This article is part of our FanDuel Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Poland v. Senegal
2:00 p.m: Russia v. Egypt
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, POL v. SEN ($12,000): This price is a bit extreme, but if there's a player to score on this slate, it's Lewandowski. He's worth a look in all games after finishing with 18 goals and 27 shots on goal in 12 qualifying matches. With Mohamed Salah ($11,000) a doubt to start, or at least play a full 90, Lewandowski is also the safest of the highest-priced forwards. Senegal weren't exactly challenged in qualifying, as the second-place team in their group was Burkina Faso, and even though Poland are the smaller of the two favorites, it isn't by much.
Mohamed Salah, EGY v. RUS ($11,000): Of course, if Salah plays it'll be hard not to go with him given that the forward options are slim. He played in only six qualifying matches, yet still had six goals on 21 shots and two assists from 19 crosses. There's also a good chance Egypt push forward a little more than usual because a draw may not be enough to advance after Russia won their first match 5-0. There are two forwards who stand out on this slate and both will be widely owned.
M'Baye Niang, SEN v. POL ($5,500): Senegal's starting XI is somewhat unknown, but as the first match in the slate there are different routes to take. Niang ($5,500) is the second-cheapest forward even though he's
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Poland v. Senegal
2:00 p.m: Russia v. Egypt
FORWARDS
Robert Lewandowski, POL v. SEN ($12,000): This price is a bit extreme, but if there's a player to score on this slate, it's Lewandowski. He's worth a look in all games after finishing with 18 goals and 27 shots on goal in 12 qualifying matches. With Mohamed Salah ($11,000) a doubt to start, or at least play a full 90, Lewandowski is also the safest of the highest-priced forwards. Senegal weren't exactly challenged in qualifying, as the second-place team in their group was Burkina Faso, and even though Poland are the smaller of the two favorites, it isn't by much.
Mohamed Salah, EGY v. RUS ($11,000): Of course, if Salah plays it'll be hard not to go with him given that the forward options are slim. He played in only six qualifying matches, yet still had six goals on 21 shots and two assists from 19 crosses. There's also a good chance Egypt push forward a little more than usual because a draw may not be enough to advance after Russia won their first match 5-0. There are two forwards who stand out on this slate and both will be widely owned.
M'Baye Niang, SEN v. POL ($5,500): Senegal's starting XI is somewhat unknown, but as the first match in the slate there are different routes to take. Niang ($5,500) is the second-cheapest forward even though he's started the last three friendlies for Senegal. He's played as both a winger and forward, producing close to four crosses and two shots per match in qualifying. Niang is more of a punt play since he has the best chance to be subbed out, but at this price he has upside and sometimes that's enough. Keita ($8,000), who has started one of the last three friendlies, is surprisingly expensive and the same goes for Sadio Mane ($9,000), who isn't worth the price.
MIDFIELDERS
Kamil Grosicki, POL v. SEN ($6,000): Grosicki's price is my favorite thing about this play and it allows you to go big at forward without having a complete void in the midfield. Grosicki works as a creator on the wing, scoring four goals and five assists in qualifiers to go with more than five crosses and two shots per match. At this price, you can't do better than that, especially without any big names on the slate. Piotr Zielinski ($8,000) will see more of the ball in the middle of the field and that's why he costs more.
Aleksandr Samedov, RUS v. EGY ($7,000): Samedov is the guy no one is going to use because he didn't make the score sheet last match. Yet, playing on the opposite wing of Aleksandr Golovin ($10,000) he doesn't deserve to be the cheapest Russian midfielder. This play is best used for GPPs because wingers don't get enough tackles to help their fantasy scoring. But with Russia expected to be in full counterattack mode, Samedov should have plenty of chances on the break even if the first match didn't work out well for him.
Ismaila Sarr, SEN v. POL ($5,000): Sarr started the last two friendlies on the wing yet comes in as one of the cheapest midfielders on the slate. He provided some electricity in four qualifying matches with seven crosses and eight shots, which highlights his viability in GPP. Considering Senegal don't have one hands-down scorer, it makes sense to punt on one of their cheaper guys who creates from the wing (in the same mold as Niang). Mane has the best odds to score, yet he only had one goal in six qualifying matches against weak competition.
DEFENDERS
Ahmed Fathy, EGY v. RUS ($5,500): Center-backs have been the better play for most underdogs, but both of these matches should be close to even. Fathy racked up 23.6 fantasy points against Uruguay with seven tackles and two clearances, but he also got up the field when possible and created one chance. He'll also be on the same side as Yuri Zhirkov ($5,000), who loves to get forward, and that could allow for opportunities for Fathy on the right wing.
Ilya Kutepov, RUS v. EGY ($5,000): After going full0-back with Egypt, it might be better to back Kutepov after he had five clearances and two interceptions against Saudi Arabia. If he was getting attacked that much in a five-goal win, he'll likely be pressured more with Salah coming down the middle of the field. Zhirkov comes at the same price, but the defensive stats aren't there for him, making Kutepov a safer pick.
Kalidou Koulibaly, SEN v. POL ($5,000): Koulibaly is another underdog center-back who provides value. He led Senegal with 15 tackles in qualification and will see plenty of Lewandowski and Zielinski in the center of the field, which should lead to clearances. With clean sheets only five points, it's been a better value to go with center-backs who see the most action.
GOALKEEPER
Mohamed El-Shenawy, EGY v. RUS ($3,500): Egypt is a decent underdog, but that doesn't mean El-Shenaway should be priced like Russia will score five goals again. The only goal El-Shenaway allowed against Uruguay was from a basic corner, and while Russia will get their chances, Egypt are a different level than Saudi Arabia and it wouldn't be a surprise if the underdog won, either. There also isn't one huge favorite on the slate, making none of the goalkeepers a safe play.
