UCL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (9/20/23) - Champions League Soccer Matchweek 1 Day 2

Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 23-24 season! Finally, a new season is here and we can welcome back our beloved Futbol. Many clubs have made big moves this offseason to help bolster their cup chances. Will an English club take home the coveted Champions League final on home turf?

The top favorite this week is Arsenal -270 vs PSV Eindhoven +650. I will guide you through this six-match slate starting at 3:00 P.M. EST.

If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.

UCL DFS Goalies

Goalies

Yan Sommer - DK $4.9K || FD $10

Opponent - Real Sociedad

This is as lopsided of a matchup as you can get when you involve two ‘big-named’ clubs. Per the usual, the hosts, Real Sociedad continue to struggle to score goals – something that has plagued them for years – and Inter Milan is playing lights-out defense. The visitors have conceded just once in competitive play this season – a 5-1 win over rivals AC Milan. Otherwise, they are outscoring opponents 10-0 through three domestic fixtures. With such an up-in-the-air slate, Sommer is a ‘lock’ to hit value.                             

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Trubin (DK $5.7K || FD $14), Dmitrovic (DK $5.2K || FD $10)

UCL DFS Forwards

Bukayo Saka - DK $10.2K || FD $20

Opponent - PSV Eindhoven

Outside of the occasional striker, hint...hint, Harry Kane, this slate is full of question marks. Too many pickem matchups and not enough value from strikers if they do not manage to score or assist, however, Saka is one of the only outliers. The winger is the bread and butter of Arsenal now that teammate Gabriel Martinelli is out after being injured at the weekend.

Throughout his first five domestic fixtures this season, Saka has 2 goals, 2 assists, 12 shots, 15 created chances, 35 crosses, 25 corners, 13 tackles, 1 interception, and 3 clearances. PSV will not be a walk in the park, but this match will provide fireworks and Saka will be at the forefront.                       

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Osimhen (DK $8.9K || FD $21), Thuram (DK $8.4K || FD $15)

UCL DFS Midfielders

Angel Di Maria - DK $7K || FD $21

Opponent - Red Bull Salzburg

Di Maria is an absolute steal and for those of you not paying attention to the Argentine’s first season back at Benfica, he is tearing the league apart. In five domestic appearances, he has 4 goals, 1 assist, 19 shots, 32 crosses, 10 corners, 2 tackles and 3 blocks. Red Bull Salzburg is on the verge of 1.00 Goals Against Per 90 and against a deadly Benfica side that can bag goals in the blink of an eye, they are in trouble. Expect Di Maria to be at the center of the attack for the hosts and he will continue to get a share of the set-pieces as well.                                                   

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Politano (DK $7K || FD $17), Rakitic (DK $4.4K || FD $13)

UCL DFS Defenders

Federico Dimarco - DK $5.8K || FD $14

Opponent - Real Sociedad

Dimarco is another ‘underpriced’ player and that is due to sharing set-pieces with teammate Hakan Calhanoglu who is expected not to start. This instantly catapultes Dimarco into the ‘Chalk Of The Day’ category. In his first four domestic fixtures this season, he has 3 assists, 8 shots, 13 created chances, 30 crosses, 9 corners, 8 tackles, 2 interceptions, 4 clearances, and 1 block. Despite Real Sociedad not having the best of offenses, they are still ‘good enough’ defensively. However, they do concede the second-most Big Chances Created Against Per 90 – 2.2 – and Dimarco is not shy to whipping in crosses from the flank. It would not be surprising if the wingback got on the score sheet in his 23-24 UCL debut.                                

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Navas (DK $4.2K || FD $10), Dedic (DK $3.7K || FD $13)

Corner Takers

• Bayern Munich: Kimmich
• Manchester United: Fernandes
• Sevilla: Rakitic
• RC Lens: Fulgini
• Arsenal: Saka
• PSV Eindhoven: Veerman
• SC Braga: Pizzi/A. Horta
• SSC Napoli: Politano
• Benfica: Di Maria/Kokcu
• Red Bull Salzburg: Dedic/Kjaergaard
• Inter Milan: Dimarco
• Real Sociedad: Mendez

Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!

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