The last time these groups were in action, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappe all scored. So naturally, I only have one of them in my playbook. I doubt Mbappe will play 90 minutes, and I think France’s hodgepodge lineup could struggle a bit against a good Tunisia defense. That being said, there are actually a lot of cheap players I like in this slate, and I think there could be even more once lineups are announced. Feel free to go with a full studs-and-duds lineup if you can find enough cheap plays to make it work.
World Cup Goalkeepers
Goalkeepers
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Mat Ryan
AUS
DEN
8
12.50
Two first names is always a crowd-pleaser. Denmark has only managed one goal through two games. If we are going for a cheap keeper, I would rather bet against Denmark than against Argentina or France.
Guillermo Ochoa
MEX
SAU
4100
0
11
5.50
He has faced two shots on goal in both games, saving both against Poland and conceding two goals against Argentina. All of the saves he got four years ago haven't materialized at this World Cup but I like Ochoa's chances at a clean sheet in this must-win game for Mexico.
Mohammed Al Owais
SAU
MEX
4400
5.04
10
8.75
Mexico is still looking for its first goal of this World Cup, and there is a reasonable chance they don't get it. Mexico needs to win to have any chance of advancing, which adds a bit of risk, but it probably also increases the likelihood that Mexico throws too much into attack and winds up losing outright. Betting against Mexico's inability to finish is rarely a bad idea, especially at this price.
World Cup Forwards
Forwards
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Salem Al Dawsari
SAU
MEX
7200
13.83
16
26.75
Salem Al Dawsari has been the only consistent offensive threat for Saudi Arabia at this World Cup. Mexico is a strong defensively team but Al Dawsari is a good bet for a couple of chances created and if Saudi Arabia scores, I bet he will be involved.
Kingsley Coman
FRA
TUN
8700
1.69
16
2.15
I might pivot to Marcus Thuram if I am chasing goals, especially on FanDuel, but I think Coman is safer on both sites. He has 16 chances created and 20 crosses in 527 minutes for Bayern Munich and he has two crosses and a chance created in 28 minutes off the bench in this World Cup. He is the cheapest of France's likely starting attackers on DraftKings.
Lautaro Martinez
ARG
POL
7800
3.14
18
0.65
I'm not ready to give up. I still remember the two goals that were called back for offsides against Saudi Arabia, even if they don't show up in the box score. I think he is too cheap on DraftKings, even if he is strictly a tournament play.
Angel Di Maria
ARG
POL
9100
12.33
17
13.30
He has at least five crosses and two chances created in both games. He is safe on both sites, but I think he is too cheap on FanDuel.
Lionel Messi
ARG
POL
12000
25.98
22
35.15
Mbappe and Griezmann are not expected to get rested, but I doubt they will go much more than 60 minutes. Argentina has to play Messi for as long as the result is in doubt, and if they get up big enough for him to go to the bench, it is probably because he was involved in at least one goal. He is my favorite spend-up target on both sites.
Antoine Griezmann
FRA
TUN
9500
20.58
20
30.45
He topped 30 FD fantasy points in both games despite not yet scoring a goal. Feel free to pay up for Mbappe if you can but I like Griezmann considering the price.
World Cup Midfielders
Midfielders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Naim Sliti
TUN
FRA
5000
8.31
11
5.60
He has 13 croses and two chances created in 113 minutes, and while this is obviously a rough matchup, it probably helps that France has basically clinched the top spot in the group. Sliti has a nice floor, especially on DraftKings, and an attacking return isn't out of the question. If he is on the bench, Anis Ben Slimane is a great pivot at a bargain price.
Eduardo Camavinga
FRA
TUN
4300
0
10
He is reportedly going to get a shot at left back as France rests a number of its starters before the knockout stage. Theo Hernandez has seven crosses, nine chances created and two assists from that spot and if Camavinga plays the same role, he couuld be quite valuable.
Enzo Fernandez
ARG
POL
5900
8.72
15
12.60
He has two crosses and a goal in 64 minutes off the bench. He could be a relatively cheap way into the Argentina attack if he starts.
World Cup Defenders
Defenders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Harry Souttar
AUS
DEN
2500
2.94
10
12.90
With 11 clearances, three blocks, a tackle and an interception so far, Souttar looks like a very nice value on FanDuel. He scored six goals from set pieces in qualifying, so I would be willing to take a shot on DK as well.
Rasmus Kristensen
DEN
AUS
4700
7.92
11
13.10
He sent in a modest three crosses in both games, with one chance created. Denmark needs to win this game to have any chance to advance, which could give Kristensen reason to get forward more often.
Joakim Maehle
DEN
AUS
5000
6.17
11
13.75
It certainly seemed like Maehle was more involved in the attack against France than what it shows in the box score. This is arguably his best matchup of the tournament and I think he could get forward quite a bit as Denmark looks for a win to save its tournament.
Jesus Gallardo
MEX
SAU
4900
5.16
12
15.05
All he did was defend against Argentina but he had four crosses and a chance created against Poland. In a better matchup (not to mention a must-win) I expect Gallard to get even more involved in the attack.
Yassine Meriah
TUN
FRA
2500
4.66
13
17.00
Through the second round of play, nobody in the tournament had more clearances than Meriah. Even against France's backups, this should be a great matchup for Meriah.
2022 World Cup DFS Soccer Core Plays
Draftkings Core Plays
Top Tier
Lionel Messi
$12,000
Antoine Griezmann
$9,500
Mid Tier
Kingsley Coman
$8,700
Christian Eriksen
$8,300
Value Tier
Rasmus Kristensen
$4,700
Naim Sliti
$5,000
Fanduel Core Plays
Top Tier
Lionel Messi
$22
Antoinie Griezmann
$20
Mid Tier
Angel Di Maria
$17
Kingsley Coman
$16
Value Tier
Harry Souttar
$10
Eduardo Camavinga
$10
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