FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

4:00 p.m: Manchester City v. Schalke
4:00 p.m: Juventus v. Atletico Madrid

FORWARDS

Sergio Aguero, MCI v. S04 ($12,500): This slate is only slightly troubling. If Aguero (or Gabriel Jesus) starts, he should be in 100 percent of cash lineups. He hasn't scored in his last two starts, but he scored with six shots in the first leg. Aguero's numbers at home are also hard to ignore with seven goals in his last four starts. He has the best odds by far to find the back of the net and Schalke have been brutal in the last couple weeks. Since the first leg, they've lost to Mainz, Fortuna Dusseldorf and Werder Bremen by a combined 11-2 score line. None of those teams are near the top of the Bundesliga table.

Cristiano Ronaldo, JUV v. ATM ($13,000): If you want to back the two players with the best odds to score, Ronaldo and Aguero fit the bill. It's a lot of money, but it may be the best choice. Ronaldo had a floor of 13.6 fantasy points in the first leg and should be near that total again, now at home. He was rested for Juve's last league match and has Aguero-like numbers at home in Serie A, producing five goals and two assists in his last four starts. Atletico are on a nice run and haven't allowed a goal in their last five matches in all competitions, but Filipe Luis picked up a knock over the weekend and they've been sketchy away from home throughout the season, already losing 4-0 to Borussia Dortmund in the group stage.

Mario Mandzukic, JUV v. ATM ($9,000): I couldn't bring myself to back anyone else on this slate. Antoine Griezmann ($11,500) has a decent floor, but he hasn't scored in his last four starts and expecting him to break that at Juventus is a hard bet. Anyone else is more of a GPP option since Alvaro Morata ($8,500) and the Schalke forwards are goal or bust. Mandzukic isn't much different, but Juve are favorites, and he has slightly better odds to score than the more expensive Griezmann. Mandzukic was also rested against Udinese, and while he's having trouble scoring, he's still managing 1.35 shots on goal and 1.24 chances created per 90 minutes in league play.

MIDFIELDERS

David Silva, MCI v. S04 ($9,000): The best strategy may be to use Aguero and three Man City midfielders and hope you capture all of the goals. Silva may be the most valuable since he always finds a way to make the scoresheet and, in turn, reach at least 20 fantasy points. While he hasn't scored since December, he still has five assists and 13 shots in his last seven starts. If you roster Ronaldo and Aguero, you likely can't afford Raheem Sterling ($11,500), though he's coming off a hat trick and will be a popular play. I'm tentative on Leroy Sane ($10,500) only because his playing time has been a mystery. Ideally, you could roster both Ilkay Gundogan ($7,000) and Bernardo Silva ($7,000), who both should have floors around 15 points. Silva is more likely to score, but Gundogan has taken the majority of corners with Kevin De Bruyne injured.

Miralem Pjanic, JUV v. ATM ($8,000): Pjanic should be rested since he is serving a red card suspension in league play. His goal-scoring odds aren't great, but as long as Paulo Dybala isn't in the starting XI, he should rack up most of the set pieces after producing five corners and two chances in the first leg. Now as a favorite, his price is reasonable considering the other options. Koke ($8,500) has a similar floor, but he gets most of his points from defensive stats. Nabil Bentaleb ($7,500) could be popular after scoring a brace in the first leg, but it's hard to bank on him converting another penalty. Also, I'd prefer both Bernardo Silva and Gundogan above them.

Rodrigo, ATM at JUV ($5,500): If you want to save money, Rodrigo is probably the best bet despite his paltry 6.2 points per game average in Champions League. He's usually around 10 points in La Liga, averaging 3.64 tackles, 2.49 clearances and 1.29 interceptions per 90 minutes, and with Juventus set to attack, he should be plenty active in a defensive role. None of the other defensive midfielders in this range have the same floor or are in the same situation. If you want multiple high-end players, Rodrigo is your guy.

DEFENDERS

Bastian Oczipka, S04 at MCI ($4,000): This isn't as easy of a choice as it looks because while Oczipka takes corners for Schalke, they only had two in the first leg. I have him slightly ahead of teammate Benjamin Stambouli ($4,000) only because of that possibility, as Stambouli has a better floor as a center-back who accrues tackles and clearances. Oczipka also had a season-high five clearances in the first meeting and that could happen again if City dominate, as expected. There's a chance Aymeric Laporte ($4,000) starts for City, though he may not be asked to do much defensively.

Santiago Arias, ATM at JUV ($4,500): Arias will more than likely make the starting XI with Filipe Luis and Lucas Hernandez both out. His floor isn't enticing, but if Juventus attack as expected, that should lead to more defensive work than usual. There's also the chance he gets forward on a counter attack and makes the scoresheet, but that's probably hoping for too much. At the least, you don't have to break the bank for Arias, who will be under pressure most of the match. 

Jose Maria Gimenez, ATM at JUV ($7,500): If you want to spend on a defender, Gimenez should have the best floor, with 15 points a good marker. He's had at least 15 points in his last four starts and racked up eight clearances in the first leg. Since Juventus could control this match even more, there's a chance Gimenez comes close to 10 clearances with a couple tackles and interceptions sprinkled in. Of course, at this price, he's more of a GPP play because you'll likely have to punt on your second forward or multiple midfielders. Teammate Diego Godin ($6,000) isn't as safe, while Matija Nastasic ($5,500) is usually good for 10 points in Schalke's back line.

GOALKEEPER

Wojciech Szczesny, JUV v. ATM ($5,000): Szczesny is the best value on the slate and will likely be in the majority of lineups. If you really believe in Man City's back line, Ederson ($6,500) is the best play, though as seen against Watford over the weekend, betting a lot of money on a clean sheet isn't a good idea. Szczesny's odds to keep a clean sheet aren't much different, and he's favored against Atletico, who have scored just 16 goals in 13 away league matches. You could either do that or hope for 10 saves from Ralf Fahrmann ($4,500), though he could also allow five goals.