Tuesday signals the start of the Champions League last 16, second-leg matches, presenting another opportunity to sign up and win big cash prizes with DraftKings.
It’s easy to get started: just register for an account here. Once you make your first deposit of $5 or more you’ll receive a free entry worth $3 – then you’re on the way to selecting your eight-player line-up. It’s also worth checking out our strategy guide for a more in-depth look at how to approach your drafting.
Register to claim your $3 and you can gain free entry to the Champions League “Set Piece” contest, which has $1,500* in the prize pot with $120 to the top placed participant from a maximum of 588 entries; prizes are available right down to 119th spot.
For just $4 per line-up, you can also enter the “Sweeper” contest with $12,000 in prizes and a $1250* top prize and cash awarded to the top 750 positions.
Read on for our selected player picks for the midweek competitions below.
Tuesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Arsenal v Bayern
Napoli v Real Madrid
Manuel Neuer – Bayern – $5,000 – G
The Bayern keeper may be pricey pick but it’s fair to say that Arsenal will need to carry the match to their visitors following a chastening 5-1 first-leg loss at the Allianz Arena.
Such a scenario should, at least, produce save points for Neuer, who has a healthy 11.4 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) over nine DraftKings outings. The weekend shutout against Koln in the Bundesliga makes it 17 clean sheets in 34 appearances this campaign.
Marcelo – Real Madrid – $4,900 – D
Over his last trio of La Liga appearances, the raiding right-back has delivered 29 crosses (worth 0.75 points each in DraftKings), a pair of assists and five attempts on goal, earning 15.3 FPPG.
Madrid have kept just a single clean sheet in the five league matches since facing Napoli, hinting that attacking returns need to be targeted if opting for a Real Madrid defender. Marcelo was rested for the 4-1 win at Eibar over the weekend so should be refreshed for the trip to the San Paolo.
Thiago Alcantara – Bayern – $5,600 – M
The Spaniard was the standout performer from Bayern’s first-leg rout, delivering two goals and an assist on his way to a 36-point haul.
This time around, it’s Thiago’s defensive contribution that has caught our eye – with Arsenal desperate to attack, we reckon his ball-winning abilities in the centre of the park will be key to launching Bayern’s quick counters. A total of 50 tackles (+ 1 point) and 81 interceptions (+0.5 points) is more than any team-mate in the Bundesliga this season.
Dries Mertens – Napoli – $7,500 – M/F
The Belgian fired both goals in a 2-1 victory over Roma at the weekend, underlining his importance to Napoli’s cause.
Mertens has produced 18 goals and seven assists across 24 Serie A appearances in a hugely impressive season and has also served up four goals and as many assists over the Champions League group stages.
If the Serie A side are to overturn a 3-1 deficit in front of their own supporters, Mertens’ contribution looks vital against a Madrid defence that’s shipped six goals in their last three matches.
Alexis Sanchez – Arsenal – $7,900 – M/F
Benched for the weekend loss at Liverpool, the Chilean will surely return to Arsene Wenger’s teamsheet as the Gunners attempt to claw back that four-goal deficit at home to Bayern.
Sanchez’ average of 15.5 FPPG is far and away the best on offer for the north London side – a total of 22 goal and 14 assists across all competitions indicates that, if Arsenal are to make any leeway tomorrow night, we can rely on Alexis.
Wednesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Dortmund v Benfica
Barcelona v Paris
Ederson Moraes – Benfica – $3,800 – G
We tipped the Brazilian in the opening encounter with Dortmund and he duly delivered – preserving a clean sheet to secure a 1-0 win and score 24 points (keepers in DraftKings benefit from a +5 point win bonus).
Benfica will be under pressure from kick-off in Germany and if Moraes repeats those first-leg endeavours (his five saves kept them in the tie), a budget price tag should represent value even in defeat.
Lukasz Piszczek – Dortmund – $4,400 – D
A goal and pair of assists in the recent 3-0 win over Wolfsburg is indicative of the left-back’s value for money.
Another assist in the following home match – a 6-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday – has further boosted Piszczek’s prospects ahead a home encounter with Benfica. Dortmund should be dominant against their Portuguese opponents, which should allow the Polish international leeway to raid forward.
If you can afford the extra outlay, his team-mate Raphael Guerreiro ($5,200) is worth considering, with an 11.8 FPPG over seven European matches. Playing out of position in midfield, he’s scored twice and provided a fifth assist of the season over his last three Bundesliga outings.
Ivan Rakitic – Barcelona – $5,700 – M
Barcelona have it all to do after suffering a 4-0 defeat in the first leg, with their front trio all likely to see heavy investment.
Rakitic, however, offers a budget route into an attack that will be going all out to claw back some respect at the very least. Although he’s yet to score in Europe this term, three goals in his last four La Liga starts suggests that the Croatian should comfortably better his 7.7 FPPG on Wednesday evening.
Ousmane Dembele – Dortmund – $7,700 – M/F
The Frenchman has provided attacking returns in four of his last five home league matches, which includes a goal and assist combination against both Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen in Dortmund’s last two at the Signal Iduna Park.
A 12.1 FPPG in the Champions League, comprising of a goal and five assists over the group stages, showcases his potential. Saturday’s 6-2 victory over fellow Champions League competitors Leverkusen boosts Dortmund’s momentum as they look to overcome that one-goal reverse against Benfica.
Edison Cavani– Paris Saint Germain – $6,700 – F
Rather than put their fate in Barca’s hands, Umai Emery will be eager for his side to notch an away goal and put the tie beyond doubt.
Having already scored in the first-leg rout, Cavani’s record this season suggests that he could offer excellent value for money at the Nou Camp.
A weekend penalty against Nancy took his tally to 27 goals in 26 Ligue 1 appearances, while that consistency is echoed in the Champions League, with seven goals in as many matches.
Getting Started
- 1 – Sign up for a free DraftKings account
- 2 – Draft your 8-man lineup
- 3 – Enter the free Fantasy Football Scout League with a prize pot of $500
Click here to get involved. All teams must be drafted by Tuesday at 7:45 PM
Users from outside the UK, 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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