FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Lokomotiv Moscow
• 3:00 pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Juventus
• 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Tottenham Hotspur
• 3:00 pm: Club Brugge vs. Real Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Olympiacos vs. Red Star Belgrade
• 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Galatasaray

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

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Robert Lewandowski, BAY v. TOT ($24): At this point, it doesn't matter if Lewandowski is expensive because there's a chance he scores another hat trick. While he's slowed down without a goal in the last two league matches, I'd rather not play games if he's in the starting XI. He has 26 goals in 19 appearances this season, and I'm not sure what back line Tottenham will put on the field. Sure, there's always a chance Jose Mourinho puts 10 defenders on the field and aims for a scoreless draw or Lewandowski doesn't start, but when he braces in the first 30 minutes, you'll realize you shouldn't have thought about it so much. Serge Gnabry ($15) could also be chalk at an unreasonably cheap rate after surpassing 100 fantasy points in the reverse fixture. A lot of this depends on who starts these matches, but if Joshua Kimmich sits like he did last UCL match, Philippe Coutinho ($18) could be the best floor play after racking up 13 corners against Red Star Belgrade two weeks ago. Either way, there will be plenty of Bayern stacks, so keep that in mind for GPPs. 

Kylian Mbappe, PSG v. GAL ($23): The other big stack is PSG, who are the second-biggest favorite on the slate with the highest implied goal total. The main reason both Neymar ($22) and Mbappe would start is because they've barely played together this season and need some minutes with each other. Otherwise, PSG don't need to win and will probably rest numerous players from the regular starting XI. I'd only be tentative because Galatasaray have played well in the back in the Champions League outside of one match when they allowed six goals to Real Madrid. Otherwise, they've allowed three in their other four games. But sometimes that doesn't matter and you can't stop the best players in the world on their home pitch. Neymar has the better floor since he's on set pieces, but Mbappe's upside is hard to pass up because he can score a hat trick in five minutes. Mbappe has 10 goals and three assists in his last nine appearances (three off the bench) and averaged 0.33 more goals per 90 minutes than Neymar last season. Angel Di Maria ($17) is also in play because of price, but his numbers have taken a hit since Neymar returned from injury. I'm not sure I'd spend on anyone else because Cristiano Ronaldo ($21) hasn't had huge performances this season and Juventus don't need to win, while Gareth Bale ($18) has been a mystery all season. 

Alvaro Morata, ATM v. LKM ($16): It'll be a disappointment if Morata doesn't find the back of the net. Atletico Madrid have struggled to score in recent matches, but they've have a difficult schedule and that changes in this matchup. Not only will Lokomotiv not have their regular goalkeeper and defensive midfielder, but they've given up multiple goals in their last three away matches in league play. Joao Felix ($15) has the same goal odds and took nine shots last league match, but Morata has been Atletico's most reliable finisher this season, at one point scoring in six consecutive matches. You usually can't find these kind of goal odds at this price, with Gnabry maybe the only other player in this range. The other options are forwards on underdogs (Kevin Volland, $17) or midfielders who rarely make the score-sheet (Pablo Sarabia, $14; Koke, $14).

Guilherme, OLY v. CRV ($13): This match has the lowest implied goal total on the slate, but I'm not buying it. Neither team can make the round of 16, and there have been at least three goals scored in nine of their 10 combined UCL matches. Olympiacos have scored two goals in each of their home matches against Tottenham and Bayern, and they want revenge on Belgrade, who won the reverse fixture 3-1. The issue is that no one knows where the goals will come from. Guilherme is probably the best floor play because he accrues defensive stats while also making the score-sheet in two of the last three UCL matches. Daniel Podence ($15) had three shots on goal and two chances created at home against Tottenham but didn't do anything in the other matches. Youssef El Arabi ($16) is a bit expensive for a goal-or-bust Olympiacos forward, though Guerrero ($11) would be intriguing if he starts. There are other ways to go with Thomas Partey ($13), Isco ($12) and Luka Modric ($12) may be more enticing. Modric should be on the majority of set pieces with Toni Kroos rested, which automatically makes him fantasy relevant. 

DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier, ATM v. LKM ($14): This matchup has five chances created written all over it for Trippier, who created 12 in his last three starts. Atletico are expected to dominate possession and likely accrue a few corners for Trippier. While defensive stats may not be there, the potential to assist and secure a clean sheet is higher than any other defender, pending on the starting status of Kimmich. Given some of the cheaper forwards, it wouldn't be a bad idea to spend on a full-back, with Thomas Meunier ($13) also a possibility. If you don't care about assists, Vedran Corluka ($14) and Benedikt Howedes ($11) will be on the receiving end of Trippier's crosses, which could lead to a floor of around 15 fantasy points from clearances.

Juan Foyth, TOT at BAY ($8): If you take the chalk route and don't have money, there's going to be a ton of cheap defenders because of the new faces in starting XIs. That points to Foyth, who is one of Tottenham's expected starting center-backs. Tottenham center-backs accrued 18 clearances in the reverse fixture, and no matter who Bayern start, that'll likely be the case again, with Foyth and Davinson Sanchez ($9) most likely to benefit against the team that has forced the most clearances out of defenders through five UCL matches. Brandon Mechele ($9) had 10 clearances in the previous meeting against Real Madrid, and on the other end, Eder Militao ($9) could see action with a younger squad in front of him. There are a lot of options in this range, and if these guys don't start, just look for center-backs on underdogs.

GOALKEEPER

Jan Oblak, ATM v. LKM ($12): Oblak has some of the best odds for a clean sheet I've seen in a long time. Then you throw in the best odds to win on the slate and that he's allowed three goals in his last seven home starts in all competitions and it's a wonder why he's not the most expensive goalkeeper. Keylor Navas ($15) also has a great chance to win and secure a clean sheet, but he's a few bucks more expensive. And while Oblak is a clear choice at a reasonable rate, a lot of people will turn to backups at a discount. Both Alphonse Areola ($8) and Gianluigi Buffon ($8) will receive attention because of price, while Anton Kochenkov ($8) is a viable play if you don't believe in Atletico.