DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday-Wednesday UCL Picks

MATCHES (EST)

• Tuesday, 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Liverpool
• Tuesday, 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• Wednesday, 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Valencia
• Wednesday, 3:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. RB Leipzig

For detailed stats and odds, including expected lineups, check out the

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday-Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS

Angel Di Maria, PSG at BVB ($8,800): While Neymar ($10,700) and Kylian Mbappe ($10,200) will surely be worth consideration because they are the most likely goal scorers for Paris Saint-Germain, we shouldn't ignore Di Maria because he continues to have a role on set pieces. He and Neymar have been splitting when they are both on the pitch, but a nearly $2,000 difference should have people looking for the former. This match is expected to be the closest of the four, but it has by far the highest implied goal total, as Dortmund come in with multiple goals in 10 of their last 11 Bundesliga and Champions League games, including eight games with at least three goals, while PSG are on a run of 15 consecutive Ligue 1 and UCL games with multiple goals, including at least three goals in nine of their last 11. A full game stack is tough because their attacking pieces are so expensive, but it's clear this is where the oddsmakers are expecting the most goals. In fact, four of the top six players with the highest anytime goal scorer odds are in this game, headlined by Dortmund's Erling Haaland ($9,200), who had the second-most goals during the group stage, though he did it while playing for RB Salzburg. And what has he done since transferring to Dortmund? How about scoring eight goals on 12 shots (nine on target) in five games, including just three starts. His floor isn't that high (he hasn't taken more than three shots in a game yet for his new team), but he is the most likely (according to the odds, at least) player to score in the game with the most expected goals. Otherwise, you could try to get something out of Mauro Icardi ($7,000), who has the sixth-highest anytime goal scorer odds and provides solid salary savings versus his teammates, or even Thorgan Hazard ($5,500), though he's always more of a floor play than a ceiling one.

Alejandro Gomez, ATA v. VCF ($9,000): It's a bit surprising to see Gomez priced as highly as he is given the number of big clubs (and big-time players) on the slate, but it makes sense because he's the primary set-piece taker for the biggest favorite. Averaging 3.29 shots, including 1.47 on goal, 3.04 shots assisted, 7.02 crosses and 2.50 fouls drawn per 90 minutes in Serie A play, those averages were a bit lower during the UCL group stage, but he still has one of the highest floors on the slate. He does lose the occasional set piece to teammate Josip Ilicic ($9,500), who actually has the same anytime goal scorer odds as Di Maria (and they're higher than Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah), but Gomez is surely the more consistent of the Atalanta forwards, and that includes Duvan Zapata ($8,100), who has the second-highest anytime goal scorer odds on the entire slate. Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of goals expected, as only the Atletico Madrid v. Liverpool match has a lower game total, so trying to stack Atalanta may not produce the most fruitful fantasy score.

Son Heung-Min, TOT v. RBL ($7,800): Son has taken on more set-piece responsibilities recently, giving him a solid floor in addition to his goal upside (he has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Di Maria, Ilicic or the Liverpool guys). The Tottenham v. RB Leipzig match has the second-highest total on the slate, partially because both teams can really score, with Spurs scoring seven goals in their last three games, a span that saw Leipzig find the back of the net five times (they were shut out by Bayern Munich two games ago, a scoreless draw). While Son has a floor with his upside, the goal potential isn't as high as Leipzig's Timo Werner ($7,900), who has 20 goals and six assists in 22 Bundesliga matches this season, though he's been held off the score-sheet in his last four. Werner has the same anytime goal scorer odds as Mbappe and Neymar, so his slow going of late surely isn't making the oddsmakers think his struggles will continue. Both teams offer cheaper alternatives who are less likely to score a goal and have lower floors, such as Steven Bergwijn ($6,800), Lucas Moura ($5,700) and Patrik Schick ($4,500), with fantasy players likely trying to get their values there instead of guys like Valencia's Maxi Gomez ($5,400) and Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata ($5,600), who are expected to lead the line for the two teams with the lowest implied team totals.

Editor's note: Son was ruled out with a broken arm after this article was posted. Additional notes will be left in the comments below.

MIDFIELDERS

Jadon Sancho, BVB v. PSG ($6,400): Sancho has also taken on a bigger role of set pieces recently, which has helped his floor even more of late since he was generally dependent on shots and shots assisted for value. Then again, he's been a consistent name on the score-sheet, putting up 12 goals on 30 shots (17 on target) and nine assists on 38 chances created in his last 13 Bundesliga and Champions League games (12 starts). Given he's playing a major role for a team with the third-highest implied goal total, don't be surprised if Sancho is highly owned in cash games and GPPs, especially since the midfielder pool is relatively light overall. In fact, he's the fourth-highest priced midfield-only eligible player, inexplicably cheaper than Liverpool Jordan Henderson ($6,500) because of his recent score-sheet appearances. Not that you can't fill a midfield spot or two with midfield/forward players, but those players in Sancho's price range can't touch his floor and are less likely to score a goal or assist one. Given the high-impact forwards, including a few with solid floors, it simply doesn't seem like the time to pay up at midfield, making the value plays more important. Paying down slightly, the Leipzig set-piece situation is getting a little cloudy, as Christopher Nkunku ($6,000) was consistently taking them, though Dani Olmo ($5,700) took this past weekend with defender Angelino ($4,600). Depending on the lineup, Nkunku or Olmo could make sense, though getting a full 90 minutes is likely asking too much.

Giovani Lo Celso, TOT v. RBL ($4,500): If he starts, Lo Celso will be on some fantasy radars because he's taken a few set pieces for Tottenham. However, it's important to acknowledge that he's mostly a defensive player, and he's unlikely to have a monopoly of the dead-ball opportunities. His price is certainly attractive because he could theoretically be in positions to grab an assist for a slight home favorite, but it's just tough to see him scoring enough to separate himself from a few cheaper players with slightly lower floors. He probably makes more sense than Atletico Madrid's Koke ($5,100) given his dependence on set pieces to make value, and they aren't expected to win many, with teammate Yannick Carrasco ($3,900) more appealing for GPPs because he's an actual attacker who can save significant salary. Then again, the possibility of one or two points in 65 minutes is absolutely in play.

Saul Niguez, ATL v. LIV ($3,400): If you're looking to load up on firepower at the other positions, finding some cheaper values will be imperative. Unfortunately, the upside plays rarely exist on the lower end of the salary scale, so we end up having to rely on guys like Saul, who primarily gets his fantasy points from defensive stats like tackles won and interceptions. Those opportunities should be there against Liverpool in the game with the lowest total, but you have to go into it with the understanding that the upside is limited. That also applies to guys like Thomas Partey ($4,000), Dortmund's Emre Can ($3,400) and Axel Witsel ($3,900), PSG's Idrissa Gueye ($3,600) and Valencia's Geoffrey Kondogbia ($3,600), each of whom could theoretically rip a shot that find the back of the net, though they're all more likely to finish between three and six fantasy points while we hope they don't get a yellow card.

DEFENDERS

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at ATL ($6,000): Despite playing in the game with the lowest total and being the most expensive player at his position, Alexander-Arnold figures to be highly owned because he continues to take a majority of Liverpool's set pieces. Despite playing away, Liverpool are still slight favorites, and getting a player who has scored at least 10.0 fantasy points in 14 consecutive Premier League and Champions League games at $6,000 is likely too good of an opportunity to pass up. In fact, Alexander-Arnold has a higher floor than any midfielder on the slate, even with the tough matchup, so the only reason to fade him is for leverage purposes and not because there are a number of defenders who will match his expected fantasy point total.

Raphael Guerreiro, BVB v. PSG ($4,500): Guerreiro has been on a bit of a tear recently, scoring three goals on 10 shots (six on target) and picking up one assist on six chances created in his last four games. It's an impressive run for a wing-back, and playing in the game with the highest total should only keep expectations high. Teammate Achraf Hakimi ($5,200) is priced up because he has four Champions League goals this season (he had braces against Slavia Prague and Inter Milan), but Guerreiro is the more consistent, even if the former has three assists on three chances created in his last two games. There are actually a couple solid attacking fullbacks in their price range, including Serge Aurier ($4,900), Angelino ($4,600) and Hans Hateboer ($4,400), though the Dortmund guys certainly have more upside.

Alessandro Florenzi, VCF at ATA ($3,600): Florenzi, who is on loan from AS Roma, could be one of the cheapest starting fullbacks on the slate if he gets the call ahead of Daniel Wass ($4,000). His first two starts for Valencia haven't exactly been great, as he lasted only 53 minutes in his debut and then got sent off with a straight red card in his next start, but theoretically that means he's well rested having last played on Feb. 8. He was a decent crosser and chance creator with Roma, and while Wass is probably fine if he starts, Florenzi at least provides a little salary savings. That savings obviously comes with lower expectations for fantasy points, as Valencia have the second-lowest implied team total on the slate, but he at least gives us a slightly better floor than a random center-back.

Editor's note: Florenzi was ruled out because of an illness after the article was initially posted.

GOALKEEPER

Jan Oblak, ATL v. LIV ($4,400): Oblak is the cheapest home goalkeeper, and he happens to be playing in the game with the lowest total. He is just $200 more than the cheapest option, Valencia's Jaume Domenech, who has made multiple saves in all but one start this season, which happened to come this past weekend against Atletico Madrid. Either way, with elite players worth paying up for, it doesn't seem like a slate to spend a lot on goalkeeper, especially since all of the matches are expected to be close.