FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Targets

MATCHES (ET)

• 3:00 pm: Atlético Madrid vs. AC Milan
• 3:00 pm: Club Brugge vs. RB Leipzig
• 3:00 pm: Liverpool vs. FC Porto
• 3:00 pm: Manchester City vs. Paris Saint-Germain
• 3:00 pm: Sheriff Tiraspol vs. Real Madrid
• 3:00 pm: Sporting CP vs. Borussia Dortmund

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UCL Cheat Sheet 

FORWARDS / MIDFIELDERS

Vinicius Junior, MAD at TIR ($20): Real Madrid are the biggest favorite on the slate with an implied goal total at 2.5, making their attack coveted despite a trip to Sheriff Tiraspol. Karim Benzema ($22) has the highest goal-scoring odds on the slate and his top-tier price coincides with those numbers. His running mate, Vinicius, has been great over his past three matches with two goals, three assists and nine chances created. In his previous outing against Sheriff Tiraspol, he went off for 66.6 points and could help Real Madrid move one step closer to clinching the top spot in the group. For Sheriff, Sebastien Thill ($16) has finished with over 20 points in all four matches and is a steal at his price, while Adama Traore ($14) is another cheap attacker who's been performing despite consistently playing for an underdog. 

Christopher Nkunku, LEI at BRU ($20): There are few players who have dominated the Champions League group stage like Nkunku has. He's scored over 30 points in three of four matches while finding the back of the net five times. Leipzig are favored despite playing away from home and this match has the second-highest implied goal total of the six matches. Nkunku has created at least two scoring chances in eight of the 16 matches he's started this season and offers enough to warrant his stiff price. Andre Silva ($19) was productive in two matchups against Paris Saint-Germain and he'll look to continue his streak of 20-plus point performances against Brugge. Hans Vanaken ($16) produced a 31.5-point outing in the last matchup against Leipzig and should once again be productive against a backline that has conceded 14 goals in four matches.  

Pote, LIS v. DOR ($18): After missing the first two matches of the season, Pote or Pedro Goncalves (for clarification), has created six chances, scored two goals and provided one assist over the past two matches. His reintroduction to the starting XI has coincided with Sporting scoring eight goals total in the two outings and should keep him in the lineup. Despite facing a tougher opponent in Borussia Dortmund, Lisbon are hardly an underdog and will benefit from facing a side missing a large portion of their starting lineup. Paulinho ($19) is a bit more expensive but a solid pivot, who has scored in three of four Champions League matches. Marco Reus ($19) has scored in three-straight matches for Dortmund and leads them in chances created this season. Jude Bellingham ($17) is an alternative to Reus and has been consistent with at least 11 points in all four matches. He operates in a more central role and his floor is protected by his defensive work. 

Takumi Minamino, LIV v. POR ($11): This is a pretty speculative play, but with first place in the group already wrapped up, Jurgen Klopp will likely need to rotate part of his attack, even more so when you consider Diogo Jota ($18) subbed off late in Saturday's win over Arsenal. Roberto Firmino has already been ruled out, which will give Takumi Minamino a real chance to start in attack. He scored Liverpool's fourth goal Saturday and will have a good chance to meet or exceed his $11 value against Porto, who Liverpool beat 5-1 in their previous meeting. Mohamed Salah ($21) will garner his typical attention, though bear in mind he may see some rest, whether that's late in the match or even left on the bench. Sadio Mane ($19) is a similar story to Salah, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain ($14) has started the past three matches as a central midfielder but could be asked to play further in attack depending on who is rested. All in all, there should be some value to squeeze out of Liverpool's starting XI. Luis Diaz ($16) has scored in consecutive group-stage matches and will likely face a rotated Liverpool backline. 

DEFENDERS

Gustavo Dulanto, TIR v. MAD ($13): Dulanto leads all defenders with nine blocked shots, which is partly due to Sheriff playing under pressure for long stretches. He's also contributing over six clearances per match and has a high enough floor to warrant serious consideration despite Real Madrid visiting. He won't offer much in attack, though that's not why you roster him. Simon Kjaer ($13) operates in a similar fashion for AC Milan and they aren't as big of underdogs as Sheriff will be. 

Kostas Tsimikas, LIV v. POR ($11): I wrote about Tsimikas for last Saturday's EPL slate when he was $13. He came away with a clean sheet, two chances created and two tackles won. As noted with Takumi Minamino, Liverpool are dealing with injuries and have already locked up first place. Andrew Robertson ($13) was held out against Arsenal and Tsimikas has a great chance to keep his place in the side at a cheaper price. Even with Trent Alexander-Arnold ($15) as the top defensive option, Tsimikas has the chance to outproduce him. Neco Williams ($5) could replace Alexander-Arnold in the starting XI, and he'd be worth a flyer at his price. Joel Matip ($8) and Ibrahima Konate ($7) could pair at center-back for the first time, as well. 

GOALKEEPERS

Jan Oblak, ATM v. ACM ($13): Diogo Costa ($9) could face a rotated Liverpool side in a must-win match for Porto. In the previous match against Liverpool, he conceded five goals but made eight saves, which resulted in an 11.5-point performance. Keylor Navas ($8) has started the past two matches over Gianluigi Donnarumma ($8) and could rack up the saves when they face Manchester City. Thibaut Courtois ($14) and Real Madrid have the top clean-sheet odds, though Sheriff have scored in all four group matches. Alisson Becker ($11) could be rotated for Caoimhin Kelleher ($5), but if he isn't, he's in a good spot playing at home. Jan Oblak is expensive, but in a match where Atletico Madrid need to grind out a result against AC Milan, there's no one else I'd rather roster. He finished with 10.5 in the previous meeting against the Italian side.