One of the challenges of these World Cup DFS slates is that the games are not run at the same times. Sometimes this isn’t a big deal, but it could be an issue for Saturday’s slate. We could see a big swing in fantasy value in France vs. England depending on how England lines up, but we won’t know that until well after the lineup locks for the first game.

England has rolled through this World Cup (for the most part) playing a back four. By contrast, they made it to the Euro 2020 final playing a back three, which was stout defensively but made goals decidedly hard to come by at times. If they shift to a back three, it would potentially give England more defenders to deal with Kylian Mbappe and the other French attackers. I think I am probably going to save the majority of my lineup spots for the late game and adjust based on the starting lineups, but it might not be a bad idea to save yourself the headache and just load up on Portugal attackers.

 


2022 World Cup DFS Soccer Top Plays

Goalkeepers
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
BonoMORPOR40007.01710.17
Morocco has still only allowed one goal in this tournament. Switzerland's defense looked good before they were eviserated by Portugal and that could happen here as well but I trust Morocco's defense. Even if Bono allows a goal or two, hopefully he will make enough saves to provide fantasy value.
Diogo CostaPORMOR55007.621311.38
I just think this game is going to be lower-scoring than the late game, and Portugal is more likely to win than France or England. Costa probably won't have to make very many saves, but this is all about chasing a win and a clean sheet.
Forwards
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Kylian MbappeFRAENG1080030.482140.75
You could construct a really well-balanced lineup by fading Mbappe for Griezmann and Dembele and using the savings on Bruno Fernandes, but I just don't know how you can fade Mbappe. He has at least 33.5 DK fantasy points in all three starts in this tournament.
Antoine GriezmannFRAENG780015.351721.63
You can certainly pivot to Ousmane Dembele, especially on DraftKings, but Griezmann has been oustanding for fantasy despite only recording one assist on 15 chances created. He has at least 14.8 DK fantasy points in all three starts in this tournament.
Midfielders
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Jordan HendersonENGFRA39008.2799.83
Henderson is averaging 11.6 DK fantasy points per start, or exactly as much as Jude Bellingham. Henderson should send in a few crosses at the very least and I expect he will join in the attack much like he did against Senegal.
Phil FodenENGFRA720013.531615.77
You can pivot to Bukayo Saka if you need to save some money on DraftKings but I think Foden is safer on both sites. He has eight crosses, three chances created, five shots, two assists and one goal in two starts for England.
Bruno FernandesPORMOR950024.612031.90
I was surprised at how easy it is to fit Fernandes and Mbappe into the same lineup, especially on DraftKings. I think this matchup is better for Fernandes than for Goncalo Ramos. I would be tempted to pivot to Ronaldo if he starts but I'm not expecting that to happen. And if it does, I might just play them both.
Jude BellinghamENGFRA590011.641315.13
Bellingham is safer than Jordan Henderson, though he is much more expensive on DraftKings. On FanDuel, Bellingham looks like one of the best cheap plays on the entire slate. He has three chances created in his last two games.
Defenders
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Raphael GuerreiroPORMOR570014.021418.93
Morocco should do a much better job of forcing Portugal out wide, which could mean a lot of crosses from Guerreiro. You can pivot to Portugal's other starting outside back (hopefully Joao Cancelo) if you need to save money, but I thought Guerreiro would cost more after his two goal involvements against Switzerland.
Kyle WalkerENGFRA31003.576.40
I think I would like him better on both sites if England lines up in a back four, but he should be playable on FanDuel in any alignment. Walker had 11.5 FD fantasy points against Senegal and he should rack up defensive stats trying to defend Kylian Mbappe.
Luke ShawENGFRA490010.921112.43
He has at least 8.9 DK fantasy points in all four games and while this is the toughest matchup of those games, France has tended to invite the opposition into their half and then look to counterattack. That could lead to a handful of crosses for Shaw, which is all we really need at this price.
Noussair MazraouiMORPOR42005.681013.18
He had his best fantasy game of the tournament against Spain and I think he could get forward more often against Portugal, especially if Morocco falls behind.
Nayef AguerdMORPOR29004.18910.40
I think his modest fantasy production on FanDuel is more the result of middling competition than anything else. Portugal will not be content to pass back and forth for 90 minutes like Spain was, and so there should be more opportunities for defensive stats in this game.
PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Dayot UpamecanoFRAENG33005.141011.40
This pick could hinge on England's style of play. If they try to sit back and defend for 90 minutes like they did in the Euros, Upamecano may not have much to do. If England chooses to attack, this could be Upamecano's best matchup of the entire tournament. He has already been respectable for fantasy despite facing three underwhelming attacking teams.

2022 World Cup DFS Soccer Core Plays

Draftkings Core Plays
Top TierKylian Mbappe$10,800
Bruno Fernandes$9,500
Mid TierPhil Foden$7,200
Antoine Griezmann$7,800
Value TierJordan Henderson$3,900
Noussair Mazraoui$4,200
   
Fanduel Core Plays
Top TierKylian Mbappe$21
Bruno Fernandes$20
Mid TierAntoine Griezmann$17
Phil Foden$16
Value TierKyle Walker$7
Jude Bellingham$13

 

 

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