FanDuel World Cup DFS analysis – July 10 & 11 2018
By David Gate
Welcome to the FanDuel World Cup Analysis column on FantasyCPR. We have all the picks and tips for you to cash on the Semi-Final slate in DFS soccer!
And then there were four. We are down to the Semi-Final stage of the World Cup and we have the last slate on FanDuel where all the games will be competitive. I am presuming that FanDuel will do a slate for the Final and Third place play-off this weekend. If not this will be the last column of the 2018 World Cup. *Sad Face Emoji*
There are two fascinating games across Tuesday and Wednesday on this slate. First up is France v Belgium in a matchup of the two most favored teams left in the competition. Both are coming off impressive wins against South American sides.
The Wednesday match is between England and Croatia. The Three Lions have surpassed expectations to reach their first World Cup semi-final for 28 years. Croatia were dark horses for the trophy and are coming off two 120 minute games and penalties.
These will be tight matchups decided by small moments. Make sure you read my Guide to World Cup Set Piece Takers to help you increase your chances for goals and assists in your lines.
You will need to keep an eye on team sheets on both days which will come out an hour before kickoff of each game. Both games will be at 2pm EST on Tuesday and Wednesday. You can follow me on Twitter – @davidgatesports – for updates.
Let’s see how we should play this great slate to cash on FanDuel World Cup DFS this week!
FanDuel World Cup Goalkeepers
Let’s break down these keepers one-by-one. Hugo Loris (5500) is top of the roster but I’m not sure why. Perhaps it is because they expect Belgium to create lots of chances? He has been a low usage goalie only racking up 8 saves in his four games. He has been heavily dependent on the clean sheet and win bonuses. This game is too tight to call so I see no reason to pay up for the Spurs man.
Danijel Subasic (5000) has not kept a clean sheet in the knockout rounds and they are facing England who have a better attack than either Russia or Denmark from the previous rounds. I like his chances of getting saves if Croatia lead late on and england are firing in shots. Otherwise I prefer the cheaper keepers.
Keep an eye on the injury news as Subasic is doubtful for the game. If he misses out then Lovre Kalinic (3500) will replace him at base value. I would definitely play him if he starts but you can’t count on that as he is in the Wednesday game… only if you have Pickford.
Jordan Pickford (4500) has the best chance of a clean sheet and a win on this slate. England are the biggest favorites in these two games. He also gives you the ability to pivot to Kalinic. He’s my guy for most lineups.
It is unlikely that Thibaut Courtois (4500) will keep a clean sheet against France but it is a good shot for the win bonus and a bunch of saves. He is good at this price.
FanDuel World Cup Defenders
French left back Lucas Hernandez (4500) has grown into the role during this tournament and had an excellent game against Uruguay. He put down 8 clearances, 3 tackles and 1 interception and I would expect something similar against an attacking Belgium side.
His compatriot Benjamin Pavard (5500) is priced a little higher but is worth the investment in this matchup. The Belgians will likely target him as the weakest link in the French back four. He will be up against Eden Hazard and Yannick Carrasco all night. He will be busy.
Harry Maguire (4500) is what price? A massive head, a breakout tournament and a DFS legend. Love his floor of defensive stats with some goal/assist threat upside. He will be chalk and is a cash game must play.
The big question for Belgium is who will play right-wing back? Will manager Roberto Martinez go defensive and play a back four with either Thomas Vermalen (4000) or Dedryck Boyata (4000) or shift a midfielder to the wing in a back three. If either of those two start they will be targeted by France all evening.
If you are looking for a GPP upside play then consider Vincent Kompany (5000) who has a habit of scoring crucial goals from set-pieces in big games. He offers little with the other two center backs defensively as they share the stats. Also Ashley Young (5500) to get an assist. Both GPP only.
FanDuel World Cup Midfielders
The real decision you have to make on this slate is how aggressive do you want to be with your midfield picks? Ordinarily I like to have one high-end dependable striker and one cheap ‘punt’ at that position and then stack as many high upside midfielders as I can.
That is entirely possible here without compromising the rest of your lineup. Eden Hazard (10000) has that sweet matchup with Benjamin Pavard and is a great play in both GPP and cash though I will be using him in GPP.
This has been a World Cup decided by set-pieces and if you have read my guide you will know there aren’t two players I like better left in this tournament than Kevin de Bruyne (8500) and Luka Modric (9500) I will use them together in cash and pair KDB with Hazard in GPP.
If you are trying to squeeze in two top forwards you may have to use some value at the third MID position. I love N’Golo Kante (6000) as a dependable option for cash games but the upside of Ivan Perisic (6500) is very tempting for GPP.
The England midfield has not been great in DFS this tournament as the team have relied on goals from Harry Kane and center backs at set pieces. Jesse Lingard (8000) is the pick of the Three Lions midfield for me in this game.
FanDuel World Cup Forwards
There are four high-end forward that I consider playable on this slate. Harry Kane (13000) is the premium player here with the lowest odds of scoring in these games. But he is priced high for that reason. I actually like that on this slate as players will look to match two of the other forwards.
He could be under 30% owned in GPP but has the upside of being essential to cashing – basically he could score a hat trick. I am all in on the chinny forward.
Romelu Lukaku (11000) is great option but my only question is how will he fare against the best defense he will have faced in this tournament?
The French duo of Antione Griezmann (11500) and Kylian Mbappe (10500) come in equally for me – the former having a touch more upside as the penalty taker. I don’t hate the idea of pairing them in cash games. I would pick one or the other in GPP as I don’t see both of them going off.
Of the cheaper options I am fading both Croatia forwards as neither have impressed in this tournament and are often subbed early after doing lots of defensive running.
Olivier Giroud (7500) is a GPP play for me as he has struggled to influence the game at this level but is a good finisher if he gets a chance.
I love the idea of playing Raheem Sterling (8500) on this slate. He is under fire for going over 1000 minutes for England without a goal and for missing two good chances against Sweden.He was otherwise very good in that game; getting into lots of scoring positions. I think his ownership will be very low but his upside is excellent.
FanDuel World Cup Lineups
Note: these are sample lineups and are not optimized. The only guarantee I can give you is that I will playing them too. I will also have some lines that are not here. Best thing is to take some of these picks and build your own lineup – especially in GPP – as lineup sharing only reduces the amount you can win.
More from FanSided
- Cardinals Rumors: Surprise extension, Dylan Carlson-Yankees link, Rays trade idea
- USWNT vs. Vietnam: Key takeaways before they take on the Dutch
- NFL rumors: 49ers trending toward contract drama with defensive star
- Steelers avoid any camp drama with latest roster move
- MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
Suggested Lineup – GPP
FWD: Kane – England
FWD: Sterling – England
MID: de Bruyne – Belgium
MlD: Hazard – Belgium
MID: Perisic – Croatia
DEF: Maguire – England
DEF: Hernandez – France
GK: Pickford – England
Suggested Lineup – Cash
FWD: Griezmann – France
FWD: Mbappe – France
MID: de Bruyne – Belgium
MlD: Kante – France
MID: Modric – Croatia
DEF: Maguire – England
DEF: Hernandez – France
GK: Pickford – England
Next: FanDuel Golf - John Deere Classic Picks and Analysis
Best of luck in your FanDuel World Cup DFS contests and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest DFS news and analyis!