DraftKings Returns for Champions League

The Champions League returns and with it, we revisit our partner game DraftKings.

We’re now into the final sixteen knock-out phase, with DraftKings laying on an exclusive Fantasy Football Scout contest, with new depositors earning free entry.

Sign up for a DraftKings account and deposit funds before tonight’s pair of 7.45pm kick-offs, and you’ll gain a free $3 entry.

You can use this to get involved in our contest and take on Fantasy Football Scout community members, competing for a prize pot of $225, with $75 going to the winning manager.

DraftKings are also offering a full suite of Champions League contests over the two days, with the $4 entry Sweeper contest topping the bill with its $20,000 prize pot. The winning manager picks up $2,000 in this contest, with prizes awarded right down to 1292nd place.

If you’re new to DraftKings, be sure check out our strategy guide which should help you get to grips with the concepts and the key elements of squad selection.

In a Matchday that includes both Real Madrid and Barcelona, funds are likely to be tight, with many DraftKings managers likely to gravitate towards the premium-priced pair Cristiano Ronaldo ($10,900, F) and Lionel Messi ($11,200, M/F).

Finding value could be vital, then, so, to get you started, here’s our key player picks over Tuesday and Wednesday’s ties to help form the nucleus of your eight-man squads.

Tuesday Player Picks

Fixtures
Paris St Germain vs Barcelona
Benfica v Borussia Dortmund

Ederson Moraes – Benfica – $4,400 – G
Although the Portuguese outfit kept a pair of clean sheets in the group, it’s mainly save points we’re expecting from their number one.

Likely to be the cheapest option from Tuesday’s pair of matches, Moraes made 17 stops in five Champions League appearances, registering a healthy 9.1 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG), ahead of a home encounter with Dortmund.

Eduardo Salvio – Benfica – $6,000 – M/F
Expected to recover from a minor ankle problem, the winger is likely to be a key figure if Benfica are to progress past Dortmund – Salvio netted a trio of goals and served up four assists in an impressive showing in the group stage.

The Argentinian is worth considering if you’re seeking a low price midfielder after Dortmund lost 2-1 at Bundesliga basement-dwellers Darmstadt in their weekend league match.

Lucas Moura – PSG – $6,200 – M/F
The in-form Brazilian entertains Barcelona in fine form, having provided three goals and a pair of assists in his previous six Ligue 1 outings. In the group stages, Moura set-up two goals and scored against Basel over five starts.

An average of 5.27 crosses per match and 13.4 FPPG in his 11 DraftKings appearances this season makes the PSG man an intriguing mid-price option.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Dortmund – $8,400 – F
Dortmund make their way to Benfica as the highest scoring side over the group stages, having found the net on 21 occasions.

Averaging 3.4 attempts, Aubameyang netted four of those and provided a single assist over his five appearances. Having scored 17 goals in 18 Bundesliga outings, it’s fair to say that if Thomas Tuchel’s side are to progress, their star striker’s contribution will be crucial.

Luis Suarez – $8,600 – F
Priced lower than team-mates Messi and Neymar ($9,900, M/F), the Uruguayan could turn out to be a strong differential pick for those managers willing to take the risk.

Over five outings in the group stages, Suarez bagged two goals and a trio of assists. Meanwhile, a weekend brace in the 6-0 win over Alaves means that he roll up to PSG as the top-scoring player in La Liga, having found the net on 18 occasions.

Wednesday Player Picks

Fixtures
Real Madrid vs Napoli
Bayern Munich vs Arsenal

David Ospina – Arsenal – $4,000 – G
With Petr Cech preferred for Premier League duties, the Colombian has started all of the Gunners’ European matches this season, keeping two shutouts while making 13 saves.

Arsenal have met midweek hosts Bayern ten times since 2000/01 and kept a clean sheet on three occasions, yet, as alluded to above, it’s Ospina’s save points that may prove invaluable against a side that’s won 13 and drawn three of their 16 home matches in all competitions so far.

Faouzi Ghoulam – Napoli – $5,000 – D
The Algerian has produced a remarkable 219 crosses in DraftKings across 26 appearances in all competitions this term, helping him accrue 11.8 FPPG over those matches. Crossing numbers are a vital metric in DraftKings as they are worth 0.75 points each.

Placed fifth for successful crosses in the group stage, Ghoulam also supplied a trio of assists to underline his attacking potential as Napoli head to the Bernabeu looking to extend an 18-match unbeaten run across all competitions.

Marcelo – Real Madrid – $5,300 – D
We also call upon Real’s rampaging defender for tomorrow evening’s clash with Napoli. Intriguingly, Zinedine Zidane set-up in a 3-5-2 formation at the weekend, with the attack-minded Marcelo fielded as a left wing-back.

After supplying 22 crosses and a pair of assists in his last four La Liga outings, the Brazilian is our preferred defensive pick, though team-mate Danilo is also a tempting prospect after starting the last three in all competitions. In the event that Dani Carvajal remains sidelined, his likely replacement is available for a bargain $4,600.

Toni Kroos – Real Madrid $6,900 – M
The midfielder missed out at the weekend due to suspension so should be fresh for the visit of Napoli and looks an assured starter.

After providing nine assists in La Liga, Kroos’ dead-ball duties make him a relatively cheap route into the Real Madrid attack. In DraftKings, a strong 11 FPPG includes 117 crosses over 24 appearances heightens his credentials.

Dries Mertens – Napoli – $7,100 – M/F
The Belgian scored four goals and provided as many assists in the group stage.
Mertens’ importance to the Napoli attack is further demonstrated by his recent form in the league – an eye-catching 13 goals and five assists in the last nine Serie A outings makes him a tempting prospect.

To add to the appeal, opponents Madrid have secured only a single clean sheet in their last six La Liga and Copa del Rey ties.

Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich – $8,800 – F
Worryingly for visitors Arsenal, Bayern Munich fired attempts on goal (118) than any other side in the group stages.

Averaging four attempts per appearance, Lewandowski scored five goals in the six group matches and registered more efforts inside the box (18) than any player.

Crucially, the Pole has form against the Gunners, bagging two goals and as many assists in six outings, while a 21.2 FPPG in DraftKings over ten appearances (which includes world cup qualifier matches) this season indicates he suits the format.

Registering With DraftKings

You can sign up for your DraftKings account via this link.

Users from outside the UK, USA and Canada can now sign up for accounts.

You’ll be directed automatically to the US site and asked to register – and then DraftKings will be in touch when your option to play is up and running.

You must be over 18 years of age, and of legal capacity to register with DraftKings and open an account. If you sign up, always play responsibly.

*All figures are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.