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Brandon's DraftKings and FanDuel UCL DFS lineup picks for UEFA Champions League Soccer on 9/16/25 (Matchweek 1, Day One). 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 One!
The top favorite for today is SL Benfica (-550) vs Qarabağ FK (+1400). I will guide you through this four-match slate starting at 3:00 P.M. EST on Tuesday, September 16.
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.
EPL DFS Goalies
Gregor Kobel - DK $4.3K || FD $10
Opponent - at Juventus
Nothing like a ‘tricky’ goalie situation to start the 2025-2026 Champions League season. The slate is looking like two extremes. Pay down or pay up, but there is no inbetween. This leads to Borussia Dortmund’s goalkeeper, Gregor Kobel. The keeper has made eight saves, conceded three goals, and recorded two clean sheets in his first three domestic appearances of the season.
Take into account that this match is not ‘optimal’ for the goalie position, however, if there is a club that can shut down Juventus’s hot form, it is Borussia Dortmund. Both clubs have played three domestic matches respectively. In the first three for Juventus, they are the second-best club in both Goals and Assists, and the third-best in Shots and Chances Created. Meanwhile, Dortmund is tied for second-best in Goals Against and third-best in Assists Against. The only major concern is Dortmund is the second-best in both Shots Against and Chances Created Against. Kobel is expected to reach value here.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Anatoliy Trubin (DK $6K || FD $14) vs. Qarabağ FK
- Geronimo Rulli (DK $3.8K || FD $8) at Real Madrid
EPL DFS Forwards
Andreas Schjelderup - DK $5.4K || FD $15
Opponent - vs. Qarabağ FK
Not only is Andreas Schjelderup the set piece taker for SL Benfica. He is also playing on the slate’s biggest favorite. Qarabağ has not looked well to start their domestic season in the Azerbaijan Premier League, losing to Sumqayit, beating Karvan and drawing most recently with Zira. Benfica has not looked strong themselves, but their squad possess the quality to get past most opponents. In Schjelderup’s first three domestic appearances this season, he has accumulated one goal, one assist, three shots, seven corners and two tackles. Better value could not be found on the slate.
Taking into account all of the above, Schjelderup is going to garner massive ownership in all formats. Expect the young-playmaking forward to at least reach value in Benfica’s season debut in the Champions League.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Kenan Yildiz (DK $7.7K || FD $16) vs. Borussia Dortmund
- Franco Mastantuono (DK $7.2K || FD $14) vs. Olympique de Marseille
EPL DFS Midfielders
Arda Güler - DK $11.2K || FD $17
Opponent - vs. Olympique de Marseille
It didn’t take long for Arda Güler to become the new focal point of the attack for Real Madrid. The attacking midfielder has produced two goals, one assist, seven shots, 14 chances created, 13 crosses, 10 corners, seven tackles, one interception, and two clearances in his four domestic appearances this season.
Olympique de Marseille has yet to prove whether or not they can compete at a high level this season. In four domestic matches, they have lost twice, once to Rennes and the other to Olympique Lyon and beat both Paris FC and FC Lorient. Paris FC is just below the middle of the Ligue One and Lorient is currently in the relegation zone. Real Madrid is in the top five in all metrics domestically this season. Despite Güler’s higher salary, his prime matchup and role on a heavy favorite makes it justifiable.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Mohammed Kudus (DK $6.8K || FD $18) vs. Villarreal
- Abdellah Zoubir (DK $5.2K || FD $12) at SL Benfica
EPL DFS Defenders
Defenders
Yan Couto - DK $3.5K || FD $8
Opponent - at Juventus FC
Yan Couto challenges Andreas Schjelderup for the top value play of the slate, but it still isn’t close. The wingback is versatile, joining the attack when he can and dropping back to cover the flank when out of possession. Why does he provide value? Well, he has a palpable salary, a role on set pieces, and has open play value from crosses. Over his first three domestic fixtures this season, he has amassed one assist, two shots, five chances created, 15 crosses, four corners, five tackles, two interceptions, and two clearances.
Juventus FC will be a challenge for Couto and Borussia Dortmund to start their Champions League season. However, Couto will have plenty of opportunities to produce on both ends of the pitch, helping him hit the value mark.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Pedro Porro (DK $6K || FD $15) vs. Villarreal
- Tomás Araújo (DK $2.9K || FD $11) vs. Qarabağ FK
Corner Takers
- Juventus FC: Kenan Yildiz/Teun Koopmeiners
- Borussia Dortmund: Daniel Svensson/Yan Couto
- Real Madrid: Arda Güler/Kylian Mbappe
- Olympique de Marseille: Mason Greenwood
- SL Benfica: Andreas Schjelderup/Fredrik Aursnes
- Qarabağ FK: Abdellah Zoubir/Leandro Andrade
- Tottenham Hotspurs: Xavi Simons/Mohammed Kudus
- Villarreal FC: Nicolas Pepe
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off. Good luck in all of your contests today!
