This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 3:00 pm: Ajax vs. Borussia Dortmund
- 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. Liverpool
- 3:00 pm: FC Porto vs. AC Milan
- 3:00 pm: FC Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Real Madrid
- 3:00 pm: Inter Milan vs. Sheriff Tiraspol
- 3:00 pm: Paris Saint-Germain vs. RB Leipzig
FORWARDS / MIDFIELDERS
Lionel Messi, PSG v. LEI ($23): As is the case on most slates involving Lionel Messi, he has the top goal-scoring odds and is on a heavily favored team. He was held out of Friday's win over Angers after playing for Argentina the day before and should come back into the lineup Tuesday on a few extra days of rest. He hasn't quite hit top gear for Paris Saint-Germain yet, scoring one goal in the Champions League thus far. Messi scored once during the international break and will look to double his Champions League scoring tally. His running mate, Kylian Mbappe ($22), has been in better form, scoring five goals and providing two assists in Ligue 1, and setting up two assists in the Champions League. PSG will be without Neymar, so it may be worth honing in on those two, especially while facing a RB Leipzig side who have conceded eight goals through two group stage matches. Christopher Nkunku ($17) has been electric for Leipzig, scoring four goals in the Champions League and eight in all competitions. He's slightly cheaper and is a solid play considering the injury issues Paris Saint-Germain are facing.
Sebastien Haller AJA v. DOR ($20): Haller has an absurd five goals through two Champions League matches, producing score lines of 41.6 and 81.3 (!) fantasy points. His value has risen so this is unlikely to be the sneakiest of plays. This match has the highest implied goal total of the six matches with Ajax slightly favored at home. Steven Berghuis ($18) is a cheaper pivot, who has two goals and an assist in the group stage. He has a shared role on set pieces as an added bonus. Dusan Tadic ($19) should take the majority of set pieces and is always a danger given Ajax's attacking prowess. They'll be facing a Borussia Dortmund side who have won both of their first two group matches and boast an attack of Erling Haaland ($21), Jude Bellingham ($18) Donyell Malen ($19) and Marco Reus ($17). Haaland is of course the best option, though Bellingham offers the best value in my mind. He's provided an assist in both matches and added a goal in the previous outing. A slight discount in comparison to Haaland makes him easier to fit into your lineup and he has a solid floor due to his defensive work.
Lautaro Martinez / Edin Dzeko INT v. TIR ($20): Inter Milan are the biggest favorite on the slate with the highest-implied goal total. Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez have two of the top three highest goal-scoring odds behind a guy named Lionel Messi. They both had productive matches in the first group stage match against Real Madrid (17.3 points for Martinez, 19.3 for Dzeko) before struggling against Shakhtar Donetsk. Dzeko has been in great form in Serie A, scoring six goals and providing an assist through seven matches, while Martinez has also been quality, scoring five goals in that same sample size. Adama Traore ($17) has been the main man for Sheriff Tiraspol, scoring a goal, providing an assist and contributing in a variety of other ways in the first two UCL matches. Sebastien Thill ($16) scored in the win over Madrid and has had a solid floor due to the peripheral stats he picks up as a holding midfielder.
Mohamed Salah, LIV at ATL ($20): I wouldn't be very good at writing about fantasy soccer if I didn't at least include Europe's most in-form player. Salah has scored in eight-straight matches and boasts 10 goals to go along with four assists in 10 appearances. His body of work speaks for itself and he should be one of the higher-owned players on Tuesday's slate. It's worth noting this match has the lowest-implied goal total of the six matches given both team's defensive abilities. Despite Salah enjoying the limelight, Sadio Mane ($19) is also back in form, scoring six goals in 10 matches (one in UCL), while Roberto Firmino scored a hat-trick Saturday against Watford and played well enough to keep his place in the side. Diogo Jota ($18) was rested Saturday and may also have a part to play Tuesday. Luis Suarez ($19) faces his former team and has scored four goals in the past four matches.
Maycon, SHK v. MAD ($15): Maycon is on the cheaper end of the pricing structure and takes set pieces for Shakhtar Donetsk. He created eight scoring chances in the first match of the group stage and will help ease the budget if you need the space. A matchup against Real Madrid isn't an ideal matchup, though the set pieces should help his floor if he can create a couple scoring chances. Casemiro ($11) doesn't offer a lot in attack, but he will be playing for a favorite and his defensive work often gives him a floor around 10 points.
DEFENDERS
Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV v. ATM ($14): Even if Alexander-Arnold was max price at $15 I would tell you to go with him. He's likely to be the highest-owned defender on the slate and he should be. He missed the 5-1 win over FC Porto, which is likely the reason for his drop in price. The right-back is fully fit and should take a majority of Liverpool's set-pieces. He's averaging over three chances created in the Premier League and it would be no surprise to see similar numbers despite a tough matchup against Atletico Madrid. Andrew Robertson ($13) is a solid pivot and should be as involved in the attack as Alexander-Arnold.
Cristiano, TIR v. INT ($11): Sheriff have been the surprise team so far and Cristiano (no, not that Cristiano) has been one of the biggest producers. On top of three assists in two matches, he's created two scoring chances, made four clearances and one interception in both matches while also adding six tackles. He's been a monster in both attack and defense and should warrant consideration at his price.
GOALKEEPERS
Diogo Costa, POR v. ACM ($10): Samir Handanovic ($14) and Inter Milan have the top clean sheet odds, though Sheriff Tiraspol have scored in both matches and Inter have just two clean sheets in 10 matches this season. Giorgos Athanasiadis ($6) is the cheapest expected starter and has been rock solid in both matches, finishing with 26 and 34.5 points. He should see plenty of work against Inter and would offer plenty of budget flexibility. Jan Oblak ($9) is usually at least double digits but is facing a Liverpool side that have been playing well. Similar to Athanasiadis, he should see plenty of save opportunities, though the clean sheet will be tough to come by. Diogo Costa conceded five goals to Liverpool in the previous Champions League match but still ended up in double digits while making eight saves. He's finished with at least 11.5 points in consecutive matches and will face a beat-up AC Milan side, a team FC Porto could conceivably beat while Costa has a big day.
