This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying resumes Thursday for the first time in 2017, and there are several interesting storylines to follow. Leaders Brazil will look to inch closer to a spot in World Cup 2018 against second-place Uruguay, underachieving sides Argentina and Chile will square off, and third-place Ecuador will look to continue their surprising run against Paraguay. It will also be an interesting slate for fantasy purposes, as owners will have the opportunity to cobble together lineups featuring some of the biggest stars in world football alongside some lesser-known options.
MATCHES
7:00 p.m: Paraguay v. Ecuador
7:00 p.m: Uruguay v. Brazil
7:30 p.m: Argentina v. Chile
7:40 p.m: Venezeual v. Peru
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Esteban Dreer, ECU at PAR ($4,500): Dreer kept a pair of clean sheets in his previous four qualifying appearances during the fall and will draw a matchup with a Paraguay squad that ranks ninth out of 10 teams with 11 goals through 12 matches. As one of the cheapest starting options on Thursday's slate, he could be a worthy selection as his Ecuador side looks to continue what has been an impressive run to this point.
DEFENDER
Marcelo, BRA at URU ($5,100):Marcelo is enjoying another fine season as one of the world's finest attacking fullbacks and comes into Thursday's trip to Uruguay with four assists in his last six league starts for Real Madrid. Brazil will be looking to wrap up a place in World Cup 2018 during this round of qualifying, meaning they should field a full-strength lineup and will look to Marcelo, one of their most experienced players, to help take the game to the hosts.
Jorge Moreira, PAR v. ECU ($4,500): Moreira has averaged 10.7 fantasy points per game over his last three home qualifiers, posting totals of nine crosses, 12 interceptions and eight tackles in addition to one assist. His diligent defensive work affords him a high floor and his ability to join the attack provides added upside for Thursday's home matchup with Ecuador.
Yoshimar Yotun, PER at VEN ($4,000): Yotun has averaged nine fantasy points per game over his last four qualifying appearances and displayed his potential going forward with 14 crosses, three shots and an assist over his last two matches. Peru will pay a visit to a Venezuela side currently sitting at the bottom of the table, making Yotun a strong candidate to contribute after previously doing so against stronger opposition.
MIDFIELDER
Lionel Messi, ARG v. CHI ($11,100): Messi has three goals in his last four home qualifiers and has been in tremendous form at the club level, with nine goals and three assists over his last seven matches. He simply offers unparalleled upside with so many skilled attackers around him and should be at his best as Argentina look to leapfrog Chile in the standings.
Christian Cueva, PER at VEN ($6,800): Cueva has three goals and one assist on the strength of 11 shots and 13 crosses over his last five qualifiers. Peru will be missing some of their veteran attackers, including Claudio Pizarro and Jefferson Farfan versus last-place Venezuela, meaning the Sao Paolo star could draw a start up front as he looks to continue his meteoric rise.
Romulo Otero, VEN v. PER ($6,200): Otero starred in Venezuela's 5-0 home victory over Bolivia on Nov. 10, scoring a goal and adding an assist while racking up 11 crosses and attempting three shots. He should have a similar opportunity to succeed Thursday against Peru, who have given up the third-most goals of any team in the table through 12 matches. Otero's set piece prowess adds to his upside.
FORWARD
Edinson Cavani, URU vs BRA ($8,100): Cavani will draw a matchup against a Brazil side that currently sit atop the table, but he is not to be ignored as the ninth-most expensive forward. He already has 38 goals in all competitions for PSG this season and should benefit from playing alongside Luis Suarez at home, where the Uruguayans have outscored the opposition 16-1 through six matches.
Miller Bolanos, ECU at PAR ($5,400): Bolanos managed a goal and two assists along with seven crosses and eight shots over the last three qualifying matches. He has also enjoyed a strong start to the 2017 campaign with Brazilian side Gremio, where he is often deployed as a forward, and he could very well line up this way for third-place Ecuador. Bolanos' ability to contribute in a variety of ways should make him one of the better low-cost options.
Cecilio Dominguez, PAR vs ECU ($4,600): Dominguez has three goals in his last five appearances for Club America, including the winner against Pumas on Sunday, and he should be in line to step in for Paraguay as they look to remedy their goal-scoring struggles from recent rounds. Ecuador sit third in the table, but they have allowed nine goals in their previous four road qualifiers, making Perez a solid option to repay his modest salary as his nation's most in-form striker.
