FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.

MATCHES (ET)

FORWARDS / MIDFIELDERS

Edin Dzeko, INT at SHE ($20): In Inter Milan's previous matchup with Sheriff Tiraspol, Dzeko scored a goal and provided an assist while helping Inter to a 3-1 win. He also added two shots on goal and four chances created for a massive outing that helped his team get back into contention for the top two spots in the group. They'll need another win over Sheriff to go above the Moldovan side in the table, which the oddsmakers are predicting as Inter are the second-highest favorites on the slate with the second-highest implied goal total. Lautaro Martinez ($19) is a slightly cheaper pivot, though he has yet to score or assist in the Champions League. Nicolo Barella ($13) is a great value play if he can replicate the five scoring chances he created in the previous matchup with Sheriff Tiraspol. 

Paulinho, LIS v. BES ($20): With a goal and assist last time against Besiktas, Paulinho has already tormented the Turkish side and will be playing at home in a rematch as the third-biggest favorite on the slate. Through three group matches, he's scored two goals, provided an assist, created four scoring chances and taken four shots on goal. He's in a good spot for another good outing and should be less owned than the likes of Mohamed Salah ($21) and some of the Manchester City players. Pote ($18) took the majority of free kicks last match and his price reflects the massive performance he had in the first matchup with Besiktas. Pablo Sarabia ($17) is a reasonable pivot, though with Pote on the field, his floor definitely drops due to Pote taking more free kicks. 

Riyad Mahrez, MCI v. CLU ($19): Manchester City are the biggest favorites and Riyad Mahrez ($19) has been a machine for them in the first three group stage matches. He's scored three goals, taken eight shots on goal and created four scoring chances, giving him a floor around 21 fantasy points. Three of his four starts this season have come in the Champions League and he's come off the bench in Manchester City's past two Premier League matches, giving him a good chance to rejoin the starting XI on Wednesday. Kevin De Bruyne ($20) is another good option and he's also created eight scoring chances in three group stage matches. Considering how highly favored Manchester City is, Jack Grealish ($19), Phil Foden ($17) are all viable plays. Ilkay Gundogan ($13) has yet to start in the Champions League but would be a cost effective option if he does. 

Hans Vanaken, CLU at MCI ($16): Vanaken has scored in all three matches, including in the previous match against Manchester City. Although that record may be tough to continue, he's averaging two shots on goal per match, giving him a decent enough floor to make his price worth investment. Sebastien Thill ($16) will cost you the same and has a slightly better matchup against Inter Milan. He's been able to contribute much more defensively and this may make him a more desirable option. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ($14) played 71 minutes, and provided an assist, in Saturday's draw and could start as Liverpool deal with a few different injured players. 

DEFENDERS

Andrew Robertson, LIV v. ATL ($12): While Trent Alexander-Arnold ($14) is likely to be the most coveted defender, Robertson comes in at a much friendlier price and has been as consistent in the Champions League. He's created three scoring chances in all three group matches and taken two shots on goal. Liverpool have yet to keep a clean sheet through those three matches and that will be tough to depend on in another tough matchup against Atletico Madrid. With a high volume of matches, it wouldn't be surprising to see someone like Joel Matip ($8) rotated in for Ibrahima Konate ($7) or Virgil van Dijk ($10). 

Sebastien Coates, LIS v. BES ($13): It's going to be tough to depend on two goals out of any defender, let alone a center-back, so keep that in mind when looking at Sebastien Coates' game logs. He's had a solid floor in his lone other start while making eight clearances and he's playing for the third-highest favorite on the slate that has the third-best clean sheet odds. Another defender with a solid floor is Gustavo Dulanto ($13), who's made 23 clearances, eight blocks and won seven tackles in three starts. He's got a less favorable matchup against Inter Milan, though he's shown he can have a solid outing against any team in the group. 

GOALKEEPERS

Giorgos Athanasiadis, SHE v. INT ($7): Athanasiadis was unavailable for the previous matchup against Inter Milan but was deemed fit for Wednesday's match. He was solid in his first two outings, making 13 saves and keeping a clean sheet and will have plenty of save opportunities against Inter Milan. Dumitru Celeadnic ($5) replaced Athanasiadis in the last match and was just as productive with five saves. With so many high-priced attackers available and the uncertainty of Champions League play, it's worth considering spending less on a goalkeeper. If you want to spend more, Alisson Becker ($11) should see a fair bit of work against Atletico Madrid, while Ederson ($14) has the best clean sheet odds heading into a matchup with Club Brugge. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Christopher Owen plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: owenc8888 (DraftKings, FanDuel), RotoCrook (Yahoo!).
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Christopher Owen
Chris covers fantasy soccer for RotoWire. In his free time he enjoys watching Jurgen Klopp celebrate goals on the touchline and beyond.
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