DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Wednesday UEFA Euro 2020 Picks

MATCHES (ET)

• 12:00 pm: Slovakia vs. Spain
• 12:00 pm: Sweden vs. Poland
• 3:00 pm: Germany vs. Hungary
• 3:00 pm: Portugal vs. France

For detailed stats and odds, check out the

DraftKings UEFA Euro 2020 Wednesday Cheat Sheet

FORWARDS

Gerard Moreno, ESP v. SVK ($8,700): Without Thomas Muller in the squad, I don't think anyone for Germany stands out, even though they have the highest-implied goal total. Serge Gnabry ($7,600) is fairly cheap given his goal odds, but similar to Kai Havertz ($7,000) and Leroy Sane ($7,800) or anyone who starts, none are consistent enough to consider in cash games. Instead, I'm turning to Moreno, who could be popular after his recent start. In just 68 minutes against Poland, he assisted to go with four shots and four crosses, including a missed penalty. I think the bigger thing is that he showed more of a floor than teammate Alvaro Morata ($8,400) because he actually sent in crosses from the wing, a position he rarely plays for his club team. Not playing a full 90 hurts, but Spain are once again expected to control possession and rack up chances. Even if they have three expected goals and don't score, Moreno should still have enough shots and shots assisted to hit a floor near 10 points. Otherwise, everyone else is mostly GPP unless you go with Antoine Griezmann ($9,400), but his price has shot up and now he's not a guaranteed cash play in a tougher matchup. He makes sense as France's set-piece taker, but as seen in the Germany match, that doesn't always mean much, especially with the lowest-implied goal total on the slate. Cristiano Ronaldo ($9,900) and Robert Lewandowski ($9,200) are mostly GPP plays, as Emil Forsberg ($8,200) is probably safer than both. If you want to take the goal-scoring forward route, Karim Benzema ($7,300) will get one at some point and everyone will be disappointed they didn't use him at a discount.

Roland Sallai, HUN v. GER ($6,000): You could spend up on both forwards or go to a cheap underdog who takes some set pieces. There's a chance Sallai is popular in cash games after producing decent floors to go with an assist through two games. In total, he has five shots, three shots assisted and eight fouls drawn against France and Portugal. He's seems like a smart spend-down option when a lot of forwards on this slate rely on goals for points. I'd be on Adam Szalai ($4,400), but it doesn't look like he'll be ready to start. The other cheap options are Robert Mak ($5,600), Bernardo Silva ($5,400) and Marcus Berg ($5,300); Mak is the most intriguing of the bunch since he's on set pieces, but Slovakia probably won't see the ball much against Spain. 

MIDFIELDERS

Toni Kroos, GER v. HUN ($7,600): Hungary have only given up nine corners through two matches, but that's not swaying me from taking Kroos in cash games. Because of set pieces, he seems like a guarantee to hit at least 10 fantasy points, which has been the case the last two games (9.9 against Portugal). He does just enough to earn cash viability, but his upside is a bit suspect for GPPs. His price is also oddly higher than expected, though a lot of that is because of matchup. Fortunately, there's no reason to spend more than Kroos at midfielder. Just below him are a few of his teammates along with what has been a disappointing Bruno Fernandes ($7,400) against France. On the possibility Koke ($6,000) is dropped, Pablo Sarabia ($7,100) would be in play, as he's taken a few sets when on the pitch this tournament.

Piotr Zielinski, POL v. SWE ($6,700): Instead of turning to another no-upside play in Koke, Zielinski is back in consideration after struggling (as expected) against Spain. He had three shots and four chances created against Slovakia, and he could reach similar numbers against Sweden, who can continue their reserved, slow play, as they are almost guaranteed a spot in the knockouts with a loss. As for Poland, they need to win to have a chance to advance, which means they'll press until they get that first goal. That presumably means a lot of opportunities for Zielinski and Lewandowski. Sometimes I'd rather bet on desperate teams that need to win, and that's Zielinski in this situation as his team's main set-piece taker. On the other side, Dejan Kulusevski ($6,100) may move into the starting XI if fit, and he'll surely get chances against Poland. If you don't have the money for Zielinski and still want a piece of Poland, teammate Kamil Jozwiak ($5,100) doesn't have set pieces, but he's on the wing and has been decently active, highlighted by the assist last match. 

Sebastian Larsson, SWE v. POL ($5,700): I think you can get away without punting on a midfielder, as long as you don't spend at forward and go with Kroos. If that's the case, Larsson is reasonable in cash games as a cheaper piece to get someone on sets in what should be an even match. Larsson hasn't done a ton outside of the nine crosses he had last match, but he's playing full matches and Poland aren't a team that will dominate possession. There's a chance Paul Pogba ($5,500) is more popular based off what he's done in two games, but Larsson is probably safer because of sets. Otherwise, another Hungary player stands out near the bottom of the list, as Laszlo Kleinheisler ($4,200) splits sets with Sallai and has been a menace in the midfield. Through two matches he has six fouls drawn, three tackles won and three interceptions.

DEFENDERS

Jordi Alba, ESP v. SVK ($6,000): It seems like an oversight to put Joshua Kimmich at $7,000 despite a limited role on set pieces and that Robin Gosens ($5,900) has gotten up the field just as much, if not more, through two games. But because Gosens will be popular after his last match, I think it makes more sense to go to Alba even though I rarely consider him in cash games. Alba's floor is aided by an expected 80-plus completed passes, which adds up when you throw in a couple crosses and some defensive stats. Even without a clean sheet last match, he still hit 8.8 fantasy points, and there's no reason he can't do that again. Marcos Llorente ($5,500) could also be considered because even though he hasn't had the same floor as Alba, that could change in one match and it helps that he's now listed as a defender. If you don't spend on those guys, I wouldn't spend on any defender.

Tymoteusz Puchacz, POL v. SWE ($4,200): If you don't want to punt on a center-back or use one of the Hungary wing-backs, I like Puchacz as a cheaper wing-back. He's off the radar after doing little in his only start, but that was likely due to the matchup against Spain. When he came off the bench against Slovakia, he had 5.4 fantasy points in 16 minutes. Maybe that won't happen again, but he's on the opposite side of Jozwiak and Poland can't afford to sit back in this match.

GOALKEEPER

Rui Patricio, POR v. FRA ($4,300): Peter Gulacsi ($3,700) is viable because he'll get tons of save opportunities and I didn't recommend any German forwards, but it's notable this match is in Germany, not Hungary. Hungary played well at home but things change when you travel, something Russia learned a couple days ago. That's why I'm leaning Patricio in a match that's projected to be defensive. I think Portugal will want to rebound after allowing four goals last match, and they may be fine with a scoreless draw in this spot. There isn't one goalkeeper who stands out among the favorites, as Germany's back line has been inconsistent and Unai Simon ($5,800) probably won't get many save chances.