FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Galatasaray vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 pm: Juventus vs. Bayer Leverkusen
• 3:00 pm: Lokomotiv Moscow vs. Atlético Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Manchester City vs. Dinamo Zagreb
• 3:00 pm: Red Star Belgrade vs. Olympiacos
• 3:00 pm: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Bayern Munich

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

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

It's usually hard to pass up Cristiano Ronaldo ($24) at home, but there are viable reasons to turn elsewhere. In fact, the only way to roster Ronaldo may be to fade Manchester City, which probably isn't the best strategy as they're the biggest favorite on the slate by a decent margin. Still, Juventus are the third-biggest favorite, and I'd rather back them than Paris Saint-Germain at Galatasaray. Leverkusen already lost at home to Lokomotiv Moscow and fell 4-0 at Borussia Dortmund in league play. The cash method may be to roll with Ronaldo and Kevin De Bruyne ($20) because they have two of the highest floors on the slate. Ronaldo had a floor of 30 fantasy points last league match and De Bruyne is creating almost five chances per 90 minutes in league play. If you're fading Man City, Paulo Dybala ($17) is the value play if he starts over Gonzalo Higuain ($20) again, while Miralem Pjanic ($19) is more of the GPP option since you're hoping for an assist from a corner. I'd consider Aaron Ramsey ($12) if he was guaranteed to play 90 minutes, but he hasn't played more than 70 in any of his three starts.

The most popular strategy will likely be to use two or three Man City players because they're projected to score almost three goals. Sergio Aguero ($23) is the clear choice with the best odds to score, and he's found the back of the net in every start this season. Outside of De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez ($19) and Bernardo Silva ($17) may be the best bets. If you can stack Aguero, De Bruyne and Mahrez, that trio could provide more than 100 fantasy points by themselves. If you want to fade City or just need a cheap option, Fernandinho ($10) is playing center-back and should get a decent amount of work against the Zagreb attack. 

The odds point to PSG scoring a few goals, but I think Galatasaray's back line is underrated, having held Brugge and Fenerbache scoreless in recent matches. Either way, I wouldn't throw money at Kylian Mbappe ($21) because a full 90 is unlikely after he returned from injury over the weekend. Angel Di Maria ($19) has played well in Neymar's absence, but with Mahrez at the same price, he's not my top choice in cash games. The same goes for Bayern and Tottenham since you can't trust any of those expensive players in a match that's tough to project.

Some will look at Olympiacos, but I think this is the perfect spot for Marko Marin ($13) given his price. Red Star Belgrade beat Liverpool at home last season and I think they could get a goal or two despite the odds. Marin isn't a huge goal scorer, but as the main set-piece taker, his floor should be around 10 points to go with decent upside. At this price, there isn't much upside to find unless you want to bank on a forward from a bigger underdog like Radamel Falcao ($15) or Grzegorz Krychowiak ($14). 

If you need a cheap play in cash games, I'd turn to defensive midfielders such as Nikola Moro ($12), Steven N'Zonzi ($10) and Mario Lemina ($10). Those three are all decent underdogs and should provide a floor of at least 10 points from defensive stats. If you hate relying on defensive numbers, Joshua Kimmich ($12) will likely be the chalk play because in addition to taking corners, his floor should already be around 10 points from tackles and interceptions.

DEFENDERS

Before diving in, you need to be warned about Benjamin Mendy ($8). If he starts, he's going to be on a lot of rosters, but if you fall into that trap, know that a full 90 isn't guaranteed. He's recently back from injury, and there's a reason he's played 52 minutes since returning. If you don't fall into that trap, the other most popular defender is likely to be Nemanja Milunovic ($8), who had a floor of 33.8 fantasy points last match. He won't hit those same numbers against Olympiacos, but he's active on the back line.

Similar to other slates, I can't find a reason to spend on a defender. The most expensive options all have high averages because they made the scoresheet in their first matches, and that's nothing to rely on. It makes more sense to spend on one of the Man City attackers than hope Juan Bernat ($16) will have another assist. The most I'd spend is probably Kieran Trippier ($14), who has gotten more comfortable with his new team after a slow start, creating 13 chances in his last three. If he can create seven chances against Juventus, he should get a couple against Moscow.

The easiest place to look for defenders is Dinamo Zagreb after they all racked up huge numbers against Atalanta. Marin Leovac ($13) and Dino Peric ($12) may have the best floors, but it's not like Kevin Theophile-Catherine ($10), Petar Stojanovic ($9) and Emir Dilaver ($9) are far behind. Marcao ($11) is another good bet against PSG after reaching a floor of 20 points last match. 

GOALKEEPER

I'd say Ederson ($16) is a free 17 points with the win and clean sheet, but it wouldn't be surprising if Zagreb found the back of the net after falling behind by a few early goals. That's why it's rarely a good idea to spend up at goalkeeper if you can help it. Jan Oblak ($13) is most reasonable for the price and has a clean sheet in his last three starts, but if you think that match ends scoreless, Guilherme ($11) makes a little more sense due to price. In terms of odds, Milan Borjan ($9) is the best play as a small underdog at home. That match should be low scoring, and after Belgrade held Liverpool and Napoli scoreless at home last season, they could do the same against Olympiacos.