It’s the final four matches of the Champions League Round of 16 this midweek, presenting another opportunity to register and try out DraftKings to win big cash prizes.
Getting started couldn’t be simpler – just register a new account here. Once you made your first deposit of at least $5, you will then be given free entry to any $3 contest.
This week, with that $3 buy-in, you can sample the $1,000* Set Piece game for free, with $100 available to the top ranked managers – 79 of the 392 potential entries will also win prizes.
The “Casual” $250* pot also has a $3 buy-in with fewer spots available, with the top 19 of 98 entries eligible for a cash prize.
The “Sweeper” is the biggest contest available for the Champions League slate – a $4 fee gives you the opportunity to win a share of a $12,000* prize-fund, with $1,250 going to the overall winner.
Select your eight-player squad to get started, we’ve given you some player tips below and our strategy guide will offer further insight on player selection.
Tuesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Juventus v Porto
Leicester v Sevilla
Kasper Schmeichel – Leicester City – $4,400 – G
A combination of a budget-friendly price tag, home comforts and an upturn in form have us turning to the Foxes’ stopper. Leicester were defeated 2-1 in Spain, which means even a 1-0 victory would see them through to the next stage.
We’re expecting Craig Shakespeare to focus on a resilient showing, then, and utilise counter-attacks as the main route to goal. Even if they concede, Schmeichel should still be kept busy by the La Liga outfit, with two points on offer per save in DraftKings.
Dani Alves – Juventus – $5,600 – D
The Brazilian has now recorded back-to-back Serie A assists in front of his own fans, having teed up the opener in Juventus’ weekend win AC Milan from a right flank role. If Alves retains a position in midfield for the visit of Porto, his points potential at both ends of the pitch could be too good to ignore.
An average of 11.1 Fantasy Points Per Game (FPPG) includes a steady 106 crosses in 26 appearances, which are each worth 0.75 points in DraftKings. Furthermore, the former Barcelona man has already demonstrated his attacking capabilities at this level, serving up a goal and pair of assists in the group stages before netting a second of the campaign in the first leg in Portugal.
Paulo Dybala – Juventus – $8,300 – M/F
Deployed in the number ten role by Massimiliano Allegri against AC Milan at the weekend, the Argentine’s spot-kick winner was his fifth goal in seven outings across all competitions in a run that also includes three assists.
An average of 12.5 FPPG this term is slightly better than the pricier Gonzalo Higuain ($9,000), highlighting Dybala’s value for money as Juventus look to secure a place in the last eight.
Andre Silva – Porto – $6,400 – F
The Portuguese side have won their last two league fixtures 4-0 and 7-0 ahead of the trip to Italy so should be in a confident mood, though overturning a two-goal deficit at the Serie A leaders is a daunting prospect.
Certainly, Silva is most likely to be the key to any comeback – he’s scored 19 goals and served up seven assists in 31 Liga Nos and Champions League appearances this campaign.
Stevan Jovetic – Sevilla – $7,700 – F
Snapped up on loan from Man City, Jovetic has started five of Sevilla’s last six matches across all competitions and was among the goals in a weekend draw against Leganes.
The Spanish outfit fired 22 attempts to Leicester’s seven in the first-leg and, sitting third in La Liga, are likely to dominate once again at the King Power Stadium. Jovetic supplied an assist in that narrow 2-1 win and we expect him to be instrumental again tomorrow night.
Wednesday Player Picks
Fixtures
Atletico v Bayer Leverkusen
Monaco v Manchester City
Jan Oblak – Atletico – $5,400 – G
After keeping back-to-back clean sheets in La Liga, the Slovenian is a clear front-runner for the keeper slot in this slate alongside veteran Gianluigi Buffon ($5,600). The Atletico defence conceded twice in the first leg at the BayArena but will be more difficult to break down at the Vicente Calderon, where they have kept nine clean sheets in 16 home ties in the league and Europe this term.
A struggling Bayer Leverkusen visit having failed to pick up a victory since the reverse fixture – Oblak looks well set for points from a win and a shut-out here, then.
Wendell – Bayer Leverkusen – $4,400 – D
We had earmarked the highly rated Benjamin Henrichs for Leverkusen’s trip to Atletico but, with the right-back sidelined through suspension, we’re turning to his fellow full-back instead.
Wendell’s raids down the left flank served up a goal and assist in his previous away appearance for the German outfit and an average of 10.5 FPPG so far this season is more than any defensive team-mate.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City – $7,800 – M/F
The winger prodcued an assist in the FA Cup win at Middlesbrough to continue a consistent run of form in which he’s provided attacking returns in ten of his last 14 appearances across all competitions.
Sterling bagged a goal and assist when Monaco visited the Etihad last time out, which contributed to a strong score of 24 points. With the onus on the Ligue 1 side to attack, Sterling’s pace should be put to good use once again in the reverse fixture.
Antoine Griezmann – Atletico – $8,700 – M/F
It’s difficult to overlook the prolific Frenchman when Atletico welcome a Leverkusen side that conceded six goals in their last away match (a 6-2 defeat at Dortmund).
Griezmann boasts some impressive form, netting four goals in his previous trio of La Liga matches. He also notched in the 4-2 victory over Leverkusen in the opening match of the tie – bringing his tally to four goals and two assists in seven Champions League outings this season.
Radamel Falcao – Monaco – $7,000 – F
The Colombian’s eye for goal may well make the difference if Monaco are to overcome a 5-3 first-leg against Manchester City, with a brace at the Etihad last time out his second two-goal haul in four Champions League outings this campaign.
Utilised as a sub at the weekend due to a minor groin problem, Falcao still found time to emerge from the bench to claim an assist. With 16 goals in as many starts in the league, he’ll surely be unleashed from the off against Pep Guardiola’s defence.
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, 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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