FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Juventus
• 3:00 pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Lokomotiv Moscow
• 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Red Star Belgrade
• 3:00 pm: Dinamo Zagreb vs. Atalanta
• 3:00 pm: FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Similar to Salzburg on Tuesday, if you don't have a Bayern Munich player, you probably won't cash. Bayern host Red Star Belgrade, who gave up a combined 13 goals in three away matches in last year's Champions League. If Bayern don't score three goals, it'd be a surprise. Robert Lewandowski ($24) is the clear choice with huge odds to find the back of the net, and he already has seven goals in four league matches. He'll be the most popular cash play, and you're playing with fire if you don't use him. Philippe Coutinho ($20) is next most expensive, but I'm not sure he's fully acclimated with his new team, and he may be the only Bayern player I'm avoiding. Of course, it depends on who starts, as they've mixed up their starting XI in every match. Kingsley Coman ($19) has played a full 90 in every match, with Ivan Perisic ($17) and Serge Gnabry ($17) in play if they start. Either way, Joshua Kimmich ($12) may be the best value because even though he's in a defensive role, his floor could reach 20 fantasy points because of corners.

The other big favorite is Manchester City, and their starting XI is also a toss up, though it's hard to ignore the 9-0 combined score in two matches against Shakhtar last year. Riyad Mahrez ($16) is my first choice if he gets the call on the wing, and it's likely Kevin De Bruyne ($19) starts after coming off the bench last match. The two times Mahrez started, City have won a combined 9-0, and he creates a ton of chances whenever in the lineup. I'd also consider Raheem Sterling ($21), who may receive less attention given recent results, though he also has the potential to go off more than anyone on the team. If Gabriel Jesus ($20) starts, he probably won't play a full 90, but he's still cheaper than Sergio Aguero ($23). If Nicolas Otamendi starts again, it wouldn't be crazy to buy into guys like Junior Moraes ($15) and Alan Patrick ($11) for GPP. City are away and seem to always allow goals when Otamendi is in the squad. 

As for the rest, there are rarely times when Cristiano Ronaldo ($24) is a GPP play, but that's what this slate presents. He may get shots, but at the same price as Lewandowski and away against Atletico Madrid, it'll be hard to spend on him in cash games. I'd rather take a chance on one of the PSG forwards because Real Madrid struggle to defend away from home, allowing two to Villarreal last trip. With others injured, Angel Di Maria ($18) has taken up a lead role in the attack with five shots on goal and 10 chances created in the last three matches and could be combined with Mauro Icardi ($12) if he starts. With Neymar suspended, Pablo Sarabia ($14) should be involved a bit more, though he's yet to make the scoresheet in league play. Kerem Demirbay ($17) is also in the mix, with 18 corners taken in three starts for Leverkusen, and they are the third-biggest favorite on the slate.

Unlike Tuesday, there aren't any blatantly obvious value options, though Bruno Petkovic ($14) is cheap for a striker, and while Atalanta are favored, Zagreb should put up a fight at home. I wouldn't normally consider Marko Marin ($13), but he produced in tough spots last year, scoring once and assisting three times in three matches against PSG, Liverpool and Napoli. Idrissa Gueye ($12) isn't a terrible choice as a defensive midfielder because he should accrue more defensive stats than in league play. I'd also keep an eye on Vinicius Junior ($12), as it wouldn't be surprising if he earned back-to-back starts for Los Blancos.

DEFENDERS

The only way to use expensive defenders like Oleksandr Zinchenko ($16) and Benjamin Pavard ($16) is if you're fading Bayern attackers. Even if that weren't the case, I can't recommend spending up at defender. As a reminder, Kieran Trippier ($14) doesn't have the same role as he had at Tottenham and is probably overpriced. Thiago Silva ($14) and Marquinhos ($14) are better options in that range if you want a floor of at least 10 points because Real Madrid tend to lose the ball a lot in the attack, especially with Gareth Bale up front. Hans Hateboer ($14) and Joao Cancelo ($13) are also reasonable choices if they start.

Going cheaper, Maciej Rybus ($10) is intriguing after reaching a floor of 17 points in his two starts last season, mostly from tackles, clearances and interceptions. I'm not huge on using defenders against Man City because they control the ball so much, but Mykola Matviyenko ($8) hit double-digits in both matches against them last season. However, Belgrade could be set for tons of defensive work as Bayern have forced the most interceptions and clearances in the Bundesliga. All of their defenders are $11 or less, but I'd focus on the centerbacks. Also, if Simon Kjaer ($8) gets his first start for Atalanta, he comes at a discount for some reason.

GOALKEEPER

This isn't my favorite goalkeeping slate because Bayern and Man City are the huge favorites, which means Manuel Neuer ($16) and Ederson ($15) are appropriately priced. If you're spending up, I'd rather use Neuer since he's at home and City's defensive issues can't be overlooked. If you prefer to save a few bucks, Lukas Hradecky ($13) is next in line to get a clean sheet, and he held Hoffenheim scoreless last time at home. If you prefer the guessing game, Guilherme ($11) and Pierluigi Gollini ($11) are the best value plays unless you want to bank on saves against Bayern and Man City. It's kind of a toss up because while Atalanta are favored, they're also allowing goals. The positive is that Zagreb aren't a high-scoring team and probably won't score more than once.