This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Tuesday-Wednesday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Real Madrid v. Napoli
2:45 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Arsenal
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Jose Reina, NAP at RMD ($6,700): Taking a visiting goalkeeper at the Santiago Bernabeu isn't usually a recipe for success, but Reina has been very solid in domestic play, allowing no more than one goal in six consecutive matches while making 15 saves. With Real Madrid expected to pepper shots all game long, Reina could very well get double the saves than goals allowed, which would pay off handsomely.
DEFENDER
Marcelo, RMD v. NAP ($6,500):Marcelo is the definition of an attacking fullback, as he's constantly moving up the wing to send in crosses to Madrid's elite finishers up front. He's coming off a solid performance in league play this past weekend, finishing with an assist on two chances created while also winning six tackles. Napoli's Faouzi Ghoulam is also a top-tier option at the same price, and his role on corners opens him up for additional opportunities to create chances.
Laurent Koscielny, ARS at MUN ($6,300): Koscielny's 6.28 clearances per 90 minutes in league play is higher than anyone playing on Wednesday's slate, and he figures to get a ton of opportunities against a very strong Bayern Munich attack. In addition to the clearances, Koscielny has also picked up eight interceptions and five tackles in his last two domestic matches, as he's one of the better all-around defenders in racking up peripheral points.
Raul Albiol, NAP at RMD ($5,300): Albiol leads Napol in clearances, and like Arsenal's Koscielny, should have plenty of opportunities as they try to slow down Real Madrid's vaunted attack in Spain. His upside isn't as high as others, but he is likely to provide a safe floor because of the defensive stats and his salary is significantly cheaper than many other expected starters.
MIDFIELDER
Thiago Alcantara, MUN v. ARS ($7,500): Thiago, who recently returned from a thigh injury, does it all for Bayern Munich, as evidenced by his Champions League game log that saw him score over 20 fantasy points in four of five group stage appearances, with no goals and one assist over that time. He's coming off another solid performance this past weekend, as he had two shots (one on target), one chance created, four tackles, two interceptions and three fouls drawn in 90 minutes. He was red hot just before the Bundesliga winter break, as he had one goal, two assists and eight chances created in the final two games. Thiago provides a very solid floor because of how many different stats he can pile up, and he still shoots enough to give him plenty of upside.
Toni Kroos, RMD v. NAP ($9,000): Because Kroos takes most free kicks, unless they are close enough to goal for Cristiano Ronaldo to swipe, Kroos gets plenty of chances created while also contributing in tackles, interceptions and fouls drawn. Kroos created nine chances in Real Madrid's match against Malaga on Jan. 21, and he now has 46 on the season, which is nine fewer than Barcelona's Neymar, except Kroos has played 273 fewer minutes. On a per-90 basis, he's second in La Liga in the category.
Dries Mertens, NAP at RMD ($6,900): Mertens has been red hot of late, with five goals on 24 shots (12 on target), four assists, 12 chances created and 11 fouls drawn in his last five Serie A matches. He is listed as a midfielder on FanDuel despite lining up as a forward for Napoli this season, and his goal-scoring prowess, especially of late, gives him arguably the highest upside of any midfielder, even against a tough Madrid defense.
FORWARD
Cristiano Ronaldo, RMD v. NAP ($13,100): No one has better goal-scoring odds than Ronaldo, who admittedly hasn't been his usual dominant self this season. That being said, it's hard to find someone with as much upside, particularly when it comes to Champions League play.
Robert Lewandowski, MUN v. ARS ($10,700): Lewandowski actually has the same goal-scoring odds as Ronaldo, but he comes in $2,400 cheaper. Also like Ronaldo, he hasn't been terribly dominant, scoring three goals on 10 shots in his last four league games. However, with Bayern Munich expected to comfortably take care of Arsenal, it would be really surprising if they scored multiple goals and he didn't have at least one of them.
Jose Callejon, NAP at RMD ($7,200): You won't find any playable forwards from the two favorites at cheaper prices, which brings us to Callejon, who has one goal on three shots on target, one assist and six chances created in his last three Serie A appearances, one of which was off the bench. With the expectation that Napoli won't score a ton against Madrid, it's probably best to try and pick up peripheral stat points from shots on goal, chances created, fouls drawn and clearances than actual goals, which makes Callejon a bit safer than teammate Lorenzo Insigne ($6,600), who has taken 13 shots and put six on target in his last three league games.
