World Cup Daily Plays: June 18th, 2014
It had been a high-scoring World Cup until Tuesday, where only 5 goals were scored in 3 games. Wednesday’s action includes three more contests, including the defending World Cup Champions Spain taking on Chile.
Wednesday’s Schedule
GAME ONE: Australia vs. Netherlands (12:00 PM ET)
GAME TWO: Spain vs. Chile (3:00 PM ET)
GAME THREE: Cameroon vs. Croatia (6:00 PM ET)
Goalkeeper
With this slate, it’s tough to determine which way to go in goal. There’s one option that stands out on opposition alone, but even then—it could go your way, or you could end up in the minus. I’m staying away from Chile and Spain when it comes to this position; beyond the question of who starts in goal for the reigning World Champs, this could be a track meet. Claudio Bravo’s price is too high for the risk of Spain reigning on the plains of…Brazil…while starting Iker Casillas or Pepe Reina in front of that backline is the purest form of gambling in my mind.
Jasper Cillessen (NED) – Your combination of best keeper on a good team and a below-average opposition. The Aussies will battle the Dutch for every inch, and may try to out-physical the Oranje, odd as that may be. But there’s a good chance the Dutch stifles the Australian attack and Cillessen gets your clean sheet bonus. At the very least, he’s your best cash game play win a likely win and not a lot of offense coming his way. ($17,102 on DS)
VALUE PLAYS
Stipe Pletikosa (CRO) – Pletikosa could rival Cillessen for percentage owned, especially in GPP games. There’s a lower cost than Cillessen, an opponent without its leader in attack (Samuel Eto’o in a certain absence for Cameroon) and Croatia gets Mario Mandzukic back from suspension. ($15,938 on DS)
Charles Itandje (CAM) – The contrarian option. The hope here is Cameroon rebounds from a terrible first group match against Mexico and they rally around Eto’s absence. His salary allows you to spend other places, especially on DraftStreet. ($13,666 on DS)
Matty Ryan (AUS) – The really contrarian option. Australia loses, but the Dutch put only one behind Ryan and he stands on his head, a la Henrik Lundqvist. The money you save allows you to put together a really strong attack and midfield, they all score for you and…well, dare to dream. GPP only, but fortune favors the brave…sometimes. ($11,700 on DS)
Defenders
It’s a bit scattershot in this position—if you choose Cillessen in goal, on Draftstreet, choosing one or two Oranje defenders will hamstring (sorry, Jozy) your ability to roster guys further up front. On the other hand, they have the best shot at a clean sheet bonus.
Daley Blind (NED) – People will be on Blind, especially in cash games after that performance versus Spain. While he’s unlikely to garner you two assists this time around, a clean sheet and perhaps a helper or a goal could be in play. Worth the price tag. ($6,266 on DS)
Mauricio Isla (CHI) – Isla plays for Juventus mostly as a right wingback (an attacking defender, as it were), and his ability to play a right back in Chile’s four man defense will allow you to roster him comfortably in a well-rounded lineup with the chance of getting positive points. The chances of Chile keeping a clean sheet are relatively low, but Isla can help you in other categories. ($5,490 on DS)
VALUE PLAYS
Benoit Assou-Ekotto (CMR) – Ekotto will involve himself in the attack on a constant basis for Cameroon. All you can ask for at this price tag, with a good chance at positive points with an assist, handful of fouls drawn, etc. ($4,949 on DS,
Ron Vlaar (NED) – The cheapest of the likely Dutch starters in defense. Nothing pretty, and if you can roster him because your attack or midfield is in another color, Vlaar’s your man. ($4,095 on DS)
Midfield
Balance is the name of the game—you can find plenty of options to spend your cap on, but it all can’t be stars, can it?
Wesley Sneijder (NED) – Sneijder might have disappeared off the proverbial map on a club level, but he’s the center of the Dutch attack that ripped apart Spain. While they might not put five behind the Aussies, he could play provider for a handful of goals to RVP or Robben. ($14,634 on DS)
David Silva (SPA) – I don’t think the dynasty Spain has been is dead just yet. I’m riding Silva again, especially in cash games. There is a chance Vicente Del Bosque does sit Silva in place of Pedro, but I think Xavi might be the one who sees the pine. Keep an eye on the news in the morning. Not a lot of people will be rostering Silva, but if he plays, he could earn that salary. ($15,002 on DS)
Luka Modric (CRO) – Modric won’t be pinned back as much as he was against Brazil. Croatia’s fulcrum in attack could have a big day. ($13,213 on DS)
VALUE PLAYS
Jorge Valdivia (CHI) – Don’t think of it as chasing after his performance against Australia. A #10 at that price tag, especially on DraftStreet? He’s going to be a popular choice. ($12,386 on DS)
Mark Bresciano (AUS) – Need to go contrarian and cheap? Bresciano’s your man. The most likely to be involved in attack for the Aussies, perhaps he pulls a rabbit out of his hat. GPP only to fill out your roster after you went top shelf other places. ($8.695 on DS)
Xabi Alonso (SPA) – If he plays, Alonso’s salary is relatively cheap and he takes penalties for Spain. Perhaps not the sexiest of choices, and without a spot kick he might not earn his salary. ($12.645 on DS)
Forwards
Arjen Robbin (NED) – If you want Robin van Persie, it’s over 20k on DraftStreet. Pair him with even Pletikosa and that’s 35% of your DS balance on two of eight players. Tough to establish balance, and Robben isn’t that much cheaper. But he’s the more likely to pull something out of nothing, and also the one of the pair not needing service to create chances out of goal. All he needs is that left foot of his—that’s all he has, really. Literally. Watch him try to shoot with his right. ($18,921 on DS)
Mario Mandzukic (CRO) – All things considered, he’s my best play at forward on Wednesday. A combination of ability, opportunity, opponent and value. Mandzukic is trying to play for a big transfer out of Bayern Munich this summer, and will strive to make his mark to make his club paycheck that much bigger. Run with him in your lineup. ($14,003 on DS)
VALUE PLAYS
Tim Cahill (AUS) – If the Aussies are going to score, likely it’ll come from a dead ball opportunity or a chance from a long ball. Enter Mr. Cahill. There’s value and opportunity, a perfect Flex or third striker option. ($12,039 on DS)
Pierre Webo (CAM) – With Eto’o out, Webo could start in his place. A starting striker for 11k on DraftStreet isn’t nothing to shake a stick at. A value play that might work out for you—check the news prior to roster lock to see if Cameroon tips their hand. ($11,202 on DS)
Ivica Olic (CRO) – With Mandzukic back, Olic will revert to a withdrawn position. At his price tag, it’s a good shot in the dark. ($12,238 on DS)
Pedro (SPA) – As mentioned before, Pedro might get the start as part of Spain’s front three attackers on the left, Diego Costa in the middle and Andres Iniesta on the right. For 13k on DraftStreet, he’s another GPP play/third forward in cash games if you don’t go Dutch. ($13,002 on DS).