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MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Roma v. Barcelona
2:45 p.m: Manchester City v. Liverpool
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, FCB at ROM ($11,200): Messi flashed his sky-high ceiling with a hat trick en route to 42 fantasy points in La Liga action over the weekend. Somehow he failed to score in Barcelona's 4-1 win over Roma in the first leg despite firing off seven shots, and while Barca likely won't need to score, they will want to slam the door shut with an away goal. I don't think he's absolutely necessary on this slate considering the implications in the other game, but on a two-game slate where Barcelona are clearly superior, we just can't full-fade Messi.
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. LIV ($9,500): Aguero returned from injury over the weekend, managing a shot on goal in 14 minutes off the bench. Manchester City face an uphill battle after losing 3-0 in the first leg, but in the Champions League anything can happen and this one is far from over. If Manchester City get an early goal and the momentum, the goals could start flowing, and when that happens, Aguero is usually heavily involved. I expect he'll return to the starting lineup, and with no choice but to push for goals, Kun is my favorite play on the slate.
Leroy Sane, MCI v. LIV ($7,700): When the goals start coming in we'll want heavy exposure to the Manchester City attack, putting Sane, Raheem Sterling ($7,900) and Gabriel Jesus ($8,200) all in play if they start. Sane took two shots and swung in eight crosses in the first leg, and if he can add a goal or an assist in the second leg, a double-digit point haul should be in order.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. LIV ($9,300): De Bruyne picked up a yellow card and finished with just 5.5 points in the first leg, but given the scenario he's back on the radar for the second leg. He's stalled out a bit recently, and only took two of eight corners in the first match, but in a spot like this he has 20-point upside if he can get on the end of a goal or contribute multiple assists.
David Silva, MCI v. LIV ($7,200): If it's not clear by now, all Manchester City attackers are viable options. Silva took four corners and ended with seven crosses in the first leg, and as with the rest of the attack, he should benefit from added opportunities with City throwing numbers forward.
James Milner, LIV v. MCI ($5,600): Milner had 15.5 fantasy points in the first leg, including an assist, with the majority of his points coming from peripheral stats. He'll have to put in more work defensively in the second leg, but he also carries set piece upside, giving Milner multiple avenues to top double-digit points again.
DEFENDRS
Aleksandar Kolarov, ROM v. FCB ($5,700): Kolarov proved to be a viable play in the first leg with 11 fantasy points despite the tough away fixture to Barcelona. He took five of Roma's seven corners in that one, as he continues to stand over the majority of set pieces, and with Roma desperate to make a valiant effort at closing the 4-1 gap, I'm expecting Kolarov to be pumping crosses in from the get-go.
Kyle Walker, MCI v. LIV ($4,400) and/or Fabian Delph, MCI v. LIV ($4,100): Manchester City's outside backs don't do enough to warrant consideration on most slates, but a two-gamer with City desperate for goals, they are on the radar. Walker should be locked in at right-back and there's a chance Delph returns to the starting lineup on the left, and while both have shown very little going forward this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see either contribute a random assist here.
GOALKEEPERS
Loris Karius, LIV at MCI ($4,000): With Liverpool defending a 3-0 lead heading into the second leg, it's inevitable that Karius will be faced with multiple shots as Manchester City fight to claw their way back. While a case could be made for playing either goalkeeper from this match, with the premium priced Ederson ($5,500) more likely to notch a win and potential clean sheet, Karius is going to have ample opportunities to turn in a useful score if he can pile up enough saves to offset any goals conceded.
