We return to the Champions League quarter finals on Tuesday evening as the remaining eight teams play out the second legs of their last eight ties. Once again, this provides us with an opportunity to test our roster-building skills on DraftKings as we run through some of the prizes on offer and examine our key picks for your eight player line-ups.
Signing up for a new account at DraftKings is simple and you’ll receive a free entry into a $3 contest if you deposit $5 or more.
This week, for a $3 buy-in there’s a $500 “Set Piece” game with $50 going to first place and 43 of the 196 potential entries winning prizes.
The “Sweeper” contest offers the most substantial pot: there’s $10,000 of prize money on offer, with $1,000 going to the winner and the top 610 entries receiving pay-outs.
There’s also a $5 “Double Up” game with $750 in the pot, which means 75 of 172 participants win $10. For high-rollers, there’s a $15,000 “Scissor Kick” pot with a $40 buy-in.
Tuesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Leicester City v Atletico Madrid
Real Madrid v Bayern Munich
Keylor Navas – Real Madrid – $5,000 – G
The Spanish side should head into this match high on confidence after securing an advantage in Germany. Cristiano Ronaldo’s away brace in the 2-1 victory at the Allianz Arena means their opponents will need to attack, which should provide their shot-stopper with plenty of action (saves are worth 2 points apiece in DraftKings.).
We suspect the Costa Rican – who will be fresh for this encounter after being rested at the weekend – will exceed his 7.3 fantasy points per game (FPPG) average just from saves then. He could also benefit from the 5 points on offer for keepers on the winning side in DraftKings. Bayern have to press forward, which should provide Zinedine Zidane’s side opportunities on the counter to put the tie beyond their visitors.
Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid – $5,000 – D
Atletico coach Diego Simeone is unlikely to underestimate the English champions, especially knowing that a clean sheet will mean progression to the next round. That means the Spanish outfit will be focused on a resilient performance, limiting the space in which Leicester City’s speedy forwards have to operate.
Filipe Luis will be tasked with keeping Riyad Marhrez on the periphery and the left-back should therefore pick up some tackle and interception points. He made five crosses in the reverse fixture, which suggests that the Brazilian will be a threat at the other end of the pitch – he provided a fifth assist of the campaign at the weekend while also scoring a third goal in four La Liga outings.
Arturo Vidal – Bayern Munich – $5,500 – M
The German side will need to find a balance between attack and defence if they are to overturn their one-goal deficit at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Chilean midfielder will be key to finding that equilibrium – he’s recorded 15 interceptions and 13 tackles in his previous four Champions League outings to highlight his combative nature.
Three goals in his last two matches, from eight shots, also indicates a willingness to get forward of late. A 12.1 FPPG average over 14 DraftKings appearances this season further points to a good value pick in one of the midfield slots on our rosters.
Toni Kroos – Real Madrid – $6,400 – M
As Bayern need to go on the offensive at the Bernabeu, the Real playmaker’s ability to pick out a pinpoint pass could prove the undoing of Carlo Ancelotti’s backline.
Leading the way for both chances created (69) and assists (11) among his team-mates in La Liga this season, Kroos offers DraftKings managers an all-action option in the centre of the park – the German is also placed second for interceptions for Real in the league.
Once again, backing Real’s attack has to be a valid tactic. Zidane’s side have now scored in 54 successive fixtures in all competitions and have netted fewer than twice in just two of their last 18 at home.
Cristiano Ronaldo ($10,000) remains the most appealing option but, as their main man for dead-ball duties, Kroos’ price tag could prove value for money as the visitors push forward in a bid to claw their way back into contention.
Jamie Vardy – Leicester City – $5,900 – F
If the Foxes are to take a historic step into the semi-finals then it’s likely their talismanic forward and Riyad Mahrez ($6,800, M/F) will be vital to picking up a result. The pair combined for the second goal in their 2-2 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
It was Vardy’s sixth goal in seven league outings – the forward has accrued a healthy 13.7 FPPG in his nine appearances since Craig Shakespeare’s appointment. Mahrez could be worth the extra outlay after scoring 16 points with that assist and seven crosses last time out – the Algerian’s set-piece duties also add to his appeal against an Atletico defence that will be difficult to break down in open play.
Wednesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Barcelona v Juventus
Monaco v Dortmund
Marc Andre Ter Stegen – Barcelona – $5,600 – G
Barcelona will be attempting another comeback from a considerable deficit after losing 3-0 in the first leg. A clean sheet will be crucial – an away goal will leave the home side needing five goals to go through. At the very least, we would expect Barcelona to win this match, even if they are knocked out.
Five saves in Turin shows the keeper did his best to limit Juventus’ advantage. At the weekend, another six saves in the 3-2 victory over Osasuna further highlights his form. It led to the German stopper recording a 13-point DraftKings score despite conceding twice, demonstrating that save points and the win bonus can be enough for keepers to score well in DraftKings.
Alex Sandro – Juventus – $4,700 – D
The Brazilian should offer good value, along with fellow full-back Dani Alves ($4,800). Both were unused in the 3-0 win at Pescara in Juventus’s Serie A fixture over the weekend so should start here. They will be busy defensively shutting down Barca’s attacks on the flanks while also providing some threat at the other end with their crossing abilities. Sandro’s robust 13.3 FPPG over his last six outings includes 17 tackles and 8 interceptions, as well as 29 crosses, an assist and a goal.
Ousmane Dembele – Dortmund – $7,700– M/F
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the go-to forward from Dortmund, but at $9,000 including him means parting with a large part of the budget. Dembele assisted the front-man in their 3-1 win over Frankfurt at the weekend and requires less of a commitment in a match that is likely to see goals from both sides following the German side’s 3-2 home defeat.
In the first leg, Dembele scored his second goal in the Champions League this campaign. The winger has also served up five assists and 41 crosses in nine European outings to accrue 13.1 FPPG.
Kylian Mbappe – Monaco – $8,100 – M/F
The youngster’s brace against Dortmund last time out helped him score 29 DraftKings points and was the third successive Champions League match in which he’s netted after a goal in each leg against Manchester City.
While the forward blanked at the weekend, nine goals in his previous five Ligue 1 starts includes a hat-trick and shows that he’s in fine form – a strong 21 FPPG over his last six appearances explains his growing DraftKings salary.
Lionel Messi – Barcelona – $10,600 – M/F
The Argentinian will be pulling the strings again as the Spanish side attempt to score a minimum of four goals to win the tie. The forward hit a brace and provided an assist at the weekend to maintain some impressive numbers ahead of this match, with 29 goals and 11 assists in 28 La Liga matches.
Those figures are echoed in his European form. Eight of his 11 goals have arrived at the Camp Nou, which bodes well ahead of Juve’s visit. Following Barca’s dramatic 6-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, another high-scoring victory is certainly possible. It’s difficult to overlook Messi, despite his hefty price-tag, as the forward is likely to be the main architect if Luis Enrique’s side are to pull off another eye-catching revival.
Getting Started
1 – Sign up for a free DraftKings account
2 – Draft your 8-man lineup
3 – Deposit $5 or more in your account and enter one of the $3 entry contests for free
Click here to get involved. All teams must be drafted by Tuesday at 7:45 PM.
Users from outside the UK, Germany, USA and Canada are now able to sign up for new 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.
As a contributor at Fantasy Football Scout, I play DraftKings using my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also choose different players and strategies than recommended above.
*All figures are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
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