DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Roma v. Real Madrid
3:00 p.m: Lyon v. Manchester City
3:00 p.m: Juventus v. Valencia
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Young Boys
3:00 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Benfica
3:00 p.m: Hoffenheim v. Shakhtar Donetsk

FORWARDS

Cristiano Ronaldo, JUV v. VAL ($10,700): Ronaldo has been underwhelming in the Champions League this season, but he's been red hot in Serie A play, coming into Tuesday's home match against Valencia with five goals on 29 shots, including nine on goal, one assist on eight chances created and 10 fouls drawn in his last five matches in all competitions. Ronaldo lasted just 29 minutes during the teams' initial matchup this season in Spain because of a red card, and there's no denying that he'll be looking to make amends on that. Valencia have been a strong defensive side this season, but they allowed two goals at home to Juve in the first leg, and the Italian giants can clinch a spot in the knockout round with a win. Mario Mandzukic ($6,100) may be a cheaper path to Juve's attack if he starts, though if you're budgeting for Ronaldo but want a different game, Robert Lewandowski ($10,300) has the best anytime goal scorer odds and took 35 shots in his last seven games, scoring seven times.

Raheem Sterling, MCI at OL ($8,200): There are a number of ways to get access to the Manchester City attack, and with the set-piece situation as cloudy as ever, Sterling stands out because of his salary and opportunity. Lyon are an attacking team through and through, which opens them up defensively, a situation Man City can surely take advantage of Tuesday. Sterling is $1,000 cheaper than Sergio Aguero and $500 less than Riyad Mahrez despite profiling fairly similarly, even if Mahrez may take a set piece or two. Leroy Sane ($8,200) could certainly be a consideration too, especially after his two-goal, one-assist effort this past weekend against West Ham, and even Gabriel Jesus ($8,000) should get a look if he leads the line in place of Aguero. The match has the highest implied goal total, so stacking both sides, which would include Nabil Fekir ($8,300), Memphis Depay ($7,800) and Moussa Dembele ($6,200), is certainly a viable strategy.

Andrej Kramaric, TSK v. SHK ($7,700): With many fantasy players targeting forwards in the Man City v. Lyon match, or even Real Madrid v. Roma and Juventus v. Valencia, why not pivot to the match with the second-highest implied goal total but offering cheaper attacking options? Kramaric has been on a tear of late, scoring five goals on 22 shots, including 13 on target, and sending in 20 crosses in his last six games in all competitions. He has a role on set pieces as well, and while it's not a monopoly, it's enough to maintain a decent floor along with his shots. If you want to go for an even deeper differential, Adam Szalai ($6,200) and Joelinton ($6,600) could be there for the taking, with the latter coming in with five appearances on the scoresheet in the last six games, scoring four goals on 14 shots and picking up three assists on 10 chances created over that span.

MIDFIELDERS

David Silva, MCI at OL ($7,900): Getting exposure to the Man City attack doesn't begin and end with their forwards, as it's actually been Silva who has led them in goals over the last six matches: Silva (five), Sterling (four and four assists), Sane (three), Jesus (three - all against Shakhtar Donetsk in their last UCL match), Aguero (two) and Mahrez (two). Additionally, Silva's role on set pieces has made him their top crosser over the same time period, giving him an excellent outlook for Tuesday's match against Lyon, if he starts. Lyon shockingly won 2-1 in the teams' first encounter this season, and with the way both teams attack, there should be plenty of fantasy points to be had.

Alan Patrick, SHK at TSG ($3,500): The absences of Marlos ($5,200) and Yaroslav Rakitskiy ($4,500, defender) could push set pieces to Patrick, who has lined up as a defensive and attacking midfielder this season. While Shakhtar are away underdogs, it's going to be tough to turn down potential set pieces at this price, especially since the match is expected to have goals on both sides. The other side of this match shouldn't be ignored for the midfield, as Kerem Demibray ($7,500) also looks like a solid option in this high-total game, as his role on set pieces has led to seven shots (three on goal) and 15 crosses in his last three starts.

Renato Sanches, BAY v. BEN ($5,300): Sanches started and played 80 minutes in last weekend's 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Dusseldorf, but more importantly he took seven of Bayern's nine corners, with the other taken by Joshua Kimmich ($7,100, defender). With Bayern heavily favored at home to Benfica, getting a potential set-piece taker at this price is an attractive option, even if he doesn't have the upside of James Rodriguez, who he is likely starting for due to injury.

DEFENDERS

Joshua Kimmich, BAY v. BEN ($7,100): As odd as it sounds, you may have money to spend on Tuesday's slate, which makes it a bit easier to pony up more than $7,000 for a defender. Of course, Kimmich isn't just any old defender, as his role on set pieces provides him a solid crossing floor, and he's still very good at drawing fouls and creating chances. You likely need at least an assist to make value, but Bayern come in with the second-highest implied goal total and Kimmich has created 22 chances in his last six games.

Aleksandar Kolarov, ROM v. RMD ($5,7,00): Kolarov's contributions in Roma's attack give him a solid floor from shots and crosses, and while the matchup against Real Madrid isn't ideal, he still managed nine fantasy points against them in the reverse fixture without getting on the scoresheet. His floor could be even safer Tuesday, with Lorenzo Pellegrini ruled out due to injury, potentially pushing set pieces toward Kolarov, who took four of their 12 corners in last weekend's match against Udinese (Pellegrini took six while Cengiz Under took two off the bench).

Alejandro Grimaldo, BEN at BAY ($4,200): The matchup away to Bayern is hardly an attractive one, even if Bayern allowed six goals in their last two games, including three to Dusseldorf this past weekend, pushing them up to 17th in the Bundesliga table. Grimaldo has taken at least one shot in all four Champions League matches this season, but his combination of attacking upside (which could be minimal Tuesday) and his defensive work -- he won 11 tackles in those four games -- make him an interesting option because of his fairly low price. There could be plenty of lineups with two expensive defenders, but Grimaldo helps for those looking to save some salary.

GOALKEEPER

Neto, VAL at JUV ($4,000): For those unwilling to pay up for Ronaldo, Neto makes sense, especially with Valencia's strong defensive record this season. Coming in with back-to-back clean sheets, Neto hasn't allowed multiple goals in a match since he faced Juventus on Sept. 19. Obviously that makes him seem a bit less attractive, but there's no denying his save upside is a match Juve will be attacking plenty in. If you find yourself with money to pay up at the position, David de Gea ($5,700) has the highest clean sheet odds on the slate and has conceded just twice in four Champions League starts this season.