This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
For details odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Tuesday-Wednesday Cheat Sheet.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Manchester City v. Monaco
2:45 p.m: Bayer Leverkusen v. Atletico Madrid
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Bernd Leno, LEV v. ATL ($6,300): Leno comes in with multiple saves in five consecutive league games, making 14 over that span, while conceding more than one just once. Leverkusen are the biggest underdogs (not a huge deal on a two-game slate), but they are at home and have been playing well, so getting shut out isn't a sure thing either. However, if Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak is able to start after recently recovering from a shoulder injury, he makes for a solid value at just $6,100.
DEFENDERS
Kamil Glik, MCO at MCI ($6,900): Glik comes in as the most expensive defender because of his ability to rack of clearances, recording 169 this season, the second-highest total in Ligue 1. With Manchester City likely to attack early and often, since they still haven't figured out how to defend effectively and consistently under manager Pep Guardiola, Glik should have plenty of opportunities to pad his stats.
Lucas, ATL at LEV ($5,400):Lucas started both of Atletico Madrid's last two La Liga matches, putting up six interceptions, 10 clearances, four blocked shots and five fouls drawn in that span. With Diego Godin ($6,800) ruled out because of his ongoing groin injury, Lucas should be able to keep his starting spot, providing solid salary relief at the position. Additionally, if Gimenez gets the start instead, he could be even more valuable at just $5,100.
Benjamin Mendy, MCO at MCI ($5,900): For those looking to find a more attack-minded defender, Mendy fits the bill, as he comes in with four assists on seven chances created in his last four Ligue 1 matches, adding one shot on goal, six tackles, four interceptions and four clearances over that span. Monaco come in atop Ligue 1 thanks to their 76 league goals, a 26-goal gap over second-place Paris Saint-Germain, and they figure to try and grab at least one away goal in Manchester, with Mendy providing some attacking strength from the wing.
MIDFIELDERS
Thomas Lemar, MCO at MCI ($7,000): Lamar is one of Monaco's top play makers, with his role on free kicks making him particularly valuable. He's been very solid of late, with two assists, two shots on goal and 12 chances created in his last five league matches, including an impressive five last Friday against Bastia. While Manchester City come in as favorites, they are far from an elite defensive team, something Lemar should be able to take advantage of in a number of ways. Teammate Bernardo Silva ($6,700) is also worthy of consideration, as he comes in with two goals on four shots on target and 11 chances created in his last five Ligue 1 games.
David Silva, MCI v. MCO ($9,200): Silva's fantasy production was fairly muted earlier this season, but he's stepped it up of late to the point where he's more valuable than teammate Kevin De Bruyne, who will cost $1,900 more. De Bruyne comes in with two goals on two shots on target and 11 chances created in his last five Premier League games, while Silva has one goal on three shots on target and 13 chances created over that span. He's even chipping in with additional peripheral stats, adding four tackles, eight clearances and 12 fouls drawn in those games, while De Bruyne has seven tackles, one clearance and one foul drawn. De Bruyne has been playing a bit further back in his recent games, which has sapped him of much of his attacking upside, putting Silva in pole position to take advantage.
Yannick Carrasco, ATL at LEV ($8,000): Carrasco is a very streaky player, but he's trending in the right direction with two goals on eight shots (five on target), one assist and three chances created in his last two La Liga matches. Leverkusen are the worst of the four sides playing Tuesday, and while Atletico Madrid are on the road, they come in with nine goals in their last three league matches, giving little reason to think they'll be shut out in Germany, especially with how important away goals are in two-legged fixtures.
Karim Bellarabi, LEV v. ATL ($5,300): After missing four months because of a groin injury, Bellarabi has been a very solid piece of the Leverkusen attack of late with one goal on nine shots (five on target), two assists and five chances created in his last two Bundesliga matches. Going back to his Jan. 22 return from injury, he's created at least two chances in four of his last five domestic games (10 total in that span). The Atletico Madrid defense is very strong, but Leverkusen should know that the home leg will be their best chance at scoring, and Bellarabi is likely to be involved in that attack.
FORWARDS
Chicharito, LEV v. ATL ($8,800): While his Champions League game log isn't overly impressive, and he's facing off against one of the best defensive teams in the world, Chicharito stands out as a solid second forward given his recent play. After failing to score in 11 consecutive league matches, Chicharito is red hot, scoring five goals on 12 shots (seven on target) in his last three. Additionally, Atleti have allowed three goals in their last two La Liga matches, giving a little more optimism that the Mexican star can return strong value.
Falcao, MCO at MCI ($8,100): Speaking of secondary forwards, Falcao come in with six goals and an assist in his last seven league starts, putting 11 shots on target, including one in each match, over that span. Manchester City may be heavy favorites for the match, but they haven't posted a league clean sheet at home since Dec. 14 against Watford, allowing goals to Swansea City and Burnley during that run.
Sergio Aguero, MCI v. MCO ($13,300): The upper-tier forward list is two deep and is comprised of Aguero and Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann ($10,700). There is still a sizable difference between the two, and Aguero recently lost his starting job to Gabriel Jesus, though he has since recovered it thanks to the latter suffering a likely season-ending foot injury. Aguero makes a little more sense than Griezmann because he is likely to take more shots and comes in with the best anytime goal-scoring odds. The price is high, but his ceiling is arguably higher than any other forward.
