This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: England v. Sweden
2:00 p.m: Croatia v. Russia
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, ENG v. SWE ($11,800): We're once again presented with a slate where the biggest decision will be about whether or not to fade Kane. Just like earlier this week, England are the biggest favorite on the slate, they have the highest implied goal total and Kane has the best odds to score. Oh, and his six World Cup goals are two more than any other player. You could nit-pick and note that half of his goals have come from the penalty spot, but you could simply reply by stating that he takes penalties for an England side that is very good at drawing them! Kane figures to be popular in cash games and GPPs, but there are very viable builds without him, so while there is risk in fading him, there could be solid rewards.
Ivan Perisic, CRO v. RUS ($7,800): Perisic headlines the forwards you can target if you fade Kane. You could theoretically pair the two together, but it leads to some pretty ugly punts in other spots. He's unlikely to have a role on set pieces, similar to what's happened throughout the World Cup, but Perisic still has a solid floor thanks to his shots and crosses. Teammate Ante Rebic ($6,400) has been a valuable salary saver throughout the tournament, and while his Saturday price is the highest of the tournament, it still provides a relatively decent entry point for
MATCHES (EDT)
10:00 a.m: England v. Sweden
2:00 p.m: Croatia v. Russia
FORWARDS
Harry Kane, ENG v. SWE ($11,800): We're once again presented with a slate where the biggest decision will be about whether or not to fade Kane. Just like earlier this week, England are the biggest favorite on the slate, they have the highest implied goal total and Kane has the best odds to score. Oh, and his six World Cup goals are two more than any other player. You could nit-pick and note that half of his goals have come from the penalty spot, but you could simply reply by stating that he takes penalties for an England side that is very good at drawing them! Kane figures to be popular in cash games and GPPs, but there are very viable builds without him, so while there is risk in fading him, there could be solid rewards.
Ivan Perisic, CRO v. RUS ($7,800): Perisic headlines the forwards you can target if you fade Kane. You could theoretically pair the two together, but it leads to some pretty ugly punts in other spots. He's unlikely to have a role on set pieces, similar to what's happened throughout the World Cup, but Perisic still has a solid floor thanks to his shots and crosses. Teammate Ante Rebic ($6,400) has been a valuable salary saver throughout the tournament, and while his Saturday price is the highest of the tournament, it still provides a relatively decent entry point for a forward on a favored side.
Emil Forsberg, SWE v. ENG ($6,900): Forsberg took both of Sweden's corners during their quarterfinal win over Switzerland, though he could lose those opportunities if Sebastian Larsson ($3,200, midfielder) returns to the starting XI after being suspended. However, Forsberg has shown a solid floor even without them thanks to his shots and fouls drawn. Those stats aren't as reliable as crosses (Forsberg's two against Switzerland were his first two of the tournament), but he's still the most active attacker for Sweden and doesn't cost much for a forward.
MIDFIELDERS
Luka Modric, CRO v. RUS ($8,000): Modric is the second-most expensive player on the slate, with his role on set pieces for Croatia giving him a strong floor. He's not really a volume shooter or crosser, but he's over the ball during the important moments. The Croatia midfield also includes Ivan Rakitic ($5,600), who is definitely in play even though I don't think he takes over on penalties despite Modric missing his last one (not including the penalty shootout against Denmark). If Marcelo Brozovic ($4,000) continues to hold down the defensive midfield, Rakitic will be able to keep moving up, something that has allowed him to take nine shots and draw eight fouls in his last three games. He's not as reliable as Modric, but he's good enough to pair with him (as opposed to replace him in a cash lineup).
Sebastian Larsson, SWE v. ENG ($3,200): Larsson comes into play for those who are building around Kane, as his low price and potential role on set pieces make him an attractive option. However, he was cheap and had a role on set pieces in his last two games (he was suspended for the quarterfinal) and he scored a combined 2.0 fantasy points: 0.75 in 90 minutes against Germany and 1.25 against Mexico, with each including a yellow card. Oh, and he is nursing a slight knee injury. But...he's pretty much necessary if you want to spend $11,800 on a goal-dependent forward.
Aleksandr Samedov, RUS v. CRO ($5,400): I try to avoid writing about players who I likely won't play, but I think Samedov makes sense if you're looking to build around Kane. Samedov has a role on set pieces and his price is definitely cheap enough to work. His 10 crosses against Egypt in the group stage is his high point, and you (I?) can't ignore that he's scored at least 7.25 fantasy points in two of his last three games. However, he doesn't shoot much (two shots in the opener against Saudi Arabia and then donuts), he's hardly a lock for 90 minutes, and pairing him with Larsson just to get Kane seems like you're giving up quite a bit. But, he's an option.
DEFENDERS
Kieran Trippier, ENG v. SWE ($6,100): With few midfielders worth paying up for, Trippier could be the second or third-highest owned player in cash games thanks to his partial role on set pieces for England. While he's usually reliable for all of England's crosses on the right side, Trippier even got a direct free kick opportunity against Colombia, helping him to 11.25 fantasy points without a goal or assist. It was his third game this World Cup with at least 10.50 fantasy points, and the set pieces against Sweden could get him back there again. Teammate Ashley Young ($4,900) is also in play after scoring 9.75 points against Colombia, which certainly helped make up for his minus-0.5 the prior game.
Ludwig Augustinsson, SWE v. ENG ($5,300): Augustinsson has been another reliable source of crosses, as his shared role on set pieces has put him in good situations. Sweden could be chasing this game if they fall behind early, and their clearest method of attacking is by lumping balls into the box to their forwards. Oh, and if we're talking about Swedish defenders, then obviously Andreas Granqvist ($4,400 comes into play because he takes penalties for Sweden, right? While he should be on those opportunities, I think you'll get more value out of Emil Krafth ($4,000), who could get the start at right-back in place of the suspended Michael Lustig ($4,100).
Sime Vrsaljko, CRO v. RUS ($5,000): I think this is definitely a slate where you can pay up for three defenders, and if you are uncomfortable taking two from England (preferred) or Sweden, adding Vrsaljko to the mix would help diversify. He's a more defensive defender than Trippier, Young or Augustinsson, but he's still a reasonable attacker who could get some chances against Russia. If you want to pay down, I think centerbacks Domagoj Vida ($3,400) of Croatia and England's Harry Maguire ($3,600) could be considered.
GOALKEEPER
Jordan Pickford, ENG v. SWE ($5,300): Pickford is the most expensive keeper on the slate because he has the highest win and clean sheet odds. His upside probably isn't that high because Sweden aren't likely to be ripping long-range shots that he can easily save, but with Russia figuring out a way to make the quarterfinal, I am slightly hesitant about Danijel Subasic ($5,100), who probably has a higher save upside. For the underdog keepers, Robin Olsen ($4,500) makes realistic sense for those who are fading Kane.
