MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Napoli v. Nice
2:45 p.m: Celtic v. Astana
2:45 p.m: Istanbul Basaksehir v. Sevilla
2:45 p.m: Hapoel Be'er Sheva v. Maribor
2:45 p.m: Olympiakos v. Rijeka
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Volkan Babacan, IBB v. SEV ($4,400): Babacan has a clean sheet in two straight appearances and checks in as the cheapest home goalkeeper on the slate by a wide margin. Sevilla present a stiff challenge, but considering they have yet to play a competitive game this season, I like our chances with a relatively cheap keeper who helps free up funds elsewhere.
DEFENDER
Faouzi Ghoulam, NAP v. NIC ($6,500): $6,500 is a lot to pay for a defender, but what you're paying for is a left-back who loves to attack down the flank and regularly tops double-digit fantasy points. Ghoulam's upside is bolstered by his share of set pieces on the biggest favorite on the slate.
Diogo Figueiras, OLY v. RIJ ($5,000): The Portuguese right-back is active on the wing, sending in crosses and cutting inside to fire off the occasional shot or two. In addition to his attacking abilities, he collects a handful of points from defensive stats to bolster his fantasy appeal. Olympiakos have a decent chance at a clean sheet, and combine that with the peripherals Figueiras can add and we're looking at a double-digit total at a reasonable salary.
MIDFIELDER
Jose Callejon, NAP v. NIC ($9,000): It's pick your poison with the Napoli attackers, as they have several attractive options in a favorable home matchup against Nice. Callejon jumps out as a player to build around, standing over a hefty chunk of set pieces. He led Serie A in assists last season and was the third-leading goalscorer on the team behind Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne.
Konstantinos Fortounis, OLY v. RIJ ($7,900): Fortounis fuels the Olympiakos attack and has a notable share of set pieces for the Greek side. His crossing totals and fouls drawn make for a relatively safe floor, but he's also no stranger to finding the back of the net, having scored 31 goals in 77 appearances for the club.
FORWARD
Dries Mertens, NAP v. NIC ($11,300): Mertens is far and away the most expensive player on the slate, but he's also the player who could make or break your lineup should he explode. A quick glance at his finish to the Serie A season says it all: six goals, four assists and a total of 124 fantasy points (31 FPPG) over his last four games.
Leigh Griffiths, CEL v. AST ($7,000): Celtic have been plagued with injuries early in the season, with Griffiths one of few forwards left standing. He too has been held out recently due to a lingering calf injury, but word is that he's fit and ready to go for the first leg against Astana. Celtic will look to their main attacking threat for a repeat performance from when these teams met in the Champions League playoff last year, with Griffiths scoring a goal in each leg of the series.
