We are on to the knockout stage of the 2022 World Cup, and the days of four-game DFS soccer slates already feel like a lost luxury. With just two games on Saturday's daily fantasy soccer slate on DraftKings and FanDuel, value plays can be particularly hard to come by. That being said, if we look at the matchups closely, we can identify some players who are better-suited to scoring fantasy points than they were in the group stage. Those players will be especially important since you will likely want to pay up for one or two of the top-tier players, like Lionel Messi. The USA vs Netherlands matchup headlines the DFS World Cup slate, but Argentina vs Australia will also be a fun one to watch. Let's dive into the DFS soccer top picks, value plays & more for Saturday, December 3rd as the 2022 World Cup rolls on!

 

2022 World Cup DFS Soccer Top Picks December 3

DFS World Cup Goalkeepers

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Emiliano MartinezARGAUS59006.231410.67
I'm not sure I want to mess around with the other game, and I fully expect Argentina to get a win, if nothing else. Hopefully we can find some places to save elsewhere in our lineup.
Matt TurnerUSANED42009.07913.17
Netherlands only had eight shots on target in the group stage. On the one hand, that means we probably can't count on Turner for saves. On the other hand, that makes a clean sheet far more likely than we might otherwise expect. I think the only reason Netherlands won their group is that Sadio Mane didn't play, and I think a win is far more likely than Turner's price implies.

DFS World Cup Forwards

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Timothy WeahUSANED60008.11512.33
Netherlands plays a very high line at times and that could directly play into Weah's hands. Perhaps more importantly, Netherlands was not a great defensive team in qualifying and I think their one goal against in the group stage was more a result of facing poor offensive teams than anything else. Weah sent in five crosses in the first two games and I think we could get a few more in this game.
Cody GakpoNEDUSA940019.232129.33
I would love to be able to tell you to save some money and pivot to Memphis Depay or somebody else, but I can't do it. Gakpo has half of his team's crosses and all of its corner kicks in addition to scoring in all three games. I think this might be the game where he finally gets an assist to go along with all of those goals.
Lionel MessiARGAUS1090024.282335.53
Messi is $100 more expensive than anyone on DraftKings and $2 more on FanDuel but I think you just have to look under the couch cushions and scrounge the salary somewhere. He has at least 20 DK fantasy points in all three games and I see no reason to believe this game will be different.
Jesus FerreiraUSANED7900012 
He is a much better play on FanDuel, where he is my favorite value forward. Netherlands has proven vulnerable to the press at times and I think Ferreira can have some success pressing defensively and then looking to strike quickly following a turnover. I will probably pivot to Josh Sargent if he starts instead, though there is some risk that Sargent starts but is still slowed by his ankle injury.
 

DFS World Cup Midfielders

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Enzo FernandezARGAUS690010.221514.47
I usually prefer players who consistently score points the same way, but those players usually cost more. Fernandez scored a goal in 33 minutes off the bench against Mexico and picked up an assist against Poland. I don't know if we can count on him to score goals or create chances but I will gladly take a relatively cheap way into the Argentina attack.
Angel Di MariaARGAUS990012.681612.97
It's going to be difficult to afford him on DraftKings, though he is safe and could be a great play if both games are low scoring. Di Maria is mostly on this list for FanDuel, where he is reasonably priced considering the matchup and that he's created two chances in all three games.
Denzel DumfriesNEDUSA46005.63107.67
Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal has said his team will try to attack the USA through the wide areas, and that could mean more crosses for Dumfries. He had three against Senegal and I think I would take the over on that number in this game.
Christian PulisicUSANED920017.551616.97
I don't understand why he is so cheap on FanDuel. Sure, he didn't do much statistically against England, but that was a much scarier matchup. Pulisic leads his team in chances created and he will be on corner kicks. He is playable on DraftKings as well, especially if you think USA is going to win.

DFS World Cup Defenders

PlayerTeamOpp.DK $DK FPPGFD $FD FPPG
Harry SouttarAUSARG28003.731316.90
Souttar has 20 clearances, four blocks, three interceptions and two tackles in this World Cup. Of the remaining teams, only Croatia has allowed more clearances to opponents than Argentina.
Antonee RobinsonUSANED50008.791111.97
I think Sergino Dest is going to go back to a more defensive role, which would make Robinson the best American defender for fantasy. He has 17 crosses and three chances created and like Timothy Weah, Robinson could get in behind the defense for long balls if Netherlands plays a high line.
Walker ZimmermanUSANED40001.8388.17
Zimmerman had three clearances in eight minutes against Iran and I think that appearance off the bench has left him underpriced on FanDuel. You can pivot to Cameron Carter-Vickers or Tim Ream if Zimmerman is out but I think he is too cheap if he starts.
Daley BlindNEDUSA56007.289.47
He hasn't gotten forward too much in this tournament but I think he could hit a few more crosses against the U.S. I think I actually like him better on FanDuel, where he could provide some cheap defensive stats.
Virgil van DijkNEDUSA38005.211213.00
His price has finally come down on DraftKings, and it couldn't have come at a better time. USA's biggest weakness is on set pieces and van Dijk will be the likely target whenever the Netherlands gets one in the U.S. half. He is safer on FanDuel but I like his upside for both sites.

2022 World Cup DFS Soccer Core Plays December 3

DraftKings Core Plays
Top TierCody Gakpo$9,400
Lionel Messi$10,900
Mid TierTimothy Weah$6,000
Enzo Fernandez$6,900
Value TierVirgil van Dijk$3,800
Denzel Dumfries$4,600
   
FanDuel Core Plays
Top TierLionel Messi$23
Cody Gakpo$21
Mid TierAngel Di Maria$16
Christian Pulisic$16
Value TierWalker Zimmerman$8
Jesus Ferreira$12
 

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