FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Barcelona v. Tottenham
3:00 p.m: Club Brugge v. Atletico
3:00 p.m: Crvena Zvezda v. PSG
3:00 p.m: Monaco v. Borussia Dortmund
3:00 p.m: Liverpool v. Napoli
3:00 p.m: Inter Milan v. PSV

FORWARDS

Kylian Mbappe, PSG at CRV ($12,500): Since Lionel Messi may not play, forward is an interesting position on this slate. Antoine Griezmann ($13,000) is a logical pick in cash games since he's close to automatic to make the score sheet, as he has a goal or assist in six of his last seven starts in all competitions, however, I prefer PSG's upside as the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total. Neymar ($13,500) will likely be more popular because of who he is and his average, but I'm not sure he plays more than 70 minutes since he's only a week removed from injuring his groin. As for Mbappe, he's ready for a full game after playing 45 minutes off the bench last Wednesday. He's less likely to score, but per 90 minutes in league play he is averaging more shots on goal than Neymar (2.37 to 1.82) and creates plenty of chances (1.83). Sure, this could backfire and Neymar will get another hat trick, but I believe in Mbappe.

Mauro Icardi, INT v. PSV ($9,500): You more than likely won't be able to spend up on both forwards, so Icardi is a great complement. He doesn't have much of a floor, but he has the second-best odds to score on the slate. He managed 47.9 fantasy points in the first meeting against PSV and could easily reach that total playing at home with Inter still needing a win. There are more expensive guys worth considering, like Harry Kane ($12,500) and Dries Mertens ($10,500), though I'm not as comfortable with their floors for their prices.

Maximilian Philipp, DOR at MCO ($8,000): It's looking like Philipp could get the start since Dortmund are unlikely to win the group. This is more of a GPP play, but Monaco have been terrible in Champions League with only one goal scored and 12 allowed. Philipp got little done early in the season when he played more, and that's why this is more of a gamble, but he's still the central forward on a favorite. Teammate Paco Alcacer ($6,500) is also in the fold if he makes the starting XI. If you're not backing the Inter goalkeeper, Hirving Lozano ($8,000) has a decent floor and has reached double-digit points in every group stage match.

MIDFIELDERS

Mohamed Salah, LIV v. NAP ($10,500): For anyone who has never been burned by Angel Di Maria ($9,500), he's available, cheaper and in a great spot. For the rest, Salah is at home in a match Liverpool have to win to advance. That doesn't mean they'll win, but Salah has the best scoring odds for a midfielder, and he'll undoubtedly force as many shots as he can towards goal. His floor has been minimal in difficult matches, but with Liverpool expected to score, it's hard to go against him without an outlandish price. Christian Eriksen ($9,500) is in the same situation, though as an underdog on the road. That being said, Eriksen has more of a floor than Salah and Sadio Mane ($10,000) making him a decent cash play.

Ivan Perisic, INT v. PSV ($8,000): Going by the odds, Perisic is a steal, as he has better odds to score than Roberto Firmino and is only slightly behind Di Maria. He hasn't scored since Sept. 1, but is averaging 3.46 shots and 1.73 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. I also like Youri Tielemans ($8,500) in an enticing spot since Dortmund may not play their regulars and he's also had a floor of 20 fantasy points in the right matchup. If you think Tottenham are going off at Camp Nou, Son Heung-Min is available for $8,000.

Hans Vanaken, BRU v. ATM ($7,000): The odds don't show it, but Atletico haven't been good on the road this season, already losing 4-0 at Dortmund in UCL and also having only one win in seven league road matches. I'm not saying Brugge will win, but Vanaken is on set pieces and could have a floor of 10 points from chances created and tackles. There are a few other value options, with Denis Suarez ($5,000) one of the more intriguing ones. He started in this situation last year and picked up an assist, and if he's on corners again, there's no reason he can't create a couple chances.

DEFENDERS

Sime Vrsaljko, INT v. PSV ($5,500): If Vrsaljko gets another start following his thigh injury, he comes at a nice discount. He finished with eight crosses, two tackles, three interceptions and five clearances against Juventus on Friday, and while those defensive stats won't be there against PSV, he should get plenty of crossing opportunities to create chances. A sneaky play would be Virgil van Dijk ($5,500) since he may often be the last man back for a pressing Liverpool team, and that would leave chances to rack up clearances. If you prefer safety, Milos Degenek ($5,500) has a floor near 15 points due to clearances alone.

Brandon Mechele, BRU v. ATM ($4,500): Mechele had 19.9 fantasy points in the first meeting between these teams, and he's had 25 clearances in four starts to go with other defensive stats. Brugge have played better at home, but with Atletico needing three points to win the group, they'll still be looking to attack, and that should lead to a floor near 15 points for Mechele. There are a lot of other places to go in this range, with Daniel Schwaab ($4,500) my other favorite after he scored 52 fantasy points in the last two matches, mostly from defensive work.

Benoit Badiashile Mukinayi, MCO v. DOR ($3,500): I'm not sure why Badiashile is so cheap, but the 17-year-old has started the last five matches and accrued 12 clearances in the most recent league outing. Not only does he cost basically nothing, but he should provide a floor near 10 fantasy points while also giving some possible upside if Dortmund control the match. Teammate Benjamin Henrichs isn't far behind at the same price, with Filip Stojkovic ($4,000) slightly more against PSG.

GOALKEEPER

Samir Handanovic, INT v. PSV ($4,500): I always look for the easy goalkeeper plays, and Handanovic is the only place to go given his price with the second-best win and clean sheet odds. He reached 9.5 fantasy points in every group match and had 13.5 when he gave up a goal at PSV last meeting. While he still doesn't have a clean sheet in Champions League play, he has a clean sheet in his last four at home in Serie A. The other choices are Gianluigi Buffon ($6,000) and Jan Oblak ($5,500), and both are too expensive.