FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (ET)

• 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 pm: FC Porto vs. Chelsea

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Neymar, PSG at BAY ($21): There isn't one player who stands out on this slate, in terms of fantasy, which means cash lineups could look very different. Neymar could have the highest floor of anyone, but he could also bust and have fewer than 10 fantasy points, similar to when these two met in last year's final. Still, without Robert Lewandowski on the slate, Neymar probably has the most upside with one of the higher floors. The problem is that most of Neymar's fantasy value is tied to shots on target and chances created, something that isn't guaranteed against Bayern. While there's always the chance this match finishes 3-3 and each team goes at the other all match, the last time they played, it was more about defense, as they totaled five shots on target. That's also kind of how it went for Bayern over the weekend without Lewandowski, as they beat RB Leipzig 1-0. If you think there will be goals in this match, it makes sense to completely fade the other contest. It won't be easy getting both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe ($23) in the same team, but it's possible. If not, Moise Kean ($18) is goal or bust, while Angel Di Maria ($16) is who you want if you fade Neymar.

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, BAY v. PSG ($16): It remains to be seen who will step up in Lewandowski's absence, as everyone outside of him has had trouble scoring consistently this season. Choupo-Moting may not be as good as the players around him, but he's in Lewandowski's spot and managed two shots on target over the weekend. Otherwise, you're kind of guessing at Bayern's other attackers. Thomas Muller ($19) has struggled to get shots on target all season, while Leroy Sane ($20) and Kingsley Coman ($18) can both have big matches, but they don't have much of a floor. Even Joshua Kimmich ($15), who was making the score-sheet almost every match early in the season, has failed to surpass 20 fantasy points in each of his last six starts in all competitions. Without their front man, someone has to step up and the problem in fantasy is that you have to pick who that will be, and using three or four of their players probably isn't the best strategy in this matchup.

Mason Mount, CHE at POR ($16): Mount was going to be my top play, but with a recently smaller role on set pieces, his floor isn't the same. Still, he's managed at least one shot on target in each of his last four starts and is the best creator in his side, averaging 2.73 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. The problem with Chelsea is that none of their players have much of a floor. Under Thomas Tuchel, they're controlling possession, but they're not accruing tons of opportunities, no matter the opponent. Timo Werner ($20) is too expensive for someone who rarely tops 20 fantasy points despite assisting in his last two appearances, and Hakim Ziyech ($17) may have the most upside because when he's at his best, he's a menace on the pitch. However, since he probably won't get many set pieces, his floor takes an immediate hit. If you want the penalty king, Jorginho ($11) comes in as a value play. 

Marko Grujic, POR v. CHE ($7): There's a chance Porto score, but I'm not willing to bet on that in cash games. Otavio ($13) will get attention because he'll likely take Porto's penalties without Sergio Oliveira in the squad. Otherwise, it'll be hard to spend on Moussa Marega ($17), even in GPPs. That leads me to Grujic, who is expected to take Oliveira's spot in central midfield. He's simply a defensive midfielder with no upside and that's why he's one of the cheapest players. He allows you to spend elsewhere and should reach close to 10 fantasy points from defensive stats, something he did in the group stages. Even if Porto can pull out a win in the first leg, it'll likely be off a couple counterattacks. Chelsea are expected to control possession, which will likely limit the attacking floor for everyone on Porto.

DEFENDERS

Antonio Rudiger, CHE at POR ($8): There are three defenders at $8 and none have an edge over the others. Wilson Manafa and Abdou Diallo are full-backs, while Rudiger (and Andreas Christensen) plays in a three-man back line. I only prefer Rudiger because he has the best odds for a clean sheet and that's where most of his fantasy value has come in recent months. As for the other two, Manafa has had a higher floor as a full-back, though it's not a huge difference.

David Alaba, BAY v. PSG ($10): If you have money, Reece James ($12) is probably the way to go because he's taking the majority of Chelsea set pieces, hitting a floor of 27 fantasy points in the most recent league match. If you want a center-back who will get you a safe 10 points, Alaba is the cheapest option. He's hit 15 fantasy points in his last three appearances and should get plenty of work against this attack. Oddly, his center-back partner Niklas Sule ($14) is four bucks more.

GOALKEEPER

Edouard Mendy, CHE at POR ($13): Getting Mendy likely means you can't use multiple high-end attackers unless you punt at one of the spots. Mendy isn't a guaranteed clean sheet, but he has the best odds for one, as well as the best to win. It's hard to see this matchup going the same way as the Juventus ones, which were really open and led to tons of opportunities for both sides. While this game isn't in Porto, Porto have allowed just one goal in four technical UCL home matches, which makes Agustin Marchesin ($8) a reasonable candidate if you don't overload on Chelsea forwards. As for the other match, Manuel Neuer ($11) makes the most sense, but again, only if you're not using multiple PSG forwards.