Yahoo DFS Soccer: Wednesday Champions League Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Wednesday Champions League Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EST)

2:45 p.m: Maribor v. Sevilla
2:45 p.m: RB Leipzig v. Besiktas
2:45 p.m: Shakhtar Donetsk v. Manchester City
2:45 p.m: Tottenham v. Apoel Nicosia
2:45 p.m: Porto v. Monaco
2:45 p.m: Liverpool v. Spartak Moscow
2:45 p.m: Feyenoord v. Napoli
2:45 p.m: Real Madrid v. Borussia Dortmund

FORWARDS

Cristiano Ronaldo, RMD v. BVB (€27): Ronaldo has scored just two goals in 10 La Liga starts this season, but he's found the back of the net eight times in five Champions League matches. He's averaging a ridiculous 7.4 shots, including 4.2 shots on goal, per 90 minutes during UCL play, and he's scored in every European match Madrid have played this season, including two on five shots at Dortmund back in September. Real Madrid have already qualified for the knockout round, and they cannot surpass Tottenham for the top spot, so don't get too married to Ronaldo in case he doesn't start.

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. SPAR (€26): Salah is one of the hottest players in the world, as he has at least one goal or assist in nine of his last 10 games. He scored 11 goals on 41 shots (24 on goal) during that span, and Ronaldo is the only player on Wednesday's slate who has taken more shots during UCL play. Liverpool are the second-biggest favorites on the slate with the highest implied goal total, so there's little reason to hesitate with Salah if he starts.

Wissam Ben Yedder, SEV at NKM (€22): Ben Yedder is similar to Ronaldo in the fact that he's not scoring much during La Liga play but has turned it on during UCL action, bagging five goals on 16 shots (12 on goal) in five starts. Sevilla are the biggest favorites on the day and need a win (or a draw and Spartak Moscow loss) to advance, so they'll definitely be pushing it against Group E's last place team, which has allowed 15 goals in five games, three of which were scored by Ben Yedder in the reverse fixture.

MIDFIELDERS

Philippe Coutinho, LIV v. SPAR (€23): We saw a vintage Coutinho performance this past Saturday at Brighton, as he scored one goal on five shots (two on goal) and picked up two assists on three chances created in Liverpool's 5-1 victory. Spartak will be a tough opponent, but Liverpool have far too many weapons for a let-down, especially with Coutinho's recent play. He has taken multiple shots in every game this season, and his role on set pieces increases his accurate crosses, of which he's had nine in his past three games.

Dries Mertens, NAP at FEYE (€21): Napoli need a win against Feyenoord and a loss by Shakhtar Donetsk against Manchester City to advance, a plausible scenario even with City likely resting most of their regular starters. Mertens comes in with just one goal in his last six matches, but he's still taken 18 shots (five on goal) during that span while picking up three assists on 11 chances created. Tottenham's Harry Kane (€27, forward) is the only player with higher anytime goal scorer odds, and Mertens has the benefit of being cheaper and a midfielder. Teammate Lorenzo Insigne (€22, forward) should also get plenty of consideration as well, as he's scored three goals on 21 shots (13 on goal) in his last six matches.

Ever Banega, SEV at NKM (€17): Banega has been a strong fantasy option when he starts this season, as he's able to contribute across multiple categories. His prospects for a big fantasy day look good Wednesday against Group E's last-place team, who Sevilla rolled 3-0 back in September. Banega didn't score or assist in that one, but he still finished with 9.90 fantasy points thanks to four accurate crosses, three corners won, 98 completed passes and one tackle, interception and blocked shot. His role on set pieces gives him an opportunity for more accurate crosses, and he looks primed for a return to the scoresheet after picking up an assist in four of his last five starts.

Bernardo Silva, MCI at SDK (€14): Manchester City have already clinched the top spot in their group, and with a bunch of rotation expected, Silva seems all but guaranteed to make the starting XI. A match at Shakhtar Donetsk isn't the easiest, especially with the Ukrainian side needing a win, but with the way Man City have played this season, there's little reason to think they can't do some damage. Make sure to check lineups because we could see even more value options arise such as Oleksandr Zinchenko (€10) or Phil Foden (€12, forward).

DEFENDERS

Sergio Escudero, SEV at NKM (€14): Sevilla have the best clean sheets odds on the slate despite playing away from home, so the defensive conversation starts there. Escudero has shown his solid floor in the past two games, finishing with three shots (two on goal), four tackles, six interceptions, two blocked shots and seven fouls drawn. And while the defender pricing isn't that spread out, we do get a discount on a number of Sevilla options, opening up spending elsewhere.

Elseid Hysaj, NAP at FEYE (€14): Napoli need a win and help from Manchester City to advance, so there's every reason to think they'll be strong defensively against a Feyenoord side that's scored just three goals in five group stage matches. The absence of Faouzi Ghoulam (€13) continues to be a hit on Napoli's attack, but Hysaj shouldn't be ignored after sending in eight crosses (two accurate) while winning two tackles and intercepting three passes in last Friday's match against Juventus.

Joe Gomez, LIV v. SPAR (€13): The matchup against Spartak isn't as easy as what Sevilla and Napoli will be dealing with, but Liverpool have still only allowed two goals at Anfield during Premier League play this season. Gomez was held out of last weekend's match but he's fully fit and should return to his regular right-back spot. The Liverpool defense offers a number of solid cheaper options, so if Gomez sits you can always pivot to Ragnar Klavan at the same price.

GOALKEEPER

Sergio Rico, SEV at NKM (€14): It's tough to make an argument for a goalkeeper who hasn't kept a clean sheet since Sept. 26, but that's what we have with Rico, who has the best win odds with the lowest implied goals allowed. Coincidentally, that last shutout came against Maribor, helping Rico to 11.50 fantasy points. With Maribor unable to qualify for a Europa League spot, they could come out flying with nothing to lose, opening up more save opportunities for Rico, who should be able to handle the pressure coming his way.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Andrew M. Laird plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: kingmorland, DraftKings: andrewmlaird, Yahoo: Lairdinho.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew M. Laird, the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's Head of DFS Content and Senior Soccer Editor. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
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