DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

For detailed odds and stats, check out the Fantasy Champions League: Tuesday Cheat Sheet.

MATCHES (EDT)

3:00 p.m: CSKA Moscow v. Real Madrid
3:00 p.m: AEK Athens v. Benfica
3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Valencia
3:00 p.m: Roma v. Viktoria Plzen
3:00 p.m: Lyon v. Shakhtar Donetsk
3:00 p.m: Bayern Munich v. Ajax

FORWARDS

Robert Lewandowski, BAY v. AJA ($9,700): Bayern Munich are the biggest favorites with the highest implied goal total on the slate, so it's no surprise that Lewandowski will be a strong option, especially with anytime goal scorer odds that put him at nearly 78 percent to find the back of the net (in fact, his odds for two goals are higher than all but 10 players have for one goal). Goal scorer odds aren't everything, of course, but leading the line for Bayern Munich, and scoring in four of your last six starts, certainly grabs attention. While Lewandowski has the upside, James Rodriguez ($8,700) has the much higher floor and makes more sense for cash games. He doesn't shoot as much, but James' role on set pieces gives him plenty of opportunities for crosses, something that's helped him to create 10 chances in his last three starts. We probably shouldn't ignore Arjen Robben ($7,700), who poaches some set pieces and has decent goal scoring odds himself for a much cheaper price. And, of course, Franck Ribery ($6,600) is always around too, though his upside is never really that high, nor is his floor, making him kind of a tough play in cash or GPPs.

Nabil Fekir, OL v. SHK ($9,200): Fekir is a statistical monster, averaging 7.59 shots, including 2.62 on goal, 3.66 crosses, 1.57 tackles won and 2.99 fouls drawn per 90 minutes this season, equating to 17.52 fantasy points. There is obviously a very small sample size, though 344 minutes over five appearances (four starts) isn't nothing, and he did have a very impressive three shots, including two on goal, one cross, two tackles won and five fouls drawn against Manchester City in Lyon's opening Champions League match; oh, and he also had one goal and one assist. With a few high-priced players from Real Madrid ruled out, it shouldn't be too difficult to roster both Fekir and a Bayern forward, a strategy that's likely to be popular in cash games and tournaments. If pivoting off Fekir is a strategy you'd like to pursue, teammate Memphis Depay ($8,600) should get some attention, especially because he's averaging 3.36 shots, including 1.35 on goal, and 8.24 crosses per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 play this season, though his returns of late have dropped because of Fekir's play, which is why I'd actually be more interested in Bertrand Traore ($7,300), who has two goals on nine shots (two on goal), 10 tackles and eight fouls drawn in his last three games.

Nikola Vlasic, CSK v. RM ($4,900): Taking anyone against Real Madrid isn't always the best plan, but it's worth noting that they'll be without defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, theoretically making Vlasic's opportunity a bit better. He's CSKA's primary set-piece taker, and they are playing at home...and, well, he's cheap and forward eligible. I don't think you're going to want to go down this far for a forward in cash games, but if you go that direction, Vlasic makes sense.

MIDFIELDERS

Lorenzo Pellegrini, ROM v. PLZ ($6,000): Pellegrini's role on set pieces for the second-biggest favorite on the slate certainly puts him serious consideration for cash games, and it doesn't hurt that he comes in with one goal on eight shots (three on target), one assist on six chances created and 20 crosses in his last three Serie A appearances. Striker Edin Dzeko ($8,500, forward) gives Roma a nice big target in the box, and Pellegrini is likely to be one of the most active players on the wing trying to get him the ball.

Petros Mantalos, AEK v. BEN ($6,400): Playing in the match with the lowest implied goal total, not to mention as a home underdog, Mantalos makes more sense for cash games than GPPs. He comes in tied for the Greek Super League lead in crosses this season, and he's already had three games with at least eight crosses over his five domestic starts (and he had seven in AEK's opening Champions League loss at Ajax). The presence of Anastasios Bakasetas ($5,900, forward) adds a little hesitation to Mantalos because they both take set pieces, but Mantalos has shown a solid open-play crossing floor that Bakasetas doesn't have (he's had more than three crosses once in five league starts). AEK need home results if they have any chance at the knockout rounds, so while they are underdogs at home, they still need to try to get on the board.

Fred, MU v. VAL ($4,600): Despite some good showings, Fred's playing time has been sporadic this season, but his potential role on set pieces for a home favorite at less than $5,000 certainly puts him in play. He scored a goal in his last Premier League start and picked up an assist while crossing all six of his corners during Manchester United's opening Champions League match, and while he can chip in with a few defensive stats at times, the low price and potential for corners is really what draws our attention.

DEFENDERS

Joshua Kimmich, BAY v. AJA ($6,900): The decision to pay up for Kimmich is always a tough one until you finally decide to roster him and you realize it wasn't that tough at all! He's been sharing set pieces of late, either with James or Robben, but he still leads Bayern in crosses by a significant margin (his 51 Bundesliga crosses are 31 more than next-highest James on the team), and he's second in chances created, an impressive output for a right-back. Add in that Bayern have the best clean-sheet odds on the slate, and paying up for Kimmich becomes a clear move, particularly in cash games.

Yaroslav Rakitskiy, SHK at OL ($3,100): Would you be willing to take a chance on a potential set-piece taker for a slight away underdog if he only cost $3,100? If so, welcome to Rakitskiy, who took three of Shakhtar's five corners in their opening Champions League match against Hoffenheim, with Marlos ($6,500, midfielder) and Alan Patrick ($3,100, midfielder) taking one each. Is that not enough? How about the fact that he scored a free kick goal during Shakhtar's 6-1 win over Karpaty Lviv last weekend. If you don't believe me, go 28 seconds in on this highlight reel:

5⃣ goals in one half and other highlights of the demolition job vs Karpaty in Lviv. pic.twitter.com/UT2H0SiTCp

— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) September 29, 2018

The matchup against Lyon is hardly one to hesitate on, and this price should be fully exploited in cash games and GPPs.

Alejandro Grimaldo, BEN at AEK ($4,600): The mid-tier defender options offer both Benfica fullbacks, of which Grimaldo is one, and potential cheaper Manchester United fullbacks in Diogo Dalot ($4,500) and Antonio Valencia ($4,700). The Benfica ones will likely cross more, while Manchester United have better clean sheet odds at home. Ultimately, I think it's a bit of a salary dead zone, as there are definitely defenders worth paying up for, not to mention Rakitskiy to save money.

GOALKEEPER

Manuel Neuer, BAY v. AJA ($6,000): Neuer has the best win and clean sheet odds on the slate, and because Ajax are a team that is used to playing open and attacking as much as possible, he could see a few weak shots make their way into his hands. If $6,000 doesn't fit your budget, targeting AEK's Vassilis Barkas ($4,500) gives you a starting keeper for a home team in the game with the lowest implied goal total.