This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (ET)
- 12:00 pm: Hungary vs. Portugal
- 3:00 pm: France vs. Germany
FORWARDS
Cristiano Ronaldo, POR v. HUN ($10,600): Portugal have the best matchup on the two-game slate, and while my original thought was to fade Ronaldo, there are reasons to take him. He costs $1,300 less than Robert Lewandowski did Monday, and he also has better odds to hit the back of the net. Portugal have a deep squad, but Ronaldo remains a heavy focal point of the attack, often playing as a center-forward, taking seven shots in their most recent friendly against Israel. Home-field advantage hasn't played a huge role for weaker teams in the Euros, and that's probably how this match will go unless Hungary look like a new team. They scored one goal against Cyprus and Ireland in recent friendlies and aren't expected to have much of the ball Tuesday. There's an obvious strategy to fade Ronaldo since everyone else is cheaper, but has the best odds to score for a reason. The other issue is that whoever starts on the wings, whether it's Diogo Jota ($9,100), Joao Felix ($7,800) or Bernardo Silva ($6,900), could be subbed off early. Then again, Felix and Silva are considerably cheaper and you could play both of them in a Ronaldo fade.
Antoine Griezmann, FRA v. GER ($8,500): Unless you want to punt on a Hungary forward, you'll have to decide between Germany and France. Germany are on home soil, but France are the better team, so I'll
MATCHES (ET)
- 12:00 pm: Hungary vs. Portugal
- 3:00 pm: France vs. Germany
FORWARDS
Cristiano Ronaldo, POR v. HUN ($10,600): Portugal have the best matchup on the two-game slate, and while my original thought was to fade Ronaldo, there are reasons to take him. He costs $1,300 less than Robert Lewandowski did Monday, and he also has better odds to hit the back of the net. Portugal have a deep squad, but Ronaldo remains a heavy focal point of the attack, often playing as a center-forward, taking seven shots in their most recent friendly against Israel. Home-field advantage hasn't played a huge role for weaker teams in the Euros, and that's probably how this match will go unless Hungary look like a new team. They scored one goal against Cyprus and Ireland in recent friendlies and aren't expected to have much of the ball Tuesday. There's an obvious strategy to fade Ronaldo since everyone else is cheaper, but has the best odds to score for a reason. The other issue is that whoever starts on the wings, whether it's Diogo Jota ($9,100), Joao Felix ($7,800) or Bernardo Silva ($6,900), could be subbed off early. Then again, Felix and Silva are considerably cheaper and you could play both of them in a Ronaldo fade.
Antoine Griezmann, FRA v. GER ($8,500): Unless you want to punt on a Hungary forward, you'll have to decide between Germany and France. Germany are on home soil, but France are the better team, so I'll back the latter. Assuming Griezmann is fit following a calf injury suffered last week, he's probably the best cash play for France. Kylian Mbappe ($9,400) has a touch more upside and takes some set pieces, but Griezmann usually takes the majority of sets and I'd bank on that for almost $1,000 less. He's a focal point of the French attack and should find room against a Germany team that doesn't have a healthy holding midfielder, at least one they trust in this spot. Karim Benzema ($8,100) is a cheaper upside play compared to Mbappe, but there's a decent chance he's subbed off early for Olivier Giroud ($6,400) if France haven't scored by the 65th minute. As for the Germans, Thomas Muller ($7,500) might be the safest because everyone else is likely to be subbed off, no matter who starts. Muller can play on the wing and in a central role, and provides a touch of veteran, national-team experience unlike others such as Timo Werner ($7,500) and Serge Gnabry ($7,300).
MIDFIELDERS
Bruno Fernandes, POR v. HUN ($8,700): You could use both Ronaldo and Fernandes, but you'll have to punt on a position or two. Fernandes doesn't have the same goal-scoring odds as Ronaldo, but similar to his role at Manchester United, he's over the ball a ton coming up from the midfield. He'll take the majority of set pieces and could take all of them if Bernardo Silva doesn't start. Fernandes also makes sense if you're fading Ronaldo, though when they connect on multiple goals, you'll probably be kicking yourself. As the set-piece taker on the biggest favorite with the highest implied goal total, Fernandes could be the most popular player on the slate. I'm not sure any other midfielder is worth spending up for in cash games, especially since the options are limited on a two-game slate with one even matchup.
Paul Pogba, FRA v. GER ($5,300): Yeah, this is the kind of slate it is. Pogba is a defensive midfielder for France, but he's cheap and France are expected to control the midfield in this matchup. Pogba doesn't have a ton of upside, but even for France, he'll get his nose in front of net and draw a couple fouls. Maybe that's not worth $5,300, but he at least has a touch more upside than teammate N'Golo Kante ($3,700), who plays even deeper. If not Pogba, you're looking at German players like Toni Kroos ($6,500) or Ilkay Gundogan ($6,100), neither of whom seem like safe plays. Kroos doesn't have an exclusive role on set pieces like at Real Madrid, and Gundogan will probably be asked to play more defensively without Leon Goretzka in the side. I don't think Joao Moutinho ($5,100) will start, but he could be considered in this range if you want a couple set pieces (maybe).
Tamas Cseri, HUN v. POR ($3,200): This entire article is Portugal and France, so I'm throwing a bone to Hungary, mainly because Germany don't have any punts. There's a slim chance Cseri starts, and for the one or two corners Hungary get, he could take them. That's about all I can say. He's a punt for a reason. Your other choice is to go Gergo Lovrencsics ($3,100), who is expected to play at wing-back. Even on a bigger underdog, playing a minimally priced winger is usually something to think about.
DEFENDERS
Raphael Guerreiro, POR v. HUN ($5,700): I'm going to back Portugal at every position because that's what happens with the biggest favorite on a two-game slate. Guerreiro is probably too expensive, but if Portugal control possession and are in the attack the majority of the match, he could have five crosses and a clean sheet, among other things. Nuno Mendes ($4,800) would be easier to back if he starts, while Nelson Semedo ($5,100) is in that same mold except slightly more expensive. Joshua Kimmich ($5,800) is usually a good play, but against France with a possibly split role on set pieces, there's no reason to spend on him, no matter what position he plays.
Lucas Hernandez, FRA v. GER ($4,000): I can't figure out why Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard ($4,600) are so cheap, which means they could be the most popular defenders. There's a chance this match is up and down, and that means Hernandez is a steal at $4,000. In the right situation, he could send in a few crosses and get a couple shots, which would be enough to hit value. If you're stacking Portugal, Ruben Dias ($3,800) and Pepe ($3,900) are at similar prices unless Jose Fonte ($3,100) starts at center-back. The other strategy is to punt on a French central defender like Raphael Varane ($2,600) and hope for a clean sheet.
GOALKEEPER
Rui Silva, POR v. HUN ($5,800): There are plenty of viable methods in which you'd have enough money left for Silva, so he's the pick. He probably won't get many opportunities for saves, but I'll take this Portugal back line over whoever Hungary throws out up front after being held scoreless by Ireland last friendly. Hugo Lloris ($5,000) comes at a decent rate if you're fading Germany, and even if you have Ronaldo, Peter Gulacsi ($3,900) is a possibility because the saves will be there.
