Euro 2016: Monday Cheat Sheet

MATCHES (EDT)

9:00 a.m: Spain v. Czech Republic
12:00 p.m: Republic of Ireland v. Sweden
3:00 p.m: Belgium v. Italy

ODDS REPORT

EXPECTED CORNER TAKERS

Spain: Cesc Fabregas
Czech Republic: Borek Dockal, Ladislav Krejci
Republic of Ireland: Robbie Brady
Sweden: Kim Kallstrom
Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne, Dries Mertens
Italy: Antonio Candreva, Alessandro Florenzi

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

David De Gea, SPA v. CZE: Spain are by far the heaviest favorites on the slate, so it's no wonder that De Gea, who had an excellent season for Manchester United, is the most expensive option. If there's a negative it's that he may not make many saves, so he likely doesn't have 20-point upside.

Andreas Isaksson, SWE v. IRL: Sweden have the second-highest win odds, though they are small when compared to Spain's. The Belgium/Italy game looks like it could go either way, and if you don't want to pay up for De Gea, would you rather the goalkeeper that's facing Zlatan Ibrahimovic or the one who has him as a teammate?

DEFENDER

Juanfran, SPA v. CZE: No defender on Monday's slate sent in more crosses during qualifying than Juanfran, who will line up at fullback for a Spanish side that has the second-highest win odds of any team in the opening round of matches.

Martin Olsson, SWE v. IRL: If you're not sold on the Republic of Ireland's attack, Olsson is a solid option given his ability to cross the ball when he moves up field.

Matteo Darmian, ITA v. BEL: The Italians use a three-man back line (consisting of three of the best centerbacks in the world), which will allow Darmian to play as a wingback and move upfield more than he did at Manchester United this past season. Despite that, his upside in this match is likely limited due to Belgium's excellent attack.

MIDFIELDER

Kevin De Bruyne, BEL v. ITA: De Bruyne is a do-it-all midfielder who takes corners for Belgium, one of the favorites to win this tournament. He doesn't do a ton outside of crosses and shots, but with so many upper-tier teammates, it's tough for opposing defenses to key on him. That being said, Belgium open the tournament against one of the toughest defensive sides.

Antonio Candreva, ITA v. BEL: Candreva is a high-crossing midfielder who is expected to take most of the corners, though Alessandro Florenzi could poach a few. On the plus side, Candreva crosses in open play, and if there's a weakness for Belgium, it's in defense.

Robbie Brady, IRL v. SWE: Fantasy Premier League players are well aware of Brady's crossing numbers for Norwich City, and they translate perfectly to his international play, as only two other players finished with more crosses during qualifying. However, it's worth noting that he doesn't pack the stat sheet, and he failed to pick up a single assist on the 93 passes he swung in from the wing.

Kim Kallstrom, SWE v. IRL: Kallstrom is likely to take most, it not all, the corners for Sweden, which provides a decent floor against a Republic of Ireland side that has fullbacks more interested in attacking than defending. If Erkin Zengin gets the start, he's a solid pivot, as he actually led Sweden in crosses during qualifying despite taking only 12 corners (versus Kallstrom's 32).

Dries Mertens, BEL v. ITA: Many fantasy owners will (understandably) move toward Eden Hazard if they don't want to pony up the money for De Bruyne, but Mertens is a good alternative, especially since he could poach a few corners. Hazard will draw more fouls, but Mertens could make up for that with his crosses, and they take around the same number of shots.

Cesc Fabregas, SPA v. CZE: The Spanish attack doesn't lend itself to a ton of goals, so taking Fabregas for his corners at least provides some exposure and a decent floor. David Silva comes in with the most goals in qualifying from anyone on the squad (Paco Alcacer led the team with five but wasn't brought to France), but with only three, it's tough to think he's got many coming.

FORWARD

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, SWE v. IRL:Gareth Bale was the only player who took more shots in qualifying, while Robert Lewandowski was the only one to score more goals than Ibrahimovic. The slate isn't filled with high-impact goal scorers, and Ibrahimovic is the only who could score three and we wouldn't be shocked.

Romelu Lukaku, BEL v. ITA: Lukaku has been on fire leading up to the tournament, and while he heads one of the best attacking squads in the tournament, he could also easily finish with five shots (none on target) and seven fantasy points.

Shane Long, IRL v. SWE: Long is coming off a career-year at Southampton and will be at the front of the Ireland attack against a Sweden side not known for being a defensive juggernaut. Jonathan Walters is expected to start alongside Long and is cheaper, but he has a lower floor and ceiling.