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RotoBaller soccer expert Vince Dray breaks down the UCL DFS slate for FanDuel on 4/27/21.
Hello, RotoBallers! The UEFA Champions League is down to the last four teams, and the first legs of each semifinal matchup are this week. The remaining five UCL slates from here on out will be single-game slates. We have a little break from EPL during the week this week, but all eyes will be on these games for this week and next. I have another full breakdown for you covering this slate. Keep reading this breakdown for my DFS soccer picks on RotoBaller and see how to have success on Tuesday's slate.
The large majority of my DFS content will be EPL or UCL-related, however, there is always more soccer DFS to cover. If you want to chop it up with myself and other RotoBaller writers about non-EPL/UCL leagues or other sports, consider becoming a premium member and joining our ever-growing community of DFS and fantasy sports enthusiasts! We have had some great conversations in the Premium Slack chat about the past few UCL slates.
You can also get access to my brain for questions and edits to lineups for Tuesday. In this article, I will be providing you with my UEFA Champions League daily fantasy soccer lineup picks for FanDuel on 4/27/21 for the slate that locks at 3:00 pm ET. Be sure to also check out our other DFS lineup picks for other active sports. You can always find me on Twitter @vdray5 if you have any questions. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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UCL DFS Lineup Picks - Overview
Real Madrid vs Chelsea
It will be Real Madrid (+135) playing host to their English opponents in the first leg of this UCL semifinal. They will be making their 14th appearance in this stage of the competition - which is the most out of any club. They took down Liverpool 3-1 in the first leg and held on 0-0 in the return fixture to secure their semifinal spot. They are also playing well in La Liga right now with no losses since January 30. They're slightly favored at home (this game will be played at their training facility) against Chelsea who got here with a comfortable quarterfinal win over Porto. Chelsea have been very good since Thomas Tuchel took over with just two losses in all competitions dating back to January. They're healthy for the most part and should line up a tough squad on Tuesday. This game should be fairly even, but the goal total over/under is only 2.0 with the over at -140.
FanDuel DFS Forwards / Midfielders
If you look at all 98 teams in the Big 5 European domestic leagues, both Chelsea and Real Madrid are in the bottom when it comes to allowing the meaningful peripherals like shots on goal and chances created. That does not bode very well for guys who rely on those stats for their fantasy value, and it just confirms the fact that you need to prioritize goal scorers for UCL slates.
Karim Benzema ($15) will be a tough fade as the most recognized goal scorer on the slate. He has some all-time great numbers in the Champions League as he recently became the 5th player ever to score 70+ goals in the competition. Benzema is in good form now with nine goals and two assists in his last nine starts for Real in all competitions. He leads the slate in anytime scoring odds at +130. If there's anyone who's capable of breaking down Chelsea's stout defense, it will be Benzema. He also has the best odds in this game to score 2+ goals by far.
Real Madrid has held four consecutive shutouts. They don't give up many shots on goal or chances either, but they do give them up at a higher rate than Chelsea does domestically. Christian Pulisic ($12) has been in form lately. He has a solid floor with his peripherals and has decent goal upside at +300. Pulisic usually comes with some inflated ownership given his popularity here in the USA, so keep that in mind when building lineups.
I don't mind taking a shot at Timo Werner ($14) who could still be available at low ownership. He broke his 13-game goalless streak over the weekend with an important goal in Chelsea's 1-0 win over West Ham. He's still not in good form by any means, but hopefully, that goal sparks him to return to his prior goal-scoring form. Again, I'm prioritizing goal scorers in this game.
Casemiro ($7) will be one of the few exceptions to that strategy. He does have okay scoring odds at +600, but the main reason to play him is the defensive peripherals that he can get. In Premier League play, Chelsea allow all four defensive peripherals at a solid rate. Casemiro can definitely score well into the teens based on the way he can collect these stats especially in a game that will have a lot of action in the midfield. He can create a chance here and there as well which adds to his value.
N'Golo Kante ($6) has played three straight 90s since returning from injury and should be in for another start here with Mateo Kovacic ($5) ruled out. Kante will be busy defending Real in this game, and with a good chance that this game is played mostly in the midfield, Kante will have tons of opportunities to collect peripheral stats.
Isco ($5) is another great value play I like on this slate. If Toni Kroos ($10) is unable to start, it will be Isco taking his place. Isco has fantastic goal upside for this price at +240 and he is +500 to provide an assist.
There are still five substitutes allowed in UCL play, so something should be said for rostering a bench guy who will come into the game in the 2nd half. These guys are often affordable and can be low-owned gems in GPPs. Eden Hazard ($9) is a player that fits this bill well. He played 13 minutes off the bench in Real's last game and could be ready for a heavier workload in this game against his former club. Something interesting to note on Hazard is that he created more chances in his 13 brief minutes for Real than any other player did the whole entire game.
FanDuel DFS Defenders
When it comes to defensive stats in this game, Chelsea force more clearances, tackles, and interceptions than Real Madrid does in their respective domestic leagues. Chelsea almost gives up more of all four of the stats, but Real has actually allowed two more blocks than Chelsea this season.
It's too bad that Sergio Ramos ($10) is still sidelined, otherwise, he would be a top-tier play. Raphael Varane ($9) should do well, but you can get either Nacho ($5) or Eder Militao ($6) for cheaper if you're looking for someone who will collect peripherals. Marcelo ($7) should get a start too and has real attacking upside.
We never really know who will start in Chelsea's backline until lineups are announced, but Thiago Silva ($6) and Kurt Zouma ($5) are both crazy cheap for their value. Antonio Rudiger ($7) has been playing well too and should be considered on this slate.
Thanks for reading my EPL DFS lineup picks breakdown on RotoBaller and good luck!
