DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Picks

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Lokomotiv Moscow
• 3:00 pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Juventus
• 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• 3:00 pm: Club Brugge vs. Real Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Olympiacos vs. Red Star Belgrade
• 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Galatasaray

For additional stats and odds, check out the DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet.

FORWARDS

Neymar, PSG v. GAL ($10,700): Wednesday's slate is much different than Tuesday's in that most of the top teams are already through to the round of 16, and in many cases their positions in the tables won't change. That applies to Paris Saint-Germain, who are already through as Group A winners ahead of second-place Real Madrid. Their Wednesday opponent, Galatasaray, cannot go to the round of 16, though they can still qualify for the Europa League if they beat PSG and Club Brugge do not beat Real Madrid (that's the likely outcome). There are plenty of reasons for PSG to throw out a B team, but initial indications are that they'll be a full go, which includes Neymar, who missed significant time with a hamstring injury but started the past two Ligue 1 games, scoring two goals on seven shots (five on target), assisting one goal on three chances created while adding seven crosses and 13 fouls drawn. Given how much time he's missed, it wouldn't be surprising to see him in the starting XI on Wednesday, and PSG come in as the second-biggest favorite on the slate but with the highest implied goal total. Angel Di Maria ($10,000) could get some looks too in cash games, while Kylian Mbappe ($10,500) is always a great threat in tournaments.

Joao Felix, ATL v. LKM ($8,200): It would be great if Joao Felix had a reliable floor for cash games, but ultimately he's a play because he's one of the best attackers on the biggest favorite on the slate. Atletico Madrid need a win to guarantee they'll finish second in the group (Juventus are locked into the top spot), and we saw potential for a high floor this past weekend when he took nine shots, including two on target, created two chances and drew three fouls in a scoreless draw with Villarreal. If you want to focus on players on good teams that need to attack, the list doesn't really go beyond Atletico Madrid, a team not really known for a plethora of fantasy points or goals. If you'd prefer to save a little bit, Alvaro Morata ($7,700) does that, though he has the same anytime goal scorer odds as Joao Felix.

Leon Bailey, LEV v. JUV ($6,900): Playing a forward against Juventus isn't usually an ideal strategy, but we have to remember that the Italian side has nothing to play for, having already clinched the top spot in Group D. Meanwhile, Leverkusen can still technically qualify for the round of 16 if they beat Juventus (they also need Atletico Madrid to lose), so they will certainly be going for it, especially because there's no way they can drop to fourth. Bailey took set pieces in last weekend's match, though a return of Kerem Demirbay ($6,900, midfielder) would probably takes those away. Either way, Bailey has been their best attacker lately and should warrant consideration for those looking for a cheaper forward with a decent floor and upside. On the other side of the match is Federico Bernardeschi ($5,200), who is pretty cheap and has a path to set pieces depending on the starting XI.

MIDFIELDERS

Marko Marin, CRV at OLY ($5,200): Neither Crvena zvezda nor Olympiacos can advance to the round of 16, but this match will determine who gets to move onto the Europa League, with Crvena zvezda simply needing to avoid defeat to do so. Marin has a monopoly of their set pieces, and while they are underdogs and in the game with the lowest total, he does more than enough across the stat sheet to justify taking in cash games, especially at his lower price. Mathieu Valbuena ($7,300) is the do-it-all attacker for Olympiacos, but you'll obviously have to pay up significantly (versus Marin, at least) to get him if he's able to overcome a hamstring injury. If not, Giorgos Masouras ($5,300) could be a great value too.

Luka Modric, RMA at BRU ($4,800): Real Madrid are already through to the round of 16 and cannot move up from second in the table, so there is heavy rotation expected. One of those rested players is Toni Kroos ($7,100), and his absence should open up set pieces for Modric, who was taking them for a bit before Kroos returned to the lineup. While Madrid have nothing to play for and Brugge need to win if they want to qualify for the Europa League, Madrid are still decently favored in Belgium with elite attackers ahead of Modric like Gareth Bale ($8,600, midfield/forward) and Luka Jovic ($7,600, forward). Adding to the cheap Real Madrid attackers, Isco at $5,400 is criminal for a player of his quality, one who had 17.4 floor points in his last start.

Serge Gnabry, BAY v. TOT ($8,700): Paying this much for Gnabry seems pretty nuts considering Bayern have already clinched the top spot in the group, but with Tottenham expected to run out a team without a number of regular starters, Bayern could dominate if they use their regular lineup. Gnabry actually hasn't been playing much lately, but he remains a great fantasy-point scorer when he does thanks to shots, chances created and crosses. He is, of course, a sub risk for Bayern, though with guys like Robert Lewandowski ($11,300, forward) and other stars who could be subbed, it's certainly possible Gnabry plays 90.

DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier, ATL v. LKM ($6,200): Atletico Madrid will finish second in the group if they beat Lokomotiv Moscow on Wednesday, and given they're the biggest favorite on the slate, getting one of their main set-piece takers at this price is solid, especially since he comes with the best clean-sheet odds by a significant margin. Trippier would be a consideration at this price even if he was a midfielder, especially since he does more attacking work in open play than teammate Koke ($5,500), who at least still takes some sets. You don't necessarily have to pay up for a defender, but Trippier is worth prioritizing, and certainly over Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich ($6,200), if he even starts.

Ferland Mendy, RMA at BRU ($3,800): The DraftKings algorithm clearly didn't anticipate Real Madrid rotation, so we get tremendous values with Mendy and Alvaro Odriozola ($3,300), who are expected to start in place of Marcelo ($5,200) and Dani Carvajal ($4,800), respectively. The odds-makers are giving Brugge a chance to not get killed against one of the biggest clubs in the world, and while the clean sheet may not be in the cards, Mendy and Odriozola attack enough to be easy plays at their prices.

GOALKEEPER

Gianluigi Buffon, JUV at LEV ($4,300): Juventus are away underdogs against a Leverkusen side that needs to win if they want a chance to advance to the round of 16. Granted, Juventus don't care about this game, but Leverkusen should be shooting in order to get ahead, which should give Buffon, who is expected to start in place of Wojciech Szczesny ($4,400), plenty of save opportunities. If there are questions about whether this strategy works, just see what happened with Barcelona's Neto on Tuesday.