This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Czech Republic v. Germany
2:45 p.m: Denmark v. Poland
2:45 p.m: Lithuania v. Scotland
2:45 p.m: Malta v. England
2:45 p.m: Slovakia v. Slovenia
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Joe Hart, ENG at MAL ($6,000): Hart is worth the price simply because of his matchup. Even at home, Malta does not pose much of a threat against England. Slovakia and Slovenia are right on the Lions' tail, so England needs three points.
DEFENDER
Joshua Kimmich, GER at CZE ($5,500): Kimmich is sort of a hybrid between a midfielder and defender. He plays at right-back and sometimes even center-back, but he played in the midfield early in his career. He still has the attacking mindset from his days playing as a winger, so he frequently strides up the right flank to get involved in the attack. Germany is in no need of points, however, so stay tuned to see if Kimmich indeed starts at right-back.
Riza Durmisi, DEN v. POL ($5,200): Durmisi plays as a left wingback for his club Real Betis, so some of his La Liga stats tend to be inflated because of his more attacking position. However, he has proven that he has double-digit potential playing as a fullback for Denmark, and in a game where the Danes will find it difficult to break down Poland, Durmisi will likely need to get into the attack to offer an extra body.
Pavel Kaderabek, CZE v. GER ($4,000): Kaderabek is just a solid fantasy player. He produced for his club Hoffenheim when at home against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers, and he has done it time after time for both club and country in the past.
MIDFIELDER
Christian Eriksen, DEN v. POL ($10,200): Eriksen is even more important to Denmark's success than his club Tottenham's because there is really no one there to help out. That could mean fewer opportunities for Eriksen to collaborate with his teammates on a goal, but at least he will be over all set pieces, and he is no chump in that department. It will be hard for Denmark to break down Poland, so Eriksen will likely be swinging in a ton of crosses, especially when times get desperate. It doesn't matter who Eriksen's teammates are, he can score 20+ fantasy points on any day.
Mesut Ozil, GER at CZE ($7,300): Ozil just seems too cheap at this price for this particular spot in a matchup with an undermanned Czech side. Ozil will likely be over dead ball situations since the Germans use Toni Kroos in those spots when Ozil is not on the field. Kroos plays a much more defensive role than Ozil, so Germany could choose to keep Kroos back to help command the defense on set piece situations.
Barry Bannan, SCO at LTU ($3,200): Bannan is likely to get the nod Friday, and his price is criminal if he does. He plays his club soccer for Sheffield Wednesday, where he has a goal and an assist in seven starts this year. He takes a share of set pieces, and his matchup is very favorable, so look to see if Bannan starts and decide if you are willing to commit.
FORWARD
Robert Lewandowski, POL at DEN ($10,400): It's hard to see Lewandowski finishing the game without a goal. The only factor going against him is that he is on the road, but he will be banging on the door all game, and even without a goal he is bound to wind up with 10+ fantasy points. Poland is in the clear in World Cup qualifying, and a win would put nine points between them and third-place Denmark. Not to mention, Lewandowski has scored six goals in his last four games for his club Bayern Munich.
Adam Nemec, SVK v. SVN ($7,400): Nemec tried his trade in MLS not too long ago, and his time in the league quickly turned into an utter disaster. But for his country, Slovakia, it has been a completely different story. He has scored nine goals in 28 games for Slovakia, and in a home game against Slovenia, he has a great chance to add to that bounty. He will certainly be active, with plenty of shots and fouls drawn, so he has a relatively high floor too.
Arvydas Novikovas, LTU v. SCO ($6,000): This man is tough to fade Friday. His cross count indicates that he is just one of those players that is over all set pieces, while also curling in crosses in the run of play. His game log also shows that he has goalscoring ability, so his upside is sky high.
