FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Mönchengladbach vs. Manchester City

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Kevin De Bruyne, MCI at BMG ($23): Everything for this slate depends on what Man City's lineup looks like. There's a chance De Bruyne doesn't start, and if that's the case, I'd be on Phil Foden ($17), who was rested in the most recent league match. De Bruyne played 63 minutes in the win over Arsenal, and he could either start again and play close to 90 or come off the bench after recently recovering from a hamstring injury. After that's decided, another decision has to be made between Gabriel Jesus ($20) and Sergio Aguero ($20). Jesus is more likely to start, but he's also likely to be subbed off early for Aguero, who has been in the squad and stayed on the bench in each of the last three league matches. Ilkay Gundogan ($15) appears fully healthy after going 90 over the weekend and it's hard to deny his form, with 11 goals in the last 13 league matches. Raheem Sterling ($22) is the other guy to consider, but I wouldn't touch him in cash games because his floor rarely tops 10 fantasy points. Man City are rolling and have the highest implied goal total on the slate, so it'll be hard to fade them completely. Monchengladbach just lost at home to Mainz in league play and have struggled to contain top competition all season. They allowed multiple goals in both games against Inter and Real Madrid in the group stage, while also allowing multiple goals in three games against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund in league play. They may put up a fight, but it's hard to see Man City being held scoreless.

Josip Ilicic, ATA v. MAD ($19): Outside of Man City, it's almost a toss up for the other three teams. Atalanta are slight favorites against Real Madrid, who have a ton of injuries but are at full strength in three of their four defender spots. They've also had three straight clean sheets in league play and are playing much better defensively than in the group stage. Still, because of injuries to their forwards, the Atalanta guys make more sense, especially at home. I'm leaning Ilicic because he's cheaper and his odds to score aren't much different than Duvan Zapata's ($21). Zapata is more likely to score because of his position, but that's all he does, averaging 1.29 shots on goal and 1.60 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. Ilicic has a higher floor because he's on set pieces, averaging 1.04 shots on goal and 3.38 chances created per 90 minutes. There's a slight worry that he's often subbed early, but he didn't play over the weekend, so he should be rested. Otherwise, Robin Gosens ($13) is the only other Atalanta player worth considering, and he's a defender. He's had a decent campaign, producing seven goals and four assists and maybe most useful is that he has consistent defensive stats to help his floor as a wing-back. 

Toni Kroos, MAD at ATA ($17): The problem with backing any of Real Madrid's forwards is that they'll all likely be subbed off early. Vinicius Junior ($19) may be the most potent of the bunch, but he hasn't scored since October, while Mariano ($15) and Marco Asensio ($12) are similarly unreliable. Kroos is at least viable in cash games because of his role on set pieces. He has one shot on goal in his last eight matches, but he's created 26 chances in that period, which has sometimes led to a 20-point floor. Casemiro ($14), oddly, might have more upside because he seems to be attacking more of late, taking 10 shots in the last four matches. Combine that with a decent floor from defensive stats and he's a better play than Luka Modric ($13). The outlier may be Lucas Vazquez ($13) since he's playing as a right-back. He had a 26-point floor last league match, and while he won't get a clean sheet, he also provides defensive stats in addition to getting up the field as a full-back.

Alassane Plea, BMG v. MCI ($17): Gladbach have the lowest implied goal total on the slate because Man City have 10 clean sheets in their last 13 league matches. It doesn't help that this game is being played in Budapest and not Germany. Still, they love to attack and will be a good side to bet on for GPPs. The problem is that they haven't had a consistent goal scorer the last couple months, as Plea has battled a few injuries and has just three goals in 18 league appearances. However, he showed his upside in the group stage, bagging five goals and three assists, and that's what you need in tournaments. Otherwise, you're guessing who will score from the midfield or wings. Lars Stindl ($14), Florian Neuhaus ($12) and Jonas Hofmann ($11) are in play if you're looking for a Monchengladbach stack. Stindl had a hat trick this season and bagged a brace against Leverkusen, while Hofmann had two goals and an assist in a win against Bayern Munich.

DEFENDERS

Matthias Ginter, BMG v. MCI ($8): There isn't an expected starting defender below $8, so you'll need to find value somewhere at forward. Ginter doesn't have a consistent floor as a center-back, but he should be around 10 fantasy points based off how much Man City will be on the attacking end, assuming things go as the odds suggest. Rafael Toloi ($8) is part of a three-man back line, but he usually supplies close to 10 points every match. If you need the money elsewhere, it makes sense to use both Ginter and Toloi.

Berat Djimsiti, ATA v. MAD ($11): I'm not sure there's a good reason to spend up at defender in cash games unless you want someone with a higher floor than Djimsiti, who has at least 10 fantasy points in each of his last eight league appearances. That said, I'm not sure he's worth finding money for, similar to everyone else in this range. Even Joao Cancelo ($14) probably isn't worth the money because he'll need a goal or assist to be worth it. You could look at Raphael Varane ($12) and Nacho ($11), mainly because Atalanta force the most interceptions, second-most blocks and fourth-most clearances in Serie A.

GOALKEEPER

Pierluigi Gollini, ATA v. MAD ($11): I think every goalkeeper is in play outside of Yann Sommer ($7), who seems likely to allow multiple goals. Given Real Madrid's injured attack, I'd go for Gollini even though Atalanta have had defensive issues in league play. If you can somehow get to him, Ederson ($13) makes the most sense with the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet by a wide margin. If that's your strategy, you'll likely need a defensive midfielder or two.