This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EST)
2:45 p.m: Leicester City v. Club Brugge
2:45 p.m: Borussia Dortmund v. Legia Warsaw
2:45 p.m: Dinamo Zagreb v. Lyon
2:45 p.m: FC Copenhagen v. FC Porto
2:45 p.m: Sevilla v. Juventus
2:45 p.m: Monaco v. Tottenham
2:45 p.m: Sporting CP v. Real Madrid
ODDS REPORT
EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS
Leicester City: Marc Albrighton, Riyad Mahrez
Club Brugge: Hans Vanaken
Borussia Dortmund: Mario Gotze, Andre Schurrle
Legia Warsaw: Thibault Moulin
Dinamo Zagreb: Ante Coric
Lyon: Nabil Fekir, Maciej Rybus
FC Copenhagen: Ludwig Augustinsson
FC Porto: Miguel Layun, Alex Telles
Sevilla: Pablo Sarabia
Juventus: Miralem Pjanic, Hernanes, Juan Cuadrado
Monaco: Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva
Tottenham: Christian Eriksen
Sporting CP: Bruno Cesar
Real Madrid: Luka Modric, James Rodriguez
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Ron-Robert Zieler, LEI v. COP ($5,700): Leicester City are the second-biggest favorites on the slate, and their regular starting goalkeeper, Kasper Schmeichel is the second-highest priced option at $8,800. However, with Schmeichel ruled out with a hand injury, Zieler will be between the sticks and costs a whopping $3,100 less. Leicester have yet to allow a goal in their four group stage matches, and they now get a Copenhagen side that allowed Schmeichel to make four saves in the first leg.
Roman Weidenfeller, DOR v. LEG ($6,300): Dortmund have a better than 50 percent chance at shutting out Legia Warsaw, so while Weidenfeller isn't likely to rack up the saves, the clean sheet points are very much in play. He'll start in place of the injured Roman Burki, who comes in priced $1,200 more.
DEFENDERS
Fabinho, MON v. TOT ($4,700): Fabinho has been starting in a defensive midfield role this season, though you'd think he was playing as a forward at some point, as his five goals in Ligue 1 this season are more than all but seven players. He is also fifth in tackles during league play, while he's fourth in the category during Champions League action, and none of the three players ahead of him are on Tuesday's slate. Spurs will be attacking heavily, as they come in third in the Group E table (Monaco are first) and have a negative goal differential. That kind of attack should give Fabinho plenty of opportunities to pile on the defensive stats.
Sergio Escudero, SEV v. JUV ($3,800): Escudero has been excellent in Champions League play, as he's scored over 20 points in each game, including back-to-back games with at least 33, with only one goal and no assists in that span. While his second-lowest output of 21.75 came against Juventus, that is still an excellent return for less than $4,000. He packs the stat sheet, as he is tied for fifth in tackles during UCL action, he has drawn more fouls than attacking players like Neymar and Alexis Sanchez and he's created four chances, drawn 11 fouls and intercepted 11 passes in his last three games. The guy can do it all.
Michal Pazdan, LEG at DOR: ($3,000): Pazdan plays center-back for the team most likely to get slaughtered Tuesday. Amazingly, that's great news for his potential fantasy value, as Borussia Dortmund are likely to be constantly in the attacking third, giving Pazdan plenty of opportunities for tackles and clearances. His upside isn't terribly high given he'll hardly be outside of his own half of the field, but he put up 24.75 fantasy points in a similar situation against Real Madrid thanks in part to 11 clearances, three tackles won and two blocked shots. For a minimum priced defender, can you ask for much more?
MIDFIELDER
Riyad Mahrez, LEI v. BRU ($8,000): Mahrez has been quite up-and-down this season, but his peak performance came against this same Club Brugge squad back in September when he bagged two goals on three shots on target. He's not nearly as safe as a few other midfield options, but with his role on some free kicks and his ability to cut inside in an instant, Mahrez could have the highest upside of any midfielder on the slate. That being said, it doesn't rival the upside of a few forwards.
Mario Gotze, DOR v. LEG ($7,800): Gotze seems to finally be getting his footing after transferring back to Borussia Dortmund this summer, and he was instrumental in their win over Bayern Munich this past weekend, assisting on the game's only goal. He also has the best odds of any midfielder to score a goal in this match, according to the bookmakers, though he's more likely to set one (or two) up than score it himself.
Isco, RMD at SPO ($4,800):Isco hasn't played a minute in the Champions League this season, but he looks likely to start thanks to Toni Kroos' injury absence. He showed this past weekend what he is capable of, as he drew four fouls, won two tackles, put one shot on target and created one chance in 78 minutes against Atletico Madrid, one of the best defensive teams in the world. While he is unlikely to put up an explosive score, his salary allows the flexibility to spend up on players who can.
FORWARD
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, DOR v. LEG ($12,700): Aubameyang has been magnificent this season, as his 12 goals co-lead the Bundesliga, he is first in shots on target (21), and he's tied for first in Champions League shots on target with nine despite playing one fewer game than co-leaders Cristiano Ronaldo and Dries Mertens. Dortmund are the biggest favorites on the slate, and Aubameyang is the most consistent access to their attack with the highest upside, even with Adrian Ramos finding the back of the net in three of the last four games.
Cristiano Ronaldo, RMD at SPO ($13,600): Ronaldo's 28 shots are the most in Champions League play this season, and (as mentioned above) he co-leads in shots on target. He co-leads La Liga in goals (tied with Lionel Messi) and shots on target (also with Messi) and leads in shots. He has at least one goal or one assist in each of his previous four UCL matches this season, and while his matchup Tuesday isn't the easiest, he scored against Sporting CP in the first leg. And for those who want to overthink the narrative, Ronaldo began his professional soccer career with Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United.
Karim Benzema, RMD at SPO ($6,600): First things first: you will not get the same upside from Benzema as you will Ronaldo. However, for less than half the price, he may be a better value. Benzema is fairly shot/goal-dependent, as he doesn't create many chances (yes, he created eight against Legia Warsaw, but it was Legia Warsaw) and surely any defensive stats he picks up are by accident. But again, if he can score one or two goals for less than $7,000, that will go a long way to a cashing fantasy lineup.
