World Cup Qualifiers: Monday Cheat Sheet

MATCHES (EDT)

2:45 p.m: Croatia v. Turkey
2:45 p.m: Spain v. Liechtenstein
2:45 p.m: Israel v. Italy
2:45 p.m: Serbia v. Ireland
2:45 p.m: Ukraine v. Iceland
2:45 p.m: Wales v. Moldova

ODDS REPORT

Note: the odds above are from bet365.com, which did not have odds for Macedonia and Liechtenstein scoring at least three goals. For the purposes of calculating expected goals, the odds were set at 2,000/1.

EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS

Croatia: Ivan Rakitic
Turkey: Hakan Calhanoglu
Spain: David Silva, Koke
Liechtenstein: Daniel Brandle, Maximilian Goppel
Israel: Maor Bar Buzaglo
Italy: Antonio Candreva, Alessandro Florenzi
Serbia: Dusan Tadic
Ireland: Robbie Brady
Ukraine: Yevhen Konoplyanka
Iceland: Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Gylfi Sigurdsson
Wales: Joe Ledley, Gareth Bale
Moldova: Ion Jardan

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

Gianluigi Buffon, ITA at ISR: Italy are the fourth-highest favored team on Monday's slate, and while they are playing on the road, they've shown time and time again that they are an elite defensive unit. Buffon is a major reason for that success, but he also has world class centerbacks in front of him, which only enhances his clean sheet chances against an Israel side that has struggled to score in their previous international matches.

DEFENDER

Ben Davies, WAL v. MDA: Davies has been unable to get playing time with Tottenham during Premier League play, but he should get his minutes wearing the Wales shirt. Wales have the second-best clean sheet odds on the slate, and the talent gap between the two teams should allow Davies to move up in the attack, which only improves his fantasy prospects.

Ashley Williams, WAL v. MDA: Fresh off his Everton debut, Williams will slap on the captain's armband once again for Wales, who should be able to control this match fairly easily. Williams provides decent salary savings, and he's a big body in the box who could find success on set pieces against the overmatched Moldovans.

Filip Mladenovic, SRB v. IRL: With Aleksandar Kolarov suspended, Mladenovic looks set to move into the starting lineup, providing some attacking points from the left back spot. This match doesn't figure to have a clean sheet on either side, and while Mladenovic doesn't have the attacking upside of Kolarov, he should be able to make his way forward.

MIDFIELDER

Dusan Tadic, SRB v. IRL: The match has a number of players who are capable of solid fantasy production, with Tadic arguably having the highest upside because he'll be on all set pieces while driving the attack. Serbia are favored, most likely because they are at home, and while the Ireland defense has shown it can be strong, Tadic is talented enough to rack up the points.

Robbie Brady, IRL at SRB: Brady is a high-crossing winger who is likely to take all corners for an Ireland side that is playing its first match following the international retirement of captain Robbie Keane. They have plenty of horses to move up the field, and Brady, who averaged nearly seven crosses per game during the Euros, has the ability to pick out each one.

Joe Ledley, WAL v. MDA: Ledley comes with plenty of risk, as he's mostly being used as the Wales corner taker in the absence of Aaron Ramsey (hamstring). However, it's certainly possible that Gareth Bale could decide he's taking them, leaving Ledley to try to make value with tackles and fouls drawn, which aren't likely to get him to double-digit fantasy points.

FORWARD

Gareth Bale, WAL v. MDA: Bale has the highest upside of any player on the slate, and this is real, dependable upside, not the Robert Snodgrass ridiculousness we saw Sunday. Bale has stepped up for Real Madrid in the absences of Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, and he takes on a similar role with Wales. There's a possibility he could take corners too, though Joe Ledley took them in the one match Ramsey missed during the European Championship. With Wales such a heavy favorite, there's little reason to fade their biggest star.

Antonio Candreva, ITA at ISR: Candreva is expected to take all corners for Italy, who are heavy favorites and should be able to score multiple goals. He performed well during the European Championship before going down injured, and with the way Graziano Pelle has played for Italy, there's every reason to believe Candreva could pick up at least one assist. Pelle is a solid play too, though he's much more goal-dependent for fantasy points than Candreva.

Johann Berg Gudmundsson, ISL at UKR: Berg Gudmundsson is another forward-eligible player on DraftKings who is likely to take corners, though Gylfi Sigurdsson could poach a few. That being said, Berg Gudmundsson's price is significantly cheaper, and he provides access to an Iceland side that is likely still riding high after their deep run at the Euros.