FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Valencia
• 3:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. RB Leipzig

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Duvan Zapata, ATA v. VAL ($20): There are few reasons not to stack Atalanta on this small slate. They are the biggest favorite and have the highest implied goal total, while Valencia are dealing with injuries and suspensions, and have allowed multiple goals in four of their last five away matches in La Liga play. I prefer Josip Ilicic ($15) because he also splits set pieces, but you don't have to save money on this slate. Zapata was subbed out after 59 minutes in the weekend match, so he should be ready for a full 90 on Wednesday. Since fully returning from injury, he has two goals and three assists from 18 shots and seven chances created in his last five starts. If you think Atalanta could score a few goals, it wouldn't be a bad idea to stack Zapata, Ilicic and Alejandro Gomez ($18) because you know those guys will be involved.

Patrik Schick, LEI at TOT ($14): I'm probably not going to spend on Timo Werner ($21), and that's why I'm writing about Schick. Werner has some of the better odds to score, but I'm not sure he's worth it away from home, especially since he hasn't surpassed 10.6 fantasy points in his last four Bundesliga starts. Not only is Schick cheaper, but he has six goals on 27 shots and two assists on eight chances created in his last 10 appearances. If he doesn't start, it's kind of a toss up because you don't know which Leipzig players will be subbed out early. For GPP purposes, Schick is the move as he's unlikely to get much attention in this spot, especially with Dele Alli ($15) almost the same price.

Giovani Lo Celso, TOT v. LEI ($11): After crunching the numbers all day, I determined Lo Celso is going to take the majority of set pieces Wednesday (if he starts). Son Heung-Min held that role and Erik Lamela is doubtful, which means Lo Celso could be the main corner taker with Lucas Moura ($17) sprinkled in. Given Lo Celso's price, there aren't any good reasons to fade him. He's home and no one knows how this match will go because as of Tuesday, Tottenham and Leipzig had the exact same odds to win. Lo Celso may not have upside, but if he's on every corner for Tottenham, that could lead to a few chances created and a slight chance he hits a floor of 20 points. If you have extra money, I'd look to the Atalanta guys, while Steven Bergwijn ($19) and Lucas are better used in tournaments.

Geoffrey Kondogbia, VAL at ATA ($10): Valencia have been bad away from home this season and Dani Parejo ($17) is too expensive despite being on set pieces. Kondogbia doesn't have much going for him, but you know he's going to be a disruptor in the midfield en route to at least 10 fantasy points. He averages 2.95 interceptions, 2.47 tackles and 1.24 clearances per 90 minutes in league play and, according to the odds, Atalanta will be on the attack the majority of this match. You don't get upside with Kondogbia even though he scored last league match, but he allows you to stack Atalanta forwards or spend up at defender.

DEFENDERS

Eliaquim Mangala, VAL at ATA ($8): Outside of price, the numbers don't support the use of Mangala, who had 2.6 fantasy points last league match. However, I think this game will be a bit different, especially since Atalanta have forced the most interceptions, fourth-most tackles and fifth-most clearances in league play. That should account for plenty of defensive action for Mangala, who has just three starts this season. On the other side, Rafael Toloi ($9) can be viable as he gets forward a ton on set pieces, which is why he has 19 shots and 14 chances created in 22 league appearances as a center-back. Japhet Tanganga ($9) is also in the mix and UEFA projects him to start.

Angelino, LEI at TOT ($12): I like Serge Aurier ($15), but I'm not sure he's worth the price when Angelino is a few bucks cheaper. The Man City loanee has been stout in two starts with Leipzig, taking four corners last league match and producing a floor of 17.1 points in the scoreless draw against Bayern Munich. Even without set pieces, he should have a solid floor because at Man City, he was active in the attack as well as defensively. Robin Gosens ($15) is intriguing mainly because he's a wing-back and has made the score-sheet in seven of his last 10 starts. That's a high number for a defender, but he should get opportunities against Valencia, who are allowing more than two goals per away match in league play. 

GOALKEEPER

Hugo Lloris, TOT v. LEI ($13): I'm not confident in any of these goalkeepers, but Pierluigi Gollini ($15) feels a bit expensive since Valencia seem to score at least one goal every match, which is what they did in all away matches in group play. I'm backing Lloris with the hopes that Tottenham play a little more defensively due to a newer lineup that could include both Eric Dier and Harry Winks. I also think it's kind of a trap for Leipzig that Tottenham aren't favored in this spot. On the other side of that, Leipzig have already drawn with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund away from home (but they lost 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt) in recent league trips.