DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

MATCHES (EDT)

• 4:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Ajax
• 4:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Red Bull Salzburg
• 4:00 pm: FC Porto vs. Olympiacos
• 4:00 pm: Liverpool vs. FC Midtjylland
• 4:00 pm: Marseille vs. Manchester City
• 4:00 pm: Mönchengladbach vs. Real Madrid

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

THE CHALK

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. MCH ($8,700): Liverpool are by far the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total, and no player has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Salah, who is somehow the ninth-most expensive player. Salah was pretty poor against Ajax last week, finishing with just one shot and one chance created in 60 minutes, he had a solid floor against Sheffield United on Saturday, putting one of four shots on target, creating two chances and drawing two fouls, and he's reached double-digit fantasy points in all but one Premier League game this season. He doesn't have a role on set pieces anymore, but he's simply way too under-priced, and most people will gravitate toward him in cash games and GPPs.

Andrew Robertson, LIV v. MCH ($6,500): Robertson is coming off his worst fantasy game of the season, scoring 8.8 points at home against Sheffield United on Saturday, but his performance against Ajax last Wednesday was more indicative of his play, as he finished with 15.9 fantasy points thanks, in part, to five chances created and six crosses. He has a split of set pieces for the biggest favorite, and his price feels comically low for those who happily paid $7,300 for him Saturday when Liverpool were -470 favorites instead of the -910 which they are for Tuesday.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. MCH ($6,300): Noticing a trend? Alexander-Arnold is the one who shares set pieces with Robertson, a role that helped him score 12.2 fantasy points against Sheffield United. He only had 6.9 against Ajax last week, but there is still plenty to like about Alexander-Arnold on this slate. Given how much of the ball Liverpool should have, don't be surprised if people roster both fullbacks and Salah to try and capture as much of the Reds as possible.

FORWARDS

Duvan Zapata, ATA v. AJA ($9,100): Despite Atalanta having the third-highest implied goal total and Zapata one of only three expected starters with goal odds of better than 50 percent, he could be a little overlooked because of people focusing on Liverpool, Manchester City away to Marseille and maybe Real Madrid against Borussia Monchengladbach. Zapata is not cheap, but that's what happens when you score 30.7 fantasy points in your last Champions League game and have three goals on 13 shots, including seven on goal, and two assists on eight chances created in your last four appearances. Realistically, more people will gravitate toward Riyad Mahrez ($8,600), who doesn't have Zapata's goal upside but is playing for a big favorite and has a higher floor due to a shared role of set pieces. Mahrez's spot in the starting XI isn't guaranteed because he played 90 minutes last weekend and this past Wednesday, but manager Pep Guardiola may need him because they are still without Gabriel Jesus ($10,300) and Sergio Aguero ($7,700), whose prices equally don't make sense.

Dusan Tadic, AJA at ATA ($7,500): Let's not ignore the other side of the game with the highest implied game total, with Tadic responsible for a majority of their set pieces, and he was their leading goal scorer until Lassina Traore ($4,300) scored five goals in their 13-0 win over VVV-Venlo on Saturday. Tadic also got in on the goal action before coming off at half-time, and with the way Ajax like to attack, and facing an Atalanta defense that conceded seven goals in their last two Serie A matches, Tadic could certainly be a target in cash games and GPPs. And since we can't really ignore a player who just scored five goals on nine shots, Traore has plenty of punt potential for this slate, though Quincy Promes ($5,900) seems more likely to start in place of the injured Mohammed Kudus (knee).

MIDFIELDERS

Alejandro Gomez, ATA v. AJA ($9,300): There are a number of midfielders worth paying up for, but Gomez is the only one playing in the game with the highest implied goal total. He was magnificent last week against Middtylland, scoring 20.8 fantasy points with a goal, and he was maybe even more impressive Saturday against Sampdoria, finishing with 22.8 without a goal or an assist (nine shots, including two on goal, two chances created, six crosses and four fouls drawn). He continues to dominate their set pieces, and he figures to be very active in a game that should be quite open. The prices on the Liverpool players make it tough to pay up for two midfielders, which will be tough for some who would love to pair Gomez with Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne ($10,900), but that is almost impossible unless you want to punt the defender spots and one forward. Mathieu Valbuena ($9,200) is also a solid option in this range, though most people would probably side with Gomez and De Bruyne given their respective matchups.

Toni Kroos, RMA at MGB ($7,400): Real Madrid looked awful in last week's loss to Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu, but they bounced back in a big way with a 3-1 win in El Clasico at the Nou Camp this past weekend, a match that saw Kroos score 20.0 fantasy points thanks to two shots on goal, five chances created, nine crosses, three tackles won and two fouls drawn. He has a dominant role on set pieces, and Real Madrid figure to come out attacking after dropping their opening UCL match, at home no less. Kroos doesn't have the floor of De Bruyne because his team isn't likely to score as much, but the price difference certainly helps those who want a good floor option but can't afford the more expensive ones.

Yannick Carrasco, ATL v. RBS ($5,200): Carrasco is questionable with a hamstring injury, but he's coming off a great substitute performance against Betis when he put two shots on target, created three chances and sent in five crosses thanks to five corners. He also took three corners in their match against Bayern Munich last week, and they would be a great benefit on Tuesday's slate since Atletico Madrid are favored at home. If he's unable to play, Koke ($4,000) wouldn't be terrible, but I wouldn't fault anyone for trying Sergio Oliveira ($4,200) again since Porto are favored at home against Olympiacos, with Ajax's Ryan Gravenberch ($3,900) also getting in on some set pieces.

Editor's note: Carrasco was ruled out after the article was published.

DEFENDERS

Zaidu Sanusi, POR v. OLY ($2,900): Porto are slightly favored at home, and we might get both of their starting fullbacks for less than $3,000 if Sanusi is joined by Wilson Manafa ($2,700) on the other side. It's worth noting that Sanusi actually started as a center-back this past weekend in a three-man back line, so we definitely have to watch out for the estimated formation when lineups are released, but one of these two would be extremely helpful salary-wise while playing in the game with the lowest implied total.

Renan Lodi, ATL v. RBS ($4,700): While Kieran Trippier ($5,600) has a big role on set pieces, Lodi has just one fewer cross in two fewer starts during La Liga play. Like most Atletico Madrid players, Lodi also contributes well defensively, adding some key floor points through tackles won and interceptions to his attacking upside, which could be available against a Salzburg side known to play open.

GOALKEEPER

Jose Sa, OLY at POR ($4,000): Facing his old club, Sa is the cheaper goalkeeper in the match with the lowest implied total. He's actually the third-cheapest goalkeeper on the slate, but it would be very surprising if Porto put up enough goals where it hurts more than taking one of the two who will try to stop Liverpool and Manchester City, who have the highest implied team totals while Porto have the sixth-highest.