DraftKings Fantasy Soccer: Saturday UEFA Euro 2020 Picks

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Published on June 11, 2021

MATCHES (ET)

FORWARDS

Romelu Lukaku, BEL v. RUS ($9,900): There will be those who back Lukaku and those who don't, and it could be a fine line if the Belgian bags a brace. He's expensive, but he has the best odds to score on the slate by a decent margin and could have a floor near 10 points in an ideal performance. He scored from six shots (four on target) in last week's friendly and racked up seven goals on 22 shots and three assists in five qualifying matches for the Euros. Of course, given Kevin De Bruyne's ($10,500) likely absence, most lineups will have enough room to spend on Lukaku, meaning he may not be the best GPP play. There's a chance he's very popular in cash games, and if you don't have him, your team could be done after he scores in the first 20 minutes against one of the worst back lines in the tournament (Russia allowed 12 goals in six Nations League matches). Even if you really like Switzerland, it'll be hard to spend on Haris Seferovic ($9,200), Mario Gavranovic ($9,100) or even Breel Embolo ($8,100) in what's expected to be a more defensive match. The bigger question may be between Lukaku and teammate Dries Mertens ($8,600) because the latter could have a split role on set pieces without De Bruyne in the squad.

Yussuf Poulsen, DEN v.

MATCHES (ET)

FORWARDS

Yussuf Poulsen, DEN v. FIN ($6,100): Poulsen isn't a huge offensive threat, but he's scored key goals for Denmark in recent tournaments and is cheaper than any of their other attacking players. Andreas Skov Olsen ($8,800) is the perfect GPP play because he's inexplicably more expensive than everyone else, including Christian Eriksen ($8,200). Jonas Wind ($7,600), Martin Braithwaite ($7,200), Kasper Dolberg ($7,100) and Poulsen are all in play to see minutes or start. You could use the least expensive, which is Poulsen, and hope for the best. These prices are mainly based off qualifying numbers and Skov Olsen matched Poulsen's numbers (two goals, two assists) in about 1,400 fewer minutes. Either way, Poulsen could be the front forward with the others on the wings and that could make him a tad too popular. Getting an attacking Denmark player isn't as important as Belgium, but they're expected to control possession and are the biggest favorite on the slate. Gareth Bale ($8,000) and Teemu Pukki ($7,800) are more expensive than most Denmark players, so they're purely tournament plays, though Bale will get looks simply because he's a familiar name. It's also possible to look at Russia since they play at home and Belgium's weakness has been their back line. Artem Dzyuba ($7,300) is the goalscorer, while Aleksey Miranchuk ($6,800) has a slightly higher floor playing on the wing.

MIDFIELDERS

Christian Eriksen, DEN v. FIN ($8,200): While Lukaku will be the most popular forward, Eriksen could be the most popular player on the slate. He's oddly cheap compared to Lukaku and De Bruyne despite having a bigger role in his side and being on the biggest favorite. In addition to rarely getting clean sheets, Finland have lost their last three friendlies to Estonia, Sweden and Switzerland, giving up six total goals. It wouldn't be surprising if Denmark dominated this match and Eriksen had a floor close to 20 fantasy points given his activity and importance to running Denmark's attack. At this price, there's little reason to spend on Xherdan Shaqiri ($8,900) or teammate Robert Skov ($8,500), who probably won't play because of injury. Things get interesting below Eriksen, but even if you also roster Lukaku, you can spend on another couple spots. But unless people aren't paying attention, Eriksen will be the most popular player in cash games and because of price, will also get plenty of attention in GPPs. If you want a complete monopoly of Denmark set pieces, Mathias Jensen ($5,200) split with Eriksen in their last friendly and may get overlooked due to Eriksen's presence in the squad.

Aleksandr Golovin, RUS v. BEL ($7,000): Whereas Eriksen will make your lineup like everyone else's, Golovin could set you apart. Russia won't get much attention against Belgium, but playing at home means something in international tournaments; that's how Russia advanced in the last World Cup. Russia's back line leaves a lot to be desired, but they should pressure the Belgium center-backs. Golovin often has an exclusive role on set pieces, but he also takes a decent amount of shots for a midfielder, making 10 floor points in range for him. If Russia score, he's most likely to grab an assist and even if Belgium win 3-1, it wouldn't be crazy for Golovin to reach 15 points. Again, with Yannick Carrasco ($7,500) in that same range, Golovin probably won't get many looks, but he deserves attention.

Daniel James, WAL v. SUI ($5,500): James comes at a decent price as a set-piece taker for a slight underdog. Wales aren't the best attacking team, but Bale draws attention and James has been taking the majority of set pieces in qualifying with Harry Wilson ($6,300). That's kind of about it. This match isn't expected to be high scoring, with an implied goal total just above two, and Wales have scored three goals in their last five matches, most recently getting held scoreless by Albania. Some will be intrigued by Youri Tielemans ($5,800), but he doesn't have the same upside with Belgium as he does with Leicester City. If you go cheaper, Robin Lod ($4,900), Steven Zuber ($4,700) and Daler Kuzyaev ($4,000) have all taken set pieces at one point in qualifying. Most of Switzerland's players are too expensive, but Edimilson Fernandes ($3,400) is an option on the wing and could also steal a set piece or two if he starts.

DEFENDERS

Thomas Meunier, BEL v. RUS ($5,300): It'll be hard to spend up on two defenders, but it won't be impossible, especially with a cheaper Eriksen. If Meunier starts, he makes the most sense of the expensive defenders to spend on. He'd likely be opposite of Carrasco, who is at $7,500, and while Meunier doesn't have set pieces, he'll get forward plenty, something that led to a couple assists in recent World Cup qualifiers. Timothy Castagne ($5,100) is another option, but make sure he's not playing as a center-back. If you'd rather spend on non-Belgium defenders, Ricardo Rodriguez ($5,900) takes set pieces and penalties for Switzerland (though he missed his last attempt from the spot), while Kevin Mbabu ($5,200) is rightly cheaper without set pieces on the other side. For the Denmark stack, Daniel Wass ($5,600) and Joakim Maehle ($5,200) are most likely to get a clean sheet, but neither are huge crossers for the national team.

Fabian Schar, SUI v. WAL ($2,600): Schar and Andrey Semenov ($2,500) are the cheapest expected starters on the slate, but the former is favored and has decent odds for a clean sheet. If you usually play the Premier League, favored center-backs are rarely below $3,000, especially when the other team isn't consistent offensively. Schar makes the most sense for a punt, but Semenov will probably have more defensive stats, though that's nothing to count on. The cheapest full-backs could be Yuri Zhirkov ($3,800) and Nicolai Boilesen ($3,600), with the latter being more enticing on the favored Denmark. Then again, neither are projected to start.

GOALKEEPER

Yann Sommer, SUI v. WAL ($5,100): If you don't want to spend up at goalkeeper, you don't have to. There will be plenty backing Kasper Schmeichel ($5,800) because he has the best odds to win and get a clean sheet, but it's not a must, especially since he probably won't be forced into many saves. I'd rather go to the match with the lowest implied goal total and hope Sommer saves a couple Bale blasts from outside the box and seals a win and clean sheet. I don't hate Danny Ward ($4,300) because it's not like Switzerland's attack is that much more threatening than Wales'. Anton Shunin ($4,000) may be the busiest, but he's also most likely to allow three-plus goals.