DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Sunday Cheat Sheet

DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Sunday Cheat Sheet

This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.

With the European Championship final being played Sunday, DraftKings has combined the match with Major League Soccer's two-game slate. Have you ever wanted to pair up Cristiano Ronaldo and Jimmy Medranda? Well, now you can!

MATCHES (EDT)

3:00 p.m: France v. Portugal
6:00 p.m: New York Red Bulls v. Portland Timbers
8:00 p.m: Sporting KC v. New York City FC

ODDS REPORT

EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS

France: Dimitri Payet
Portugal: Joao Mario
New York Red Bulls: Sacha Kljestan
Portland Timbers: Darlington Nagbe
Sporting KC: Graham Zusi
New York City FC: Andrea Pirlo

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

Hugo Lloris, FRA v. POR: Two MLS goalkeepers are priced more than Lloris, and while they both make for solid plays, Lloris provides a little salary savings to spend elsewhere. France have looked unstoppable of late, and while Portugal's run to the final has been based on a sound defensive unit, it's tough to see them keeping France out.

DEFENDER

Matt Besler, SKC v. NYC: Besler did not start last weekend in his first match back with SKC after being with the U.S. Men's National Team for Copa America, but he still had a major impact, heading in the match-winner after coming on in the second half. His salary is still very attractive on DraftKings, and he'll now face a New York City FC side that's playing it's third game in eight days.

Justin Bilyeu, NYRB v. POR: The Red Bulls are missing a number of defenders, either to injury or suspension, which could allow Bilyeu to grab a start against a Portland side that doesn't have nearly as much attacking potential without Diego Valeri (contusion). The upside isn't huge, but the salary savings provides space for better midfielders and forwards.

Cedric Soares, POR v. FRA: While France are certainly favored to win, Cedric still provides solid attacking upside, especially given that France's opposing fullbacks are their weak links. Cedric has scored 11, 15 and 14 fantasy points in his last three games, respectively, and he figures to be involved whenever Portugal are able to move forward.

MIDFIELDER

Dimitri Payet, FRA v. POR: Payet struggled in the semifinal against Germany, but he still has a solid floor due to his role on corners, and his upside is extremely high given how much he's on the ball and how many attacking weapons France put out each match.

Jimmy Medranda, SKC v. NYC: Medranda has been on a fantasy tear, averaging 14.4 fantasy points per game (on DraftKings) over his last seven. Remarkably, his lowest score during that span is 11, and he has no goals and just two assists in those matches. He is able to cross the ball, but he's not dependent on it, as he's actually won more tackles (32) during this run than he's sent in crosses (27). And while his peripheral stats are excellent (oh yeah, he also has 35 interceptions in his last seven starts), he's not devoid of attacking pressure, as he's taken multiple shots in each match.

Sacha Kljestan, NYRB v. POR: Kljestan's salary has dropped $1,200 from his last match, providing some decent value against a Portland side that's banged up along the back line and traveling cross-country without their best attacking option in Valeri. The Red Bulls figure to attack quite a bit, and Kljestan will be at the center of it, except when he's out wide taking corners.

FORWARD

Antoine Griezmann, FRA v. POR: There is no hotter player in the world right now than Griezmann, who has five goals and two assists in his last three games, a remarkable haul given they've come in the European Championship round of 16, quarterfinal and semifinal. Not only does he take a solid number of shots (17 over his last three, including 10 on target), but he's also chipped in nine crosses, drawn six fouls and won five tackles over that span.

Diego Rubio, SKC v. NYC: NYC FC have posted three consecutive clean sheets, shutting out the Sounders in Seattle, the Red Bulls at Yankee Stadium and the Revolution in Foxboro, but they'll be playing their third game in eight days against an SKC side that's scored seven goals in their last three MLS matches. With Dom Dwyer suspended, Rubio figures to start up front, and he has the best goal odds for any player in this match.

Cristiano Ronaldo, POR v. WAL: Ronaldo had an excellent performance against a depleted Wales side in the semifinal, finishing with a goal on nine shots and an assist. Now in the final, he'll likely take a high number of shots to try and get Portugal the upside win over the host nation, and he faces a France side that, while better defensively of late, is still much better trying to score than trying to keep their opponents from doing so.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Andrew M. Laird plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: kingmorland, DraftKings: andrewmlaird, Yahoo: Lairdinho.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew M. Laird
Andrew M. Laird, the 2017 and 2018 FSWA Soccer Writer of the Year, is RotoWire's Head of DFS Content and Senior Soccer Editor. He is a nine-time FSWA award finalist, including twice for Football Writer of the Year.
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