Best lineup strategy for RB Leipzig-Hoffenheim Showdown

Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig are set to face off in a Bundesliga match Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET on FS2. Leipzig is only four points short of second place Borussia Dortmund in the standings while Hoffenheim sits in seventh, two points back of VfL Wolfsburg for a Europa League qualification play. DraftKings will have Showdown contests available for the match, and we break down some ideal picks below. Set your lineups here.

Captain’s Picks

Timo Werner ($17,100) only trails Robert Lewandowski in goals has only dropped below 10 DKFP once since May. Hertha didn’t allow the forward to take a shot three games ago, but he tallied two scores in a 3-1 victory the last time he faced Hoffenheim. He’ll likely be one of the more popular captain’s plays and has a ceiling that could make his high price worthwhile.

Christopher Nkunku ($15,300) is the next best option. The midfielder ranks third in assists (13) this term and tallied double-digits in seven straight games before his last match. He’s one of Leipzig’s more dangerous crossing threats and gives you more room for flexibility in the flex. He might have a higher floor than Werner, as Hoffenheim gives up the sixth most fantasy points to midfielders.

Flex Plays

Marcel Halstenberg ($6,200) is one of the best left backs in the league. He hasn’t played a full match in two games, but typically hovers around 10 DKFP per contest. He averages a little more than one shot per game and is an involved passer.

Most people will probably load up on Leipzig players, as both Hoffenheim’s top producers have been in poor form as of late. That means betting on Peter Gulacsi ($7,600) makes a lot of sense. Leipzig has given up fewer goals than every team but Bayern Munich, so Gulacsi has good chance to get a shutout and a win bonus.

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