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: Manchester City v. Shakhtar Donetsk
3:00 p.m: Lyon v. Hoffenheim
3:00 p.m: Bayern Munich v. AEK Athens
3:00 p.m: Benfica v. Ajax
3:00 p.m: Viktoria Plzen v. Real Madrid
3:00 p.m: Juventus v. Manchester United

FORWARDS

Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. SHK ($10,500): I'm not a huge fan of the top forwards, so I'm turning to Jesus, who started City's last Champions League match and is expected to again. Sergio Aguero ($13,000) is in this spot if he starts, but after playing 90 on Sunday, I don't think he will. Jesus doesn't have a goal since Aug. 19, though most of that has to do with a lack of playing time. He should have scored in the first meeting with Shakhtar and ended up with six shots (one on goal) and one chance created. Playing at home, where City are scoring four goals per match in Premier League play, the opportunities will be there. Robert Lewandowski ($13,500) is most likely to score, but he has no floor, while Gareth Bale ($11,500) hasn't found the back of the net since Sept. 19 and, unlike Jesus, he's actually playing. Cristiano Ronaldo ($13,000) makes the most sense if you want to spend more, but he hasn't had much success in his first two UCL matches.

Memphis Depay, LYON v. TSG ($9,000): Depay and teammate Moussa Dembele ($8,500) are about equal, and one of them will likely be on the bench, similar to their three prior UCL matches. Depay is my pick because he's been a little more consistent in league play with 1.50 shots on goal and 4.18 chances created per 90 minutes, while Dembele doesn't create as much. These teams ran at each other in the first meeting that ended 3-3, and that's the main reason this match has the highest expected goal total. The only other player I'd trust in this range is Dusan Tadic ($9,000), and he doesn't have the same upside playing on the road.

Reiss Nelson, TSG at LYON ($6,500): Nelson has quickly made a name for himself at Hoffenheim, and he could be a steal if he starts Wednesday. He's started three of the last four, with the non-start coming against Lyon in the reverse fixture. However, after playing 64 minutes (and scoring) Saturday, I think he's a good bet to get another start. In league play he's been rocking with 1.42 goals, 2.84 shots and 1.70 chances created per 90 minutes, and while those numbers are extreme, the potential is there for cheap. If he doesn't start, I'd consider any of the other cheaper Hoffenheim forwards like Joelinton ($8,000) or Ishak Belfodil ($7,000).

MIDFIELDERS

Raheem Sterling, MCI v. SHK ($10,000): For some reason, things haven't worked for Sterling in Champions League play, and that's why his price is so low. But after his most recent two-goal, two-assist performance, and since he has three chances created in each of his last three starts, I'm plenty comfortable with him. David Silva ($9,000) is always intriguing, but I prefer Sterling's upside. You could also throw Riyad Mahrez ($8,000) or Leroy Sane ($8,000) into the squad if either starts because Man City could easily score three.

Nabil Fekir, LYON v. TSG ($8,000): Fekir returned from an ankle injury over the weekend and, as usual, grabbed an assist. If he can make the starting XI again, this is a great spot to make the score sheet. Either way, Fekir should have a solid floor in this matchup, as he's averaging 2.34 shots on goal and 1.91 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. If he's not ready to start back-to-back matches, teammate Houssem Aouar ($7,000) has made the score sheet in his last three starts. If you want to spend more, Toni Kroos ($9,500) and Isco ($9,000) are there for the taking, while Hakim Ziyech ($8,000) could be a sneaky GPP play with a floor close to 20 points.

Serge Gnabry, BAY v. AEK ($7,000): This is far from a safe play, but with Franck Ribery likely to replace Arjen Robben on the wing, Gnabry is less likely to be subbed early, which is why he played a season high 83 minutes and scored this past Saturday. Gnabry does a little bit of everything, with eight shots and three chances created in his last three starts, but also better for his floor are the eight tackles. As the biggest favorite on the slate, he should have a couple opportunities close to the net, and that's all you need from a third midfielder.

DEFENDERS

Joshua Kimmich, BAY v. AEK ($6,000): Kimmich is playing the role of Benjamin Mendy ($7,500) this slate in that he's a high up side steal (Mendy was $6,500 last UCL match). Kimmich had six chances created and a floor of 30.8 fantasy points against AEK in the first meeting, and there's no reason he won't be as active with Bayern at home. Even if he only creates a couple chances, he'll still reach 15 fantasy points, which is the same for higher-priced defenders like Mendy and Nicolas Tagliafico ($6,500).

Bogdan Butko, SHK at MCI ($4,500): After not starting the last two UCL matches, Butko's price is down and that makes him easier to fit into lineups. He had five clearances against Hoffenheim in September and averaged five clearances and a combined three tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes in last year's Champions League. With a floor near 10 fantasy points and the likelihood of a lot of defensive action against Man City, he could easily reach 20 points. Ismaily ($5,500) gets a little more work on the other side, but I'm not sure he's worth the extra money. Pavel Kaderabek has a bit more upside, while Niklas Hult has a similar floor just above 10 points, both at the same price.

Lukas Hejda , PLZ v. MAD ($4,000): Hejda's price still hasn't gone up despite reaching 10 fantasy points in both of his starts. He shouldn't have any trouble reaching that mark against Real Madrid after he had five clearances and a couple tackles in the previous meeting. If he gets a couple more interceptions or tackles, like in the loss to Roma, 15 or 20 points is within reach. Most of the others in this range have a floor closer to zero as underdog fullbacks that don't accrue many defensive stats.

GOALKEEPER

Ederson, MCI v. SHK ($5,000): It'll be hard not to use Ederson in this spot, especially with Manuel Neuer at an outlandish $6,500. Ederson had a clean sheet at Shakhtar a couple weeks ago, and this should be another 20 fantasy points, as he's expected to allow the fewest goals on the slate. Odisseas Vlachodimos ($4,500) is another worthy goalkeeper if you need to save more money; he's a slight favorite at home against Ajax, but he also made eight saves against them in the prior meeting.