World Cup Daily Plays: Monday, June 23rd
The group stages begin their end on Monday with the last glimpses of Group A and B. The positive? The simultaneous beginnings of the early pair of games will give you lineup certainty for four matches. The bad news? The meaningless games will see lineups hard to gauge—even more than what we’ve seen already.
Games on Monday:
Chile vs. The Netherlands, 12:00PM EST
Australia vs. Spain, 12:00PM EST
Brazil vs. Cameroon, 4:00PM EST
Croatia vs. Mexico, 4:00pm EST
Goalkeeper
Monday’s choice of keeper is really, really difficult. With the Chile/Netherlands game a possible track meet even before both teams were assured of a place in the round of 16, choosing either Claudio Bravo or Jesper Cillessen is dicey. Cillsessen is the better option of those two. There is not an incredibly high priced option in the bunch, so go with the option you feel most comfortable with.
Memo Ochoa (MEX) – Ochoa’s on a fine line; the most expensive of the bunch on DraftStreet, the Mexican keeper hasn’t given up a goal yet. But Croatia looked really impressive against Cameroon, and Mario Mandzukic is the kind of striker that could give Mexico’s Rafa Marquez fits.
Julio Cesar (BRA) – The surest bet of them all. Brazil does have to win to confirm their place in the final 16, and I’m thinking Phil Scolari will want to some forward momentum in order to start a march towards Brazil’s sixth title.
Stiple Pletikosa (CRO) – Over $1.5k less than Ochoa, Pletikosa will try and repeat his score that Croatia provided as mentioned versus Cameroon. The contrarian play, short of just punting with the Cameroonian starter.
Defenders
Miguel Layun (MEX) – Layun loves to get forward, has an affordable price tag on both DraftStreet and StatClash, and there’s the bonus of a clean sheet that El Tri could provide.
Daniel Pranjic (CRO) – Layun’s counterpart at left back in the festivities in Recife, Pranjic also enjoys long runs up the flank and takes some corners for Croatia.
César Azpilicueta (SPA) – If Vincent del Bosque starts the Chelsea right back, Azpilicueta is at the right price for a positive return for value.
Midfield
Brazilians as a whole – Whomever Scolari starts for Brazil in the middle, they’ll be trying to make a point as options going forward. Oscar’s price has gone down, while Ramires is suspended for this match—any of Hernanes, Fernandinho or Willian would be excellent options.
Charles Aránguiz (CHI) – Aranquiz took the starting spot that Jorge Valdivia produced from in the first match aganist Australia and bested it. A pretty affordable price on DraftStreet.
Koke/Santi Cazorla (SPA) – The fight to take the torch for Iniesta and Xavi starts on Monday; if either play, an excellent choice to pair with a more expensive option or to save money for forwards.
Georginio Wijnaldum (NED) – If, IF, Louis van Gaal decides to rest Wes Sneijder against Chile, Wijnaldum might get his chance to shine behind the front two, be it whomever the Dutch put out in their 11.
Forwards
The top five options are $19k and higher on DraftStreet. If you want one or two, save your money in other positions. Neymar, Robben, Mandzukic and Alexis Sanchez will cost you—not like you need me to tell you to start them, but you’ll have to balance them out with some of these value plays.
Oribe Peralta (MEX) – Peralta’s only a shade under $15k, and he’ll lead the attack versus Croatia.
Pedro (SPA) – The Barcelona wide attacker should see another start, and is a couple thousand dollars less than potential fellow starters for the outgoing world champions. A nice second or third option.
Ivica Olic (CRO) – Playing off Mandzukic, Olic thrived against Cameroon and should get his chances against Mexico.
Memphis Depay (NED) – As with Sneijder earlier, perhaps van Gaal gives Robben some bench time. Depay was dynamic in the second half against Australia and would give you value as a third forward/flex option.
Bernard (BRA) – Same as the midfield picture for Brazil; if Bernard gets the start over Fred, Hulk or Jo, his salary is highly attractive and Cameroon to feast on.