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: Borussia Dortmund v. Club Brugge
3:00 p.m: Paris Saint-Germain v. Liverpool
3:00 p.m: Napoli v. FK Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade)
3:00 p.m: PSV Eindhoven v. Barcelona
3:00 p.m: Porto v. Schalke
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Inter Milan

FORWARDS

Lionel Messi, BCN at PSV (€29): The forward pool is complicated for Wednesday's slate, mostly because of the Paris Saint-Germain v. Liverpool match, which has a bunch of excellent attacking players in the game with the highest implied goal total, and they're all cheaper than Messi. However, taking players from that match means you're fading Messi, or possibly forwards from Napoli, who are hosting FK Crvena Zvezda, or those from Borussia Dortmund, who are home against Club Brugge. Messi is the only one playing away, but he's also a player who has gotten on the scoresheet at least once in all but two matches this season, averaging 5.17 shots, including 2.27 on goal, per 90 minutes, and he has five goals on 12 shots (eight on target) in two Champions League matches, including a hat trick against PSV in the reverse fixture (he missed time with an injury, which is why his UCL sample is smaller than others). You're obviously paying up for him, and he's away, but he's also facing a PSV side that plays in a league with a greater focus on scoring goals than defending them.

Lorenzo Insigne, NAP v. CRV (€25): Napoli are the biggest favorite on the slate and Insigne comes in leading Napoli in shots during Serie A and Champions League play. In fact, his 56 domestic shots are 21 more than the next highest player on the team, as he's had just one game this season with fewer than three shots, and he has six on goal in his last four while creating 13 chances in that span. With Napoli expected to run all over Crvena Zvezda, getting a big piece of their attack seems safer than hoping you land on the right Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain goal scorer(s).

Jadon Sancho, BVB v. CLUB (€17): Borussia Dortmund are the second-biggest favorite with the second-highest implied goal total, and while Sancho has failed to make the scoresheet in his last four appearances for the club, his recent role on set pieces should keep him involved. His current four-game slump was preceded by a seven-match run that included five goals on seven shots (six on target) and five assists on 13 chances created, ridiculous ratios that he obviously wouldn't be able to maintain. That being said, he's regressed enough and Wednesday's game against an overmatched Brugge side could very well get him back on the scoresheet, and it doesn't hurt that he's one of the cheapest likely starting players at the forward position.

MIDFIELDERS

Dries Mertens, NAP v. CRV (€24): While Insigne is a shot machine, Mertens certainly lets them fly too, averaging 4.17, including 2.15 on goal, during Serie A play, as well as 5.78, including 2.89 on goal, in this season's Champions League. As mentioned above, Napoli are big favorites and expected to score goals, and Mertens provides exposure to their front line while fitting into a midfield spot.

Angel Di Maria, PSG v. LIV (€20): There are plenty of great attackers in the PSG v. Liverpool match, but Di Maria is the cheapest despite a shared role on set pieces. He was pretty disappointing in the reverse fixture, and his last three games have left plenty to be desired, but in a match expected to have goals, getting access at only €20 is an interesting opportunity.

Daniel Caligiuri, S04 at PTO (€13): Playing away to Porto isn't the easiest matchup, but Caligiuri has been doing enough on both end of the pitch to warrant consideration. He's coming off an excellent match against FC Nurnberg when he had two assists on six chances created, four shots, including two on goal, three tackles won, two interceptions and one foul drawn. He has had a small role on set pieces recently, which has helped him send in four accurate crosses in his last two games. The upside is fairly limited, even as a right wing-back, but Caligiuri's low salary is convenient when trying to pay up elsewhere.

DEFENDERS

Alex Telles, PTO v. S04 (€17): Telles' role on set pieces will always put him in play, especially when Porto are a home favorite. It's worth recognizing that the Porto v. Schalke match has the third-lowest implied goal total, but Telles' value on set pieces and in open play gives him enough opportunities for attacking peripheral stats.

Mario Rui, NAP v. CRV (€14): With the highest clean sheet odds on the slate, Napoli could have both starting fullbacks at just €14, a very nice discount given they also like to attack when given the chance. Now, they don't attack that much, but Rui and Elseid Hysaj could both be popular given their clean sheet chances.

Lukasz Piszczek, BVB v. CLUB (€15): Relying on a defender goal or assist isn't the best plan, but we can't ignore that Piszczek has gotten on the scoresheet in back-to-back matches (one goal and one assist) while also adding three tackles won, five interceptions and two accurate crosses. He's actually been attacking just as much as Achraf Hakimi (€18) of late, but the difference in price makes it easy to side with the cheaper option from Dortmund, who have the second-best clean sheet odds on the slate.

GOALKEEPER

Roman Burki, BVB v. CLUB (€16): The difference between Burki and the other goalkeepers with strong clean sheet odds isn't that great, so spending the small amount to get up to him shouldn't be an issue, especially if you're pairing him with someone like Piszczek. Napoli's David Ospina (€15) is a bit cheaper but hasn't had a clean sheet since Oct. 7, though if Orestis Karnezis (€13) gets the start after shutting out Chievo this past weekend, he might be worth a look because Napoli have the best clean sheet odds.