FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Wednesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EDT)

3:00 p.m: Barcelona v. Inter Milan
3:00 p.m: Borussia Dortmund v. Atletico Madrid
3:00 p.m: Lokomotiv Moscow v. FC Porto
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. FK Crvena Zvezda
3:00 p.m: Galatasaray v. Schalke
3:00 p.m: Paris Saint-Germain v. Napoli

FORWARDS

Kylian Mbappe, PSG v. NAP ($12,500): For me, there are only two places to go with your top forward: Neymar ($13,500) or Mbappe. Neymar is great, but he's mainly priced higher because of a hat trick in their last Champions League match. In league play, Mbappe is averaging 1.64 goals on 2.91 shots on target per 90 minutes compared to Neymar's 1.01 on 2.03. With a slightly better floor and as much upside, there's no reason spend up on Neymar when Mbappe has similar odds to score in another favorable match. Antoine Griezmann ($13,000) is consistent, but Atletico Madrid are an underdog, while Edinson Cavani ($11,000) is more of a GPP play because he doesn't have a floor.

Roberto Firmino, LIV v. CRV ($10,500): Firmino should return to the starting XI, and while he hasn't scored in his last four starts for Liverpool, he's worth a chance with the Reds expected to score plenty of goals. The worry with Firmino is that his floor has taken a dive compared to last season, as he isn't getting as many opportunities, but a lot of that can be attributed to the recent schedule and Liverpool struggling as a whole. They shouldn't struggle as a massive favorite. Luis Suarez ($11,000) and Ousmane Dembele ($10,000) will likely have better floors without Lionel Messi in the squad, but Firmino has the potential for a huge match if everything goes to plan for the Reds.

Sinan Gumus, GAL v. S04 ($7,000): If you want a top midfielder in your squad, you'll likely need to go with a cheaper second forward. Gumus comes at a discount after not appearing in the first UCL match and then only managing one chance created and two shots on goal at Porto. At the least, he's been starting as Galatasaray's top forward in recent matches and they are a slight favorite at home. Schalke have allowed just one goal in their two UCL games, but it's hard to ignore their form in Bundesliga, sitting near relegation. Gumus doesn't cost much and should get chances up front, something you can't say about others in this range. Breel Embolo ($8,500) is in the same position but costs more, while Moussa Marega ($7,500) might be the only other reasonable choice near this price, but he's on the road.

MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. CRV ($10,000): This has to be one of Salah's lowest prices of the season, and that also means he'll be on almost every roster. He's this cheap because he hasn't done anything in two UCL matches, but that'll change against Crvena Zvezda, as he has the best odds to score on the slate. Salah's numbers should turn around at some point because they aren't much different than last season, with 4.24 shots and 2.00 chances created per 90 minutes after those were at 4.44 and 1.91 in the 2017/18 campaign. If Liverpool don't score three goals in this match it'd be a disappointment, mostly because PSG already scored six on Crvena Zvezda and they've allowed 54 shots (25 on target) in their two games. Coutinho ($11,500) should be set for a bigger role without Messi, though he also costs more.

Angel Di Maria, PSG v. NAP ($9,000): Di Maria is dealing with a thigh injury, so if he can't go, I'd consider Moussa Diaby ($6,000) at forward after he replaced Di Maria over the weekend. But if Di Maria starts, he's another PSG player who should have plenty of opportunities on the wing, averaging 3.73 shots and 2.17 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. Napoli haven't allowed a goal in the Champions League, but their only away match came against Crvena Zvezda. And while Di Maria is sometimes a frustrating player, there's little reason to trust the other midfielders in this range, whether it's Ivan Rakitic ($9,500) or Saul Niguez ($9,000), who both play in deeper roles.

Weston McKennie, S04 at GAL ($7,000): This is somewhat of a risky play, and if Xherdan Shaqiri ($7,500) starts, he's probably the guy to own in this range. If you want safety, Sergio Busquets has a decent floor at the same price, but that's all from defensive stats. McKennie has been one of the few bright spots for Schalke in the early season and has two goals and eight chances created in his last three starts to go with three tackles and 11 interceptions. This match is the hardest to predict of the day, but McKennie's activity on the defensive end improves his floor. This is somewhat of a shot in the dark, but as your third midfielder, there aren't many better choices, at least in terms of upside.

DEFENDERS

Alex Telles, POR at LKM ($5,500): I don't think any of the higher-priced defenders are worth their prices, especially with Telles coming at a discount. He has a floor around 15 fantasy points from clearances, interceptions and tackles, but as seen in the Galatasaray match, he gets forward in addition to being a corner taker. As a small favorite, he should create a couple chances against a Lokomotiv team that has struggled in UCL and is in just sixth place in the Russian Premier League. Jordi Alba ($7,000) is a bit pricey but has upside for Barca, while Salif Sane ($6,000) has one of the better floors for a defender.

Clement Lenglet, BAR v. INT ($4,500): It was between Lenglet and Dejan Lovren ($4,500) in this spot, and Lenglet won because he should be busier against Inter. Lenglet had an own goal over the weekend, but with fellow defenders injured, he'll remain in the starting XI where he's averaging 3.38 tackles and 4.13 clearances per 90 minutes. That's good enough to reach 10 fantasy points, and those performances came against sides no better than Inter. Meanwhile, Lovren had 10 clearances against Huddersfield, so there is hope for him, though Liverpool may have 80 percent possession.

Srdjan Babic, CRV at LIV ($3,500): Babic has only played 45 minutes in two matches, so not many will consider him averaging 3.9 fantasy points per game. However, he's started for Crvena Zvezda the last couple matches in league play and should be on the defensive almost the entire way against Liverpool. If he doesn't hit 10 fantasy points from defensive stats, it'd be a surprise. He's the only projected starter at this price, so you can't really compare him to anyone else. If you want to spend more, teammate Milos Degenek ($5,500) is almost a lock for 10 clearances.

GOALKEEPER

Alisson, LIV v. CRV ($5,500):Roman Burki ($6,500) is oddly priced above everyone else, but Alisson has the best win and clean sheet odds, and that's enough for my team even if he doesn't get a save. If you want someone who will get more action, Jan Oblak ($5,000) always has a clean sheet possibility, and if you want to fade Barcelona without Messi, Samir Handanovic ($4,500) is the way to go in GPP.