This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Mexico v. Brazil
2:00 p.m: Japan v. Belgium
FORWARDS
Neymar, BRZ v. MEX ($12,500):Neymar has the best floor on the slate and it's not close. Even with only one goal and one assist, he's averaging 33 fantasy points per match with 11 chances created and eight shots on goal. Brazil will get their chances against Mexico, similar to the 26 shots Germany had against them in their first group match. Neymar played his best in the most recent match and could be at another level for knockout stages after coming into the tournament with an ankle injury. He's much easier to trust than teammate Gabriel Jesus ($10,000) and is worth the extra money.
Romelu Lukaku, BEL v. JPN ($11,500): Reports have Lukaku healthy after dealing with an ankle injury last week, and he has the best odds to score on the slate. He already has two braces and it can be argued Japan's back line isn't much better than that of Tunisia or Panama. Japan scraped into the round of 16 after stealing a win against 10-man Colombia and then advancing on fair play after losing to Poland. They'll likely sit back a decent amount, which should allow Lukaku to at least see the ball in front of goal. And usually when he shoots, he scores, with four goals from four shots on target.
Hirving Lozano, MEX v. BRZ ($7,500): If you want to save money, Lozano is the most reasonable Mexico
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Mexico v. Brazil
2:00 p.m: Japan v. Belgium
FORWARDS
Neymar, BRZ v. MEX ($12,500):Neymar has the best floor on the slate and it's not close. Even with only one goal and one assist, he's averaging 33 fantasy points per match with 11 chances created and eight shots on goal. Brazil will get their chances against Mexico, similar to the 26 shots Germany had against them in their first group match. Neymar played his best in the most recent match and could be at another level for knockout stages after coming into the tournament with an ankle injury. He's much easier to trust than teammate Gabriel Jesus ($10,000) and is worth the extra money.
Romelu Lukaku, BEL v. JPN ($11,500): Reports have Lukaku healthy after dealing with an ankle injury last week, and he has the best odds to score on the slate. He already has two braces and it can be argued Japan's back line isn't much better than that of Tunisia or Panama. Japan scraped into the round of 16 after stealing a win against 10-man Colombia and then advancing on fair play after losing to Poland. They'll likely sit back a decent amount, which should allow Lukaku to at least see the ball in front of goal. And usually when he shoots, he scores, with four goals from four shots on target.
Hirving Lozano, MEX v. BRZ ($7,500): If you want to save money, Lozano is the most reasonable Mexico forward to use, as Chicharito ($8,500) and Carlos Vela ($8,000) are more expensive for no real reason. Lozano has been consistent on the wing, with five chances created, eight shots and five tackles in the group stage. The hope with any of the Mexico forwards is that they get opportunities off counterattacks, which is what they did against Germany. Lozano's goal-scoring odds are in the same range as his teammates, and he should create chances on the wing, as well.
MIDFIELDERS
Eden Hazard, BEL v. JPN ($10,500): A lot of people will choose between Hazard and Coutinho ($10,000), and there's not much to separate the two. Hazard is on the ball a little more, which makes him slightly easier to trust. Both are averaging nearly three chances created and two shots on goal per match, but being on the ball more benefits Hazard and he plays for the bigger favorite.
Casemiro, BRZ v. MEX ($7,500):Casemiro jumped in price a bit but is still worth it with a solid floor. He's averaging 15.6 fantasy points per match and relies on interceptions (six), clearances (nine) and tackles (11), which shouldn't be a problem against Mexico. He controls things in the middle of the field, and if Mexico want to counter, Casemiro will play a big part in stopping it. He doesn't have the upside of any of the wingers, but he's a safe cash play for cheap.
Yannick Carrasco, BEL v. JPN ($7,500): If you want more upside for cheap, Carrasco is the option. While Willian ($8,000) may have a better chance to make the score sheet, he also hasn't done much in the World Cup and is more likely to be subbed out. If you have money, go for Kevin De Bruyne ($9,000) since he's always a good bet to create chances even if he doesn't make the score sheet. Carrasco plays the same position as Thomas Meunier ($6,000), but there aren't many other viable options in the midfield. Carrasco will get crosses from the wing and has held a decent floor in two starts, with clearances and tackles to go with shots on goal in each.
DEFENDERS
Thomas Meunier, BEL v. JPN ($6,000): Meunier doesn't cost a crazy amount and makes a lot of sense if Belgium control this match, as expected. His floor hasn't been as good as Carrasco's, but the sample size is small and he could easily reach 15 fantasy points with some clearances and tackles. It's guaranteed Meunier will be in the attacking third a good portion of the match, and with better clean sheet odds and a healthier back than Marcelo ($6,000), he makes more sense.
Jesus Gallardo, MEX v. BRZ ($5,000): Gallardo had 32.7 fantasy points against Germany (seven clearances, eight interceptions) and if this match goes the same way, he could be in for another nice day. He's unlikely to reach that total again, but for a mid-range defender, reaching 15 fantasy points is as good as it gets. Miranda ($5,500) and Carlos Salcedo ($5,500) cost a little more, though there's no reason to spend up on either one.
Hiroki Sakai, JPN v. BEL ($4,000): Sakai is a plug-and-play defender who will reach 10 fantasy points and cost nothing. That's been my favorite type of defender in the tournament because there's no downside. Expensive centerbacks get less work and have to rely on clean sheets to make value, while guys like Sakai automatically make value because they defend the majority of the match. He had 11 clearances and seven tackles in the group stage, and if Japan need to push, maybe he'll create a chance or two from the wing. If Danilo ($4,000) starts over Fagner ($5,000), he's in the same range, though won't have much defensive work.
GOALKEEPER
Alisson, BRZ v. MEX ($5,000): I'd like to go with Guillermo Ochoa ($4,500), but Mexico are bigger underdogs than Russia was on Sunday. Ochoa should rack up saves, yet expecting a clean sheet or win is a stretch. I prefer Alisson over Thibaut Courtois ($6,000) because he allows you to spend more on forward and midfield, but there isn't much of a difference between the two. Neither Courtois nor Alisson should see many shots, but both are decent favorites and set for wins.
