FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Shakhtar Donetsk v. Lyon
3:00 p.m: Manchester City v. TSG Hoffenheim
3:00 p.m: Ajax v. Bayern Munich
3:00 p.m: Young Boys v. Juventus
3:00 p.m: Valencia v. Manchester United
3:00 p.m: Benfica v. AEK Athens

FORWARDS

Gabriel Jesus, MCI v. TSG ($12,000): If Cristiano Ronaldo ($13,500) makes the starting XI, he's hard to pass up, but I'm not sure Juventus will go all out when they likely only need a draw. Man City also don't need to win, but Jesus has been on the bench the majority of the season and fatigue isn't an issue. Per 90 minutes, he's been solid, averaging 2.30 shots on goal and 1.95 chances created in 508 Premier League minutes. He may not play a full 90, but it's hard to see Man City not scoring at least a couple goals against Hoffenheim, who have given up at least two in every Champions League match and five in their last two Bundesliga road trips. I also can't bring myself to trust Robert Lewandowski ($13,500) after he blanked against Ajax in the first meeting.

Memphis Depay, LYON at SHK ($9,500): Lyon only need a draw, but Shakhtar still can advance with a win and that will lead to another match that has four or five goals, if not more. These have been two of the highest-scoring teams in the group stage, with a combined 43 goals between their 10 matches. Depay hasn't fully gone off in a UCL match, but his floor has kept him fantasy relevant with 13 chances created in the last two starts. In league play, he's been a better scorer, averaging 1.43 shots on goal and 3.76 chances created per 90 minutes. If you need to save money, Bertrand Traore ($8,500) has started the last two league matches, though Moussa Dembele ($9,500) may get the call again. Dusan Tadic ($9,000) could get equal attention because of his average, but the first matchup with Bayern was more defensive and it'll likely be again unless Ajax steal an early goal.

Haris Seferovic, BEN v. AEK ($7,500): Benfica are one of the bigger favorites on the slate because AEK are one of the worst teams left. Benfica scored three goals in the first meeting, and with neither team having anything to play for, there should be goals again, even if the odds don't agree. I'm going with Seferovic over the older Jonas ($6,000) because Jonas played 80 minutes in Saturday's league match. I backed Seferovic in the first meeting and he got the bare minimal 21.3 points with a goal. Even without much of a floor, he's still worth using because of his price, and he could be a useful complement to Ronaldo. Moraes ($8,000) is another worthy consideration in a high-scoring match after he had a brace in the first meeting against Lyon.

MIDFIELDERS

Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. TSG ($8,500): As long as Mahrez starts, he'll be my favorite play on the slate. He's provided as much as Raheem Sterling but costs $3,000 less. Mahrez has four goals and six assists in his last eight starts, and he is in a great spot to add to that total. I'd also consider going two Man City midfielders if Leroy Sane ($8,000) starts, while Bernardo Silva ($9,000) and Ilkay Gundogan ($8,000) are a level below those two. As for Sterling, I'd rather not pay up when you can get the same production for much cheaper. If Phil Foden ($6,000) starts, he'll undoubtedly be a favorite, but he's also a perfect bust candidate.

Paulo Dybala, JUV at YB ($10,500): If you don't want to spend on Ronaldo but still want a piece of Juve, Dybala is a good route even though he's lacked form in the last month. He still has a decent floor to consider, with 11 shots and nine chances created in his last three starts, including some from corners. As a forward, his goal potential is better than Miralem Pjanic, making him easier to back without much of a price difference. This is also another good spot for Taison ($9,000), who is coming off a huge performance, but more importantly has seven shots on goal and 10 chances created in four UCL matches.

Ander Herrera, MANU at VAL ($7,000): Herrera is a little outside the box and may not even start given how busy he's been, but it wouldn't be surprising if Jose Mourinho threw him in another squad. He's racked up 17 tackles and 17 interceptions in his last three starts, as well as five chances created. If he doesn't start, I'd again look toward cheaper Benfica players as the second-biggest favorite on the slate. Franco Cervi ($6,500) and Rafa ($5,000) started the last match as wingers and both would be steals if in the same formation. Cervi is more intriguing because in addition to corners, he's supplied a decent floor with 12 tackles in the last two matches.

DEFENDERS

Alejandro Grimaldo, BEN v. AEK ($6,000): In the three matches not against Bayern, Grimaldo has had a floor near 20 fantasy points thanks to every defensive stat. When these teams last met, Grimaldo not only scored but also created a couple chances. He should reach 15 points from defensive stats alone, and whatever he does in the attack will be a bonus.

Phil Jones, MANU at VAL ($4,500): I'm fine with backing whoever starts at center-back for Man United in what is expected to be the lowest scoring match. Jones has started three of the last four for United, and while his numbers don't pop off the page, he's been serviceable with four tackles, five interceptions, 10 clearances and four blocks. If those numbers continue, that'd be near 15 fantasy points, and that's not a given for most defenders in this range. Kevin Mbabu is in the same mold at the same price, but some of his fantasy value is reliant on chances created, and those are hardly guaranteed against Juventus.

Mykola Matviyenko, SHK v. LYON ($4,000): Unfortunately, there's a lack of viable cheap defenders on the slate, and Matviyenko isn't a guarantee to reach 10 fantasy points. He was a center-back last match, but was more effective at right-back in the prior three. No matter the position he plays, this should be an exciting contest with both teams having numerous chances. Matviyenko will either accrue clearances as a center-back or create chances and tackles as a right-back, and 10 points may have to do if you want to spend down at defender.

GOALKEEPER

Odisseas Vlachodimos, BEN v. AEK ($4,500): Vlachodimos already gave up two goals to AEK and doesn't have a clean sheet in five group matches. That being said, he's made at least three saves in every game and the only two goals AEK have scored came in the previous meeting. Benfica have allowed only three goals at home against Ajax and Bayern, so there's a decent chance Vlachodimos grabs his first clean sheet and second win. I'm intrigued by Neto and David De Gea for $5,000, but that's a harder match to predict with neither team a favorite.