FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

• 3:00 pm: Ajax vs. Liverpool
• 3:00 pm: Bayern Munich vs. Atlético Madrid
• 3:00 pm: FC Midtjylland vs. Atalanta
• 3:00 pm: Inter Milan vs. Mönchengladbach
• 3:00 pm: Manchester City vs. FC Porto
• 3:00 pm: Olympiacos vs. Marseille

FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS

Robert Lewandowski, BAY v. ATM ($23): The matchup isn't overly favorable for Lewandowski, but that's not going to stop Bayern Munich. In their final four UCL matches last campaign, Lewandowski had four goals and three assists from 10 shots on target and eight chances created. While Atletico have allowed just one goal through four league matches, none came against a team like Bayern. Lewandowski has similar odds to score as Sergio Aguero ($19), but the latter has a low floor and is unlikely to go a full 90 after returning from a knee injury over the weekend. Given some absences, you could stack four Bayern players and still have enough money, as Thomas Muller ($18), Kingsley Coman ($14) and Douglas Costa ($12) don't cost an overwhelming amount. Of note, Bayern's implied goal total may be the lowest they've had in months, sitting just above two goals. Because of that, there is a viable route to fading them, but just know they can score four or five goals against anyone in the world.

Mohamed Salah, LIV at AJA ($22): Ajax have had decent success in the Champions League in prior seasons, but they lost a few players from last campaign and have allowed one goal in each of their last three league matches. The other selling point is that Liverpool aren't having trouble scoring and this match has the highest implied goal total on the slate. While there are multiple options to stack with Lewandowski, the most reasonable stacking piece to Salah is Sadio Mane ($21). If you like Liverpool, it's not hard to get both of them in your lineup. I prefer Salah because of his role on penalties and he creates more for teammates, leading to a higher floor. Salah has been awesome in league play, totaling six goals from 11 shots on target and 15 chances created. Mane isn't far behind with four goals from eight shots on target and eight chances created in one fewer match. I'm not sure anyone else is worth backing for the Reds unless you decide to use Roberto Firmino ($16) in a tournament. The other GPP move is to back Ajax in the hopes of goals from both sides. Dusan Tadic ($18) probably has the best floor, but Quincy Promes ($16) and Antony ($14) should get opportunities against a make-shift Liverpool back line that features Adrian in net.

Duvan Zapata, ATA at MCH ($19): Atalanta aren't one of the big teams, and that's an advantage on this slate because a lot of their players are cheaper than they should be. They have the second-highest implied goal total and third-best odds to win against Midtjylland, who are in this spot because they beat Slavia Prague, Young Boys and Ludogorets. For Atalanta, they're still flying high with 14 goals scored and nine allowed in four league matches. They'll put pressure on Midtjylland's back line, and Zapata has the best goal odds because he's usually the lead striker. Alejandro Gomez ($20) may have the higher floor because he's on set pieces, and you have to pay for it, while Luis Muriel ($14) is more of a value play even though he's scored in each of his two starts this season. If Atalanta use both Zapata and Muriel up front, it could be worth it to stack them in hopes of getting every Atalanta goal in case they go for three or four. If you think they'll allow chances, it's more of a toss up, though former Celta Vigo man Pione Sisto ($8) is a nice correlation stack for cheap.

Jonas Hofmann, BMG at INT ($14): I expect there to be goals in this matchup even though the odds don't have it as one of the higher-scoring ones. Monchengladbach have allowed at least one goal in every league match this season and gave up three to Dortmund in the opener, their lone match against a Champions League quality side. It's been similar for Inter, who have allowed multiple goals in three of four matches. Hofmann is surprisingly cheap even though he takes all set pieces for Gladbach, leading to a solid floor. He has eight shots in four matches and more importantly, 13 chances created. If you need a cheaper play in your cash lineup, Hofmann makes the most sense, while teammates Alassane Plea ($18) and Marcus Thuram ($17) are more likely to score. If you want every goal in this match, you could stack those two with Romelu Lukaku ($20) and Lautaro Martinez ($18). 

DEFENDERS

Erik Sviatchenko, MCH v. ATA ($6): Sviatchenko is not as cheap as teammate Joel Andersson ($5), but he plays center-back and is more likely to rack up defensive stats. This is simply a play on one of the cheaper defenders on the slate because even though Atalanta love to attack, they don't force a ton of defensive stats, though that could change in this matchup. A Midtjylland defensive stack is a fine strategy because it allows you to spend up at forward. The other projected starter in this range is Rafinha ($6), who plays opposite Jose Holebas ($9), both full-backs are in their mid-30s.

Andrew Robertson, LIV at AJA ($14): Similar to Angelino on Tuesday, it doesn't hurt to stretch for a defender who gets forward and takes set pieces. Robertson is cheaper than Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) despite being a better fantasy option this season. Robertson has one goal, two assists and eight chances created in five league matches. His floor can reach 20 points if everything goes right, but to be worth it, you need him to make the score-sheet and connect with Salah or Mane.

GOALKEEPER

Marco Sportiello, ATA at MCH ($5): Sportiello is going to be the most popular goalkeeper, so if you hate that strategy, don't use him. He's starting for the injured Pierluigi Gollini, and while he may not secure a clean sheet, he's really cheap and has great odds to win. If you're fading Man City, Agustin Marchesin ($7) is an option against a side that is still figuring things out and won't feature Kevin De Bruyne. Unlike Tuesday, none of the top goalkeeping options have great odds to secure clean sheets, though Ederson ($14) is the biggest favorite. Otherwise, the Olympiacos-Marseille match has the lowest implied goal total, so Jose Sa ($12) and Steve Mandanda ($8) are in play.