Copa America: Friday-Saturday Cheat Sheet

MATCHES (EDT)

Friday, 7:00 p.m: Chile v. Bolivia
Friday, 9:30 p.m: Argentina v. Panama
Saturday, 7:00 p.m: USA v. Paraguay
Saturday, 9:00 p.m: Colombia v. Costa Rica

ODDS REPORT

RECENT CORNER TAKERS

Chile: Alexis Sanchez
Bolivia: Martin Smedberg-Dalance
Argentina: Angel Di Maria
Panama: Anibal Godoy
USA: Michael Bradley
Paraguay: Victor Ayala
Colombia: James Rodriguez, Edwin Cardona
Costa Rica: Ronald Matarrita, Joel Campbell

PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS

GOALKEEPER

Brad Guzan, v.
With Argentina and Chile such heavy favorites, there's a possibility that their goalkeepers could finish with zero saves, which is why it might be worth focusing on the two closer matches. Colombia have already clinched their spot in the next round, so it wouldn't be overly surprising if they gave less than 100 percent in preparation for the knockout stage. The U.S. doesn't have that luxury, and after a convincing 4-0 win over Costa Rica earlier this week, they'll need a solid effort from Guzan to see them through.

DEFENDER

The decrease in cross value from 1.0 to 0.75 points coincided with a tournament that sees few heavy-crossing fullbacks. As such, it seems perfectly suitable to grab anyone who can save some money to pay up for attackers, especially on a slate ripe with them.

Mauricio Isla, v.
Starting off with a fullback on the team with the second-highest clean sheet chances, Isla checked off every defensive stat category in his last game, and he could make a bigger impact against the overmatched Bolivians, whose expected goal total is tied for the lowest on the slate. If you're really confident in the clean sheet, you could save even more with teammate Gonzalo Jara.

Ramiro Funes Mori, v.
Playing to the side with the best odds at a clean sheet, Funes Mori is also capable of scoring across the stat sheet, and he even landed a shot on goal in Argentina's opener.

John Brooks, v.
The Americans need a result to advance, and while Brooks is far from an active attacker, he's a huge body in the box on set pieces, and his success there during the World Cup is a major reason why he's a known entity.

MIDFIELDER

James Rodriguez, v.
After leaving Colombia's opening game of the tournament with a dislocated shoulder, James was surprisingly in the starting lineup for their next match and he put on a show, scoring a goal, assisting on another and sending in 11 crosses after he was put on corner duty. It's worth noting that Colombia are already through to the next round, so there's certainly a possibility that he doesn't play the full 90.

Angel Di Maria, v.
Di Maria is the engine that makes Argentina go, and with the possibility that Lionel Messi could return from his back injury, Di Maria will have another weapon at his disposal, both in assist potential and corner opportunities.

Martin Smedberg-Dalance, v.
Don't let Bolivia's 6.25 percent win odds scare you off of Smedberg-Dalance, who sent in 13 crosses in their opener against Panama. Sure, he won't get as many corners, but he actually had more crosses from open play than from the corner flag.

Victor Ayala, v.
Ayala was huge off the bench for Paraguay against Colombia, finishing with five crosses (including two corners), two shots (one on target), one goal and two fouls drawn in 45 minutes. If he gets the start against the Americans, who have been susceptible defensively, he could pay off handsomely.

Anibal Godoy, v.
Godoy is another cheaper option that sends in crosses on a heavy underdog, though most of them come from corners, which could limit his upside if Panama are heavily outplayed by Argentina.

FORWARDS

As noted above, Lionel Messi could return from his back injury, though with so many attacking options on the Argentina squad, it's tough to see him playing the full 90 minutes in his first match back. Yes, Messi can do incredible things in about five minutes, but it's tough to pony up the very high salary for a player who may not even be on the pitch for an hour.

Alexis Sanchez, v.
Alexis has looked very strong in the Chilean attack, and it's only a matter of time before he breaks through with a goal. His corner duties give him a solid floor, and with Chile expected to dominate, why not focus on the head of their attack?

Clint Dempsey, v.
Dempsey has reached double-digit fantasy points in both games of the tournament, though 10 points isn't enough for his salary. That being said, you know he'll take a ton of shots in an effort to push the U.S. into the knockout stage, and he'll be taking the penalty if the Americans can draw one.

Juan Carlos Arce, v.
Taking two players from Bolivia probably isn't the way to go, but if that's the plan, Arce is a solid partner to Smedberg-Dalance. The forward scored 21 fantasy points in the opener against Panama, finishing with four shots, including three on target, two crosses, four fouls drawn, one tackle and an interception in addition to his goal. In fact, it would have been even better had he not picked up a yellow card. Expecting another goal may be tough, but he's not shy of shooting, which is what you want in a cheaper attacker.

Alvaro Saborio, v.
Saborio played 71 minutes off the bench in place of the injured Marco Urena earlier this week against the U.S., and he could get the start against a Colombia side with little to play for after grabbing six points in the first two games. With savings elsewhere, it's possible to pay up for two forwards, but those looking for salary help could turn to Saborio.