FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EST)

• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Liverpool
• 3:00 pm: Borussia Dortmund vs. Paris Saint-Germain

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Tuesday UCL Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Neymar, PSG at DOR ($23): If you don't have at least one goal scorer on your team, you're unlikely to cash. While Neymar has a rib issue, if he starts, I'd bet on him to go the full 90 and make the score-sheet. He's gone a full 90 in each of his last eight starts (seven league, one UCL), leading to nine goals and eight assists. I know Kylian Mbappe ($22) has the same upside, but he doesn't take set pieces and that separates the two. Even then, Neymar is producing at a ridiculous rate with 0.95 goals and 0.44 assists per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 play. PSG are slight favorites and they've been able to score against everyone no matter the location, including a 2-2 draw at Real Madrid in the group stage without Neymar. 

Mohamed Salah, LIV at ATL ($20): There is a viable strategy in stacking Salah and Sadio Mane ($20), but that may only be worth it in GPP. It's more likely the PSG forwards go off because Atletico want this match to be scoreless, and that's why the implied goal total is barely above two goals. However, I have to write about at least one of these guys because why would you bet against Liverpool? Mane is back from injury, but Salah is the safer play as the penalty taker. Salah has been great in league play with 23 shots (seven on target) and 11 chances created in his last five starts. Atletico are known for defense, but they haven't been invincible this season, partly because of injuries, and there's a decent chance Liverpool control possession. Even against Valencia last league match, Atletico managed just 37 percent possession in a 2-2 draw. It's not a common occurrence, but Liverpool may be one of the better GPP routes on this two-match slate.

Jadon Sancho, DOR v. PSG ($16): Teammate Erling Haaland ($18) has the best odds to score on the slate, but Sancho has the higher floor. In fact, Sancho has taken up a new role and has nine corners in the last two league matches, and that's in addition to six goals and six assists in his last eight league starts. Haaland is the big signing, but he's mostly a goal poacher who doesn't have much of a floor. The one thing about PSG is that they love to attack, which often leads to favorable opportunities for opponents. They're cruising through Ligue 1 but gave up two goals in their most difficult match in the group stage at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Dortmund scored at least three goals in each of their last five home matches in league play, and I think they'll grab a couple against PSG with Sancho likely being involved. If you're sticking with PSG, Mauro Icardi ($18) and Angel Di Maria ($17) are worthy options in this range. 

Saul Niguez, ATL v. LIV ($11): The best thing about Saul is that he holds the same value no matter the position he plays. He's been an outside midfielder, central midfielder and left-back all in the last month, and he tends to rack up similar numbers every match, mostly from the defensive end. He doesn't have much upside which is why he's cheap, but he's usually around 10 fantasy points and if Liverpool control this match, he could come close to 20 points from defensive stats alone. There's not much to be excited about in this range, though it's possible Fabinho ($8) will be a chalk option as the cheapest player. His floor may be lower than someone like Saul, but the money you save could mean the difference between Neymar and Salah.

DEFENDERS

Dan-Axel Zagadou, DOR v. PSG ($8): Zagadou should be the most popular defender on this slate, at least in cash games. He's averaging 3.82 clearances and 1.71 interceptions per 90 minutes in league play and, more importantly, he's the only expected starter at minimum price. A lot of people will blindly select him and I can't argue that strategy since this will be an up-and-down match in which PSG force a ton of defensive action. Stacking him with Lukasz Piszczek ($9) is a decent strategy, though I prefer Zagadou if you had to pick. I'd stay away from Santiago Arias ($9) if he starts because he returned from injury over the weekend and went just 66 minutes; I'd be more inclined to use Sime Vrsaljko ($9) if he starts instead.

Marquinhos, PSG at DOR ($12): If you don't go full value at defender, Marquinhos may be the next-best option. He's back from injury and slated to start Tuesday if all goes well. No matter his position or matchup, he tends to hit 10 fantasy points with upside possible against better attacking sides (like Dortmund). I like him a tad more than Thiago Silva ($11), who may not be ready for a full 90, and Stefan Savic ($11), who doesn't produce consistent defensive numbers. If, for some reason, you have money, Mats Hummels ($15) and Felipe ($15) are probably the safest bets and both could have floors near 20 points.

GOALKEEPER

Alisson Becker, LIV at ATL ($13): Liverpool are favored in the match with the lowest implied goal total and Alisson has 11 clean sheets in his last 12 starts in UCL and league play. Alvaro Morata may be back for Atletico, but that doesn't sell me on their attack, which has 25 goals in 24 La Liga matches. The other method would be to back Jan Oblak ($11) and hope for a scoreless draw. I'd rather spend the extra two dollars and bank on a win and clean sheet.