FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 pm: FC Porto vs. Roma
3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester United

FORWARDS

Kylian Mbappe, PSG v. MANU ($12,500): You'll have to spend on forward, there's almost no way around it unless you use someone on the bench like one of the Porto guys. Either that or roll with Stephan El Shaarawy ($7,500) and hope he can do something despite his floor being around five fantasy points. Mbappe should do something because he always does something no matter the situation. He has the best odds to score and United will undoubtedly press forward all match, leaving opportunities for Mbappe to use his speed and gain advantage on the counter. Either way, he has scored in his last five starts, producing seven goals from 27 shots. The only time he didn't score in a start since November was a road match at Lyon.

Romelu Lukaku, MANU at PSG ($11,000): It's been evident the last couple matches that when Lukaku plays as the No. 9 (central forward), he gets most of the opportunities. For the majority of the Southampton win, he was in a central role while Marcus Rashford ($10,500) played more on the wing and didn't have a shot on goal or chance created. Lukaku has scored a brace in each of his last two starts, and that's what I'm banking on. Even though United could use a 4-4-2 due to a lack of bodies, I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually went to their more comfortable 4-3-3 in hopes of goals, with possibly Tahith Chong in the mix; that favors Lukaku. This is a difficult matchup, but it's not hard to see the Red Devils at least getting some chances on net. PSG don't have a home clean sheet during this year's Champions League, already allowing two goals to Napoli and one to Liverpool. If you think Man United can be competitive, Lukaku is the play, at least over Rashford.

Moussa Marega, POR v. ROMA ($10,000): As mentioned, there may not be any cheap forwards unless you want Adrian ($8,000) or Tiquinho Soares ($7,500) off the bench for GPP purposes. Even then, if Porto are up 1-0, they likely won't bring on another attacking player. Of course, the starting XI is still an unknown, and Adrian could show up after starting and scoring against Benfica on Saturday. Marega is more likely of the two to start, having scored in his last five UCL starts, though he missed the first leg. He has the best odds to score for Porto, who are favored at home with the second-highest implied goal total on the slate. If you're not feeling Lukaku, I'd turn my attention to Porto instead of Edin Dzeko ($12,000).

MIDFIELDERS

Lorenzo Pellegrini, ROMA at POR ($8,500): Roma may be underdogs, but Pellegrini has the best floor of any midfielder on the slate. He had a floor of 33.9 points in the first meeting with only one corner taken, producing three shots on target and five chances created. He may not reach those numbers again, but if he can reach a floor of 15 points, that's acceptable. Either that or you can spend on Angel Di Maria ($9,500), but his production is usually a mystery. He could be awesome and have a similar floor or if PSG don't care to press forward, he may not do anything since he doesn't often play defense.

Marco Verratti, PSG v. MANU ($7,000): This may backfire, but my strategy in the second leg of these ties has been to back cheap defensive midfielders with the hope of tons of defensive work. Verratti had a floor of 10.8 points in the first leg and was rested over the weekend, so he should be ready for the full 90 in this match. Without Paul Pogba in the midfield, there's a good chance United lose possession more than usual in the midfield, and that could easily boost interceptions and tackles for Verratti. Julian Draxler ($7,500) would be useful if he starts alongside Verratti since he's also on corners, but he also averages fewer defensive numbers.

Scott McTominay, MANU at PSG ($4,500): I'm not proud of this play, but if you want Alex Telles in your team, you have to make sacrifices. McTominay isn't a complete zero even though his price suggests it as the cheapest midfielder by far. He's had nine fantasy points in two of his last three starts with the help of interceptions and clearances, and that's the hope in this match. Even if he only reaches five points, you can't guarantee that from many other cheap options, whether that's teammate Fred ($6,000) or Roma's Daniele De Rossi ($6,000). Yacine Brahimi ($5,500) may have the best upside of the low-end choices since he plays on the wing, but he's made it a full 90 in just one prior Champions League match this season and went the entire way Saturday against Benfica.

DEFENDERS

Alex Telles, POR v. ROMA ($7,000): Telles is the reason you go super cheap in the midfield because he takes almost every corner for Porto and they are a favorite in need of at least one goal. There's a chance this match stays scoreless and Telles racks up 10 corners, creating five chances in the process. That's a hopeful scenario, but you don't want to be without Telles when he assists the key Porto goal from a corner. Even without corners, his floor is still usually close to 15 points with the help of 1.29 tackles, 1.43 interceptions and 3.71 clearances per 90 minutes. His upside outweighs most defenders and his floor is near the top, as well.

Thiago Silva, PSG v. MANU ($6,000): If you can't find the money for Telles, Silva is a bit cheaper and should have a similar floor, averaging 7.87 clearances per 90 minutes in Champions League play. He had 10 clearances and a floor of 19.3 points in the first leg, and this could easily go the same way, with more clearances possible if United can actually get opportunities. Silva doesn't have the same upside as Telles, but 15 points is still a safe bet. It's a little different for guys like Ashley Young and Aleksandar Kolarov at the same price since both of them rely a little more on crosses and creating chances while not making as many defensive stops.

Marquinhos, PSG v. MANU ($4,500): Marquinhos was deployed as a defensive midfielder in the first leg and managed 13.2 points, a reasonable number. If that happens again, you're getting a player at the same position as Verratti but much cheaper. With 10 fantasy points expected no matter where he plays, he's my choice for the cheap defenders. There's no telling how much action Chris Smalling ($4,500) or Diogo Dalot ($4,500) will get, making Marquinhos a tad safer.

GOALKEEPER

Iker Casillas, POR v. ROMA ($5,500): If money isn't an issue, Casillas is the choice. While he may not get many saves, I think his chances for a clean sheet could be better than the more expensive Gianluigi Buffon ($6,000) no matter what the odds say. That's mainly because Roma have had issues on the road, not only getting shut out at Lazio on Saturday, but already going scoreless at Real Madrid in the group stage and losing 2-1 at Viktoria Plzen. Porto are a little unpredictable from the Portuguese league, but all goalkeepers are unpredictable in a two-match slate of second legs. Case in point: Thibaut Courtois had the best odds for a clean sheet on Tuesday and he lost 4-1.