FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Barcelona vs. Manchester United
• 3:00 pm: Juventus vs. Ajax

For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet.

FORWARDS

Lionel Messi, BAR v. MANU ($14,000): Even after Messi busted in the first leg, I'm not willing to fade him. Cristiano Ronaldo ($13,500) scored last Wednesday, but Messi still had a higher floor, even if it wasn't helpful. More people may be on Ronaldo because of that, especially since Barcelona are already up one goal. I'm still willing to bet that Messi and company will capitalize against a pressing Man United, something PSG were unable to do last round. It's usually a bad idea to bet against Messi, who had scored in his previous six appearances before getting just one shot in the first leg. I squeezed in both Messi and Ronaldo into a squad last week, though if you want to do that again, it'll cost you $1,000 more with both at home.

Luis Suarez, BAR v. MANU ($11,000): I enjoyed using Dusan Tadic ($10,500) last week, but he jumped $1,000 despite now playing away. That makes it a little easier to back Suarez, who is the ideal combo if you're also going to back Messi. Otherwise, you could roll with Ronaldo and Tadic, hoping for multiple goals between Juventus and Ajax. Suarez didn't do much in that first match, but he often accrues multiple shots on target and multiple chances, which comes in addition to better odds to find the back of the net than Tadic. You could use one of the Man United forwards, but it's a guessing game and I can't suggest any of them at Camp Nou. If Ousmane Dembele ($8,500) starts, I'd slot him above Suarez and that'll leave you with more options at other positions.

MIDFIELDERS

Hakim Ziyech, AJA at JUV ($10,000): To get Ziyech, you either have to fade both Messi and Ronaldo or roster someone like Anthony Martial ($8,500), and I don't like either strategy. No matter, Ziyech is the best midfielder on the slate after posting a floor of 21.2 fantasy points in the first leg from two chances created, two shots on goal and a variety of defensive stats. That's how every match has gone for him in the Champions League, and he reached 44.4 points with help from a goal at Real Madrid last away match. Lasse Schone ($8,500) has a lower floor and upside, while I don't want to spend that much on Philippe Coutinho ($9,500).

Miralem Pjanic, JUV v. AJA ($8,000): I wrote about Pjanic last week, and while he disappointed, he still had a floor of 13.4 points, one of the better finishes among Juventus players. While he has a decent floor through a variety of stats, you use him because of upside as Juve's corner taker. With Juve needing to score if Ajax do, this is the perfect spot for Pjanic to connect with Ronaldo on a corner. If you need to save money, Pjanic could be your top midfielder, but the best strategy would be to use him with Ronaldo. If you're fading Juve, Schone is sitting in the same range, and David Neres ($7,500) has made the scoresheet in his last three UCL matches, which came against against Juventus and Real Madrid (twice).

Scott McTominay, MANU at BAR ($5,500): McTominay doesn't have much of a floor, but he may be the cheapest starting midfielder so he'll allow you to go big at forward. His defensive numbers have disappointed, with a floor rarely above nine points, and that's possible in this match. However, there's a chance he's in the attack a little more than usual if United push forward and that could allow for a shot or two on target, similar to what he did at Wolverhampton a couple weeks ago. While you can't compare Wolverhampton to Barcelona, he's at least shown he can get forward and produce when needed, and that may be the case in the second leg. If you have a few more bucks, fellow defensive midfielders like Frenkie de Jong ($6,500) and Sergio Busquets ($6,500) have higher floors.

DEFENDERS

Daniele Rugani, JUV v. AJA ($4,000): Rugani may only have a floor around 10 fantasy points, but he may be the only starting defender at $4,000. He had 9.1 points in the first leg and should be near that again to go with better odds for a clean sheet. You could either spend more on a defender and get five more points or spend more on a midfielder and get better odds to make the scoresheet. Rugani with 10 points is a good place to start.

Matthijs de Ligt, AJA v. JUV ($4,500): With Noussair Mazraoui ($5,500) no longer suspended, Joel Veltman ($4,500) will could return to the bench, making de Ligt the cheapest Ajax starter. His floor is slightly better than Rugani's, but he only had 9.1 points last match and isn't guaranteed to surpass 10. That said, I think Juventus will be on the attack a little more at home, and that should mean more defensive work for de Ligt and Ajax. He didn't have a shot on goal in the first leg, but he still managed a shot, something he's done in his last five UCL starts, which only adds to his value.

Chris Smalling, MANU at BAR ($5,500): Even though Barcelona didn't get much done in the attack last match, Smalling still managed 10.4 fantasy points. Away from home, that number could reach 15.0 with possible extra work coming against counterattacks if the Red Devils have to press late. He has the best floor of any Man United defender, and Barcelona have given up the most tackles and second-most interceptions to defenders in La Liga. Not many will want to spend at defender, but if you can, I'd look at Gerard Pique ($6,000) for the best floor and Jordi Alba ($7,000) for the most upside if he gets forward on the counter.

GOALKEEPER

Marc-Andre ter Stegen, BAR v. MANU ($6,000): If you take my strategy at forward, it only makes sense to spend at goalkeeper. I don't trust any of the other three, so I'll spend the extra money on ter Stegen, who has four clean sheets in his last five starts. I'm also not convinced Man United can steal another away win having lost their last three since winning at PSG. If I had to pick between the other three, Andre Onana ($4,500) would again be my choice despite poor fantasy numbers in the first leg (zero saves). Ajax controlled that first match and it's likely he'll be forced into at least a few saves in a slightly different outcome.