This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
ODDS REPORT
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Ederson Moraes, BEN v. NAP ($6,200): Ederson and Benfica are currently first in Group B, but visitors Napoli are hot on their heels and a slip up at home could even see the Portuguese club miss out on the knockout round altogether. Ederson has done his part to put Benfica in position to advance, with two clean sheets in four matches and conceding just one goal in two UCL home games.
Fabri, BES at DYN ($5,700): Besiktas are in a must-win spot if they are to advance to the knockout round, while their hosts Dynamo Kyiv are only playing for pride. Fabri made four saves and posted 18 fantasy points against Kyiv at home in their first meeting and could go overlooked after a 2.75-point dud in his last outing. Despite already being eliminated, look for Kyiv to put up a fight and create some save opportunities.
DEFENDERS
Yevhen Khacheridi, DYN v. BES ($5,900): Khacheridi fits the mold of center backs that benefit from the FanDuel scoring setup ,as he accumulates points across all defensive categories, and is coming off 31.25 points in his last outing due in large part to his 12 clearances and eight interceptions. With Benfica pushing for a result, look for Khacheridi to be active once again.
Tosin Adarabioyo/Pablo Maffeo, MCI v. CEL ($3,600): Despite a lack of experience, both players have been mentioned in projected starting lineups. Adarabioyo is a 6-foot-5, 19-year old center back who could benefit from the recent loss of Vincent Kompany. Maffeo was full of energy at right back in his first team debut against Manchester United in the EFL Cup in late-September. Both are min-priced and should have no problem paying off their salaries if given the start.
MIDFIELDERS
Ilkay Gundogan, MCI v. CEL ($8,200): Gundogan has played a role in all five UCL group matches, and his game really suits the FanDuel scoring format. He went off for two goals and 61.75 fantasy points in his last appearance at home against Barcelona, and he has hit over 25 fantasy points in two games without a goal or an assist. A repeat performance of his 31.25-point effort against Celtic the first time these teams met could be in order.
Thiago Alacantara, MUN v. ATL ($7,200): Thiago doesn't regularly contribute to the Bayern Munich attack but is still very fantasy relevant on FanDuel. He has just one assist through four UCL games and is still averaging almost 25 fantasy points per game. While neither team stands to benefit from a result, Alacantara should be able to produce his usual heaping of fantasy points regardless of game script.
Ricardo Quaresma, BES at DYN ($5,800): Quaresma leads the Benfica attack with three goals and two assists through five games. His lofty 26.7 FPPG average comes mostly from his goal contributions, but his salary is too cheap to ignore in a must-win game. Consider Quaresma a high-upside GPP play with cash-game potential.
FORWARDS
Lionel Messi, BAR v. BOR ($14,000): Messi is two goals away from matching Cristiano Ronaldo's group stage record, and he's already dropped two hat tricks in four Group C matches. His 61.6 FPPG is over 20 points higher than any other player on the board and another 80-point, hat-trick-fueled outburst is within reason any time he takes the field.
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. CEL ($13,600): Aguero probably would have been rested this game until a stoppage time meltdown against Chelsea on Sunday earned him a four-match Premier League ban. He is ineligible to take the field domestically again until New Year's Eve, which means there's a good chance he'll be included in Tuesday's meaningless Group C finale. He's a boom-or-bust play with immense upside given his nose for the goal, and taking into consideration that this will be his last chance to put his name on the scoresheet for nearly four weeks.
Eduardo Salvio, BEN v. NAP ($6,000): Salvio is a big reason why Benfica sit atop Group B heading into the final match of the group stage. He has three goals and two assists over their last four UCL games, and with everything still to play for he's a good candidate to be involved once again. With so many good top-tier options on the board, Salvio makes for a good contrarian play in GPPs.
