FanDuel World Cup Soccer DFS Analysis – Saturday June 16 2018
By David Gate
Welcome to our FanDuel World Cup column where we give you all the best tips and analysis to make money in soccer DFS this summer!
There are four games Saturday in the FIFA World Cup but FanDuel have created a three game slate for the three later games. While bigger slates are better at least we won’t have to wake up at 5am EST to check team sheets! Instead we get to 9am EST before the lineups lock.
The three games on this slate are; Argentina v Iceland; Peru v Denmark; Croatia v Nigeria. Having one of the tournament favorites in Argentina on the slate means we get to see Lionel Messi – the best player in the world. Yesterday we got Ronaldo, today Messi. I love the World Cup!
This is a key competition for the global star – this will be his last World Cup in the peak years of his career and he has yet to make a significant impact in one of these tournaments.
Elsewhere there is the underrated Croatia side that contains a great balance of attacking potential and defensive stability. There are also the Nigeria and Peru sides for us to have one or two bargains.
You will need to keep an eye on team sheets throughout the day which will come out an hour before kickoff of each game. The matches are spread out with the first starting at 9am EST and the last at 3pm EST. You can follow me on Twitter – @davidgatesports – for updates.
FanDuel World Cup – Goalkeepers
All these matchups on this slate look one-sided to me and so there are only three of the six keepers that I can recommend as good bets to get the all important 17 point clean sheet and win bonuses.
Top of the roster is Chelsea reserve goalie Willy Caballero (6000). While he is not first choice at Stamford Bridge he is the best Argentina has. He is facing an Iceland side that has achieved great things over the last four years qualifying for the last two major international competitions.
He is the biggest lock for a clean sheet and I like his chances of a win. Iceland are famous for being difficult to break down and do very little attacking. There is a solid floor but no high ceiling for Caballero today.
If you are looking for a little more upside then I would go for Danijel Subasic (5500). Nigeria are capable of scoring but I think overall Croatia will keep them under wraps and win easily. He should get more save opportunities than Caballero but that comes with a touch more risk of conceding.
If you are wanting to save a little more at GK then Kasper Schmeichel (5000) is a fine play against Peru. I am avoiding him because I think a lot of EPL players will go with name recognition. There is not quite enough upside in GPP play for me to go with the Dane.
FanDuel World Cup – Defenders
EPL regulars will see two familiar names near the top of the defender list with Nicolas Otomendi (7000) of Manchester City and Dejan Lovren (6000) of Liverpool. You may also be wondering why they are 1k more expensive than they should be.
From the more expensive defenders I prefer Simon Kjaer (6000) who will be facing a dynamic – though limited – Peru side. I like his chances of racking up the defensive stats.
The best value in the position is with the Iceland defenders who will likely be busy all game. Ragnar Sigurdsson (5000) and Birkir Már Saevarsson (5000) are primed to make value but will unlikely get the clean sheet bonus. These guys are great cash plays.
When I look at this slate I want to load up with midfield and forward talent so I am happy reaching to the basement for Nigerian value at the defensive position. Both Brian Idowu (4000) and Kenneth Omeruo (4000) are cheap enough for me to plug them in and move on.
FanDuel World Cup – Midfielders
To Messi or Not to Messi? I could go either way at his price; Lionel Messi (13000). However the curious decision to list him as a midfielder – instead of his usual forward designation – means I can’t avoid him in lineups I like.
He will be chalk so I respect anyone willing to take the risk of fading but there is not enough high-priced midfielders for me to pivot towards. Not having the best player in the world against Iceland seems foolish.
Elsewhere my favorite midfield pick of the day is Yoshimar Yotun (6500) who was Peru’s leading assist creator in qualifying and takes some set pieces. He is at a bargain price and helps me plug in Messi.
Then I have a toss up between two great players. Christian Eriksen (9500) is one of the best set piece takers in the tournament and – unlike for Spurs – will be on penalties. Luka Modric (9000) will be the lynchpin of the dark horse Croatia side. He was the best player in the Champions League final three weeks ago. I will mix both players into my lines.
Two players to watch out for: Wilfrid Ndidi (7500) who is struggling with a hamstring injury. I like him against Croatia if he starts. If he doesn’t play then I love Jon Obi Mikel (6000) to take all the defensive stats in midfield for Nigeria.
FanDuel World Cup – Forwards
Sergio Aguero (11500) stands as the best – and most expensive – striker on this slate. He like Messi is coming to the end of a stellar career and wants a huge performance at this tournament. I have no problems with going for him. I couldn’t get a team with him and Messi I like so I went for the better player.
It will be interesting to see if either Gonzalo Higuain (10500) or Paulo Dybala (9000) make the team. Either player would be worth looking at but especially Dybala who has the lower price but higher upside of the two.
Mario Mandzukic (10000) is the main man for Croatia to get the goals and I love him today. I’m sticking my DFS day on his shoulders. I will be pairing him with Andrej Kramaric (8000) for an all-in strategy with Croatia.
He was the second highest scorer for his side in qualifying and bagged 13 goals in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim this season.
Suggested Lineup
FWD: Mandzukic – Croatia
FWD: Kramaric – Croatia
MID: Messi – Argentina
MlD: Modric – Croatia
MID: Yotun – Peru
DEF: Idowu – Nigeria
DEF: Omeruo – Nigeria
GK: Subasic – Monaco
Best of luck in your FanDuel World Cup contests and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest DFS news and analysis across all your favorite sports.