Yahoo DFS Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EST)

12:55 p.m: FK Crvena Zvezda v. Liverpool
12:55 p.m: Monaco v. Club Brugge
3:00 p.m: Atletico Madrid v. Borussia Dortmund
3:00 p.m: Tottenham v. PSV Eindhoven
3:00 p.m: Schalke v. Galatasaray
3:00 p.m: Napoli v. Paris Saint-Germain
3:00 p.m: Porto v. Lokomotiv Moscow
3:00 p.m: Inter Milan v. Barcelona

FORWARDS

Mohamed Salah, LIV at CRV (€27): Liverpool are the biggest favorites on the slate and have the highest implied goal total, so it's only natural to consider rostering their best goal scorer and leading shot taker. Salah failed to get on the scoresheet in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal last weekend, but he still managed three shots and two accurate crosses. However, he had four goals on 12 shots (seven on target) and two assists in the previous three games, including a brace against Crvena Zvezda in their match two weeks ago. Even though that one was in England, the trip to Serbia shouldn't be enough to slow Salah down and make him one of the highest owned players in cash games and GPPs.

Luis Suarez, BCN v. INT (€21): Saurez has stepped up significantly since Lionel Messi (€28) went down with an injury back on Oct. 20, as he has six goals on 26 shots (14 on goal) and two assists on nine chances created in his last four games, one of which included a goal and an assist in the match Messi suffered his injury. Messi could return Tuesday, though it would be surprising if he started given the matchup and small amount of time since he returned to full training. Meanwhile, Suarez still has strong anytime goal scorer odds against a decent Inter defense, and his price is low enough that relying on shots and shots on goal may not be that bad if he fails to find the back of the net.

Moussa Marega, PTO v. LOKO (€20): Marega will lead the line for the second-biggest favorite on the slate, and while Porto are not expected to score a lot of goals, Marega is certainly the one who is most likely to find the back of the net. He has scored in both of his last two Champions League matches, including a penalty in the reverse fixture in Moscow, and he's also scored in his last two Primeira Liga matches, taking four shots in each of those games. He's unlikely to rack up the peripheral stats, but his lower salary than the elite options can help elsewhere in a lineup. If you want to go even lower, PSV Eindhoven's Hirving Lozano (€16) is an interesting option who is unlikely to be highly owned because PSV are big underdogs away to Tottenham, but he's a very dangerous attacker who has had at least five shots, chances created or fouls drawn in each Champions League game this season.

MIDFIELDERS

Dries Mertens, NAP v. PSG (€20): Mertens has been red hot for Napoli, scoring six goals on 14 shots (nine on goal) and assisting two others on 15 chances created in his past four games, including a ridiculous hat trick and an assist on nine chances created in last weekend's win over Empoli. One of those goals (and five of those shots) came against PSG in the reverse fixture in France, and he'll now return home as a slight underdog but in a match expected to have goals. With so many really strong forward options on the slate, it's tough to use a spot for Lorenzo Insigne (€20) or Jose Maria Callejon (€21), but Mertens gives us the most forward attacker for Napoli but in a midfield spot in our DFS rosters.

Yehven Konoplyanka, S04 v. GAL (€19): The Schalke-Galatasaray match has the lowest implied goal total, but Schalke are still comfortably favored and Konoplyanka is a volume shooter who can really explode if he finds the back of the net. Unfortunately, that's been an issue this season, as he comes in with zero goals on 14 shots in all competitions (he's only started five matches). Nevertheless, he's a strong attacker who has taken 11 shots in his last three starts, and he has the most upside in the Schalke midfield.

Koke, ATM v. BVB (€18): Despite not taking a shot and losing 4-0, Koke still managed to score 5.00 fantasy points in the reverse fixture in Germany thanks to his 70 completed passes. With Atletico Madrid now favored at home, and likely to have more possession, Koke presents as an interesting option thanks to his role on set pieces. He's been dealing with an injury of late, and if he's forced to start on the bench, Thomas Lemar (€16) makes for an solid alternative.

DEFENDERS

Alex Telles, PTO v. LOKO (€15): Telles has a monopoly of set pieces for Porto, who come in with the second-highest win and clean sheet odds. He's a prototypical attacking fullback, and he looks like an absolute steal with 18 other defenders priced higher.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, LIV at CRV (€16): Alexander-Arnold may have a role on set pieces for Liverpool, who come in with the highest clean sheet odds as well as the highest implied goal total. Given the former situation, there could be plenty of Liverpool defensive stacks, though it's tough to go too deep because none of their expected starters are cheap. Nevertheless, Alexander-Arnold's floor from shots, accurate crosses and tackles won is strong, and with Liverpool expected to score multiple goals, the upside is there as well.

Kieran Trippier, TOT v. PSV (€19): Trippier's role on set pieces for the third-biggest favorite on the slate could make him a popular target, even as the highest-priced defender by a full two euros. He plays a major part in the Tottenham attack, and while the clean sheet against PSV won't be easy, Trippier makes up for it with his attacking upside.

GOALKEEPER

Iker Casillas, PTO v. LOKO (€15): Regular Tottenham starter Hugo Lloris (€17) is tied for the highest price at goalkeeper, but he's suspended for the home match against PSV, leaving either Michel Vorm (€14) or Paulo Gazzaniga (€10) to start in his place. While Vorm provides some salary savings from Lloris, it's not as egregious an amount as Gazzaniga that he becomes a near must-play. In fact, if you want to be in that range, the small bump up to Casillas probably makes more sense, especially since Porto have significantly higher clean sheet odds, and he's not as expensive as Liverpool's Alisson (€17).

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Andrew M. Laird plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: kingmorland, DraftKings: andrewmlaird, Yahoo: Lairdinho.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew is a former RotoWire contributor. He was the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
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