FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

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

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Napoli v. PSG
3:00 p.m: Atletico Madrid v. Dortmund
3:00 p.m: Porto v. Lokomotiv Moscow
3:00 p.m: Inter Milan v. Barcelona
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. PSV
3:00 p.m: Schalke 04 v. Galatasaray

FORWARDS

Harry Kane, TOT v. PSV ($12,500): This is one of the most stacked slates you can get for forwards. The reasoning behind Kane is simple: Spurs have the highest expected goal total against a PSV side that's allowed eight goals in three Champions League matches. Kane isn't in form, but he wasn't for the trip to PSV a couple weeks ago and he still managed a goal and 37.3 fantasy points. It's hard not seeing him score in this match, whereas you can't say that about anyone else on the slate. Antoine Griezmann ($13,000) didn't do anything against Dortmund last match, while neither Neymar ($13,500) nor Kylian Mbappe ($12,500) made the score sheet at home against Napoli, a team that already held Liverpool scoreless. The big question is Lionel Messi ($13,000), but it's hard seeing him playing a full 90 in his first match back from injury.

Luis Suarez, BAR at INT ($12,000): Suarez isn't as safe if Messi starts, but it's hard to deny the form he's in with six goals and two assists in his last four starts in all competitions, and that includes 14 shots on target. With Messi injured, he's taken on a bigger role and that's led to some of his best performances since the 2015 campaign when he scored 40 league goals. Barcelona are on the road, but there's little reason to doubt them after already scoring four at Tottenham, and Suarez also had eight shots and four chances created in the 2-0 win against Inter. He's slightly cheaper than the other top guys, but he has the same upside and floor.

Breel Embolo, S04 v. GAL ($8,500): Neither of these teams scored in the last meeting, but Embolo still managed a floor of 17.6 fantasy points with three shots on goal and a couple tackles. He's been slightly better than teammate Mark Uth ($8,000) in terms of shots on goal and chances created, and he should be worth the extra money in cash games. Both have about the same odds to score, but I'd rather take Embolo because of the better floor. Moussa Marega ($8,500) could be more popular than both Schalke players because he's scored in his last two UCL matches, but he has close to no floor as a goal poacher and penalty taker.

MIDFIELDERS

Christian Eriksen, TOT v. PSV ($9,500): This is in the same vein as Kane, but at a much lower price. Eriksen oddly comes at a discount despite averaging 34.5 fantasy points in his first two UCL matches. He should return to the starting XI after coming off the bench over the weekend, and while he's struggled to find form in the early season, it'll be hard to pass on him for both cash and GPPs. Eriksen is still averaging one shot on goal and multiple chances created per 90 minutes and, similar to Kane, should make the score sheet against PSV, who are almost a lock to allow multiple goals. Philippe Coutinho ($10,500) has the same floor and upside but is more expensive, while there's no reason to trust Angel Di Maria ($9,000) after he only made value against Napoli in the first meeting because of a late goal.

Jesus Manuel Corona, POR v. LKM ($8,500): Corona had the best fantasy performance for Porto in their 3-1 win against Lokomotiv, so I'm not swayed that he may only play 70 minutes. He's creating more chances than any of his teammates, which gives him a better floor, and he'll also get a shot or two. Since Porto are as big a favorite as Tottenham, it'd be wise to have at least one of their players in the lineup and I prefer Corona over Hector Herrera ($8,000) and Yacine Brahimi ($6,500). Koke ($8,500) is also in the mix with Atletico looking to rebound at home, while Lorenzo Insigne ($9,000) is more of a GPP play if you are fading PSG.

Weston McKennie, S04 v. GAL ($7,000): This spot goes to McKennie or Amine Harit ($6,500), as one of them should start in Schalke's midfield. McKennie's held a decent floor as he's creating 1.38 chances per 90 minutes, but he is also getting around eight points from defensive stats. Harit isn't much different, though he's creating more chances (2.58) per 90 minutes in fewer league starts. As one of the bigger favorites, those two have a decent floor and solid upside, something most others in this range can't say.

DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier, TOT v. PSV ($6,500): It's unclear why Trippier isn't priced higher, but that also means he'll be one of the most popular defenders. In addition to having good odds for a clean sheet, he created eight chances when these teams met a couple weeks ago. Even if you cut that number in half he could still have a floor close to 15 fantasy points, and that's before shots on goal or an assist. As for Thomas Meunier ($7,500) and Jordi Alba ($7,500), they may have the same attacking upside, but neither is as likely to get a clean sheet.

Benjamin Stambouli, S04 v. GAL ($4,500): Stambouli has started the last three matches in place of Naldo ($5,000) so there's a decent chance he gets the call again since Naldo has been on the bench in the last two. Stambouli had 15.4 fantasy points in the first match against Galatasaray and should have a floor near that number due to accruing every kind of defensive stat (block, clearance, interception). It also helps that Schalke have one of the best odds to get a clean sheet on the slate. Nikola Maksimovic ($4,500) is another viable option if he can rack up seven clearances again, while someone like Toby Alderweireld ($4,500) will only make value if he gets a clean sheet.

Ozan Kabak, GAL at S04 ($4,000): Kabak is another defender who is going to be on a lot of rosters because he's super cheap and had 29.7 fantasy points (without a goal or assist) against Schalke last match. He's been Galatasaray's starting centerback for the last month, so there's a good chance he stays in that spot, which means you won't have to make any last-minute moves. If you need to go cheaper, Bryan Idowu ($3,500) could return to the squad against Porto, but his floor is only around 10 points.

GOALKEEPER

Alexander Nubel, S04 v. GAL ($5,000): This is as easy as it gets for goalkeeper because Schalke are not only decent favorites, but this match has the lowest expected goal total. Nubel should be set for another start after grabbing a clean sheet in the scoreless draw against Galatasaray last UCL match. The saves may not be there, but as a cheaper goalkeeper, he's hard to pass up. The more popular option will likely be Michel Vorm ($4,000) since he'll likely start for the suspended Hugo Lloris, but the worry is that Spurs haven't played well in the back and already allowed two goals to PSV in their last meeting.