FanDuel Fantasy Soccer: World Cup Semi-Final Targets

MATCHES (EDT)

Tuesday, 2:00 p.m: Belgium v. France
Wednesday, 2:00 p.m: England v. Croatia

FORWARDS

Harry Kane, ENG v. CRO ($13,000): Kane is mostly a GPP play, and that was seen last match after just three fantasy points from one chance created. Almost all of his fantasy points have come from goals in the World Cup, with six from six shots on target. England may be the biggest favorite and Kane has the best odds to score, but that didn't amount to much last slate. The chance for a brace is there, but with England poaching a lot of goals from set pieces, it's hard to trust him unless one of those set pieces is a penalty.

Antoine Griezmann, FRA v. BEL ($11,500): If you want to save money and use someone with a higher floor than Kane, Griezmann is the best option. While he's scored in three of five matches, he's been good for 10 fantasy points through chances created and shots on goal. For this slate, his goal-scoring odds aren't far off from Kane's, and it helps that he's on a good portion of set pieces for France. Griezmann makes more sense as a slight favorite than both goal-dependent forwards Kane and Romelu Lukaku ($11,000). He'll also likely be lesser owned because of his lower points average during the tournament.

Olivier Giroud, FRA v. BEL ($7,500): If you really want to save money at forward, Giroud has been the forgotten man of France's World Cup. While he's done a nice job being the front man and holding the ball, that hasn't shown up in his stat line, failing to get even one shot on goal to go with his one assist. However, there's hope for him, having played a full 90 in each of the last four matches, compiling seven shots and five chances created. Not only is Giroud set for more minutes than Ante Rebic ($9,000) and Raheem Sterling ($8,500), he's also much cheaper.

MIDFIELDERS

Luka Modric, CRO v. ENG ($9,500): Modric started last match in a defensive role but was moved forward when Croatia needed a goal. Even as an underdog, Modric may be the easiest midfielder to trust because he's around the ball so much. This is Croatia's hardest match of the tournament, but there's no denying his 16 chances created and 21 fantasy points reached in four of the five matches. If England get out to a lead, that will only lead to Modric creating more in the attacking third. As for Eden Hazard ($10,000), he had zero fantasy points last match, and while that will be hard to replicate, I don't want to back him over Modric, as he'll be seeing a lot of N'Golo Kante ($6,000) and is also an underdog.

Kevin De Bruyne, BEL v. FRA ($8,500): It's unknown why De Bruyne's price hasn't gone up after scoring at least 18 fantasy points in every start of the World Cup. He's done that with only one goal and one assist, as he has at least three chances created in every match. Even better, De Bruyne moved into an attacking role against Brazil and that led to his best performance with a goal and two shots on target. At this price, he's almost a must-own in cash games.

Marouane Fellaini, BEL v. FRA ($5,000): There's a decent chance Belgium go with the same lineup they used against Brazil, and that features Fellaini in the midfield (moving De Bruyne forward). He probably won't score again, but he should be good for around 10 fantasy points from blocks, clearances and tackles alone. That's good enough for his price, whereas more expensive options like Kante and Jordan Henderson ($6,500) have the same floor.

DEFENDERS

Kieran Trippier, ENG v. CRO ($6,500): Trippier may be one of the only fullbacks who's produced more consistently than the goal-scoring center-backs. Even with zero goals and one assist, he's managed at least 14 fantasy points in every start thanks to 13 chances created and 12 tackles. Almost a guarantee to be near 15 fantasy points, he's one of the only defenders who's worth the high price. He should get up the field plenty as a favorite and if he has only one chance created again, the 14 points will be a disappointing but workable result.

Domagoj Vida, CRO v. ENG ($5,000): Vida escaped a ban, so he should make the starting XI against England. Even without the goal last match, he's produced consistently in the tournament with 23 clearances (in four matches), his outlying stat. England will be on the attack more often than not, and that should lead to more clearances for Vida, helping him reach at least 10 fantasy points. There's little reason to spend up on teammates Ivan Strinic ($6,000) or Dejan Lovren ($5,500), as neither have done anything to deserve a higher price.

Lucas Hernandez, FRA v. BEL ($4,500): Hernandez continues to come in at a lower price despite scoring at least 17 fantasy points in the last three matches he's played at least 51 minutes in (he was subbed early in meaningless Denmark draw). He's been great all tournament at left-back and that's shined through in the two knockout matches, as he assisted against Argentina and had eight clearances against Uruguay. His 13 fouls drawn is a high number for any defender and shows what he can do with the ball. This match is expected to be fairly open, and that should allow Hernandez to get up the field and produce enough to make value. Others in the price range include Sime Vrsaljko ($4,500), who is injured, and Harry Maguire ($4,500), who will be overrated after scoring a rare goal last match. Teammate Samuel Umtiti ($4,500) relies on clearances and tackles for fantasy points and doesn't get up the field, giving him a similar floor with less upside.

GOALKEEPER

Jordan Pickford, ENG v. CRO ($4,500): The pricing on Pickford doesn't make a ton of sense because he's the biggest favorite on the slate in the match that has the lowest over/under. There's little reason to spend up on Hugo Lloris ($5,500) even though France are favored because Belgium's attack is much more imposing than Croatia's. Pickford faces a team that had to get through Denmark and Russia in their first two knockout matches, the easiest route of the four teams left. Thibaut Courtois ($4,500) has less chance of a clean sheet, but due to Belgium's back line, he should be in line for a few saves against France.