This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Poland v. Japan
10:00 a.m: Colombia v. Senegal
2:00 p.m: Tunisia v. Panama
2:00 p.m: Belgium v. England
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, POL v. JPN ($12,000): This isn't a great slate for forwards, unless you think Belgium and England are going to go after three points. With a good portion of starters sitting, it's more likely that match is similar to France-Denmark. That leads me to fade Harry Kane ($12,000) and Michy Batshuayi ($8,500), or anyone starting up front. As for Poland, they have nothing to play for and could again go with an attack-heavy formation that features Lewandowski up front. Whether Japan sit back and go for a draw or push forward and go for a win, either route will lead to chances for Lewandowski. Normally this would be a GPP-only play, but with so few options, he could be viable in cash.
Falcao, COL v. SEN ($11,000): Colombia are almost equal with Tunisia with the best odds to win, and that should count for something. Falcao comes in cheaper than a riskier Lewandowski and has shown a decent floor in the early matches. Most surprising may be that Falcao has gotten back for four clearances, which has added to his fantasy value. Most importantly, he's getting chances up front for Colombia, including three shots on goal, and he'll get more with the Colombians needing three points.
Wahbi Khazri, TUN v. PAN ($7,500): Khazri is the clear cheap play at forward (if he
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: Poland v. Japan
10:00 a.m: Colombia v. Senegal
2:00 p.m: Tunisia v. Panama
2:00 p.m: Belgium v. England
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, POL v. JPN ($12,000): This isn't a great slate for forwards, unless you think Belgium and England are going to go after three points. With a good portion of starters sitting, it's more likely that match is similar to France-Denmark. That leads me to fade Harry Kane ($12,000) and Michy Batshuayi ($8,500), or anyone starting up front. As for Poland, they have nothing to play for and could again go with an attack-heavy formation that features Lewandowski up front. Whether Japan sit back and go for a draw or push forward and go for a win, either route will lead to chances for Lewandowski. Normally this would be a GPP-only play, but with so few options, he could be viable in cash.
Falcao, COL v. SEN ($11,000): Colombia are almost equal with Tunisia with the best odds to win, and that should count for something. Falcao comes in cheaper than a riskier Lewandowski and has shown a decent floor in the early matches. Most surprising may be that Falcao has gotten back for four clearances, which has added to his fantasy value. Most importantly, he's getting chances up front for Colombia, including three shots on goal, and he'll get more with the Colombians needing three points.
Wahbi Khazri, TUN v. PAN ($7,500): Khazri is the clear cheap play at forward (if he starts), with Sadio Mane ($9,500) and Yuya Osako ($9,000) the other options. Most of Mane's fantasy points came from a lucky goal, while most of Osako's fantasy points came in a match against a 10-man side. Not only are Tunisia favored, but it's also the match with the highest goal total (slightly). Khazri is on the ball most for his team, whether through set pieces or in open play, and if Tunisia score, Khazri will likely be the one to create it.
MIDFIELDERS
James Rodriguez, COL v. SEN ($10,000): James is the easiest play on the slate. Colombia are favored and in need of three points and James will be around the ball a lot in the attacking third. Even if he splits set pieces and corners with Juan Quintero, he's still going to create from the run of play. It helps that his price isn't overwhelming, which will allow for better pieces in defense. With Eden Hazard ($11,000) and Kevin De Bruyne ($10,500) both unlikely to play a full 90 (if any), James is the way to go.
Edgar Barcenas, PAN v. TUN ($7,000): It's not the easiest thing finding Panama players to use, but since Barcenas takes corners and most set pieces, he's the only one I can support. This match is expected to be open, similar to Tunisia's previous two, and while Panama aren't close to the level of England or Belgium, they'll probably get more chances in this match than their other two combined. Barcenas has shown a decent floor with a couple chances created in both matches and that could lead to 15 fantasy points if this match goes according to the odds.
Juan Cuadrado, COL v. SEN ($7,000): If you need someone from the England-Belgium match, there are options in this range like Jesse Lingard ($8,000), Marcus Rashford ($7,500) or someone from Belgium. I'm more inclined to go with a player that has a good floor, some upside and playing for a team that needs three points. Cuadrado has been electric in his one-and-a-half matches played, and against Poland he was all over the wing, finishing with three chances created and three tackles in addition to the goal.
DEFENDERS
Maciej Rybus, POL v. JPN ($6,000): I'm not big into spending on defenders, but Rybus has been useful in the first two matches, getting forward on the wing as well as providing nine clearances and three tackles. Japan aren't guaranteed to score, so the clean sheet possibility is there. His numbers should be closer to where they were in the first match (20.1 fantasy points, two chances created, one shot on goal) with these teams level in odds.
Hamdi Nagguez, TUN v. PAN ($4,000): Nagguez should get the start at right-back with Dylan Bronn likely out. Nagguez managed an assist and three chances created in 66 minutes against Belgium last match and should get up the field just as much against Panama. If Nagguez doesn't start, it may be Oussama Haddadi ($3,500) in the starting XI, who is even cheaper.
Hiroki Sakai, JPN v. POL ($3,500): Throughout the tournament we've seen cheaper defenders have similar floors to the expensive guys. That's mostly due to underdogs racking up clearances and tackles against better offensive sides. There isn't a major underdog in any of these matches, but there are plenty of cheap defenders. Sakai is close to a guarantee for 10 fantasy points no matter how this match goes, as he had two chances created and three tackles against Colombia and then four clearances against Senegal. Whether Sakai gets up the field or plays defensive, he'll get enough fantasy points to reach value.
GOALKEEPER
Jordan Pickford, ENG v. BEL ($5,000): Why would anyone pay up for Thibaut Courtois ($6,000) as an underdog? This match will be a lot different than the previous two for these sides, and it's more favorable for Pickford as a slight favorite. If you really want to save money, all Tunisia goalkeepers are at $3,500 and make as much sense as Courtois.
