DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

Matches (ET)

• 3:00 pm: AC Milan vs. Atletico Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Sporting CP
• 3:00 pm: FC Porto vs. Liverpool
• 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 pm: RB Leipzig vs. Club Brugge
• 3:00 pm: Real Madrid vs. Sheriff Tiraspol

FORWARDS

Karim Benzema, RMA vs. TIR ($10,500): There are plenty of viable options at forward but Benzema stands out at the top. Real Madrid are the biggest favorite on the slate and they have the highest implied goal total, while Benzema has the highest anytime scoring odds at -170. If that wasn't enough, he's been in sensational form this season with eight goals and seven assists in seven La Liga matches. He has hat-trick upside in a home matchup against the Moldovan minnows. All of the Madrid forwards are good tournament options. Marco Asensio ($9,300) has a share of set pieces, Vinicius Junior is averaging more than three shots per game and already has five goals in seven matches this season. He accumulates fantasy points in a variety of ways, which gives him a decent floor a well. Eden Hazard ($6,900) is fit again and expected to start. He hasn't shown much recently, but he's likely to be the cheapest of Madrid's attacking options. Looking elsewhere in the top range, Christopher Nkunku ($9,800) is an intriguing option in a home match against Club Brugge. He followed up his hat trick against Manchester City with two goals over the weekend in the Bundesliga. Keep in mind, he doesn't have much of a role on set pieces anymore. Mohamed Salah ($10,000) and Sadio Mane ($8,800) are always less popular than they should be in these spots and make for solid GPP options as well. 

Neymar, PSG vs. MCI ($8,500): A matchup against Manchester City is among the worst possible from a fantasy perspective, which is why my initial reaction was to fade the PSG stars as I expected to see them with $10K salaries. It's rare to see Lionel Messi ($9,500) priced this low and we've never seen Neymar under $9K. Both have a lower floor than usual in this spot, but this is the marquee game on the slate and PSG will fancy themselves to score goals, especially after Man City conceded three last gameweek to RB Leipzig. Kylian Mbappe ($9,100) will go overlooked and makes for a great tournament play. Looking elsewhere, Marco Reus ($8,300) has a share of set pieces and decent upside in a match where Dortmund are the second-biggest favorite on the slate. In the cheaper range, Andre Silva ($6,300) and Yussuf Poulsen ($5,100) have good odds to score relative to their salary as Leipzig are home favorites against Club Brugge. Raheem Sterling ($6,000) seems a bit too cheap if you're targeting the matchup with PSG. If you're looking for a less popular option from an underdog, Charles De Ketelaere ($5,500) has a decent floor and goal upside for Brugge, who are expected to score against Leipzig. 

MIDFIELDERS

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at PSG, ($8,200): De Bruyne split set pieces with Phil Foden ($7,700) on Saturday against Chelsea. The matchup against PSG isn't necessarily ideal, but $8,200 is about the cheapest we ever see De Bruyne, and Man City can score goals against anyone. Jack Grealish ($8,000) would be an appealing option as well after notching a goal and assist in the first gameweek. That being said, I'll have more interest if he lines up in the front three as opposed to central midfield. Elsewhere in this range, Dominik Szoboszlai ($8,400) has been taking the majority of corners for RB Leipzig, and they're the third-biggest favorite on the slate. If he starts in an attacking role, I'd prefer him to the Manchester City options. Looking cheaper, Luka Modric ($6,200) splits set pieces for the biggest favorite but might not have enough upside for tournaments. Toni Kroos (groin) made the squad and, assuming he's on the bench, I'll have less interest in Modric considering he's been subbed in every match this season. 

Emil Forsberg, RBL vs. BRU ($5,100): Forsberg is much too cheap for his relative goal-scoring odds. RB Leipzig are -200 favorites and Forsberg is 40 percent to score anytime. He could also have a share of set pieces and it's possible his playing time is more secure with Dani Olmo out injured. There are some nice options on some of the underdogs as well. Multiple midfielders from Club Brugge are viable: Hans Vanaken (5,600) took four shots and scored against PSG last time out, while Noa Lang (5,000) is an exiting young talent with a nice floor and plenty of goal upside. Sandro Tonali (5,400) takes most of Milan's corner kicks. Pablo Sarabia ($4,700) is cheap, takes a few set pieces and will be overlooked away to Dortmund. Even cheaper, Mats Rits ($4,000) and Kamal Sowah ($3,800) take corners for Brugge. Casemiro ($4,600) and Eduardo Camavinga ($4,200) have more goal/assist upside than usual with Real Madrid in an ideal spot at home to Sheriff Tiraspol. 

DEFENDERS

Kostas Tsimikas, LIV at POR ($6,500): If Trent Alexander-Arnold ($8,500) and Andrew Robertson ($5,700) are rested, Tsimikas would take the majority of corners kicks for Liverpool. He's been impressive this season, topping 12 floor points in all three of his starts. 

Pedro Porro, LIS at BVB ($3,500): Porro had 13 floor points last time out against Ajax thanks to two shots, five crosses and five fouls drawn. He took corners and played in an advanced position on the left wing. Those positives, along with his cheap salary, outweigh the tough matchup away to Dortmund. 

Nacho, RMA vs. TIR ($3,400): If you'd rather target a better matchup, Nacho can be rostered for the same salary as Porro. Check the formation to make sure he lines up at left-back. He did so over the weekend when he scored 10 fantasy points against Villarreal. As mentioned, Madrid are in the best spot on the slate. 

GOALKEEPERS 

Diogo Costa, POR vs. LIV ($4,200): Rostering an expensive keeper doesn't make as much sense on larger slates. With six cheap keepers to choose from, it's more likely that at least one puts up a score equal or better than that of the big favorites. It's less likely that happens on three or four-game slates, for example. Costa is the cheapest home goalkeeper and facing a Liverpool team that attempts a lot of shots, giving him substantial save upside. Mike Maignan ($4,600) is another good option as AC Milan's home matchup with Atletico Madrid has Tuesday's lowest total.