FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 4:00 pm: RB Leipzig vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• 4:00 pm: Valencia vs. Atalanta

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Timo Werner, LEI v. TOT ($22): Werner scored in the first meeting and has the best odds to find the back of the net on this slate by a decent margin. He came off the bench Saturday, so a full 90 is likely, and the same can't be said for teammate Patrik Schick ($17). Werner isn't scoring as much as earlier in the season, but he's averaging a solid 2.06 shots on goal and 1.54 chances created per 90 minutes in Bundesliga play, which should get his floor above 10 fantasy points. The other bonus is that Tottenham have to push because they need to score, and that should lead to numerous counter situations for Werner and Leipzig's front line. The same goes for Josip Ilicic ($21) and Duvan Zapata ($17), but I'd rather trust the counterattack at home than away. If you went full counterattack, you could stack two Leipzig and two Atalanta players, especially since Christopher Nkunku ($11) is minimum price. Nkunku might be in the majority of my lineups because he's creating chances on a Kevin De Bruyne-like level, 4.03 per 90 minutes in league play. Sure, he had 8.6 points in the first matchup, but Leipzig are the biggest favorite on the two-game slate.

Dani Parejo, VAL v. ATA ($18): On a normal day, I'd probably bend over backward to get Parejo in the squad because Valencia are a much better side at home. However, with no fans at Mestalla, where Valencia haven't lost in league play, I'm not sure how things will play out. They'll undoubtedly push as much as possible because they are down 4-1, and that should lead to loads of set pieces from Parejo, who takes the majority of them for Valencia. While he may not continue his recent scoring streak from league play, I think chances could push his floor to around 20 points, and if he makes the score-sheet, that'll be a bonus. Stacking Valencia in GPPs is also a viable method because they have to press and Atalanta are prone to allowing goals. Kevin Gameiro ($15) will likely lead up front, while Denis Cheryshev ($15) and Carlos Soler ($13) fill in the midfield with floors below 10 points.

Alejandro Gomez, ATA at VAL ($19): If you don't believe in Valencia in an empty stadium, Atalanta are on a scoring binge and worth a GPP play. Most surprising is that they're scoring in bunches away from home, totaling 16 goals in their last three trips. Ilicic and Zapata are the clear plays if they both start, but I'll mix it up with another set-piece taker in Gomez, who usually has a floor around 10 points because of those dead balls. I also think he's due for a goal, having failed to hit the back of the net from 17 shots in his last seven league starts. In comparison, he scored six goals in his first 16 league starts of the season. While these two-match slates are all about stacks, Gomez is a viable play even if you back Valencia, at least in cash games. Ilicic is the GPP option who is most likely to brace.

Giovani Lo Celso, TOT at LEI ($14): I don't like much from Tottenham, but keeping with the theme of these recommendations, Lo Celso is another set-piece taker. He should be set to start after coming off the bench Saturday and if Spurs attack as expected, there should be plenty of set pieces available to Lo Celso, who has taken 21 corners in his last five appearances. While his teammates are more likely to score, I'm not sure paying up for Tottenham in this spot is the best move, especially in cash games. If you're in need of another cheap option outside of Nkunku, I'd look at whoever Leipzig starts, with both Emil Forsberg ($15) and Konrad Laimer ($13) possibilities.

DEFENDERS

Jose Luis Palomino, ATA at VAL ($13): The best move at defender is often to go against whoever you're backing at forward. If you want to go against the favorites, that means either the Tottenham or Valencia back lines. But if you just want to back defenders who always seem to rack up stats, Palomino is your guy. He has at least 9.1 fantasy points in his last 12 starts in all competitions and has at least 16.0 points in half of those. He supplies tackles, interceptions and clearances, which is why he's safer than most. Given that Atalanta are up three goals, it wouldn't be surprising if they sat back and accepted blows from Valencia, leading to loads of defensive stats. I'd try and stack him with whoever his fellow center-backs are, though Mattia Caldara ($8) hasn't been as consistent and midfielder Marten De Roon ($13) has been starting for the injured Rafael Toloi ($8).

Marcel Halstenberg, LEI v. TOT ($11): Halstenberg is in a similar mold to Palomino in that he has at least 10 fantasy points in his last eight starts in all competitions and is expected to see a lot of action if Tottenham attack all match. Halstenberg also does a bit of everything as a center-back, which is something you don't get from the cheaper defenders. Alessandro Florenzi ($8) will likely be subbed off early for more attacking options at some point, though I'd keep an eye on lineups because someone like Jose Gaya ($12) could start in a central role for a beat-up Valencia back line.

GOALKEEPER

Jasper Cillessen, VAL v. ATA ($9): If you have money, it makes the most sense to back one of the favored goalkeepers, as both Peter Gulacsi ($14) and Pierluigi Gollini ($12) are expected to make numerous saves. However, I'm not sure Cillessen should be that much cheaper considering Atalanta aren't huge favorites. And while the stadium won't be filled, Valencia haven't lost in 14 home matches in league play, holding Real Madrid and Barcelona to one combined goal.