This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Celtic v. Barcelona
2:45 p.m: Ludogorets v. FC Basel
2:45 p.m: Atletico Madrid v. PSV Eindhoven
2:45 p.m: Napoli v. Dynamo Kyiv
2:45 p.m: Borussia Monchengladbach v. Manchester City
2:45 p.m: Arsenal v. Paris Saint-Germain
ODDS REPORT
EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS
Celtic: Scott Sinclair, Tom Rogic
Barcelona: Neymar
Ludogorets: Wanderson
FC Basel: Luca Zuffi, Matias Delgado
Atletico Madrid: Yannick Carrasco, Koke
PSV Eindhoven: Davy Propper
Napoli: Faouzi Ghoulam, Jose Callejon
Dynamo Kyiv: Andriy Yarmolenko
Borussia Monchengladbach: Ibrahima Traore
Manchester City: Kevin De Bruyne
Arsenal: Mesut Ozil
Paris Saint-Germain: Angel Di Maria, Lucas Moura
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Kevin Trapp, PSG at ARS ($5,900): With Alphonse Areola ($6,600) dealing with an ankle injury, Trapp could get his second consecutive start after getting the call this past weekend against Nantes in Ligue 1 play. Arsenal are likely to pepper PSG with as many shots as they can handle, which should give Trapp plenty of opportunities to rack up the saves. With clean sheets at a premium, it's best to chase the save points than the shutout ones.
DEFENDER
Faouzi Ghoulam, NAP v. DYN ($4,300): Ghoulam is second on Napoli in chances created and assists in Serie A play, which is pretty good output for a defender. He scored 25.25 fantasy points in the first matchup with Dynamo Kyiv, and he'll be attacking enough in this match that he could certainly pick up another assist.
Carl Jenkinson, ARS v. PSG ($3,100): Starting in place of the injured Hector Bellerin (ankle), Jenkinson provides solid salary cap relief while still providing access to an attacking fullback for a solid Arsenal squad. Arsenal aren't overwhelming favorites against the Parisians, which should allow Jenkinson the opportunity to pick up defensive stats in addition to anything he does in the attack. Overall, the low salary is the biggest carrot.
Jannick Vestergaard, BOR v. MCI ($3,100): With Julian Korb ($3,500) suspended, Vestergaard is likely to keep his starting spot and should be very busy defensively against a Man City side that can clinch a spot in the knockout round with three points. Vestergaard is mostly a clearance and interception play, but with the attacking talents of Man City, he could get plenty of opportunities for those defensive stats.
MIDFIELDER
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at BOR ($8,200): De Bruyne will pull the strings for Man City, who have scored 10 goals in their last four matches in all competitions. He'll take most, if not all, set pieces and does so for one of the bigger favorites despite playing on the road.
Dries Mertens, NAP v. DYN ($6,400): Despite being classified as a midfielder, Mertens is expected to start as a central forward between Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne, giving him significantly more goal upside than many other midfielders. Napoli are heavy favorites and need a win to advance to the knockout round, so there's every reason to believe Mertens will be very active in attacking the net.
Ibrahima Traore, BOR v. MCI ($4,100): Despite playing as a home underdog, Gladbach shouldn't be considered pushovers, especially against a Man City defense that has struggled to post shutouts this season. Traore missed over a month due to injury, but he returned this past weekend and is slated to take most free kicks for the German side, giving him solid upside for chances created and shots on target.
FORWARD
Lionel Messi, BAR at CEL ($14,400): Messi is the most expensive player on the slate, which is what happens when you've scored over 80 fantasy points in two of three Champions League matches. He gets plenty of shots on target, and a good number find the back of the net. Fantasy managers could try to save a little cash and roll with Neymar ($13,900) or Luis Suarez ($13,200), but there are enough available value plays at each position to comfortably fit Messi in.
Sergio Aguero, MCI at BOR ($13,300): Aguero bagged a hat trick against Gladbach in their first matchup, scoring a decent 82.75 fantasy points. He also has three goals in his last three Premier League matches. Man City may not be the biggest favorites on the slate, but they have plenty of firepower, led by Aguero, to put up some big fantasy points.
Lucas Moura, PSG at ARS ($8,200): Moura has been a solid contributor during Champions League play, scoring at least 29 fantasy points in each of his last three UCL matches. With Angel Di Maria battling a hamstring injury, Moura could take over on some set pieces and corners, giving him more opportunities to score points against an Arsenal defense that is a bit understaffed.
