FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Inter Milan
• 3:00 pm: Chelsea vs. Ajax
• 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. Genk
• 3:00 pm: Lyon vs. Benfica
• 3:00 pm: Napoli vs. Red Bull Salzburg
• 3:00 pm: Valencia vs. Lille

For detailed stats and odds, check out the FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet.

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

It wouldn't be surprising if Mohamed Salah ($23) was rested after he couldn't go more than 65 minutes over the weekend, and if he starts, will likely be subbed early because of a nagging ankle injury. Either way, there aren't many reasons not to use at least one Liverpool forward in this match. The Reds scored four goals away from home last meeting and Genk lost 2-0 at AS Eupen in league play a few days ago. This is about as clear as it gets for a team to score at least three goals. There's a case for Salah, Sadio Mane ($23) and Roberto Firmino ($18), but Mane is probably the safest since he's not injured and is averaging more than four shots on goal and chances created combined per 90 minutes in the Champions League. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ($14) could turn into a chalk option if he starts, especially after bracing against Genk last match.

If you're not keen on backing the biggest favorite, the Napoli v. RB Salzburg match has a higher implied goal total. Napoli won the first meeting 3-2, and the last time Salzburg traveled in UCL, they lost 4-3 at Liverpool. The task will be picking the correct players who find the back of the net because while Dries Mertens was involved in all three goals in that previous matchup, he hasn't played more than 76 minutes in his last three appearances and may not start. Arkadiusz Milik ($12) might be the steal of the slate, coming in with five goals in his last four starts to go with the best odds to score in this match. He didn't play in the first meeting, but if he starts, it'll be hard not to roster him. Hirving Lozano ($11) oddly has the next best odds to score, but he has two shots on goal this season and both came off the bench. No one else truly stands out in terms of upside for Napoli, with Lorenzo Insigne ($17), Jose Maria Callejon ($16) and Piotr Zielinski ($13) all having similar floors with upside that rarely surpasses 30 fantasy points. Erling Haaland ($21) is more of a GPP option because you rarely want to spend that much for an away underdog. However, the odds point to Salzburg scoring, and he's the guy who will do it. Otherwise, similar to Napoli, guys like Hwang Hee-Chan ($17), Zlatko Junuzovic ($16), Takumi Minamino ($14) and Patson Daka ($12) all have similar odds to make the score-sheet. Hee-Chan has a slightly better floor in more of an attacking role, but if you need to save money and want a piece of the Salzburg attack, Minamino is also likely to play a full 90. If you want a floor of 10 points with limited upside, Enock Mwepu ($10) is cheap and in a defensive role to break up Napoli on the counter.

There are other places to look, but if you spend elsewhere, know that you'll need production because of the likelihood of goals being scored by Liverpool, Napoli and Salzburg. Benfica gave up three goals to Zenit last away match, so another goal from Memphis Depay ($20) is a reasonable bet. He's created 10 chances in three UCL matches and his floor is just as good as anyone else on the slate. Moussa Dembele ($14) has yet to be a factor in Champions League play, but he scored in his last two league starts and is a solid stack with Depay for cheap. Dusan Tadic ($18) and Hakim Ziyech ($17) are always in the discussion because of how much they create, but Chelsea contained them last match. I'd rather use the Blues at home, and Christian Pulisic ($15) may be the most popular choice because of price and recent form, with four goals in the last two matches. 

With guys like Dembele, Daka and Milik fairly cheap, it may not be worth it to look elsewhere for value. Dani Parejo ($14) is always a threat for Valencia because of set pieces, but his floor is usually around 10 points. Callum Hudson-Odoi ($12) is viable if he starts, though don't expect a full 90 from him. If you need to save money in cash games, I'd rather go with a defensive player like Mwepu or a Benfica midfielder. Gabriel Pires ($10) has six tackles and seven interceptions in two matches, while Franco Emanuel Cervi ($9) has 11 tackles in two starts. 

DEFENDERS

As with any slate that has multiple teams expected to score multiple goals, I tend to focus on cheaper defenders. That said, there is a viable route with cheaper attackers that will allow you to grab an expensive defender or two. Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) may not have the best floor, but this is a perfect spot for him to make the score-sheet, as he'll likely be on the attack the majority of the match. Maximilian Wober ($15) is slightly safer because he's averaging almost eight clearances per match and could have another floor near 20 points. The same goes for Alejandro Grimaldo ($14) because, in addition to creating chances every match, he usually provides a decent variety of defensive stats.

The simpler route is to back Genk defenders because they'll be on the defensive all match. Casper De Norre ($8) is the cheapest expected starter, but Joakim Maehle ($11) and Carlos Cuesta ($10) have already proven they can have floors near 20 points in the right situation. Andre Almeida ($8) is back from injury and had 15 fantasy points in half of his UCL starts last season, while Sergino Dest ($9) has been a consistent play for 10 points. Fikayo Tomori ($9) had eight clearances against Ajax last match, while Kurt Zouma ($10) had a floor close to 20 points. Raphael Guerreiro ($12) always draws a few people in because of set pieces, but his floor doesn't get much higher than 10 points.

GOALKEEPER

Alisson Becker ($15) has an easy 17 fantasy points waiting for him, but we've seen numerous situations like this when a team goes up by a few goals and allows a stupid one late to take away a clean sheet. Samir Handanovic ($12) may not get a clean sheet, but he kept Dortmund scoreless last match and has made 11 saves in three UCL contests. If you want to take a favorite, Jasper Cillessen ($12) makes the most sense because Valencia have yet to lose at home in league play and he's made at least three saves in six of his last seven starts. Andre Onana ($11) is an underdog, yet another goalkeeper who is a good bet to make at least three saves. Anthony Lopes ($11) is the cheapest I'd go, but you're banking on a win and clean sheet because saves aren't a guarantee. Given the lack of saves and number of goals possibly allowed by the cheaper goalkeepers, I wouldn't trust any of them.