FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. FC Midtjylland
• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
• 3:00 pm: FC Porto vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. Ajax
• 3:00 pm: Marseille vs. Olympiacos
• 3:00 pm: Mönchengladbach vs. Inter Milan

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Romelu Lukaku, INT at BMG ($19): If Inter want to continue UEFA play, they need six points from their last two matches, which means they'll be attacking. Lukaku burned me last week, but instead of fading him because of that, I'm leaning into it after he bagged a brace in the prior meeting. He was rested over the weekend and should be ready Tuesday against a back line that will be tested for the first time in a few weeks. Monchengladbach's last three opponents are Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk and Augsburg. Inter had the upper hand in the first meeting and I'm hoping that's the case again for Lukaku, who is averaging 1.66 shots on goal and 1.66 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. Stacking him with Lautaro Martinez ($18) is a viable strategy in GPPs in the case this is the highest-scoring match of the slate. In addition to needing points, Inter need to improve their goal differential, which means they won't sit back even if they score an early goal. I'm not as confident in anyone else on Inter unless they go attack-heavy and start either Ivan Perisic ($13) or Alexis Sanchez ($12). On the other end, it's a little harder to project Gladbach's production, but it seems like when one guy scores, he doesn't stop. Alassane Plea ($17) should be a popular part of a game stack, while Lars Stindl ($14) is more of a cash option because he's on set pieces, though penalties keep him viable in GPPs.

Duvan Zapata, ATA v. MCH ($19): This is more of a pick on Atalanta's forward because there's a chance Zapata doesn't start despite having the best odds to score on the slate. He's not my favorite play because Atalanta haven't been their normal selves in recent matches; including the win against Liverpool, they have scored just three goals in their last five matches in all competitions. Zapata hasn't gone more than 73 minutes in his last three starts, and he has just one shot on target in that span. You play him because he had a goal and an assist in the first meeting, a 4-0 Atalanta win in which they had 10 shots on goal and created 14 chances. If he doesn't start, Josip Ilicic ($18) will probably get the call again after hitting the back of the net against Liverpool. Alejandro Gomez ($17) doesn't have the same upside as those guys, but as the main set-piece taker, he should have a solid floor and he scored in the prior meeting. You could get 10 floor points from anyone else who starts for Atalanta, but that's not worth betting on because the majority of their goals come from the forward spot. On a Champions League slate, you play for goals, not floors.

Gabriel Jesus, MCI at POR ($20): Mohamed Salah ($22) has the best odds to score on the slate outside of Atalanta, but I'm not sure I trust those odds. He's played 125 minutes in two matches since returning from COVID-19, producing no shots on target and one chance created, which resulted in an assist. Liverpool are in a bit of a funk and I don't want to bet on them against Ajax, who they beat 1-0 in the reverse fixture. That's why I'd rather lean on Manchester City, who could wrap up first place in their group with a win or draw. While they could get by without a win, that's probably not something Pep Guardiola wants coming off a nice 5-0 win against Burnley. Jesus hasn't scored in the last three matches, and he's undoubtedly someone Man City need to find some form. He has the best odds to score on the team as a central forward and could be set for close to 90 minutes without Sergio Aguero in the team. Given City's recent result, a lot of people will be on them to score a few more against Porto, but it's hard to stack them in UCL contests. In addition to Kevin De Bruyne ($23) struggling to hit the back of the net, the two forwards on each side of Jesus are always in play to go off. You could back one of them and hope they hit for a hat trick like Riyad Mahrez ($16) over the weekend, but I'd rather stick with the central forward who has the best odds to score. If Jesus doesn't start, Ferran Torres ($17) has had some success in a central role and would be an intriguing value play.

Joao Felix, ATM v. BAY ($16): Felix is a pure tournament option, focusing more on the matchup and circumstance. Bayern already won the group, while Atletico need points in order to finish second because another loss could thwart their chances to advance. Felix has the most upside on the team unless Luis Suarez ($18) returns from COVID-19 and is immediately in form. Felix is a boom-or-bust player: in the only four matches he's made the score-sheet this season, he's done so twice in every instance, including three braces. Atletico need points and Felix will be the guy to get them against a back line that has allowed at least one goal in each of its last seven matches in all competitions, in addition to likely starting backups. There's a chance Bayern care about their unbeaten streak, but it makes more sense for manager Hansi Flick to rest some of his guys, especially in defense. If you need cheaper choices, Angel Correa ($11) and Yannick Carrasco ($8) are in play if you think Atletico really go for it.

If you're looking for value, both Midtjylland forwards are near the bottom of the list in terms of price: Sory Kaba ($7) and Pione Sisto ($6). Neither are worth using in cash games, but Atalanta's defense has struggled at times this season and that match has the highest implied goal total on the slate. Dimitri Payet ($12) and Patrick Herrmann ($11) are intriguing options if they start, both in favorable spots. Herrmann has barely appeared in the UCL this season, but if he's in the squad, he'll split set pieces. 

Bayern also present a lot of value, but they're playing a slew of backups against a team in need of points. Sure, guys like Leroy Sane ($18), Douglas Costa ($12) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting ($7) aren't backups on some teams, but it's worth noting they're still playing one of the best defensive teams in Europe. Choupo-Moting is worth considering because of price, but he could finish with zero fantasy points and get subbed off in the 65th minute for Joshua Zirkzee ($11), or vice versa.

DEFENDERS

Daniel Hoegh, MCH at ATA ($5): Hoegh is the cheapest expected starting defender because regular center-back Erik Sviatchenko is suspended. Hoegh has yet to play in UCL, but he takes over for Sviatchenko, who is averaging 15.4 fantasy points through four matches with no goals or assists. All of your lineups should have Hoegh unless you decide to go with guys like Payet and Choupo-Moting. Of the three expected defensive starters at $6, I give Malang Sarr the slight edge against Man City, though none of those guys have much of a floor.

Robin Gosens, ATA v. MCH ($10): If you want to spend at defender, it's better to go after a player with upside. Gosens is oddly cheap for a wing-back who scored against Liverpool last week and has one goal and two assists in five league starts. He doesn't accrue a ton of defensive stats, so he won't be as easy to use in cash games, but he has 30-point upside and plays on the opposite side of the more expensive Hans Hateboer ($13). For cash games, a Bayern center-back stack is viable between Tanguy Nianzou ($8) and Niklas Sule ($11). If Atletico attack as much as expected, the Bayern center-backs should be in for a busy day. Berat Djimsiti ($12) has one of the better floors on the slate and isn't at max price because of a lack of upside. Most of the defenders with goal upside don't have much of a floor like Joao Cancelo ($15), though Nicolas Tagliafico ($14) and Noussair Mazraoui ($13) should come close to 10-point floors against Liverpool.

GOALKEEPER

Alexander Nubel, BAY at ATM ($5): Atletico may need to win, but that doesn't mean they're going to score three-plus goals. They needed to win last match but couldn't hit the back of the net despite taking 20 shots. While Nubel could allow a goal or two, he should rack up a few saves, similar to what Manuel Neuer has done in recent contests, making at least two in each of his last five starts. Jose Sa ($8) is the other cheaper option against what has been a miserable Marseille attack, failing to score in all four UCL matches. Marco Sportiello ($14) has the best odds for a clean sheet and is the best bet if you have the money.