This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
Matches (EDT)
9:00 a.m: Germany v. China
12:00 p.m: Spain v. South Africa
3:00 p.m: Norway v. Nigeria
Forwards
Jennifer Hermoso, ESP v. RSA ($9,000): Spain is the biggest favorite (-715 to win on DraftKings Sportsbook as of Friday afternoon EDT), and Hermoso comes in with the highest anytime goal scorer odds (-195) on the slate. She's fresh off a 24-goal domestic season, which won her the Spanish Primera Division Golden Boot, and she bagged seven goals on 32 shots (16 on target) in eight qualifying matches. Her floor is mostly dependent on those shots, but there is no questioning the upside against a South Africa defense that will likely bunker down and let Spain attack. Spain have been a high-possession team that doesn't shoot a ton, but that may change given the opposition.
Lea Schuller, GER v. CHN ($8,800): Germany have the best attack on Saturday's slate, and while Alexandra Popp ($10,500) is the more consistent finisher, Schuller makes for an adequate pivot given the salary savings, especially because she plays on the wing. The Chinese have a fairly strong attack, but they have significant question marks along the back line, which is why focusing on a few German attackers could be beneficial, especially for those looking to cash in on goals.
Asisat Oshoala, NGA v. NOR ($5,200): Nigeria are underdogs to Norway, but they employ a three-headed attack that could create some issues. Oshoala, Francisca Ordega ($4,700) and Ugochi Desire Oparanozie ($4,400) aren't likely to have a ton of possession, but their speed and direct runs put them in good positions to produce. Norway's Caroline Graham Hansen ($11,100) is the safest player in this match given she's their best player and has a significant role on set pieces, but you're paying up for the most expensive player on the slate when she plays for the smallest favorite. Instead, paying less than half for Oshoala, who could make value from her fouls drawn and shots, makes more sense when pairing her with a forward from a bigger favorite.
Midfielders
Dzsenifer Marozsan, GER v. CHN ($8,600): Marozsan has a solid role on set pieces and is the creative engine for the best attacking team on the slate. While Popp and Schuller have better goal-scoring odds, it can't be ignored that Marozsan is Germany's penalty taker. She doesn't shoot quite as often as the forwards, but she certainly doesn't hesitate to rip a few. You're mostly paying for safety, but don't be surprised if Marozsan (+155 to score a goal, +170 to have an assist) ends up on the scoresheet as well.
Wang Shuang, CHN v. GER ($5,100): China are mostly an attacking side, with Shuang at the center of it, and she is their primary set-piece taker. Given their underdog status, we get a pretty good discount on a player who is likely to see enough of the ball to make value, and if you want to go contrarian by betting against the Germans, pairing Wang with forward Wang Shanshan ($5,400) or Li Ying ($5,000) is certainly a positive correlation play. If you'd rather just play the favorite in this price range, it's possible Giulia Gwinn ($4,500) gets the start, though she could line up as a left-back or left wingback but because she's classified as a midfielder, she won't get any clean sheet points if they get the shutout.
Alexia Putellas, ESP v. RSA ($8,200): If you're looking to stack Spain, which is certainly viable given their expected control of their match against South Africa, including Putellas makes sense given her role on set pieces. If there's an unfortunate part of that situation it's that Spain play plenty of short corners, stealing valuable crosses from us, but there's still plenty to be said for the open-play opportunities Putellas will get. You won't get many discounts with the Spanish midfielders (or forwards or defenders, really), though if Patri Guijarro ($4,200) gets the start, she'll certainly be worth considering after winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the U-20 World Cup last summer.
Defenders
Marta Torrejon, ESP v. RSA ($5,800): A Spain stack should certainly include Torrejon, a solid crossing right-back who is also a decent threat on set pieces. Mapi Leon ($5,400) is likely to start on the other side, and while both players should have no problem moving up in the attack, Torrejon's crossing capabilities give her the more solid floor. That being said, she doesn't come cheaply, as no other defender costs as much.
Ingrid Moe Wold, NOR v. NGA ($3,600): Maren Mjelde ($4,600) is Norway's best defender, but she's also a center-back, which limits her floor on DraftKings because she doesn't cross much. Meanwhile, Wold provides some outside work with a cheap enough salary that it won't take much for her to make value. The Nigerian attackers won't make her job easy since they are incredibly fast as a unit, but Norway should have enough possession to allow Wold to move up at times.
Verena Schweers, GER v. CHN ($4,100): Schweers' spot in the starting XI is hardly guaranteed, but she would be a solid salary saver if she gets the call over Carolin Simon ($5,300). The Germany fullbacks don't come cheaply, as Kathrin-Julia Hendrich ($5,600) is more than all but Torrejon, but the potential replacements aren't so bad. Luckily, Germany play in the first game so we'll know right away if they can provide us with any salary help.
Goalkeeper
Tochukwu Oluehi, NGA v. NOR ($3,700): While all three underdogs are fairly considerable, I find it really tough to justify paying up at goalkeeper because it ultimately prices you out of one of the attackers you probably want to roster. The Nigeria defense is as bad as their attack is good, and while Norway won't have their best player and they aren't a relentless attack, the simple ineffectiveness of the Nigerian defenders should give Oluehi plenty of save opportunities.
