FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

3:00 p.m: Ajax v. Juventus
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Barcelona

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

FORWARDS

Lionel Messi, BAR at MANU ($13,500): The biggest decision on this slate will likely be between Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ($13,000), and since the latter hasn't played in almost a month due to a thigh injury, it'll be hard to trust him in cash games. As for Messi, it's rare when he doesn't score at least 20 fantasy points. He has 10 goals and three assists in his last six appearances in all competitions, and he should still get opportunities at Old Trafford, similar to when he had nine shots and six chances created at Lyon last round. United's back line is also suspect, allowing two goals at home to PSG and a few to Southampton and Watford in recent home matches. Ronaldo could score a brace, but Messi has a much higher floor.

Dusan Tadic, AJA v. JUV  ($9,500): Tadic has performed at a high level this tournament with six goals and two assists in his last five UCL starts. He created 10 chances in the two legs against Real Madrid, and the Juventus back line can be equally unreliable. In fact, Juve have allowed two goals in each of their last two away matches in the Champions League, losing both. Even if Tadic doesn't make the scoresheet, he could be active enough to reach 15 fantasy points, and that's better than most in this range. Luis Suarez ($10,500) is kind of in the same mold in terms of a floor, but he costs more and still hasn't scored in the Champions League this season. Otherwise, Mario Mandzukic ($8,500) is mostly goal or bust and Marcus Rashford ($9,000) rarely produces when Romelu Lukaku is in the lineup.

Romelu Lukaku, MANU v. BAR ($11,000): Lukaku is my favorite GPP play on this slate because he could either have zero or score a brace. He's Man United's best chance to score, with multiple shots on goal in four of his last five starts. Some won't look his way because of the opponent, but Barcelona lost 3-0 to Roma in this spot a year ago. I'd avoid him in cash games since he's a tad expensive, but if you want to go against the grain, Lukaku is your guy.

MIDFIELDERS

Hakim Ziyech, AJA v. JUV ($9,000): This should be a fun slate in the midfield since there isn't one player who stands out, and most of Barcelona's production comes from their forwards. That's why Ziyech is my pick, even as an underdog. He's had a floor of 15 fantasy points in every Champions League match, and that includes trips to Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Most of that comes from a combined four shots on goal and chances created per match, while also throwing in a few tackles and interceptions. As with Tadic, this isn't an impossible matchup against Juventus, and Ziyech has already produced in tougher situations. He's also easier to trust than Philippe Coutinho ($9,500) and Paulo Dybala ($9,000), who aren't guaranteed a full 90 or have the same floor.

Miralem Pjanic, JUV at AJA ($8,500): If you want a piece of Juve and don't want to break the bank, Pjanic could be viable. He came off the bench last league match so he should be set for 90 minutes, and a role on corners will help his floor reach around 10 points. He doesn't have the same upside as Ronaldo or Dybala, but if he connects on one corner, he'll make value. It's a similar situation with the other midfielders in this range, though I still prefer Pjanic as the favorite. Paul Pogba ($9,000) has made the scoresheet just once in his last seven starts, while Lasse Schone ($8,500) is in the same mold as Pjanic, but as an underdog.

Sergio Busquets, BAR at MANU ($6,500): With Messi and Ronaldo on this slate, you'll likely have to save money at multiple positions, and that includes at least one midfield spot. The lone reason to use Busquets is to get 10 fantasy points because you can't rely on him to make the scoresheet despite doing so against Lyon. Most of his points come from tackles and interceptions, and Man United have forced the fourth-most tackles in the UCL. If Scott McTominay ($5,500) makes the starting XI, I'd put him in the same boat because his floor is only a couple points lower, but at a better price.

DEFENDERS

Chris Smalling, MANU v. BAR ($5,000): Smalling comes at a nice price considering his floor is usually anywhere from 10 to 20 points. He's hit at least 10 fantasy points in five of his last six starts in all competitions, and a matchup with Barcelona will likely ensure that again. Barcelona don't force a ton of defensive action because they often control possession, but they've given up the most tackles and second-most interceptions in La Liga. Smalling has a solid floor because he does a little bit of everything, and that'll help in this spot. It's unknown what the rest of United's back line will look like, but there will be a couple cheaper guys. The downside to Victor Lindelof ($4,500) and Diogo Dalot ($4,500) is that they don't have the same floor, and five points is a possibility for both of them.

Matthijs de Ligt, AJA v. JUV ($4,500): De Ligt is pretty good value for a center-back against Juventus. That said, he doesn't provide an overwhelming amount of defensive work and his floor isn't guaranteed to reach 10 points. I'm still comfortable taking a chance on him at this price, especially since Juventus have allowed the third-most clearances in Serie A. De Ligt also gets forward on corners, so that could provide some upside, as he has taken 11 shots in seven UCL starts. There's a chance teammate Joel Veltman ($4,000) gets the start at right-back, and he could be over-owned because of his price.

Gerard Pique, BAR at MANU ($6,500): There isn't one defender who stands above the rest, so this is mostly a GPP play. I prefer Pique to Jordi Alba ($7,000) because he's cheaper and Alba will also be more popular as a full-back. Alba doesn't have the same kind of floor on the wing, as Pique still provides plenty of clearances, interceptions and tackles to keep his point total around 15 points most matches. He's also always in play for a goal from a free kick, and that's seen in his four goals this season. I wouldn't play him in cash games because you can spend your money in better ways, but with a chance to score, he's viable in GPP.

GOALKEEPER

Andre Onana, AJA v. JUV ($5,000): No one has overwhelming odds for a clean sheet, so there's little reason to spend up on Marc-Andre ter Stegen ($6,000), especially away. I've backed maybe one too many Ajax players in this article, but they've already held their ground against Real and Bayern in this tournament. Onana has made 19 saves in his last three UCL starts, and that should keep him in the positive with Ronaldo likely unleashing a few long-range efforts at him. If you prefer the odds and likely chalk play, Wojciech Szczesny ($4,500) is most likely to secure a clean sheet and is the cheapest goalkeeper.