This article is part of our Daily Fantasy Soccer Cheat Sheet series.
Despite having just 42 percent possession against Norway last weekend, Nigeria still managed to equal them in shots (10), shots in the box (six) and corners (five) while doubling their five fouls drawn. Defender Ngozi Ebere ($4,100 on DraftKings) was their most productive fantasy scorer, finishing with 9.25 points thanks to nine crosses, three tackles won and a foul committed. Her high cross number was helped by five corners, a role she's expected to maintain against South Korea, who are favored after losing their opening match 4-0 to France. Asisat Oshoala continues to be a solid attacker for the Nigerians after taking three shots (one on goal) in their opener, and whileSouth Korea figure to have more possession, but Nigeria showed they can hang, at least in the peripheral stat department (they lost to Norway 3-0).
South Korea really had no chance against France in the opening match of the tournament, as they conceded 66 percent possession, were outshot 21-4 and out chanced 17-1. Needless to say, Wednesday's match should be a little easier, and they come in as +105 favorites. Forward Ji So-yun is the star of the side and likely the first place people who want South Korea exposure look. Lee Mi-Na is another exciting player, though there's speculation that if Ji and Lee start together, Ji will be forced to play a more defensive role. Then again, she'll still be responsible for their set pieces, so you probably shouldn't overthink that lineup situation, especially with South Korea
Despite having just 42 percent possession against Norway last weekend, Nigeria still managed to equal them in shots (10), shots in the box (six) and corners (five) while doubling their five fouls drawn. Defender Ngozi Ebere ($4,100 on DraftKings) was their most productive fantasy scorer, finishing with 9.25 points thanks to nine crosses, three tackles won and a foul committed. Her high cross number was helped by five corners, a role she's expected to maintain against South Korea, who are favored after losing their opening match 4-0 to France. Asisat Oshoala continues to be a solid attacker for the Nigerians after taking three shots (one on goal) in their opener, and whileSouth Korea figure to have more possession, but Nigeria showed they can hang, at least in the peripheral stat department (they lost to Norway 3-0).
South Korea really had no chance against France in the opening match of the tournament, as they conceded 66 percent possession, were outshot 21-4 and out chanced 17-1. Needless to say, Wednesday's match should be a little easier, and they come in as +105 favorites. Forward Ji So-yun is the star of the side and likely the first place people who want South Korea exposure look. Lee Mi-Na is another exciting player, though there's speculation that if Ji and Lee start together, Ji will be forced to play a more defensive role. Then again, she'll still be responsible for their set pieces, so you probably shouldn't overthink that lineup situation, especially with South Korea expected to win and Ji having the highest anytime goal scorer odds (+190 on FanDuel) among players in the game (Oshoala is second at +210).
The big news for Germany is that Dzsenifer Marozsan has been ruled out for the rest of the group stage because of a broken toe, creating a big attacking void. Germany still have players who can contribute, but it's tough to feel as excited about them without their attacking engine. Lina Magull could step into the starting XI in Marozsan's place, though set pieces become a bit cloudier because Magull, Carolin Simon, Melanie Leupolz and Sara Dabritz each took some corners during World Cup qualifying. That also overlooks the excellent match Svenja Huth had on the right wing, as she finished with four shots (one on goal), one chance created, five crosses, three fouls drawn and a tackle won, while Giulia Gwinn scored the only goal of their 1-0 win over China, finishing with two shots, two crosses, two tackles won and two fouls drawn. Gwinn was a very valuable fantasy piece for those who needed her relatively low salary of $4,500 on Saturday's slate, but they won't get that benefit Wednesday because she's now the most expensive midfielder on DraftKings (and fifth-most expensive player overall) at $8,100. Given the fact that 12.0 of her 16.5 fantasy points came from her goal, a rocket from distance, it seems more prudent to save the $1,000 for Huth. Germany are actually the lowest favorite on the slate, as their opponent is no slouch.
Spain come in off a 3-1 victory over South Africa, a scoreline that included two penalty goals from Jennifer Hermoso, who put five of seven shots on target while adding six crosses (including three corners), one foul drawn and four chances created. If there was any question where the Spanish attack will be centered, it's around Hermoso. Alexia Putellas managed to take four shots (one on goal) but little else, while Vicky Losada and Mariona each took one corner. Spain's matchup against Germany is obviously much tougher than what they experienced against South Africa, but that doesn't mean Hermoso needs to be avoided. Going deeper is likely relying on a scoresheet appearance, but Hermoso actually has +180 odds to score at DraftKings Sportsbook, which isn't far off from Germany's Alexandra Popp's +175 and much better than Gwinn's or Huth's +320.
But the match most will focus on is France v. Norway, with the hosts coming in as -335 favorites. It's not that Norway are bad -- in fact, their 3-0 win over Nigeria was legit, with Guro Reiten grabbing a goal and an assist while Lisa-Marie Utland found the back of the net and Caroline Graham Hansen added an assist. Graham Hansen was the most expensive player on last Saturday's slate, and her assist helped her to 15.75 fantasy points thanks to two shots, including one on goal, five crosses and three fouls drawn. Four corners helped her crosses, and while she's likely to have that role again, you have to consider that Norway isn't likely to get many dead-ball opportunities. Then again, she's only $6,600 after being $11,100 last weekend. Picking Norwegian players will likely be the real contrarian move Wednesday, but the risk simply doesn't seem worth it when you could target players from every other team on the slate.
Speaking of players to target, France's Eugenie Le Sommer is the most expensive player on DraftKings at $10,700 and tied with Hermoso for the highest on FanDuel at $24 (FanDuel's main slate skips the early Nigeria v. South Korea match, though they do have a full-day slate as well). Le Sommer's -104 odds to score are the best on the slate, and while she's pricey, it might be tough to win without her. Cash-game players could move their focus to Gaetane Thiney because of her role on set pieces, which helped her grab an assist off a corner in the opening match, though her forward eligibility works against her because there are plenty of forwards worth playing but few midfielders. With Le Sommer and Thiney likely to be popular, fantasy players could always try to get goals or assists from Kadidiatou Diani or Delphine Cascarino, who also start in the French attack, though targeting them would be more for GPPs than cash games. And if you're targeting goals, you're probably going to consider center-back Wendie Renard after she scored a brace in the opener against South Korea on two set-piece headers that made it look like she was playing against children. The towering Renard won't have quite as big a height advantage against Norway's center-backs, though she's still taller and an excellent header of the ball. A correlation play of Thiney and Renard makes plenty of sense, though Renard is $5,300 on DraftKings, a usually ridiculous price for a center-back without penalties, and she's the most expensive defender on FanDuel at $20, a price only eclipsed by Hermoso, Le Sommer and Reiten. You're playing her for a goal, and she's only +350 to find the back of the net on DraftKings Sportsbook, so don't say you haven't been warned.
