This article is part of our DraftKings Fantasy Soccer series.
MATCHES (EDT)
2:45 p.m: Croatia v. Kosovo
2:45 p.m: Spain v. Italy
2:45 p.m: Israel v. Macedonia
2:45 p.m: Ukraine v. Turkey
2:45 p.m: Wales v. Austria
PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
GOALKEEPER
Lovre Kalinic, CRO v. KOS ($6,000): Croatia is by far the top favorite on the slate, and Kalinic is only $400 more than the next option at goalkeeper. The rest of the matches on this slate are too close to call. If there ever was a time to lock in the chalk, Saturday seems to be the day.
DEFENDER
Ben Bitton, ISR v. FYROM ($5,100): Bitton has recorded plenty of games on DraftKings over the years for his country and club, Hapoel Beer Sheva, and he has been a consistent fantasy provider the entire way. He comes at a bit of a higher price than he ever has, but in a favorable matchup he has a great chance to hit value.
Neil Taylor, WAL v. AUT ($4,500): Wales likes to line up with wing backs, and Taylor plays on the left side. If Wales does indeed play with wing backs, Taylor will have an increased chance to hit value, but if he plays at fullback his price could prove to be too costly.
Ofir Davidzada, ISR v. FYROM ($3,200): Davidzada is the cheap pivot from Bitton, or he could serve as a player to pair with him in defense. Like Bitton, Davidzada has a track record on DraftKings of meeting value on a consistent basis. He is dirt cheap, and if he starts he is an absolute steal.
MIDFIELDER
Marcelo Brozovic, CRO v. KOS ($6,400): Brozovic's peripheral stats are so steady that he can reach value without a goal or an assist. He plays as an attacking midfielder either on the wing or in the middle, and he currently plays for Inter Milan. Kosovo should have a tough time stopping Croatia's waves of attack, and you should have at least one Croatian in your lineup.
Marco Asensio, ESP v. ITA ($6,200): Asensio has been all the talk lately when it comes to La Liga and Real Madrid. Last year was a hint that he was ready for a breakout season in 2017/18, and Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension at Real Madrid has opened the door for Asensio to state his intentions of entering the starting lineup in the near future. He hasn't had much of a chance to display his skills for his country at the senior level, but the time is now. Italy is always a tough opponent and a disciplined defense, so Asensio may find it difficult to break through, but with the form he is in, it would be no surprise to see him open the scoring.
Denys Garmash, UKR v. TUR ($3,200): Garmash has been one of those hidden gems on DraftKings for some time now. He often comes up with a goal when he starts, and his peripheral stats aren't bad either. If he starts, like Davidzada, he is a great value play.
FORWARD
Andriy Yarmolenko, UKR v. TUR ($9,400): Yarmolenko just made a move to Borussia Dortmund from Dynamo Kyiv, which should give him something to be excited about when he plays for his country Saturday. He is a player who depends on high volume stats to reach value, with loads of crosses and shot attempts that usually don't go in. He's not the most clinical player, but his style of play is a match made in heaven for DraftKings.
Gareth Bale, WAL v. AUT ($9,300): Bale loves to escape the critics in Madrid to return home to lead his country, where they treat him like a hero. He is a different player when he puts on the Wales shirt, and his fantasy production will show that Saturday. Wales is currently in third place in its group, so the Dragons need all three points to inch closer to a qualification for Russia 2018.
Alvaro Morata, ESP v. ITA ($8,100): Morata is Asensio's international partner in crime. Both players are the future for Spanish football, and Saturday would be a timely event for the new generation to make way. Morata is in fine form, and he is always up for the big matches. He is used to playing against Italians after playing in Serie A with Juventus, so he should be comfortable on the pitch.
