DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

MATCHES (ET)

• 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Lille
• 3:00 pm: Villarreal vs. Juventus

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS

Arnaut Danjuma, VIL v. JUV ($8,600): There isn't much that stands out at forward for this slate. Going for Danjuma is that he scored a hat-trick against Grenada on Saturday and he had two goals in the final group stage match against Atalanta. He's played at least 88 minutes in all five of his Champions League starts and attempted at least three shots in all of them. Of the expected starters, none of the forward options normally take set pieces, but it's worth noting Danjuma took one of Villareal's two corners over the weekend. Romelu Lukaku ($9,100) has the best goalscoring odds on the slate at -110. His struggles continued Saturday, as he set the record for the fewest touches by a player who played 90 minutes. Chelsea and Crystal Palace were scoreless until stoppage time and Lukaku touched the ball just seven times, finishing with four accurate passes. He's still a decent tournament option for Tuesday, as Chelsea are the biggest favorite and have the highest-implied goal total at home against Lille. I'd prefer saving some salary and going with whoever starts alongside him and Ziyech. Whether it's Kai Havertz ($8,100) or Christian Pulisic ($7,600), both would offer a nice discount and have similar goal equity.  

Yeremi Pino, VIL v. JUV ($4,800): This is less a recommendation of Pino and more about the cheapest forward on the slate. It could be a number of players who start with Boulaye Dia ($4,900) and Moi Gomez ($4,700) also in play. It could also be none of the three. Spending down at forward makes sense because the position is weak and there are appealing options to pay up for at midfielder and defender. Neither Chelsea nor Juventus have anyone priced below $7,000. Jonathan David ($6,500) has gone six matches without a goal in the French league, but he's scored in three consecutive Champions League games. He almost always plays 90 minutes, but Lille are in a really tough spot away to Chelsea. It's possible that Timothy Weah ($4,600) could start in place of Xeka and he'd only be viable based on the cheap salary.  

MIDFIELDERS

Hakim Ziyech, CHE v. LIL ($10,400): Ziyech is far and away the top option on the slate. He's been taking most of Chelsea's set pieces and has a goal in three consecutive games. He has the highest floor and as high of a ceiling as anyone with Chelsea in a favorable spot at home to Lille. There really isn't much else to spend for. Dani Parejo ($7,100) seems fine for cash games, but he normally lacks the upside for GPPs, as he doesn't get forward much and hasn't taken more than two set pieces in any of his last three starts. His only goal of the season came from the penalty spot. However, there are certain scenarios where he takes 5-plus corners and puts up 10-plus floor points. That could be optimal on a small slate that lacks for decent value. Jorginho ($6,600) is overpriced but his role on penalties and the fact that he won't be popular makes him an option for tournaments. He's actually Chelsea's leading scorer this season with all of his goals coming from spot and it wouldn't be surprising to see them win a penalty at home against weaker opposition. Other GPP options in this range include Samuel Chukwueze ($5,800) and Giovani Lo Celso ($5,600), who both have goal/assist upside but not much of a floor. 

Jonathan Bamba, LIL at CHE ($4,500): Bamba has taken the majority of sets for Lille in three consecutive matches, as Xeka ($4,100) appears to have lost his role. They might not get many against Chelsea, but Bamba has more open-play value than Xeka, as well. You could argue that N'Golo Kante ($3,700) is a better option than any of the Lille midfielders considering his cheaper salary and the likelihood that Chelsea will be on top for most of the match. Paying all the way down for Manuel Locatelli ($3,100) is an option but don't expect anything offensively. 

DEFENDERS

Juan Cuadrado, JUV at VIL ($6,200): Cuadrado continues to split set pieces for Juventus and should take most of them on Tuesday with Paulo Dybala out. There's a chance he plays further forward than usual which would increase his goal/assist equity. Marcos Alonso ($7,000) has the better matchup and probably the most upside because of it. His role on sets has been inconsistent, but I'd expect him to take a few with Mason Mount out. Ideally, I'd like to roster both Cuadrado and Alonso but their salaries make it tough. Looking in the midrange, Mattia De Sciglio ($4,800) has taken at least two corners in two of his last three games for Juve. Alberto Moreno ($4,700) could start on the left wing and take a few corner kicks for Villareal. De Sciglio has a safer floor but Moreno offers more upside. 

Zeki Celik, LIL at CHE ($2,900): There is pretty much no cheap value on this slate since Chelsea's cheapest center-back costs $4,300. Juan Foyth ($3,500) plays right-back but offers almost nothing going forward. Zeki Celik should at least send in a few crosses and there's a chance he lines up on the right wing if Lille opt for three center-backs. You're going to need to punt somewhere in order to afford the likes of Ziyech, Alonso, Cuadrado and any of the top forwards. 

GOALKEEPERS

Edouard Mendy, CHE v. LIL ($5,800): Chelsea are the biggest favorite on the slate and have the best clean-sheets odds by a considerable margin. I'm expecting them to dominate possession and not allow many shots at home against Lille. A win and clean sheet could act as a hedge in lineups that don't have Lukaku and/or Alonso. If I can't afford the Chelsea keeper, saving $1,000 and rostering Sergio Asenjo ($4,800) or Geronimo Rulli ($4,700) at home against a depleted Juventus squad seems like the next best option.