FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday-Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• Tuesday, 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. Barcelona
• Wednesday, 3:00 pm: Ajax vs. Tottenham Hotspur

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

FORWARDS

Luis Suarez, BAR at LIV ($11,500): After going all-in with Lionel Messi ($14,500) in the first leg, I'm taking a different approach this week. His price hasn't changed, which is the first issue since Liverpool have dominated at home, scoring 53 and allowing only 10 in Premier League play. Mohamed Salah may be out, but the back line is still (mostly) intact, and outside of Messi's two goals, he didn't do much in the first leg. Messi also hasn't made the scoresheet in his last two away matches in the Champions League, posting just eight fantasy points at Man United. Suarez has a similar floor, but his price is more reasonable and, similar to Messi, should get a few chances on counterattacks. If you want to fade Barcelona, Dusan Tadic ($10,000) makes the most sense because his floor has been higher than Suarez's, and he should also create a few chances on counters.

Fernando Llorente, TOT at AJA ($9,000): Llorente continues to have a higher floor than Lucas Moura ($8,000), even if it's minimal. The selling point is his height will be used on the numerous set-piece opportunities Tottenham get. That's the main reason Llorente is in the lineup, and it only helps that Ajax's biggest weakness is stopping set pieces and crosses. Llorente also adds a few points from clearances with his head on the other end. Sure, that's nothing to bank your fantasy team on, but those extra few points help when Moura and Divock Origi ($8,500) are mostly goal or bust. And no matter who starts up front for Liverpool, I'm not confident they'll find the back of the net.

MIDFIELDERS

Donny van de Beek, AJA v. TOT ($8,500): Even without the goal last week, van de Beek still would've surpassed 20 fantasy points due to two chances created, three interceptions and four tackles. That's because Tottenham were on the attack the majority of the second half, and they will likely be for the majority of this match unless they score early. I'm also leaning van de Beek over Hakim Ziyech ($9,000) because he should be lower owned, though I'm fine with using both players because no matter how the match goes, they should have solid floors. While their attacking potential is nice, both rack up defensive stats to help their floors. The same doesn't apply for Sadio Mane ($10,000) or Philippe Coutinho ($9,500), as you're only spending up for good anytime goal scorer odds. 

Son Heung-Min, TOT at AJA ($8,500): Things aren't working for Tottenham at the moment, but if someone were to change that, it'd likely be Son. He has multiple shots on target in three of his last five starts, and he'll likely stack up shots as the pressure grows for Spurs throughout the match. Christian Eriksen ($8,000) may have a slightly higher floor due to set pieces, but I'd rather test my luck with Son finding the back of the net than Eriksen connecting on a set piece or long-range effort. And while Tottenham are away, it's hard to think they won't get opportunities even if they are underdogs. In the same range, Lasse Schone ($8,000) and James Milner ($8,000) are better floor plays without the upside.

Georginio Wijnaldum, LIV v. BAR ($5,000): This is the punt on the slate, similar to the first leg when Wijnaldum managed just six fantasy points. If you roster Messi, you'll likely need a midfielder in this range and Wijnaldum is cheapest. He played in the front three last match and could do so again with Salah out. The downside is that he doesn't provide much else in this role and may only get five points again. The upside is that he's the cheapest midfielder and possibly playing in an attacking role for a team that will be pressing all match. The safer route is Frenkie de Jong ($6,000), who had a floor of 16.9 points last match and could be just as busy in the second leg.

DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier, TOT at AJA ($7,000): Once again, I think Trippier is the best defensive play on the slate. Jordi Alba ($7,000) provided the assist last week but otherwise did little on the defensive end. Trippier usually scores at least 10 fantasy points from defensive stats, with a possibility for 10 or more points from chances created. Even if he doesn't assist, he should still come close to 20 fantasy points, which you can't say about Alba or Trent Alexander-Arnold ($7,000). Alexander-Arnold may be on a great run of assisting, but I'd rather not bank on that against Barcelona.   

Daley Blind, AJA v. TOT ($4,500): On the other end of Trippier, Blind will be in a similar situation as the first leg when he scored 25.8 points from eight clearances, four interceptions and four tackles. Maybe he won't get a clean sheet, but as long as Tottenham press forward, the defensive stats will be there for the cheapest expected starter on the slate. Teammates Matthijs de Ligt ($5,500) and Joel Veltman ($5,000) are in the same mold, but Blind is the pick because he's the cheapest. I also like him more than Joel Matip ($4,500), who may see less defensive work after a floor of 10.4 points last match.

Clement Lenglet, BAR at LIV ($5,500): After hitting 25.8 fantasy points from 11 clearances in the first leg, Lenglet is a nice option if you have money to burn and don't want to spend it on Blind or Matip. There's a decent chance he sees similar defensive work in this match, and without Salah or Roberto Firmino up front, Liverpool may lose the ball more often than usual as they work in different players and possibly different formations. Outside of Veltman, I'd pass on the other $5,000 defenders since neither Sergi Roberto nor the Tottenham guys have great floors. 

GOALKEEPER

Andre Onana, AJA v. TOT ($4,500): Onana was the play last week and hopefully he'll pan out again, though will likely have a higher ownership with the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet. Even if he allows a goal, I think Tottenham will get a few more looks on net to help him make a couple more saves. Either way, I'm not more comfortable with any of the other options. If you're fading Barcelona, Alisson Becker ($5,000) is the play since Liverpool could grab a 1-0 or 2-0 win and still not advance.