FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Atalanta vs. Manchester City
• 3:00 pm: Bayer Leverkusen vs. Atlético Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Dinamo Zagreb vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk
• 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Club Brugge
• 3:00 pm: Real Madrid vs. Galatasaray
• 3:00 pm: Red Star Belgrade vs. Tottenham Hotspur

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

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

You can stack any of the big favorites in Wednesday's slate or you can bank on the best floor plays and hope that's enough in cash games. Brugge have played well and drew at Real Madrid, but they were also throttled by Kylian Mbappe ($21) a couple weeks ago. Mbappe is back from injury and dominating with seven goals and two assists in four appearances, including two off the bench. He's not overly expensive for a guy who took part in four goals in 38 minutes last matchup. Angel Di Maria ($18) isn't getting the same opportunities on net, but he's created 23 chances in his last four starts in all competitions. Mauro Icardi ($17) is more of a goal-or-bust candidate, though he has seven goals in his last six starts. If you pick those three guys and they score five goals again, it'd be difficult not to walk away with some winnings. 

Real Madrid are slightly smaller favorites yet not nearly as easy to trust. They failed to score at home against Betis in league play over the weekend and Galatasaray have been one of the more defensive teams in the tournament, with two goals scored in their three matches. That said, Karim Benzema ($18) created five chances and had three shots on goal last meeting and Toni Kroos ($16) is always in play for a floor near 20 fantasy points against weaker sides. I'm not sure it's worth it to parse production from their other players when you can also back Manchester City, who scored five goals in the reverse fixture. Atalanta are better at home, but they gave up two goals to Shakhtar last UCL home match and lost 2-0 to Cagliari on Sunday. However, I probably won't spend up a couple bucks for Raheem Sterling ($23) when Mbappe is in a better situation. Sergio Aguero ($22) and Gabriel Jesus ($22) have the best odds to score, yet if they both start because of David Silva's injury, I'm not sure either are worth the price. Kevin De Bruyne ($20) has the best floor, though Riyad Mahrez ($19) has been the most potent whenever in the squad. Given their inconsistent production, I may only be willing to spend on Aguero if he's the lone striker.

Tottenham are smaller favorites because they've had massive issues away from home over the past year, failing to secure three points in league play since January. The other part is that Belgrade aren't a pushover like the last match suggests, as they beat Liverpool 2-0 at home a season ago. Spurs will still be a good GPP play, whether that's Harry Kane ($20) if he's no longer sick, or Son Heung-Min ($18) and Lucas Moura ($14). Some will be intrigued by Christian Eriksen at $14, but he isn't doing anything positive these days. I'd rather trust Marko Marin ($13), who created six chances and had a floor of 24.3 points in the 5-0 loss. 

If you wanted another tournament play, Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk finished 2-2 last match and goals should be available again. Mislav Orsic ($16) and Dani Olmo ($15) are the most viable options because they've already produced in the Champions League. Orsic had a hat-trick last home match and Olmo took the majority of corners in Donetsk. The bigger stretch is Bruno Petkovic ($10), who hasn't done anything in three matches and managed just one shot on target when Zagreb won 4-0 against Atalanta.

Mario Lemina ($10) is healthy again and might be the pick if you're into defensive midfielders. Otherwise, Ilkay Gundogan ($13) and Marten De Roon ($13) are slightly expensive for guys who usually have floors around 10 points. Tanguy Ndombele ($12) has often held a better floor than those guys, but he didn't do anything against Everton on Sunday and that's always the problem with defensive midfielders. In this range, the lowest I'd go is Marin at $12 and everyone else is a shot in the dark as you're relying on defensive stats.

DEFENDERS

If you have money to spend, there are a few ways to go at defender, though Marcelo ($15) and Juan Bernat ($15) may not be the best choices. In fact, it's possible Ferland Mendy ($10) starts for Marcelo at left-back and turns into the chalk defender on the slate. Otherwise, Dani Carvajal ($14) is just as potent on the other side, while Ismaily ($14) has 20-point upside because of his versatility out of the back. Serge Aurier ($13) and Renan Lodi ($12) are also in good situations to get forward and provide some upside.

For value, I'd stay away from Atalanta defenders after disappointing numbers against Man City last meeting, though if Simon Kjaer ($8) starts, he's often been a defender who accrues stats no matter the matchup, averaging more than 13 fantasy points in three starts this season. Kossounou Odilon ($8) is also expected to start and there will be plenty of defensive stats available for Brugge. There isn't much more certainty if you're looking to save money with a lot of floors below 10 points. Benjamin Mendy ($12) and Joao Cancelo ($12) will get attention if in the squad, but I feel a little better about a central defender like Matej Mitrovic ($12). Leverkusen force the fourth-most clearances and third-most interceptions, so cheaper Atletico defenders are in play. Mario Hermoso ($10) had eight clearances last meeting and Santiago Arias ($9) is in a similar mold to Ferland Mendy because he's much cheaper than regular starter Kieran Trippier ($14).

GOALKEEPER

Keylor Navas ($14) has been a free 17 points in every Champions League match, but he isn't making many saves so if he allows a goal, it'll be a waste of money; and the same goes for Thibaut Courtois ($13). Jan Oblak ($12) is always in play for a clean sheet, and that match has the lowest implied goal total. I wouldn't expect a repeat for Paulo Gazzaniga ($12), but I'm sure he'll be one of the more popular cash goalkeepers after hitting 32 points in the reverse match. I'd rather go with Fernando Muslera ($10) and hope he makes double-digit saves again while allowing one goal. If you're fading Manchester City, this is a good spot for Pierluigi Gollini ($8) to make five saves and allow one or two goals.