This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
- 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid
- 3:00 pm: Mönchengladbach vs. Manchester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at MGB ($9,500): There are some pretty solid floor options at the midfield position on Wednesday's two-game slate, enough so that we start the discussion there. De Bruyne is the most expensive player overall, but he's still likely to be extremely popular if he starts because he has a big role on set pieces for a big favorite with the highest implied goal total. The Manchester City lineup changes often, but if De Bruyne's in, he's going to be popular in cash games and GPPs. It's as simple as that.
Toni Kroos, RMA at ATA ($7,300): Real Madrid are away underdogs, but that won't stop Kroos from being really popular, particularly in cash games, because of his dominant role on set pieces. He hasn't been taking many shots recently, but he's still creating a high number of chances and sending in plenty of crosses.
Jonas Hofmann, MGB v. MCI ($6,500): Hofmann plays a similar as De Bruyne and Kroos, but unfortunately does so for the biggest underdog on the slate. However, he's also cheaper and should be a target in cash games because of his crossing floor. Like Kroos, he hasn't been shooting much, but he is still sending in crosses and creating chances. The opportunity cost at midfield, particularly in cash games,
MATCHES (EST)
- 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid
- 3:00 pm: Mönchengladbach vs. Manchester City
For detailed stats and odds, check out the
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at MGB ($9,500): There are some pretty solid floor options at the midfield position on Wednesday's two-game slate, enough so that we start the discussion there. De Bruyne is the most expensive player overall, but he's still likely to be extremely popular if he starts because he has a big role on set pieces for a big favorite with the highest implied goal total. The Manchester City lineup changes often, but if De Bruyne's in, he's going to be popular in cash games and GPPs. It's as simple as that.
Toni Kroos, RMA at ATA ($7,300): Real Madrid are away underdogs, but that won't stop Kroos from being really popular, particularly in cash games, because of his dominant role on set pieces. He hasn't been taking many shots recently, but he's still creating a high number of chances and sending in plenty of crosses.
Jonas Hofmann, MGB v. MCI ($6,500): Hofmann plays a similar as De Bruyne and Kroos, but unfortunately does so for the biggest underdog on the slate. However, he's also cheaper and should be a target in cash games because of his crossing floor. Like Kroos, he hasn't been shooting much, but he is still sending in crosses and creating chances. The opportunity cost at midfield, particularly in cash games, makes it tough to justify paying down for someone like Matteo Pessina ($4,400) or Remo Freuler ($3,700) because you're giving up some of the best floors on the slate.
FORWARDS
Marco Asensio, RMA at ATA ($5,900): Real Madrid are missing Karim Benzema, Eden Hazard and Rodrygo, which means we get some discounts in their attack. Asensio has been the most consistent option of the group, and his price could make him a viable play in cash games given the match should have goals in it. Vinicius Junior ($5,400) and Mariano ($5,200) aren't bad options for tournaments, but Asensio is the better all-around fantasy scorer. The Atalanta forwards all bring something interesting to the table, whether it's Luis Muriel ($8,700), Josip Ilicic ($7,700) or Duvan Zapata ($7,900), but they all seem to have issues playing 90 minutes, which has to be a concern.
Raheem Sterling, MCI at MGB ($8,400): Whoever starts up front for Manchester City could be popular because they have the highest implied goal total on the slate, though it's difficult to pin down exactly one between Sterling, Gabriel Jesus ($7,500), Sergio Aguero ($7,600), Riyad Mahrez ($7,800) and Phil Foden ($8,200, midfielder), depending on who starts. With De Bruyne likely to be really popular, any Manchester City forward consideration likely means pairing one with De Bruyne and not one of the other forwards, which means you better get the right one. If the salary isn't there, Alassane Plea ($5,800) is an interesting option on the other side of the game, particularly because he's so much cheaper.
DEFENDERS
Joakim Maehle, ATA v. RMA ($4,200): There aren't any dominant defenders on the slate, so it looks like a place where many fantasy players will go for some salary savings. Maehle is expected to start at right wing-back, and with Real Madrid missing some of their top attackers, he could get involved moving forward. His floor isn't overly high, but his low price will certainly be helpful for those looking to spend up elsewhere. And if you do have the salary, Robin Gosens ($5,000) comes in with has two goals on eight shots and one assist on five chances created in his last four starts, including score-sheet appearances against AC Milan and Napoli.
Ferland Mendy, RMA at ATA ($3,800): Mendy looks tempting because he's playing as a fullback for Real Madrid, who love to use their outside defenders to move the ball up the field, but be warned, his production is that of a center-back, so if you need to spend down on a cheaper defender, it may be better to actually play a center-back who has set-piece goal upside (meaning their head on a free-kick) like Ruben Dias ($4,000), John Stones ($3,400) or Aymeric Laporte ($3,400).
GOALKEEPER
None of the four goalkeepers on the slate stand out, which means it really comes down to a salary play. Pierluigi Gollini ($5,100) will be facing a Real Madrid attack missing some of its best players, but at his price why not just pay up for Ederson ($5,800), the biggest favorite with the best clean sheet odds? On the lower end, Thibaut Courtois ($4,600) isn't that cheap, though at least he has three-quarters of his regular starting defenders in front of him. And finally, Yann Sommer ($3,800) provides the most salary savings but obviously has the best odds to get lit up.
