SOCCER

FanDuel Women's World Cup Daily Fantasy Helper: Saturday 6/8/19

The World Cup is here, and FanDuel is offering daily fantasy contests. The Saturday main slate will consist of all three matches on the docket, starting at 9:00 a.m. EST.

FanDuel has altered its soccer format for the Women's World Cup for the multi-match offerings, and it's important to know how those changes impact things. The single-match slates, however, are the same format as usual.

Group Stage
Saturday, June 8
Germany vs. China
Spain vs. South Africa
Norway vs. Nigeria


Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Germany, Spain, and Norway are all clear favorites on this slate, which features teams from both Group A and B.

Let's look at some players across different price points that can shine on Saturday.

Forwards/Midfielders

Alexandra Popp, Germany ($22)

Popp once played defense a while ago but has long been a mainstay in the front line. She will face a China team that allowed three goals to another World Cup team, Japan, in their final warm-up match before the tournament. Popp has scored 46 goals for Germany and won two Champions League titles. She averages close to a goal every other appearance for her club team. Along with teammate Lea Schuller ($14), Popp is tied for the best odds to be the game's first goal-scorer, per FanDuel Sportsbook. There is also a 57% implied probability that the game will have over 2.5 goals.

Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria ($20)

Norway are the favorite against Nigeria, but if anyone can threaten for Nigeria, it is Oshoala. She scored seven goals in six games in the under-20 World Cup and twice in four World Cup games. The Barcelona forward has also played for Arsenal and Liverpool and won the African Women's Footballer of the Year award three times. Oshoala scored eight goals in 11 matches once loaned to Barcelona, putting her in good form for the World Cup. At only 24 years old, she is considered the most successful African women's footballer and recently signed a three-year contract to stay at Barcelona. Oshoala has the best odds on the Nigerian team to score first.

Thembi Kgatlana, South Africa ($16)

Not many FanDuel players will know the players on Banyana Banyana, and not much is expected of them in France, so the South African players are unlikely to be highly owned. However, Kgatlana might be the exception. She is the reigning African Women's Footballer of the Year and has remained upbeat despite a recent run of poor form. The former NWSL player now plays professionally in China. Kgatlana is one of the quickest players in the game, but the professional experience has refined her other skills. She is part of the reason that South Africa dethroned Nigeria as the top African team.

Patri Guijarro, Spain ($8)

Guijarro is not a guaranteed starter but will be a great value if she is in the starting XI. The 21-year-old midfielder has shown a scoring touch with seven goals in seven games at the under-20 World Cup and three goals in the Champions League. She won the golden ball and golden boot at the under-20 World Cup. Guijarro is clearly coveted as she still made the team after a four-month layoff. She was one of five players who appeared in every World Cup qualifier for Spain. Vicky Losada ($8), who scored Spain's first ever World Cup goal, is an option if Guijarro does not start.

Defenders

Maren Mjelde, Norway ($16)

With superstar Ada Hegerberg not with the squad, Mjelde must pick up the slack. She generally plays midfield for Chelsea and has shown the ability to score from a dead-ball situation. Mjelde's goal-scoring prowess provides huge value at the defender position. Mjelde is the captain of Norway with over 100 caps, and this will be her third international tournament.


Wu Haiyan, China ($10)

China will likely be on the back foot against Germany, and Wu will have the responsibility of tracking Popp. The center-back is the captain of the Chinese team. She played in the 2015 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and says she is more confident despite the challenge that lies ahead. China do like to play through their attack, and if they get any possession, the defense can get settled. The more likely scenario is that they get pushed back, and Wu will rack up the defensive action points.

Keeper

Almuth Schult, Germany ($14)

At -850, Spain is the biggest favorite on the slate, which certainly puts Sandra PaƱos ($16) in play, but you can save $2 and drop down to Schult, who may see a little more action in goal. A first-match loss for Germany -- who is a -380 favorite -- would be one of the most talked about stories of the entire World Cup. Schult has played for one of the best teams in Europe, Wolfsburg, for over five years. She shut out China in the quarterfinals of the 2016 Olympics even when the German offense under performed. Schult finished the Olympics with 10 saves and fewer than two saves in a game only twice.



Doug Smith is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Douglas Smith also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username aquemini03. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her
articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.