Daily Fantasy Soccer Picks for the UEFA Champions League - DraftKings 3/8/16

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The Champions League returns in midweek for half of the second leg ties of the round of 16. On Tuesday, Real Madrid host Roma and will inevitably make the next round after winning 2-0 in Rome. On the same day, Gent travel to Germany to face Wolfsburg and on Wednesday Zenit face Benfica at the Piter Arena in Russia. The final Champions League fixture of the week takes place at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea face Ligue 1 champions, PSG in what should be an enthralling encounter.

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Goalkeepers

Keylor Navas – DK 3,800
Opponent – Roma
My number one choice in goal for the Champions League slate in midweek is Real Madrid goalkeeper, Keylor Navas. I’ve no idea why Navas isn’t the most expensive goalkeeper this slate, but he should be in my opinion. He’s averaged 10.8 points per match, only Kevin Trapp and Juri Lodygin have averaged more, and Navas has the easiest fixture according to the bookmaker’s odds. This is significant because goalkeepers are the only players to receive points for a victory and they also receive five points if they keep a clean sheet. In the first leg of this tie, Real Madrid won and Navas kept a clean sheet and subsequently finished the game with 15 points.

Juri Lodygin – DK 3,900
Opponent – Benfica
Zenit Saint Petersburg goalkeeper, Juri Lodygin is priced favourably against Benfica and is a good alternative to Keylor Navas in goal. Zenit are at home against Benfica and are therefore the most likely winners of this match, at least that’s what the bookmakers think and Zenit have notably won their last three Champions League home matches. A clean sheet may also be on the cards for Lodygin because Zenit are a good side defensively, whereas Benfica haven’t been full of goals in the Champions League. Finally Lodygin has averaged an impressive 11.2 points per game in the UCL this season, thus making him one of the top scoring goalkeepers.

 

Defenders

Ricardo Rodriguez – DK 3,700
Opponent – Gent
I’m a big fan of Wolfsburg full back, Ricardo Rodriguez and I suspect a few English clubs will be interested in his services in the summer. The Swiss international is a very attacking defender and is often on free kick and corner duty, this increasing his point-scoring potential. Rodriguez averages more goals and assists than the averaged defender, thus making him an enticing option. Since the 2011/12 season he’s scored 16 goals and assisted 23. Defenders receive three points if their side keeps a clean sheet and there’s a good chance Wolfsburg don’t conceded at home versus Gent who are one of the worse sides left in the competition.

Gregory Van Der Wiel – DK 3,600
Opponent – Chelsea
At just $3,600, Gregory Van Der Wiel is a must have for this week’s Champions League slate. Like Rodriguez he’s an attacking full back and has averaged 14.3 points per game in the three Champions League matches he’s featured in this season. In the 15 Ligue 1 and Champions League matches he’s started, Van Der Wiel has assisted four goals which are big point scorers on DraftKings. Van Der Wiel does face a tricky opposition in the form of Chelsea but the Premier League champions have struggled this season and have also struggled for goals, therefore I wouldn’t put a clean sheet past PSG.

 

Midfielders

Julian Draxler – DK 4,800
Opponent – Gent
Onto the midfield options and after excelling in the first leg of this tie, Julian Draxler seems a wise choice at $4,800. The Wolfsburg midfielder has scored nine goals in all competitions this season and he got two goals against Gent in the first leg. Furthermore, the German international has assisted five goals and he’s averaged 11.6 points per game which is very respectable for a player worth $4,800. Finally, as I’ve mentioned above, Gent are arguably the worst side remaining in the competition, therefore I’d expect Draxler to get a few opportunities going forward against an average side defensively.

Sven Kums– DK 3,700
Opponent – Wolfsburg
A relatively cheap option in midfielder is Gent’s, Sven Kums who scored against Wolfsburg two weeks ago. In the seven Champions League games that Kums has played this season, he’s scored two goals, assisted two and averaged 10.5 points per game which is excellent for a player valued at $3,700. Kums hasn’t just impressed in the Champions League, in the Jupiler League this campaign he’s scored 12 goals in 29 games, therefore there is no doubting that he has the potential to score goals in a game Gent have to win, to qualify.

 

Forwards

Hulk – DK 7,800
Opponent – Benfica
At $10,300 Cristiano Ronaldo was out of budget and overpriced, and Hulk was the next best option. Hulks played in six Champions League games this season and has averaged an astonishing 22.2 points per game. His success has largely been down to scoring three goals and assisting four, and this is what Zenit fans have come to expect from Hulk. In the Russian Premier League this season he’s played 16 games, scored eight goals and assisted 12, thus justifying his $7,800 price tag.

Max Kruse – DK 5,200
Opponent – Gent
Max Kruse hasn’t exactly been prolific for Wolfsburg this season but he’s a good option at $5,200 given he’s going to play up front. Wolfsburg opponents, Gent have been poor defensively, they’ve conceded in 6/7 of their Champions League games this season therefore I suspect Kruse will have a few opportunities to get on the scoresheet. The German striker has scored nine goals in all competitions this season and two of those have come in the Champions League. Kruse has also assisted 5 goals this campaign and he should be heavily involved on Tuesday.

 

Utilities

Marcelo – DK 4,700
Opponent – Roma
Marcelo seems a logical addition to my side at $4,700 and you won’t find many more consistent point-scorers than the Brazilian international. Like Ricardo Rodriguez, Marcelo is a very attacking left back who will get forward and cross the ball into the box at every opportunity. In the first leg of this tie Marcelo scored 17 points and a similar points total would be a very welcome addition to my side.

Eden Hazard – DK 5,800
Opponent – PSG
Maybe a slightly controversial selection but Eden Hazard is a top class player and I’m willing to take a risk on the Chelsea winger. Just last season, Hazard scored 14 goals and assisted nine in 38 Premier League games and the season before he did similar. Admittedly this season he’s been out of form somewhat but he everyone know the potential he holds and he’ll hopefully show his potential in a huge game for Chelsea.

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