This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
8:00 a.m: Belgium v. Tunisia
11:00 a.m: South Korea v. Mexico
2:00 p.m: Germany v. Sweden
FORWARDS
Eden Hazard, BEL v. TUN ($10,300): Hazard picked up an assist in Belgium's opening match against Panama, finishing with 19.5 fantasy points in their 3-0 win. He isn't expected to take many set pieces, but his ability to fill the stat sheet with shots, shots on goal, fouls drawn and the occasional crosses give him a solid floor against a Tunisia side that will be better than what Belgium faced in their first game but still not up to their level. For those looking for Belgian upside, Romelu Lukaku ($10,700) and Dries Mertens ($9,600) fit the mold as both scored (Lukaku twice) against Panama.
Thomas Muller, GER v. SWE ($8,500): Muller's floor isn't as secure as some other players on his own team, but his forward eligibility could be vital on this slate because there aren't that many forward-eligible players who have good floors, unless you want to double-up on Belgium (and doing so could take you away from Kevin De Bruyne). Muller finished with only 5.75 fantasy points in Germany's surprising loss to Mexico in their first match, though he was more effective in showdown thanks to five chances created. Germany's set pieces aren't locked into any one player, so I'd rather take the guy who has the best floor from shots and crosses. Similar to Belgium, you can always target their center forward, Timo Werner ($8,200),
MATCHES (EDT)
8:00 a.m: Belgium v. Tunisia
11:00 a.m: South Korea v. Mexico
2:00 p.m: Germany v. Sweden
FORWARDS
Eden Hazard, BEL v. TUN ($10,300): Hazard picked up an assist in Belgium's opening match against Panama, finishing with 19.5 fantasy points in their 3-0 win. He isn't expected to take many set pieces, but his ability to fill the stat sheet with shots, shots on goal, fouls drawn and the occasional crosses give him a solid floor against a Tunisia side that will be better than what Belgium faced in their first game but still not up to their level. For those looking for Belgian upside, Romelu Lukaku ($10,700) and Dries Mertens ($9,600) fit the mold as both scored (Lukaku twice) against Panama.
Thomas Muller, GER v. SWE ($8,500): Muller's floor isn't as secure as some other players on his own team, but his forward eligibility could be vital on this slate because there aren't that many forward-eligible players who have good floors, unless you want to double-up on Belgium (and doing so could take you away from Kevin De Bruyne). Muller finished with only 5.75 fantasy points in Germany's surprising loss to Mexico in their first match, though he was more effective in showdown thanks to five chances created. Germany's set pieces aren't locked into any one player, so I'd rather take the guy who has the best floor from shots and crosses. Similar to Belgium, you can always target their center forward, Timo Werner ($8,200), in GPPs because of his goal upside.
Wahbi Khazri, TUN v. BEL ($4,600): The two best things going for Khazri are that he's cheap and he fills a forward spot. We can add that he's likely to be on most, if not all, set pieces for Tunisia, which theoretically helps his floor. Unfortunately, he's also playing on the slate's biggest underdog, so it doesn't seem likely that he finishes better than he did against England, with one shot, two chances created, two crosses and one foul drawn. The cheaper forward spot allows you to pay up elsewhere, but you may not be able to make up the points.
MIDFIELDERS
Kevin De Bruyne, BEL v. TUN ($9,900): De Bruyne takes most set pieces for the biggest favorite on the slate. He was actually the lowest-scoring of Belgium's attackers in the first match, but he's such an integral part of what they do moving forward that it seems a bit crazy to fade him after he created four chances against Panama.
Toni Kroos, GER v. SWE ($7,800): Kroos was Germany's best attacker in their loss to Mexico, finishing with six shots, including three on goal, and three crosses. The six shots were particularly surprising given that he took more than two just three times in 27 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid this past season, and his role for Germany is fairly similar. If there's one thing to note from his opening game it's that all six of his shots came from outside the box, and for a guy who doesn't score many goals, particularly from distance, the goal upside on those attempts is limited. Either way, the matchup against Sweden should be easier than Mexico, with the biggest issue being that paying up for Kroos likely means you're choosing him over De Bruyne or Muller, and if it's the last one then you're probably paying down at one of the forward slots in cash lineups.
Lee Jae-Sung, KOR v. MEX ($3,900): Lee was very solid in South Korea's first match, scoring 7.25 fantasy points thanks to one shot, three crosses, two tackles won and four interceptions. He took most of South Korea's corners, which helped his crosses, and while the matchup against Mexico is surely harder, his reduced price should make it easier to pay off. If you're looking for more guys in this price range, Mexico's Andres Guardado ($4,400) contributes in multiple categories that help his fantasy floor, while midfield partner Hector Herrera ($4,800) wouldn't be a bad alternative if you had the money, though I would give Ilkay Gundogan ($4,700) a look if I knew he was starting; unfortunately, he's in the late game.
DEFENDERS
Joshua Kimmich, GER v. SWE ($7,000): Kimmich's price is really high for a defender, and if you decide to pay that much then you're likely taking yourself out of rostering Belgium's Thomas Meunier ($6,100), who has tremendous upside as a wingback for Belgium (even if he was a bust in their first game). You could also pay down for whoever starts at left-back for Germany, either Marvin Plattenhardt ($4,800) or Jonas Hector ($4,900), but neither have the upside of Kimmich, who is an integral part of the German attack from the wing. Part of me wonders why I'd pay this much for Kimmich when I can pay just $800 more for Kroos, who could be on most set pieces for Germany, but I then think you could make the argument they have nearly the same floor, except Kimmich would get the three-point clean sheet bonus if they keep Sweden out of the net. Kimmich created five chances against Mexico and Germany absolutely need a win against Sweden, so Kimmich should be flying up the wing. If you're really confident in the Germany clean sheet, Niklas Sule ($3,300) and Antonio Rudiger ($3,400) are competing for the starting spot next to Jerome Boateng ($3,600) if Mats Hummels ($3,700) misses out with a neck injury.
Lee Yong, KOR v. MEX ($3,900): Lee had a nice game against Sweden in their opener, finishing with 6.75 fantasy points thanks, in part, to three crosses, three fouls drawn and two tackles. Obviously that game was easier than what he'll face Saturday, but his price is down $200 from that game and having a cheaper fullback on this slate could be a key roster decision for those looking to differentiate away from players who roster the Belgium or Germany center-backs.
Dedryck Boyata, BEL v. TUN ($3,400): Did someone say Belgium center-backs? Boyata is expected to get another start in place of the injured Vincent Kompany ($3,600), and while his upside is pretty much all in the clean sheet, his team at least comes in with the best clean sheet odds on the slate. Boyata is a huge body who could be a target in the box on set pieces, but you're getting pretty desperate if that's what you're depending on.
GOALKEEPER
Cho Hyun-Woo, KOR v. MEX ($4,000): I completely understand paying up for Belgium's Thibaut Courtois ($5,900) or Germany's Manuel Neuer ($5,700), but you're obviously risking a good chunk of your salary for a player who could score two points if they concede. I'm not necessarily thinking that South Korea shut out Mexico, but their attack could be kept at bay and the salary savings would come in nicely. Of the underdog keepers, I think Cho has the best shot at a clean sheet, though theoretically Robin Olsen ($3,800) and Farouk Ben Mustapha ($3,600) have higher save upside given the attacks they're facing. Just be aware that neither hold a candle to Keylor Navas.
