This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Portugal v. Mexico
2:00 p.m: Chile v. Cameroon
ODDS REPORT
ANYTIME GOAL SCORER ODDS
SLATE PREVIEW
The first game of the 2017 Confederations Cup may have taken place Saturday, but the big contests on DraftKings start Sunday. The two-game slate locks at 11 a.m. EDT when Portugal faces Mexico in what should be the closest match of the opening round. In the second game, Chile, the biggest favorite of the slate, takes on Cameroon at 2 p.m. It will be very difficult to find value in this slate, and the build of your lineup will hinge on the decision to spend up at defense or in attack. When in doubt, it is often the attack that pays dividends. Fantasy managers should focus on Portugal and especially Chile players when building their squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo is seeking to win his 10th trophy in the past 13 months, and with Portugal as slight favorites over Germany to win the tournament, there is a good chance he does so. Ronaldo is deployed as a center forward for his country, rather than on the left wing when he plays for Real Madrid. The attack will likely be channeled through Ronaldo all game, with two wingers on each side who will be constantly looking to feed him the ball. Head coach Fernando Santos typically fields three central midfielders, and one of them is typically granted a little more freedom going forward. However, it is not the attack that
MATCHES (EDT)
11:00 a.m: Portugal v. Mexico
2:00 p.m: Chile v. Cameroon
ODDS REPORT
ANYTIME GOAL SCORER ODDS
SLATE PREVIEW
The first game of the 2017 Confederations Cup may have taken place Saturday, but the big contests on DraftKings start Sunday. The two-game slate locks at 11 a.m. EDT when Portugal faces Mexico in what should be the closest match of the opening round. In the second game, Chile, the biggest favorite of the slate, takes on Cameroon at 2 p.m. It will be very difficult to find value in this slate, and the build of your lineup will hinge on the decision to spend up at defense or in attack. When in doubt, it is often the attack that pays dividends. Fantasy managers should focus on Portugal and especially Chile players when building their squad.
Cristiano Ronaldo is seeking to win his 10th trophy in the past 13 months, and with Portugal as slight favorites over Germany to win the tournament, there is a good chance he does so. Ronaldo is deployed as a center forward for his country, rather than on the left wing when he plays for Real Madrid. The attack will likely be channeled through Ronaldo all game, with two wingers on each side who will be constantly looking to feed him the ball. Head coach Fernando Santos typically fields three central midfielders, and one of them is typically granted a little more freedom going forward. However, it is not the attack that earned Portugal the 2016 Euro Cup but its stout defensive organization. In last year's major tournament, Portugal had not even won a game in regulation until the sixth match of the competition. The defense allowed just five goals in seven games, including four clean sheets. With the success achieved in France last year, Portugal will likely deploy the same tactics this year in Russia. We can never be entirely certain about the starting XI that will face Mexico, but Santos will likely rely on many of the same players used in the friendlies leading up to Sunday's game.
Mexico is coming off a very disappointing match against the United States when they were somewhat lucky to earn a point at home. Michael Bradley opened the scoring early after a breakdown in possession by El Tri, and then they were fortunate to take advantage of a series of defensive lapses by the U.S. on a counter attack. The Americans packed it in defensively and Mexico found it very difficult to break them down. El Tri will likely deploy much different tactics against Portugal, but their lack of offensive firepower shown in the match against the U.S. should be a cause for concern.The side suffered from the absence of veterans Rafa Marquez and Andres Guardado in the midfield, but they could return for Sunday's match. Mexico looked very vulnerable defensively last weekend, and when in possession, there was very little threat going forward. Rather than possessing the ball for more than 70 percent of the game like last Sunday, Mexico will likely seek a mixture of possession and counter attacks against a dangerous Portugal side.
Top Plays
Cristiano Ronaldo, POR v. MEX ($11,200): It's hard to see CR7 not getting on the scoresheet Sunday. This last season has been an incredible run for club and country, and for Portugal, Ronaldo is an even bigger asset. He mans the central striker position more often than not, and he receives loads of deliveries from a very capable supporting cast. He is put in many more situations to get his head on the ball, and his central position allows him to take at least five shots per game. Mexico will likely play with three center-backs, which will somewhat congest the middle of the field, but there are much stronger sides than Mexico who have failed to keep Ronaldo off the board. It's all Ronaldo for Portugal, and the rest of the team is no guarantee to play 90 minutes and produce enough to meet value.
Other Notables
If Ricardo Quaresma ($8,400) starts he could be in for a ton of crosses and potential assists. He is at risk of being subbed off early if he starts, and in Euro 2016 he was primarily used off of the bench. Nani ($7,400), Andre Silva ($8,000) and Bernardo Silva ($7,200) should all fight for spots in the attacking unit, which limits the floor of each player. Cedric Soares ($5,500) and Raphael Guerreiro ($5,000) are very attack-minded fullbacks and Portugal uses them even more than their respective clubs. Guerreiro has been known to reach incredible point totals for a defender in his history on DraftKings, and Cedric is a lock to send in more than five crosses toward the head of the towering Ronaldo. You must select from at least three teams and Mexico should be the last team you choose from, excluding Cameroon. That being said, there isn't much to pick from on the El Tri side, but picking the right one could prove to be the difference.
Chile is dealing with a couple injury concerns that could have a large impact. Star winger Alexis Sanchez was seen limping off with an ankle injury in training just days before the opening match of the tournament. La Roja will be without starting goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, leaving Johnny Herrera as Bravo's replacement, having started the last three friendlies for Chile. All other consistent starters have been playing regularly in the friendlies leading up to Sunday, and against a limited Cameroon side, it may be the case that head coach Juan Antonio Pizzi rests Alexis with the belief that the squad can earn the win without their biggest star. The disparity between these two teams is probably larger than believed, and Chile's odds to win the tournament may be underestimated. The tireless effort of the entire La Roja side is something to be greatly appreciated, and the attack is led by two world-class players in Alexis and Arturo Vidal. Chile is the dark horse in Russia, and Sunday should be their most favorable matchup in the competition.
Cameroon's most recognizable player is Vincent Aboubakar, who starts for FC Porto as a center forward. It had been 15 years since Cameroon last won an Africa Cup of Nations when legendary striker Samuel Eto'o led his nation to back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002. The side has always been known for its strong defensive organization, but the attack has historically been the deciding factor jn tournaments. Aboubakar, who had 17 goals in 57 games, is definitely not of the same quality as Eto'o in his prime, but his performances over the past three years in the UEFA Champions League proves he is up to the quality of play at the international level. Cameroon conceded just three goals in six games in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, yet they scored only seven goals in six, with two scoreless outings. Chile is not a very welcoming opponent for the opening match in Russia, and it should prove to be very difficult to score, while keeping La Roja off the scoreboard. The odds are heavily stacked against Cameroon getting anything out of this game, and it would be wise to fade the entire team.
Top Plays
Alexis Sanchez, CHI v. CAM ($10,100): It not yet known whether Alexis will start, but if he does, he is right behind Ronaldo as the top option of the slate. He has been in fine form for club and country, and the favorable matchup against Cameroon in could allow for a nice start to the competition. The many rumors swirling about his potential exit from Arsenal have been well-documented and his potential leave could force him to play it safe and sit for the game.
Arturo Vidal, CHI v. CAM ($6,500): Vidal is a much bigger part of the attack for Chile than he is for Bayern Munich. He still has a very large defensive duty for La Roja, but he is allowed to make darting runs up the field on many occasions. He takes penalties and is a very dangerous threat in set-piece situations. He simply finds a way to produce in tournaments for Chile, so don't be surprised if he hits the back of the net.
Charles Aranguiz, CHI v. CAM ($4,600): Aranguiz is not much of an attacking threat for his club team, Bayer Leverkusen, but for Chile he has more offensive responsibilities. He takes more corners and set-pieces for his country, and at such a low price, sometimes crosses is all you need, and an assist would be a cherry on top.
Eduardo Vargas, CHI v. CAM ($5,700): Vargas is the center striker for the biggest favorite on the slate, and he is coming off a friendly against Romania when he scored and provided an assist. His finish was a clinical one, as he shot it low and into the corner, and it is often these type of finishes that indicate that a goalscorer is in form. Cameroon is strong defensively, though Chile is a heavy favorite, so there may not be as many opportunities to be had as one would expect. However, with a lack of quality starting forwards available for this slate, Vargas' economic price may make for a perfect piece to the puzzle.
Other Notables
Jean Beausejour ($4,900) should start at left-back, and if so, he is one of the top defenders of the slate. He sometimes plays as a winger, so he is comfortable moving forward even playing in a defensive position. Nicolas Castillo ($8,300) may start on the right wing for La Roja, and he has a very impressive scoring record for his club, Pumas. However, he is quite new to the national team, so his spot in the lineup and role in the attack is still a work in progress.
Keeper of the Day
Johnny Herrera, CHI v. CAM ($5,400): There is a rumor swirling around that Pizzi is intending on starting Christopher Toselli ($5,400) in net, but with Herrera starting the last three friendlies, it is hard to see that being the case. Herrera is a veteran goalkeeper who plays his club football in Chile, while Toselli is in his prime and also plays in his home country. The difference between the keepers is negligible, however, because when picking a fantasy keeper it is more about the team than the individual goalkeeper. Chile is by far the biggest favorite on the slate, and with their incredibly tough defense, and potency going forward, whoever starts in net should get the 10 points for a win and clean sheet.
