World Cup Daily Plays: June 15, 2014
It’s been amazing so far, this World Cup. Not a clunker in the bunch, and Sunday brings the promise of a new day and a trio of matches that can be attacking in nature.
Goalkeeper
That clean sheet is an elusive beast so far—Memo Ochoa (MEX) and David Ospina (COL) have earned those bonuses so far, and neither were exactly leading candidates. They had below average opponents with questionable attacks. It’s been a tournament drenched with attack, so we all need to use wisely while weighing value versus opportunity.
Hugo Lloris (FRA) – At first glance, this seems to be the best candidate for a clean sheet. A strong favorite as part of Les Blues, Lloris had an uneven season for Tottenham and there’s questions on the backline. Is Honduras going to pull a mirror image effort that Costa Rica did? Paying up for Lloris might work out, so if you want to pay, go this way. ($18,234 on DS, $25 on SC)
VALUE PLAYS
Asmir Begovic(BJH) – Begovic is a long shot for a clean sheet—let’s start with that. Facing an Argentinean attack with Messi, Higuain and Aguero is pretty daunting at first glance. His backline will need to play above their weight to keep Bosnia in this game, the country’s first in the World Cup. But Begovic is coming off a really good season for Stoke City and could a) see a lot of shots and b) will personally look to play for a move before next season to a team higher up in the food chain. He could surprise. ($14,468 on DS, $18.50 on DS)
Diego Benaglio (SUI) — The Swiss are coming into the tournament knowing they could advance if they play to their ability. Ottmar Hitzfield is one of the best managers in the game, and Benaglio is facing an Ecuador team that struggled in games leading to Brazil. Switzerland will be organized and looking for a win. He’s the best play of the day in my mind.
Defenders
To stack or not to stack? To try and find the outside back that will provide a goal or an assist, shooting for the moon? Picking the right defense spots can get that extra edge in a H2H, or help you place in the GPP money.
Raphael Varane (FRA) – In my mind, there really is not a standout defender that you MUST own on Sunday. Varane is the best combination of price, opportunity and talent. Coming off a Champions League title with Real Madrid, Varane could further mark his place in the pecking order by a positive effort in this tournament. There’s a chance for a clean sheet and possible a goal from a set piece. ($5,438 on DS, $16.00 on SC)
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Laurent Koscielny (FRA) – Big if—if Koscielny starting ahead of Varane or Mamadou Sakho, his DraftStreet salary cannot be avoided, especially if you want to pay high in the other places. Sakho is a decent play as well, especially on Statclash. ($4,034 on DS)
Stephan Lichtsteiner (SUI) – Another DraftStreet special, but Lichtsteiner is a certain starter with a good shot at the clean sheet bonus plus the ability to go forward. ($4,349 on DS)
Marcos Rojo (ARG) – An attacking outside back, starting for a clear favorite? Not too shabby. ($4,848 on DS, $15.75 on SC)
Midfield
There’s lots of depth here and at forward today. Make the right choices, and you’ll be in the money.
Angel Di Maria (ARG) – Perhaps the man of the match of the Champions League final, Di Maria can be the provider for the front three and can also score with the best of them from midfield. He’s not cheap, but he’s the certain play here. ($17.345 on DS, $21.00 on SC)
Paul Pogba (FRA) – If it’s true that young players come to the forefront at a World Cup, Pogba is one of the favorites in the mold of a guy who loves the spotlight and wants to show how good he is. Relatively inexpensive at Statclash, he’s a guy that will shoot from distance and will be constantly involved in the game. ($14,429 on DS, $15.25 on SC)
VALUE PLAYS
Xherdan Shaqiri/Granit Xhaka (SUI) – Both Swiss attackers have the ability to play both provider and scorer of goals. Xhaka is classed as a forward on Statclash. ($12,234/$11,829 on DS, $19.75/$15.00 on SC)
Miralem Pjanic (BOS) – A really classy player who can dominated a game. Yes, Bosnia is an underdog against Argentina, but they’ll have their chances in attack. And Pjanic is coming off a superb season at Roma and is worth your choice. ($11,350 on DS, $14.50 on SC)
Forwards
There’s the usual suspects, the guys that jump off the list that you have to pick. Best of luck rostering them all, so you may need to pair them with value to keep an overall balance.
Sergio Aguero/Gonzalo HiguianLionel Messi (ARG) – Messi may run the table in this tournament, but for Argentina he tends to be more of a part of the whole than his Barcelona persona. I’d rather save the extra few bucks and take Aguero or Higuain. If Argentina succeed, you’re not going to choose poorly amongst this trio. ($18,565/$18,212/$22,950 on DS, $21.75/$17.50/$25.25 on SC)
Karim Benzema (FRA) – Benzema is entering the World Cup on fire and will be the lone striker, supported by a pair of attacking mdfielders in Antoine Griezmann and Matthieu Valbuena. Against a lesser opponent than the above three, Benzema could feast on Honduras. ($16,123 on DS, $22.00 on SC)
VALUE PLAYS
Edin Dzeko (BIH) – Unlike this Argentinean opposition, Dzeko is the the literal center of attention for Bosnia. Goals for his side get scored by the Manchester City hitman. He’s priced pretty nicely on both sites. ($13.856 on DS, $19.00 on SC)
Josep Drmic (SUI) – Another lone striker, like Dzeko, a guy that’s coming off a really strong club season with something to prove on the big stage. If you’re spending money on a pair of Argentines, Drmic could help your bottom line. ($12,823 on DS, $13.00 on SC)