This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
Tuesday, 2:45 p.m: Liverpool v. Roma
Wednesday, 2:45 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Real Madrid
FORWARDS
Mohamed Salah, LIV v. RMA (€26): There's a very good chance that Salah is the highest-owned player on the slate, as Liverpool are clear favorites over Roma and he has the highest anytime goal scorer odds after finding the back of the net in six straight games, bagging nine goals on 21 shots (13 on target) in that span. Paying up for Salah doesn't rule out other high-priced attackers, while fading him could be extremely detrimental if he finishes with a big score. Teammate Roberto Firmino (€23) makes for a solid selection as well, but he's more of a partner to Salah than a pivot away from him.
Cristiano Ronaldo, RMD at FCB (€27): Facing arguably the toughest defense left in the tournament, Ronaldo isn't as much a plug-and-play as he's been during the Champions League. Madrid are underdogs away to Bayern Munich, and choosing Ronaldo and Salah likely takes you out of the running for Bayern front-man Robert Lewandowski (€24), who has better anytime goal scorer odds and has scored a goal in each of his last two games (both off the bench). If there's something holding me back on Lewandowski it's that he's not shooting as much as he used to, taking two or fewer shots in six of his last seven games (admittedly, he only started four of them). On the other hand, Ronaldo has scored 22 goals on 78 shots, including 42 on target, in his last 12 games (he had a goal in each one), so even if he doesn't score he's likely to put up a decent line. To put the 78 shots in perspective, there are only eight players in the Premier League, seven in La Liga and five in the Bundesliga (including Lewandowski's 114) who have taken that many this season.
MIDFIELDERS
James Milner, LIV v. RMA (€16):Sadio Mane (€22) is the high-upside midfielder for Liverpool, while Milner is the safer choice thanks to his partial role on set pieces and ability to win tackles, draw fouls, complete crosses and intercept passes. With Liverpool decently favored against Roma, Milner could move up in the attack to take one of his rare shots, though he's more likely to grab an assist than a goal.
James Rodriguez, FCB v. RMD (€19): James has been responsible for a lot of Bayern's set pieces, and while the matchup against Real Madrid isn't the easiest, they don't have a shutdown defense. I tend to side with James over Arjen Robben (€18) or Franck Ribery (€18) because he accumulates more peripherals and has more touches in open play, though in the similar vein I also consider Thiago Alcantara (€19) for similar reasons.
Casemiro, RMD at FCB (€21): Expecting Bayern Munich to attack at home should leave plenty of defensive responsibilities for Casemiro, who is a more reliable fantasy option than midfield teammates Isco (€21), Toni Kroos (€20) and Luka Modric (€17) because they're all fairly goal or assist dependent to put up a good score, especially at their respective prices.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. RMA (€15): There are likely to be plenty of Liverpool defensive stacks because of their clean sheet odds, though it's worth noting that Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson (€15) have plenty of attacking upside from the wings and Virgil van Dijk (€15) is a huge target in the box. It also helps that they are all the same price or cheaper than options from Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Joshua Kimmich, FCB v. RMD (€15): Playing against Real Madrid, even at home, doesn't provide a ton of clean sheet optimism, but Kimmich's attacking upside keeps him as an attractive possibility. He's a regular crosser who takes the occasional shot, and while his defensive peripheral stats don't add up in bunches, he makes up for it when he moves into the attack.
Marcelo, RMD at FCB (€15): I would probably prefer Marcelo over Kimmich if the match was being played in Spain, though the Allianz Arena is still not a place I'd ignore Marcelo due to the importance of grabbing an away goal. He's good at drawing fouls and completing crosses due to his attacking prowess, and with this game expected to have goals, it wouldn't be surprising if Marcelo ended up on the scoresheet.
GOALKEEPER
Loris Karius, LIV v. RMA (€15): Karius is the most expensive goalkeeper on the slate, but he comes in with the best win and clean sheet odds while facing a Roma team that's still likely to attack while trying to get an away goal like they did against Barcelona in the quarter-final. Bayern Munich's Sven Ulreich (€13) continues to be priced like a backup -- regular starter Manuel Neuer (€14) has been out injured since September -- and facing Real Madrid likely means he'll have some save opportunities, but the small increase to get up to Karius seems worthwhile.
