FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Atletico Madrid v. Juventus
3:00 p.m: Schalke 04 v. Manchester City

FORWARDS

Sergio Aguero, MCI at S04 ($12,000): Aguero has the best odds to score on the slate and should be available for the full 90, as he hasn't played since the big Chelsea win. With a hat trick in two of his last three starts, it's hard not to use him, especially with Cristiano Ronaldo ($13,500) a bit more expensive. Schalke had a favorable draw in the group stage and haven't played that well in the Bundesliga, sitting 14th in the table. According to the odds, City are expected to run over Schalke and that should mean at least one Aguero goal. However, he doesn't have much of a floor, so that's the main reason Ronaldo could be more popular. In fact, Aguero rarely has a shot on goal without scoring, with 17 goals from 32 shots on target in Premier League play this season. It's not the same for Ronaldo, who takes tons of shots and creates a couple more chances each match. And while Atletico have had some issues against top teams this year, they're familiar with Ronaldo and have allowed just seven goals at home in 12 league matches.

Antoine Griezmann, ATM v. JUV ($12,000): If you don't trust Ronaldo on the road, Griezmann is a similar player (in terms of fantasy production, at least) and is a bit cheaper. He's made the score sheet in eight of his last nine starts and averages 2.28 chances created per 90 minutes in league play, which is more than Ronaldo. Griezmann may not take as many shots, but if Atletico score, he's almost guaranteed to be involved. If you think Griezmann is too expensive, Diego Costa ($9,000) or Alvaro Morata ($8,500) could be considered, but neither has close to the same floor and they are fighting each other for playing time.

Mark Uth, S04 v. MCI ($9,000): There aren't enough forwards to write about on a two-game slate, but Uth gets consideration before Guido Burgstaller ($8,000) since the latter just returned from an Achilles injury. Uth isn't having a good season, but he's cheap and should at least start. He's also looked a little better recently, with three goals in his last seven starts. The hope for Uth is that Man City's defense makes a couple mistakes and allows Schalke to grab a goal. You could roll with Mario Mandzukic ($9,500), but he has higher bust potential and I'd rather trust a cheap forward at home.

MIDFIELDERS

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at S04 ($9,500): If you spend up on both forwards, there's zero chance to get Raheem Sterling ($11,000), who is already too expensive. That being the case, it may be worth it to go with Aguero and Sterling and punt on a second forward. If not, I'm rolling with De Bruyne, who may not have the same scoring odds but has a slightly higher floor with more defensive stats to go with the same shooting and creative numbers as Sterling. De Bruyne's another guy who should be plenty rested and able to play a full 90. Plus, at some point, he's going to make the score sheet again and revert to his averages from the last few seasons. David Silva ($9,000) may get more love, but De Bruyne is easier to trust as a main set-piece taker.

Paulo Dybala, JUV at ATM ($9,500): I had Miralem Pjanic ($8,500) here after a successful run in the group stage, but his numbers have lacked in league play, failing to surpass a floor of 12.9 fantasy points in his last seven starts. Dybala isn't on as many set pieces, but he's more likely to score and has the same, if not better, floor as Pjanic. In his last four starts, Dybala has five shots on goal and 14 chances created, but the downside is the matchup is a game that may not feature more than two goals. But even in a tough spot, Dybala's floor is reason enough to spend, whereas most of the mid-range midfielders have a lower floor and much lower upside.

Thomas Partey, ATM v. JUV ($6,000): In a difficult slate, you usually need one cheaper player who will put in a consistent 10 fantasy points for cash games. Thomas fits the bill with 3.25 tackles, 2.49 interceptions and 1.11 corners per 90 minutes in league play. His floor is usually around 10 points, but at times he's pushed that to 20 or even 30 points in the right matchup. He's had at least 16 fantasy points in four of his last six league starts ,and at this price, you can't say that about anyone else, including Fernandinho ($6,500).

DEFENDERS

Gimenez, ATM v. JUV ($6,500): This isn't a great slate to spend up on a defender, but if you have the money, Gimenez has had a better floor than most, averaging 2.57 interceptions and 5.90 clearances per 90 minutes in La Liga. He's already had 20-point floors and should get plenty of work against Juve, who force the second-most clearances in Serie A. Aymeric Laporte ($6,500) probably has the lowest floor of the high-end guys, while Leonardo Bonucci ($6,000) is a good GPP play if you're already backing Ronaldo and hoping for an assist from a cross.

Bastian Oczipka, S04 v. MCI ($5,000): Oczipka is oddly underpriced since his floor has been 10 fantasy points in league play, as he's one of Schalke's main corner takers recently. That's led to 2.49 chances created per 90 minutes, but also 1.75 tackles, 1.29 interceptions and 1.20 clearances. Even if Schalke don't get forward and draw corners, he should rack up defensive stats because Man City have allowed the second-most clearances, blocks and tackles to defenders in the Premier League. Throw in Oczipka's price and there isn't a good comparison. The only reason he's priced this low is because he missed all of the group stage while recovering from a groin injury.

Joao Cancelo, JUV at ATM ($4,500): Cancelo is the safest of the cheaper options, as he had a floor of 19 fantasy points in two of his three starts in the group stage. Even on a bad day he'll reach 10 fantasy points since he usually accrues all kinds of defensive stats in addition to one or two chances from the flank. With this match expected to be defensive, there's also a chance for a clean sheet, which can't be overlooked.

GOALKEEPER

Jan Oblak, ATM v. JUV ($5,000): Oblak has had some tough results against better competition, but it's hard to deny his 15 clean sheets in 30 La Liga and Champions League starts. Juventus also weren't lighting up opponents in the group stage, scoring one goal in each of their final four matches. The other part of that is the Ronaldo factor, in which he racks up shots, but doesn't always find the back of the net. In group play, Juve had the seventh-most shots but 13th-most goals and that could help Oblak in the saves department. Otherwise, you're spending a ton on Ederson ($6,500) or $500 more on Wojciech Szczesny, who is on the road.