Welcome to the Champions League DFS coverage for Tuesday, Oct. 19. Below are the top UCL DFS picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for Group Stage, which consider all aspects of the slate, from Awesemo’s expert projections to pricing to popularity for DFS fantasy soccer. These UCL DFS soccer picks should help with creating highly projected lineups in DraftKings and FanDuel fantasy soccer tournaments and cash games.
DraftKings & FanDuel UCL DFS Picks Today
Ajax (+110) vs. Dortmund(+200), O/U 3.5
Atletico Madrid (+230) vs. Liverpool (+125), O/U 2.5
FC Porto (+140) vs. AC Milan (+185), O/U 2.5
Shakhtar (+475) vs. Real Madrid (-185), O/U 2.5
Inter Milan (-550) vs. Sheriff (+1,350), O/U 3.5
Paris Saint-Germain (-200) vs. RB Leipzig(+475), O/U 3.5
Forwards/Midfield
Lionel Messi (DraftKings: $9,500, FanDuel: $23)
Kylian Mbappe (DraftKings: $9,100, FanDuel: $22)
Paris Saint-Germain will host RB Leipzig. RB Leipzig has dropped their first two matches in the Champions League. They allowed two of more goals in each match, allowing 1.9 expected goals per. The host side has not been impressive, with just one expected goal per match, but it has managed to score in each match. They will be without Neymar in this match, and the stars up front are coming at a discount on DraftKings.
Lionel Messi will have ample shares of the set pieces, and the matchup is right for his attempts on net. His two shots and 1.5 crosses per match will see an uptick without the presence of Neymar, who leads both categories for the club. Messi has an on-target accuracy rate of 50% and 3.5 scoring chances created in the Champions League, making him a core play on FanDuel despite the monster price. For DraftKings he is too low at sub-$10,000 without a potential set split and open-play volume split share with Neymar.
The penalty sets will belong to Kylian Mbappe. His speed should help him muster up shot volume and created chances against a struggling Leipzig backline. He is averaging 3.36 shots per match and leads the French side in overall scoring, evenly distributed by scoring and assists. In Ligue 1 play, Mbappe is tied atop the team lead with 4.33 scoring chances created, and his finesse has led to 1.59 drawn fouls per match.
Karim Benzema (DraftKings: $10,500, FanDuel: $21)
Mohamed Salah (DraftKings: $9,900, FanDuel: $20)
There are a number of goal-hunting options on this slate. The list includes Erling Haaland and Sebastien Haller. Ownership does not really look to be an issue, so let the matchup dictate the choices. Karim Benzema comes in with the highest price and a road matchup. This game is a must-win for Real Madrid, who were upset in their previous Champions League match. Shakhtar had trouble against Monaco and Sheriff, allowing 1.5 expected goals on average. They played well against Inter Milan in their last outing. Benzema leads the visitors in shot volume, with 4.05 per match and an on-target accuracy clip of 46.9%. He has contributed on 72% of the club’s overall scoring and has posted five 20-goal seasons.
Mohamed Salah has been spectacular for Liverpool across all competitions. He has contributed on 50% of the club’s overall scoring and sits atop the goals list. He averages 4.05 shots per match and an on-target accuracy clip of 46.7%. Salah ranks second on the club behind Trent Alexander-Arnold with 5.37 scoring chances created per match. He has a tough road matchup against Atletico Madrid, but this year Salah has found ways to score against Manchester City and Chelsea, who are as tough defensively. The price is low enough for a GPP play, and his accurate shot flow provides a solid floor with scoring upside on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Sergio Oliveira (DraftKings: $5,500, FanDuel: $11)
Mehdi Taremi (DraftKings: $5,800, FanDuel: $18)
Hakan Calhanoglu is a cash core play discounted. He handles indirect set shares for Inter Milan and has a plus matchup against Sheriff. The ownership will gravitate to the heavy favorite Serie A champions. Sergio Oliveira handles the set shares for FC Porto, and his floor can easily pay the price. He averages 7.22 crosses and 2.22 shots per match. He adds value with 2.78 won tackles/interceptions and draws 2.78 fouls per match. FC Porto is a tough team at home, and they will look for the victory against a formattable AC Milan.
Mehdi Taremi is a goal-hunting option for the same price. He leads Porto in goals and has a consistent 47% on-target shot accuracy over the past few seasons. Taremi has no floor but will see a Milan side that allows 1.4 or more expected goals in the previous three outings. Those willing to punt for a stars-and-scrubs approach can get a discount with Toni Martinez. He has scored in three of his four starts for Porto. Martinez is not shy to take his chances at the net, with 3.59 shots per match, although the matchups were of lesser quality than Milan.
Other Options: Sadio Mane (DraftKings $8,000, FanDuel $19), Christopher Nkunku (DraftKings $6,900, FanDuel $17), Dusan Tadic (DraftKings $10,100, FanDuel $19), Edin Dzeko (DraftKings $8,700, FanDuel $20), Sandro Tonali (DraftKings $6,300, FanDuel $8)
Defense
Miguel Gutierrez (DraftKings: $4,700, FanDuel: $7)
Madrid needs to win this matchup to ease the pressure after a debacle a match ago. Miguel Gutierrez has done well in his limited minutes for the club. He pushes up the wing and delivers in open play. He is not shy to shoot and creates 1.73 scoring chances per match. Possession looks to favor the visitors in this matchup, and Gutierrez does not need more than a handful of chances created mixed with his club average of 3.59 crosses per match to hit a solid floor. The upside is his teammates making use of the chances created and the clean sheet bonus.
Other Options: Trent Alexander-Arnold (DraftKings $8,100, FanDuel $14), Achraf Hakimi (DraftKings $5,600, FanDuel $13), Renan Lodi (DraftKings $4,800, FanDuel $8), Thomas Meunier (DraftKings $4,200, FanDuel $12)
Goalkeeper
Remko Pasveer (DraftKings: $5,100, FanDuel: $11)
Augustin Marchesin (DraftKings: $4,700, FanDuel: $5)
Thanks for reading to the end of this article! If you appreciate this free content and want to see more of it every day, you can help us out by sharing this article on social media!
[SOCCERPAGE]