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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel UCL DFS lineup picks for UEFA Champions League Soccer on 9/18/25 (Matchweek 1, Day Three). His top daily fantasy soccer forwards, midfielders, defenders, goalkeepers.
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off” and welcome to the 25-26 season! The Champions League is back and with domestic play at the weekend, it could lead to potential rotation! Let’s kick off Matchweek One, Day Three!
The top favorite for today is Sporting CP (-1250) vs FC Kairat (+2500). I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 3:00 P.M. EST on Thursday, September 18.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else, don't hesitate to contact me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our Discord chat rooms.
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EPL DFS Goalies
Günay Güvenç - DK $4K || FD $10
Opponent - at Eintracht Frankfurt
Günay Güvenç and Galatasaray do not have the easiest matchup to open the Champions League campaign this season. However, despite Eintracht Frankfurt’s positive metrics, their strength of schedule tells a different story. Do they have the firepower to score? Yes. Are they consistent over a long-term period in shot conversion? No.
Furthermore, the two fixtures in which Frankfurt had big performances were against Werder Bremen and TSG Hoffenheim. Neither club is solid defensively. Lastly, Frankfurt just lost to a Bayern Leverkusen team that played down a man for 40 minutes.
Güvenç, in four domestic appearances this season, has made nine saves, conceded once, and recorded three clean sheets. At $4K on DraftKings, he can be considered a ‘LOCK’ in all formats.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Rui Silva (DK $5.9K || FD $14) vs. FC Kairat
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (DK $5.5K || FD $13) vs. SSC Napoli
EPL DFS Forwards
Trincão - DK $6.9K || FD $19
Opponent - vs. FC Kairat
There couldn’t be a more obvious forward to feature than Francisco Trincão. The attacking midfielder is a focal point of Sporting CP’s attack. In five appearances in the Primeira Liga this season, he has three goals, one assist, 19 shots, 15 chances created, 17 crosses, 11 corners, seven tackles, and two blocks. At $6.9K, that screams value. The only major concern is his share of set pieces with teammate Pedro Pote, which could limit his floor.
FC Kairat is performing very well in the Kazakhstan Premier League this season, sitting in first place with the second-most goals scored and the best overall defense. They record clean sheets more than they concede goals, and all of their matches are typically low-scoring–under 2.5 goals. This could potentially scare some off a Sporting CP stack. However, the masses need to remember that FC Kairat has not faced an opponent of Sporting CP’s caliber yet. Trincão is expected to surpass value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Raphinha (DK $8.4K || FD $23) at Newcastle United
- Roland Sallai (DK $3.7K || FD $11) vs. Eintracht Frankfurt
EPL DFS Midfielders
Pedro Pote - DK $8.7K || FD $21
Opponent - vs. FC Kairat
The other major piece to the Sporting CP stack is Pedro Pote or otherwise known as Pedro Gonçalves. The attacking midfielder plays very similarly to his teammate, mentioned above, Francisco Trincão. The only major difference is how direct and deliberate Trincao is compared to Gonçalves. Pedro is more of a visionary who controls and sets up plays, looking for the breakthrough pass and he also shares a role on set pieces with Trincão. In Pote’s first five matches in the Primeira Liga this season, he has four goals, three assists, 20 shots, 18 chances created, 20 crosses, 14 corners, two tackles, and two blocks.
As mentioned above, FC Kairat is doing well this season, but has not faced a club of Sporting CP’s potential. With his role on set pieces, his open play value and his role on kicks from the spot, Pote could be considered a ‘LOCK’ in ‘CASH’ formats.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Ritsu Doan (DK $7.6K || FD $18) vs. Galatasaray
- Phil Foden (DK $4.7K || FD $18) vs. SSC Napoli
EPL DFS Defenders
Defenders
Kieran Trippier - DK $6.5K || FD $11
Opponent - vs. FC Barcelona
It is hard to say whether Kieran Trippier will start today and if he does how long he plays, after he ran all 90 minutes in the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton at the weekend. Nevertheless, if he does suit up, he is a ‘LOCK’ in ‘CASH’ formats. The wingback has been given the green light on set pieces again this year and has already produced eight chances created, 26 crosses, 13 corners, two tackles, four interceptions, and three clearances in his four starts in the top flight.
FC Barcelona will not be an easy match. However, it will give Trippier the opportunity to produce on both ends of the pitch. This matchup is expected to be fast-paced and have some fireworks. Despite his higher salary, Trippier has the potential to meet value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Iván Fresneda (DK $4.7K || FD $10) vs. FC Kairat
- Aleksandr Mrynskiy (DK $2.9K || FD $8) vs. Galatasaray
Corner Takers
- Eintracht Frankfurt: Ritsu Doan/Farès Chaïbi
- Galatasaray SK: İkay Gündoğan/Roland Sallai
- Manchester City: Phil Foden/Bernardo Silva/ Tijjani Reijnders
- SSC Napoli: Kevin De Bruyne/Matteo Politano
- Newcastle United: Kieran Trippier/Anthony Elanga/Jacob Murphy
- FC Barcelona: Raphinha
- Sporting CP: Pedro Gonçalves/Francisco Trincão
- FC Kairat: Aleksandr Mrynskiy
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
