Best lineup strategy for Hertha-Union Berlin Showdown

Teams in the Bundesliga are gearing up for their second matches since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the league, and we’re in for a real treat Friday. Hertha and Union Berlin will face off in the Berlin Derby. The Berlin Derby takes place anytime two teams from Berlin play one another, and this will be the second time Hertha and Union Berlin play a match this season. Union Berlin won the first match 1-0 on November 2nd. We break down the best DFS Showdown strategies on DraftKings for the rivalry game, and you can set your lineup here.

Captain’s Picks

Matheus Cunha, F, Hertha ($17,700)

Cunha only joined Hertha in January of 2020 and has managed to tally three goals and one assist in 15 appearances. He’s only started in seven games this season and is riding a three-game scoring streak. His tendency to commit fouls makes him risky, but he has high upside.

Sebastian Andersson, F, Berlin Union ($9,000)

Andersson is among the top goal scorers in the Bundesliga. He’s scored 11 times this season, giving him the fifth highest mark in the league. While he suffered a knee injury just 19 minutes into his match last week and had to be replaced, he scored in the three matches preceding the COVID-19 shutdown. Given his offensive firepower, this price is a bargain. You should monitor his progress throughout the week to see if he gets back into the starting 11 though.

Flex Plays

Dodi Lukebakio, M, Hertha ($7,800)

Lukebakio leads Hertha in goals (5) and assists (5). A versatile, cost effective option likes him make sense, but he could be replaced by Vladimir Darido Friday because of how poorly he’s played as of late. Darido is coming off a one-game suspension, but Lukebakio logged 79 minutes in the Hertha’s crushing 3-0 win over Hoffenheim last week. Time will tell, but for now we’ll assume that he’s starting.

Christopher Trimmel, D, Union Berlin ($9,400)

Trimmel might be a defender, but he’s set piece expertise sets him apart from the rest of the field. He has a team-high seven assists on the season and his teammates have scored on nine of his free kicks so far this year. That is the highest mark in the Bundesliga. He’s a talented passer and constantly sends in accurate crosses to create scoring opportunities.

For those new to daily fantasy soccer, here’s how scoring works:

All players

Goal: 10 points
Assist: 6 pts
Shot: 1 pt
Shot on goal: 1 pt
Crosses: 0.7 pts (via corner kick, open play, and set pieces)
Assisted shot: 1 pt
Accurate pass: +0.02 pts
Foul drawn: 1 pt
Foul conceded: -0.5 pts
Tackle won: 1 pt
Passes Intercepted (D,M,F): +0.5 pts
Yellow Card: -1.5 pts
Red Card: -3 pts
Clean Sheet (D): +3 pts
Shootout Goal: +1.5 pts
Shootout Miss: -1 pt

Goalkeeper

Saves: +2 pts
Goal Conceded: -2 pts
Clean Sheet: +5 pts
Win: +5 pts
Penalty Kick Save: +3 pts
Shootout Save: +1.5 pts