DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund
• 3:00 pm: Real Madrid vs. Liverpool

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

MIDFIELDERS

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. BVB ($9,200): De Bruyne is the most expensive player on the slate, but as the primary set-piece taker for the biggest favorite, it comes as no surprise. Pricing isn't that tight despite four power-house teams, so fitting De Bruyne in shouldn't be too difficult, even for those who are interested in Manchester City stacks.

Toni Kroos, RMA v. LIV ($6,900): Similarly to De Bruyne, Kroos takes a majority of set pieces for Real Madrid, who are slight home underdogs against Liverpool. He's actually had a few disappointing Champions League matches, but that shouldn't stop him from being a popular cash-game option Tuesday. He isn't a high-volume shooter, but Kroos does create a good number of chances, and his crosses mostly come from those set pieces. The floor is (usually) safe, though he doesn't make for a great stand-alone GPP play; if anything, he should be part of a Real Madrid stack with someone like Karim Benzema ($8,400, forward).

FORWARDS

Sergio Aguero, MCI v. BVB ($6,700): Manchester City have the highest implied goal total on the slate, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Aguero, who only managed two shots in 63 minutes against Leicester City this past weekend. Aguero has battled injuries for much of the season, but he should get plenty of attention if he starts Tuesday because he's considerably cheaper than some of his teammates. Riyad Mahrez ($8,600) is priced high enough that some may avoid him, making him a decent GPP target in terms of lower popularity.

Marco Asensio, RMA v. LIV ($6,400): Benzema has the highest anytime goal scorer odds among Real Madrid players, but Asensio comes in with three goals in his last three appearances (one start). The biggest negative with Asensio is that he almost never plays 90 minutes, unlike Benzema, but he provides some salary savings for those who think he can break through while he's on the pitch. Then again, we're likely to see enough people lining up the Liverpool attackers, with Mohamed Salah ($8,000) probably the most popular of the group, followed by Diogo Jota ($7,200), who scored three goals in his last two club matches (one start), and Sadio Mane ($7,400).

Erling Haaland, BVB at MCI ($7,800): There's a decent chance Haaland goes overlooked on this slate because he's the biggest underdog and you can get guys like Salah, Benzema and Mane for similar prices, but Haaland's goal upside is as good as anyone's. His floor has been very strong recently thanks to his shots and shots on goal, though there is an expectation that Dortmund may not have much possession against Man City. Either way, from a leverage standpoint, Haaland makes plenty of sense.

DEFENDERS

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at RMA ($6,500): Alexander-Arnold is the most expensive defender on the slate, but his role on set pieces for Liverpool, who are slight favorites away to Real Madrid, will have him on plenty of fantasy rosters, both in cash games and GPPs. Andrew Robertson ($4,900) should get a few opportunities on corners too, but if anything he makes for a complement to Alexander-Arnold rather than a replacement, even with his lower price. The total in the Real Madrid v. Liverpool match is fairly high, so there's no denying we should get some exposure to it, particularly with a relatively low priced set-piece taker.

Emre Can, BVB at MCI ($2,500): To be clear: I don't think Can is a good play in terms of actual fantasy points, but he will definitely have some fantasy players looking his way because he's minimum priced and potentially starting as a right-back for Borussia Dortmund. In fairness, he had an assist in each of his last two starts, including one as a center-back, but relying on that will be tough Tuesday, especially since he's the biggest underdog. However, with expensive forwards and midfielders to target, Can's popularity will likely be higher than it should be. If you're looking for different cheaper options, Aymeric Laporte ($2,700) could be a possibility if he starts, though Ruben Dias ($3,100) isn't much more. Either way, you're looking at center-backs in this price range, which is why Can could get more attention.

GOALKEEPERS

Marwin Hitz, BVB at MCI ($3,800): We only have very good teams left at this stage of the Champions League, and given that there are higher-priced forwards and midfielders worth targeting, paying down at goalkeeper seems like the more optimal route. Even though Dortmund are the biggest underdog, getting a win and clean sheet from any of the four goalkeepers on the slate seems like a bit of a long-shot, so getting the salary flexibility Hitz provides could make him a decently popular option.