Yahoo DFS Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

Yahoo DFS Soccer: Tuesday UCL Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Soccer series.

MATCHES (EST)

3:00 p.m: Manchester United v. Paris Saint-Germain
3:00 p.m: Roma v. FC Porto

FORWARDS

Edin Dzeko, ROM v. PTO (€27): Roma are the biggest favorite on the slate and no one has higher anytime goal scorer odds than Dzeko, who has three goals on 14 shots (nine on target) and one assist on four chances created in his last three starts. His fantasy returns have been inconsistent this season, but Dzeko's 5.00 shots per 90 minutes during the group stage is the most of any player on Tuesday's slate. In fact, that was actually a decrease from his Serie A average of 5.23, so it's not like we're cherry picking some high-shooting games. He is the second-most expensive player on the slate, but with some attractive lower-priced values, Dzeko isn't high enough where he'll be underowned in cash games or GPPs.

Marcus Rashford, MUN v. PSG (€21): Rashford has been on an absolute tear over his last eight games, scoring six goals on 37 shots (19 on target) and assisting another on nine chances created while also drawing 15 fouls. Manchester United are hardly overwhelming favorites against Paris Saint-Germain, but Rashford's relatively low price will make him popular, especially with the fourth-best anytime goal scorer odds on the slate. There are certainly ways to pivot off Dzeko and Rashford for those who want to differentiate, but it's tough to argue those alternatives are as reliable or have as high upsides.

Kylian Mbappe, PSG at MUN (€28): Mbappe is the most expensive player on the slate, and PSG will need him to come up really big if they want to get a result at Old Trafford without the injured duo of Neymar (19 goals and nine assists in Ligue 1 and the Champions League) and Edinson Cavani (24 goals and five assists). Since PSG's last Champions League group stage match, Mbappe has scored six goals on 22 shots (16 on target) and assisted two others on 12 chances created over five starts, and those averages would be excellent even at his high price Tuesday. Again, there are a number of forwards you can pivot to, but it'll be tough to get as much at the lower prices.

MIDFIELDERS

Paul Pogba, MUN v. PSG (€23): While Rashford has been great recently, there hasn't been a hotter player in the Premier League than Pogba, who has eight goals on 39 shots (21 on target), five assists on 18 chances created and 17 fouls drawn in his last nine matches. He had a few memorable performances during the group stage, though he did struggle in both matches against Juventus, who are more on the level of Paris Saint-Germain than Young Boys. That being said, there should be plenty of attacking in Tuesday's match, and Pogba's moderate salary will almost ensure he's the highest-owned midfielder on the slate.

Lorenzo Pellegrini, ROM v. PTO (€17): Pellegrini's role on set pieces could make him an attractive option for the biggest favorite on the slate. His playing time has been very sporadic due to injuries, so it's no guarantee he actually starts, but his mid-tier price puts him in play. If you want cheaper exposure to the Roma attack, Nicolo Zaniolo (€10) comes in with three goals on 12 shots (eight on target) and two assists on five chances created in his last six games; not bad for a minimum-priced player.

Julian Draxler, PSG at MUN (€10): Speaking of minimum-priced players, Draxler is a steal because of his role for PSG, as he's taken on a share of set pieces with Neymar out. It's helped him pick up an assist in each of his last three starts, and his ability to win tackles while still taking multiple shots is just too much to pass up for such a low salary.

DEFENDERS

Aleksandar Kolarov, ROM v, PTO (€17): Kolarov is a solid open-play contributor in the attack, but he could have a role on set pieces if Pellegrini doesn't make the starting XI. It's also possible he shares those opportunities with Alessandro Florenzi (€12), who isn't a bad play himself because of his cheaper price and potential for a clean sheet. Both games could be close, but Porto have by far the lowest implied goal total.

Alex Telles, PTO at ROM (€16): Telles' role on set pieces for Porto gives him somewhat of a floor because he's a pretty accurate crosser, though he'll need to have a number of defensive stats to pay off this price if he doesn't make the scoresheet. If you have no faith in the Porto defense, which isn't a crazy belief, there's no harm in fading them completely, but you're then turning to either Roma or the match with the highest implied total.

Ashley Young, MUN v. PSG (€14): Young is another potential defender with set-piece responsibilities, and while he's facing a usually very dangerous PSG attack, they'll be without two of their top goal scorers. Young isn't the most accurate crosser, but he has enough volume where he could connect with a few teammates, plus he does additional defensive work that makes this salary a pretty easy play given the lack of choices overall.

GOALKEEPER

Antonio Mirante, ROM v. PTO (€10): Mirante figures to be the highest-owned goalkeeper on the slate if he starts because he's minimum priced while playing for the team with the best win and clean sheet odds. Regular starting goalkeeper Robin Olsen (€17) is doubtful with a calf injury, which is why we could get such a steal on Mirante. Even if he doesn't have a great performance, the €7 savings from David de Gea, €6 from Iker Casillas and €5 from Gianluigi Buffon is more than worth the risk.

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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