts Benfica in St. Petersburg and they need goals. Benfica could be without their top goalkeeper and a key right back. Hulk will be streaking up field, throwing in crosses, drawing fouls and taking shots on goal with reckless abandon – an abandon that should pay off for those that own him.

Other forwards: Gareth Bale, RM v. ROM ($7,000); Jese, RM v. ROM ($4,000); Artem Dzyuba, ZEN v. BEN ($5,800); Stephan El Shaarawy, ROM at RM ($5,400); Danny, ZEN v. BEN ($4,700); Pizzi, BEN at ZEN ($3,700); Max Kruse, WOB v. GNT ($5,200)