DraftKings Champions League Daily Fantasy Soccer Helper: Wednesday 11/27/19
Wednesday's Champions League action features three teams who made last season's semifinals. This slate has less overwhelming favorites than what we saw on Tuesday, with Liverpool being the biggest favorite at -260, according to EPL odds. The rest of the matches include some fairly tightly contested affairs, so let's see which players we like in these close games.
Forwards to Target
Lionel Messi ($11,000): Messi is a top play whenever he takes the pitch, so I won't spend too much time telling you why you should play him. He has the best goal-scoring odds on the slate (-195, per FanDuel Sportsbook) and has been a high-floor player with an average of 23.4 DraftKings points in three starts in the Champions League this year. He has only one goal in those starts, so if he ever explodes for a multi-goal game, the output would be massive. Even against a good team like Borussia Dortmund, you shouldn't hesitate to play Messi.
Timo Werner ($9,400): Werner and RB Leipzig take on Benfica at home as -210 favorites. Werner has been a standout player in the Bundesliga this season, with his 12 goals ranking second behind only Robert Lewandowski's tally. He's added two more goals in four Champions League games during the group stage. He's a -145 favorite to score at any time, which are the third-best odds on the slate. Werner is the goal-dependent type of forward who is better for tournaments, and he has the multi-goal upside we look for when paying this much for a forward.
Antonio Candreva ($6,700): Candreva is a solid floor option as Inter Milan's corner taker. He had nine crosses across the last two UCL matches in games against Dortmund, and now he gets an easier matchup against Slavia Prague. Inter are favored on the road in this game, and Candreva could some crosses into the box. Inter will most likely have Romelu Lukaku playing up front, which will give Candreva a good target to aim for and possibly add an assist.
Midfielders to Target
Hakim Ziyech ($9,000): Ziyech hasn't been completely dominating Champions League fantasy scoring like he did last year, but that doesn't mean he isn't an option this time around. He has at least 13 fantasy points in every group stage game this season. Now his Ajax side will go to France to face Lille, and they will do so as -115 favorites. Lille have been the weakest team in this group, with just one point and 10 goals allowed in the four games. With Ajax's attacking style, Ziyech should be able to get his normal floor output and has a chance to contribute to a few goals and really pay off his price tag.
Dominik Szoboszlai ($5,200): Red Bull Salzburg have been one of the more intriguing teams in this year's Champions League. They got off to a flying start when they faced Genk on Matchday 1, winning 6-2. Szoboszlai is a creative midfield player who has been great for the Austrian champions this season. He had a goal in that opening match and followed it up with a very good performance on Matchday 4 against Napoli. He had four shots and six crosses in that game, and now gets to face Genk again as a favorite. Szoboszlai took five of Salzburg's eight corner kicks, so for $5,200, he should be able to pay off his salary with his opportunity for crosses.
Defenders to Target
Trent Alexander-Arnold ($7,000): As is the case in most Premier League slates, Alexander-Arnold is the top play at the defender position. He has continued his crossing tendencies in the Champions League, with 25 crosses in three matches. He had eight against Napoli on Matchday 1 away from home, and this time will face them at Anfield. With Liverpool being the biggest favorite today, if you want to get a piece of them, TAA might be the best way to do so.
Marcel Halstenberg ($5,400): Halstenberg is an attacking fullback for RB Leipzig. He has played a part in their attack in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, scoring two goals so far this season. He has eleven crosses and six shot assists in three Champions League appearances. With Leipzig being decent favorites, there is also the chance that Halstenberg could get the clean sheet bonus.
Cristiano Biraghi ($4,500): Biraghi is a value play as a wing-back lining up on the left for Inter. He gets a share of corner kicks along with Candreva when both are starting. Biraghi led the team with three corners in their Serie A game over the weekend. Getting defenders who are on corner kicks is rare, and one for just $4,500 is a bargain that isn't worth passing up. Biraghi is a great cash-game play who allows you to pay up elsewhere.
Goalkeepers to Target
Andre Onana ($5,400): Onana and Ajax are the favorites against a Lille team that has scored just three goals in four matches. Lille could be without Jonathan Bamba, which would hurt their chances to score. Ajax should be able to get the win, and a clean sheet is certainly in play.
Gaëtan Coucke ($4,100): Couke is the punt option for Wednesday's slate. His Genk side will be facing a dangerous attacking team in RB Salzburg, but Salzburg could be without forward Erling Haaland. Coucke has made 18 saves in four matches, meaning Genk are not great defensively. However, their defensive frailties give him opportunities to make a lot of saves and score points even if he can't get a win or keep a clean sheet.
Nicholas Vazquez is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Nicholas Vazquez also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username hbyanksman. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
