Yahoo DFS Soccer: Wednesday UCL Picks

For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Viktoria Plzen v. Real Madrid
3:00 p.m: Lyon v. Hoffenheim
3:00 p.m: Juventus v. Manchester United
3:00 p.m: Bayern Munich v. AEK Athens
3:00 p.m: Manchester City v. Shakhtar Donetsk
3:00 p.m: Benfica v. Ajax

FORWARDS

Robert Lewandowski, FCB v. AEK (€27): Despite scoring in two of three Champions League matches this season, Lewandowski has been a bit disappointing given he's usually one of the most expensive players on his slates. That being said, he was still strong in Bayern's match away to AEK two weeks ago, scoring one goal on four shots, including three on target, and he comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds on the slate while Bayern have the highest implied goal total. There are plenty of high upside forwards available, but it will be tough to fade Lewandowski given his solid play of late (three goals on 20 shots and two assists on five chances created in his past four games) and weak opponent. Given the overwhelming odds, I also wouldn't hesitate to at least consider Thomas Muller at €18.

Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. SDK (€20): Jesus has found regular playing time tough to come by during Premier League play, but he's started two of three Champions League matches and could again get the call Wednesday, which could allow Sergio Aguero (€28) to get a slight rest ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby. Leading the line for Man City certainly has its odds benefits, as Lewandowski and Aguero are the only players with better anytime goal scorer odds than Jesus, while Manchester City have almost the same implied goal total as Bayern Munich. Aguero is certainly worth paying up for, but Jesus would be a great option if he starts because of the salary savings.

Reiss Nelson, HOF at LYN (€4): Nelson has started the past two matches for Hoffenheim, scoring one goal on four shots (two on target) and winning two tackles. A start against Lyon isn't guaranteed given the possibilities up front for Hoffenheim, but at this price (and no, it's not a typo), he pretty much allows you to play whoever else you want (except three forwards since you'll have to use him there or in utility).

MIDFIELDERS

Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. SKD (€23): Paying up for Manchester City midfielders makes a lot of sense given their overwhelming implied goal total, which puts Mahrez, Leroy Sane (€21), David Silva (€24) and Bernardo Silva (€18) in play. Mahrez and Sane have the higher goal upside, but it's really tough to say any of them aren't strong plays.

Marco Asensio, RMD at PLZ (€16): Real Madrid are solid favorites away to Viktoria Plzen, and while paying up for Gareth Bale (€26) or Karim Benzema (€24) in a forward spot is certainly an option, I'd rather rely on the Bayern and Man City guys there and try to get Madrid exposure through Asensio, Isco (€23) or Toni Kroos (€20) in the midfield. Kroos' role on set pieces and high passing numbers always give him a solid floor, while Asensio and Isco will try to make value by scoring or assisting the guys in front of them.

Vincenzo Grifo, HOF at LYN (€10): Nelson isn't the only potential cheap Hoffenheim option, as Grifo comes in at a minimum price for a midfielder and is coming off an excellent one-goal, two-assist performance this past weekend against Bayer Leverkusen, his first start since going 45 minutes in the season opener against Bayern Munich. Despite the solid performance, a start isn't guaranteed given his inconsistent minutes all season, and while Hoffenheim are away underdogs, Lyon is hardly a defense worth fearing, as evidenced by their 3-3 scoreline two weeks ago.

DEFENDERS

Joshua Kimmich, FCB v. AEK (€17): Given Bayern's injury situation, it's possible Kimmich could have a monopoly of set pieces Wednesday, giving him a great opportunity at creating chances through his plethora of crosses. He had four accurate crosses in the reverse fixture, and with Bayern expected to absolutely punish AEK this time around, it's possible Kimmich is the highest owned defender on the slate.

Benjamin Mendy, MCI v. SDK (€19): Mendy is the second-most expensive defender on the slate, but his attacking upside coupled with Manchester City's high clean sheet odds make him a reasonable play. He's actually been putting in a little more defensive work than he was earlier in the season, but the matchup against Shakhtar should still leave plenty of room to move up in the attack. If he's a bit too expensive, paying down a little for center-back Aymeric Laporte (€17) is an option, though at that point you may as well save a little more and go with John Stones (€16) or even Nicolas Otamendi (€15) if he can make it back into the starting XI.

Alvaro Odriozola, RMD at PLZ (€14): With regular starting fullbacks Marcelo (€17) and Dani Carvajal (€16) ruled out because of injuries, we could get two relatively cheap Real Madrid defenders in Odriozola and Reguilon (€15), who both started last weekend's clean sheet victory over Valladolid. In fact, Reguilon had an excellent 10.05 fantasy points without a goal, assist or clean sheet in the reverse fixture, so I'd have little hesitation paying his price over the Manchester United defenders playing away to Juventus.

GOALKEEPER

Ederson, MCI v. SDK (€17): Goalkeeper is never a sure thing, but Ederson comes in with the second-highest win and clean sheet odds, trailing only Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer (€16), who has made one save in his past five games, and he has just one clean sheet in his last eight. Meanwhile, Ederson had four straight clean sheets before finally conceding in a 6-1 win over Southampton this past weekend, but he somewhat made up for it by saving five shots. It's tough to argue with Bayern's odds, but their recent defensive performances don't make me want to pay for Neuer, even at a slightly cheaper price.