FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

4:00 p.m: Liverpool v. Porto
4:00 p.m: Tottenham v. Manchester City

FORWARDS

Roberto Firmino, LIV v. POR ($9,000): The price on Firmino is kind of weird, and that likely means he'll be a chalk forward. He's one of the cheaper starters even though Liverpool are the biggest favorite on a short slate. Firmino has somewhat disappointed in the Champions League, but he's made the scoresheet in his last three starts and has been active in all facets, producing nine shots and seven chances in that period. Going with Moussa Marega ($9,500) or Tiquinho Soares ($8,000) is more of a GPP play because you can't trust either one to make the scoresheet at Anfield, where Liverpool have allowed just 10 goals in 16 Premier League matches.

Sergio Aguero, MCI at TOT  ($11,000): This spot goes to whoever starts for City and I think that'll be Aguero after Gabriel Jesus got the call Saturday. Aguero has missed the last two matches but should be ready after being in contention for the Brighton fixture this past weekend. I don't completely trust Aguero in this spot, but I don't want to spend more on Harry Kane ($12,000) as an underdog. City have won the last two meetings between these teams (combined 4-1 score line), both coming at Wembley. Aguero's health is somewhat of a concern, but he has the best odds to score of any forward on the slate. There aren't many other options if you don't want Kane and Aguero, though you could throw in a Porto forward with Firmino and get more money to spend at midfield.

MIDFIELDERS

Sadio Mane, LIV v. POR ($10,000): Since Mohamed Salah ($9,000) is cheaper, I think Mane is the smarter play, at least if you want to fade the public. Salah scored last match, and while they have about the same floors, going with the slightly more expensive Mane may be the best bet. Mane hasn't scored in the last two matches, which is the biggest worry, but he still doesn't break the bank and is just as easy to trust as any of the Man City midfielders. If you don't think Liverpool are going to score, Raheem Sterling ($10,500) is probably the way to go. 

Christian Eriksen, TOT v. MCI ($8,500): Until Eriksen is no longer priced like a mid-range midfielder, I'll continue to use him. This isn't a great matchup, but if Tottenham are to take something away from this match, it'll likely involve Eriksen. He has one goal and two assists in his last two starts and, maybe more importantly, 11 shots and 14 chances created in his last three. There aren't many safe options on this slate, but Eriksen has a better floor than most and is at least at home. If you use Kane, it makes a little more sense to roll with Eriksen, but there are still reasons to use him no matter who you have at forward. If you have a few extra bucks, Kevin De Bruyne ($9,000) may be the better bet, but he could be the most popular Man City midfielder.

Fernandinho, MCI at TOT ($5,500): There are better value upside plays, but with Fernandinho, you know what you're getting. He's hit at least 10 fantasy points in his last four starts in all competitions through a variety of ways, and that's been the case most of the season, as he averages 2.65 clearances, 2.17 tackles, 1.58 interceptions and 0.83 chances created per 90 minutes in league play. The upside isn't there, but you're not spending much for 10 points. You could look at Danilo Pereira ($5,000) in this range and hope he stocks up defensive stats, and the same could be said for Jordan Henderson and Harry Winks at $5,500, though neither are as consistent as Fernandinho.

DEFENDERS

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. POR ($7,000): Since you can't go that cheap at forward, it'll be tough to spend up on a defender. However, Alexander-Arnold has the safest floor and also maybe the best upside of any defender, averaging more than two chances created per start. He has taken 19 corners in the last three matches and could also get a tackle boost since Porto have allowed the third-most to defenders in the Champions League. Liverpool's back line could look a little different without Andrew Robertson, so left-back is worth monitoring for a cheaper play.

Toby Alderweireld, TOT v. MCI ($5,000): The Tottenham defenders don't usually have great floors, but that could change in this match because Man City have forced the second-most blocks, second-most clearances and third-most tackles to defenders in the Premier League. That should help Alderweireld reach at least 10 fantasy points (he had 11.5 in their October meeting) and that's all you can ask on this slate. Teammate Jan Vertonghen ($6,000) is more expensive because he's had some better performances in the UCL, but their stats are fairly even for the season.

Maxi Pereira, POR at LIV ($5,000): It's unknown what Porto's back line will look like, but this recommendation goes to whoever is the cheapest starter. That could be Pereira, who came off the bench in a league match last Friday. This is the best situation to produce defensive stats, so any of their defenders can be considered, though Alex Telles ($7,000) is the obvious upside play due to his role on corners. Liverpool have forced the most clearances, second-most interceptions and fourth-most blocks in league play, and that will only benefit Porto, especially away.

GOALKEEPER

Alisson, LIV v. POR ($5,000): Similar to Firmino, Alisson could be the chalk goalkeeper with the best odds to win and secure a clean sheet. In addition to dominating at home in the Premier League, he's held Bayern Munich and Napoli scoreless in the last two UCL matches. It wouldn't be crazy to use Ederson ($5,500) given Tottenham's inconsistencies, but it's hard to support spending more money on goalkeeper in this situation. Sure, ride with Iker Casillas ($4,500) in GPP, but not in cash games.