Yahoo DFS Soccer: UCL Semi-Final Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: UCL Semi-Final Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EDT)

Tuesday, 2:45 p.m: Real Madrid v. Bayern Munich
Wednesday, 2:45 p.m: Roma v. Liverpool

Play the Champions League £1K Semi Finals GPP for only $7.18

FORWARDS

Cristiano Ronaldo, RMD v. FCB (€27): The most expensive player on the slate really shouldn't be faded, as Ronaldo comes in with the most goals during Champions League play this season (his 15 are five more than Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah), the most shots (30 more than Lionel Messi) and the most shots on goal (eight more than Messi). He has the best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate, and while Real Madrid don't have to chase an aggregate deficit, there's no reason to think they won't have their foot on the gas to confirm their spot in the Champions League final.

Robert Lewandowski, FCB at RMD (€23): Lewandowski was unable to find the back of the net in the first leg, and while there's no guarantee it happens in Madrid, we have a pretty good sense that he'll be shooting as much as possible. He took four shots in the first leg, putting one on goal, and won two corners en route to 6.75 fantasy points. With more attacking expected as they try to overcome the 2-1 aggregate deficit, Lewandowski should get plenty of fantasy consideration. Teammate Thomas Muller (€20) is theoretically in play, but I'd prefer to pay up for the more sure-thing.

Edin Dzeko, RMA v. LIV (€24): Roma need to make up a three-goal deficit to advance (sound familiar?), and they'll need another big performance from Dzeko to get there. Attacking Liverpool is very different than Barcelona, mostly because Barca were content to hold onto the ball as much as possible and were susceptible on the counter, which played perfectly into Roma's pressing style. However, Liverpool play more like Roma than Barca, and their constant pressing won't be as easy to break down. Regardless, Dzeko will still need to be a high volume shooter to give them any chance at another historic comeback, so we at least have comfort that he should provide a decent floor even if he doesn't score.

MIDFIELDERS

James Rodriguez, FCB at RMD (€20): James picked up an assist in the opening leg, helping him to a solid 12.20 fantasy points, and while he didn't take a single shot in that match, he could be let loose even more this week with Bayern's needing to score at least twice. Arjen Robben (€18) will not play because of a calf injury, and while Franck Ribery (€18) ripped off four shots in the first leg, it was the first time all season he had taken more than three (and only the second time with more than two).

Marco Asensio, RMD v. FCB (€17): The Real Madrid midfield doesn't usually have many high upside fantasy options, as Casemiro (€15), Luka Modric (€17) and Toni Kroos (€19) have bigger responsibilities around controlling the middle of the park. Not a single one is averaging at least 2.00 shots per 90 minutes during La Liga play this season, and they're all below 1.00 during the Champions League. Asensio has similar stats, but he could be playing up front with Ronaldo, which would certainly help his upside. There's also a possibility that Lucas Vazquez (€15) starts at right-back in place of the injured Dani Carvajal (€15), and while his upside isn't as high playing back there, his presence on the field at that price shouldn't be ignored.

Cengiz Under, RMA v. LIV (€15): Under was pretty uninspiring during the first leg, getting pulled at halftime in favor of forward Patrik Schick (€15), but I'd still consider taking a chance on the former because of Roma's need to score multiple goals. He had a run of matches earlier this year that saw him score six goals on 23 shots (nine on target) in nine games, and if that player re-emerges this week, he could be one of the best values.

DEFENDERS

Marcelo, RMD v. FCB (€16): The lack of high-priced midfielders makes it very doable to pay up at all three defender spots, and after what happened in the first leg, we know that strategy doesn't necessarily compromise a fantasy lineup's upside. Marcelo scored an excellent goal with his lone shot in the match, and while he didn't produce much more, he's surely going to still be used as a strong attacking threat this week. With clean sheets highly unlikely, I'd rather focus on the defenders who may be a part of a goal instead of worrying about their team giving one up.

Joshua Kimmich, FCB at RMD (€16): Kimmich bagged the opener in the first leg last week, as he continues to be a key piece of the Bayern attack. A lot of his work on the wing includes sending in crosses, and with Bayern needing to score at least two, you can be sure that they'll be utilizing the 23-year-old as much as possible.

Aleksandar Kolarov, RMA v. LIV (€16): Kolarov's role on some set pieces gives him a nice floor, and while he struggled in the opening leg, he picked up one assist in each of his last two Serie A matches. His defensive work isn't his strong suit, which is perfectly fine for us fantasy players since it's his attacking upside we're after. Liverpool have a pretty commanding aggregate lead, so if they sit back at all it will only benefit Kolarov.

GOALKEEPER

Alisson, RMA v. LIV (€14):Alisson made six saves in the first leg, but understandably finished with a negative score after allowing five goals. However, I'm willing to go back to the well because Liverpool could still advance to the final even if they don't win Wednesday's match. The saves should be there, and while I think a clean sheet is a long-shot, there seems to be a clearer path to a Roma win (and not advancing) than figuring out who comes through in the Real Madrid-Bayern clash.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Andrew M. Laird plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: kingmorland, DraftKings: andrewmlaird, Yahoo: Lairdinho.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew M. Laird, the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's Head of DFS Content and Senior Soccer Editor. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
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