FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Ajax vs. Valencia
• 3:00 pm: Benfica vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
• 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Slavia Prague
• 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Lille
• 3:00 pm: Inter Milan vs. Barcelona
• 3:00 pm: Lyon vs. RB Leipzig

For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet.

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Tammy Abraham, CHE v. LIL ($21): Abraham should be close to chalk with by far the best odds to score on the slate (-240 at FanDuel Sportsbook). Chelsea are home against Lille, who not only have nothing to play for but also already gave up two goals in the reverse fixture and allowed seven goals in their prior two away UCL contests. Given those numbers, stacking Chelsea in hopes of three or four goals isn't a bad idea because you know Abraham, Willian ($16), Christian Pulisic ($15) and Mason Mount ($17) will be involved. Willian is the best floor play because of set pieces, while Pulisic will be more popular because of upside and price. Memphis Depay ($21) has scored in all four of his Champions League starts, but there's no telling how that match plays out. Either Depay will rack up shots and chances as Lyon pound Leipzig, who only need a draw, or Lyon will score one and then sit back with three points locking them into the knockout stages. The final match of the group stages is always tricky and that's something you have to consider when paying up for someone like Depay or Timo Werner ($18).

Hakim Ziyech, AJA v. VAL ($20): Ajax may only need a draw, but they are great on the counter-attack and Valencia are in need of three points. Even if Valencia score first, their depleted back line, which has given up multiple goals in three of their last four, will have trouble with Ajax and that's before taking into account Ajax's previous 3-0 win. The bonus for Ziyech is that he could be the exclusive set-piece taker since Quincy Promes is injured. Ziyech has two goals and four assists from 12 shots and 14 chances created in five UCL matches, and I don't think Valencia can slow him down. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ($12) would be an interesting play if you stack Ajax, but regulars Donny van de Beek ($17) and Dusan Tadic ($16) are much easier to trust. 

Lautaro Martinez, INT v. BAR ($18): Inter aren't a huge favorite, but there's a situation in which they score up to three goals because while Barcelona are playing well, they don't need to try. They struggled earlier in the season without Lionel Messi, and even better is that the back line could feature Moussa Wague and Ronald Araujo. Considering Inter are in need of a win, I'd take a chance on Martinez or stack him with Romelu Lukaku ($16). Martinez has been more consistent, averaging 1.78 shots on goal and 1.02 chances created per 90 minutes in league play, and he had three shots on goal and three chances created in the previous matchup. Both forwards have oddly struggled more at home, but I'm not sure how Barcelona will look and it's not like their back line has played well when Clement Lenglet and Gerard Pique are starting.

Thorgan Hazard, DOR v. SLP ($11): Dortmund players are surprisingly cheap on this slate, and while they've struggled at times, they've won their last two league matches and have 23 goals in seven home game. They're in need of goals because if they and Inter both win, Inter have a current three-goal advantage. I'm somewhat worried about Slavia Prague's stout away defense, allowing one combined goal to Inter and Barcelona, but that's why I'm going cheaper. Hazard has three goals and two assists in his last five starts in all competitions and usually adds a few defensive stats to help his floor. You could reasonably throw Marco Reus ($17) and Jadon Sancho ($15) together, but then you're at risk of Slavia Prague's back line limiting Dortmund to one goal. They aren't as expensive as the likes of Abraham or Depay despite Dortmund being the second-biggest favorite on the slate.

DEFENDERS

Mouctar Diakhaby, VAL at AJA ($8): Due to injuries and suspensions, Diakhaby is in line for the start at center-back. He's hit at least 11.5 fantasy points in each of his last three starts and had 14 clearances last start against Espanyol. Ajax don't force that much defensive action, but I think they'll be in the attack a good portion of this match, and that should lead to plenty of defensive opportunities for Diakhaby. There are numerous other options if you're looking to save money, and that includes almost everyone on the Barcelona back line. When in doubt, go with center-backs because that's who accrues the most defensive stats, and that means possibly Samuel Umtiti ($8) and Ronald Araujo ($8). If you want some upside, there are also a few full-backs in this range, with Sergino Dest ($9) and Reece James ($9) likely two of the more popular choices. 

Alejandro Grimaldo, BEN v. ZNT ($15): While most cash lineups will feature cheaper defenders, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bet on a full-back in tournaments. Achraf Hakimi ($16) is always the first choice because of how much he gets forward, recording two goals and four assists in his last seven appearances. Then again, he doesn't have much of a floor compared to Grimaldo or Nicolas Tagliafico ($15). Grimaldo is my pick because in addition to corners, he's averaging 1.60 tackles, 1.60 interceptions and 2.40 clearances per 90 minutes in league play. He had 11 crosses and created three chances in the first meeting against Zenit, and that came in a loss. If you saved money at forward, this is the guy you want.

GOALKEEPER

Samir Handanovic, INT v. BAR ($10): I had Kepa Arrizabalaga ($11) here, but then I thought about it and decided not to do it because Chelsea are losing and giving up goals to Everton and West Ham. In addition to Inter being home, they get a mostly secondary squad from Barcelona. That could lead to fewer saves for Handanovic but a clean sheet and win works perfectly fine. If you think Barcelona can be just as lethal without Messi, look to early in the season when they couldn't score against Athletic Club, Dortmund and Granada. The other pick based on odds is Roman Burki ($13) and I'd probably spend the extra couple dollars on him than go with Arrizabalaga.