SOCCER
FanDuel Women's World Cup Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 6/18/19
Australia is a commanding favorite versus Jamaica, putting them in a great spot for DFS. Which of their attackers should you zero in on?

The Women's World Cup is here, and FanDuel is offering daily fantasy contests. The Tuesday main slate will start at 3 p.m. EST and include both of the day's matches.

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
Tuesday, June 18
Brazil vs. Italy
Australia vs. Jamaica


Per FanDuel Sportsbook, Australia is an eye-popping -6000 favorite, which implies win odds of 98.4%. They're the team to target. In the Brazil-Italy clash, we've got an even matchup, with Brazil a slight +130 favorite.

Let's look at some players across different price points who can thrive on this slate.

Forwards/Midfielders

Sam Kerr ($20), Australia

Kerr, Australia's starting striker, has been a consistent force through two matches, and she's been steady in DFS, too, putting up 25.1 and 26.3 FanDuel points. She netted a goal in the opener and had her 25.1-point day last time out without the benefit of a goal or an assist, showcasing her superb floor. Through two matches, she's put four total shots on goal, and she has taken Australia's lone penalty. With the Aussies a huge favorite (-6000) versus Jamaica, Kerr could blow up in this match. From a game-theory perspective, you need to at least think about fading her since she will likely be the highest-owned player on the slate, but no one else can touch her ceiling.

Marta ($20), Brazil

Priced the same as Kerr, Marta is a direct pivot who could go under-owned. She sat out Brazil's opener with a hamstring injury, and she played just 45 minutes in their second match, being taken off at the half. It appears Brazil is just being cautious with their legendary player, and with the date against Italy being a very important match, Marta will likely be unleashed in this one. She handles penalties for Brazil, scoring one last time out, and she'll be right at the center of things for a favorite, even though Brazil is just a small favorite.

Caitlin Foord ($16) and Emily Gielnik ($16), Australia

Any attack-minded player in Australia's starting XI versus Jamaica is a player who needs to be on our radar. If you fade Kerr, you need plug in one of these two -- maybe both -- in an effort to get exposure to this slate's big favorites. The Aussies went with a front three in their last match, with Gielnik and Foord on the wings and Kerr down the middle. Gielnik didn't play in Australia's first match, but she notched an assist versus Brazil and created three chances, totaling 30.1 FanDuel points. Foord scored a goal against Brazil and also created two chances in Australia's opener, totaling 17.3 and 21.3 FanDuel points through two matches.

Cristiana Girelli ($22) and Barbara Bonansea ($18), Italy

Italy surprised Australia, 2-1, in their first match before routing Jamaica, 5-0. They're still slight underdogs to Brazil, however, and that could push people away from them on this slate. Bonansea and Girelli have started both of the first two matches, with Girelli in a number-10 role and Bonansea in a forward spot.

Girelli was quiet against Australia (7.8 FanDuel points), failing to create a chance or put a shot on target, but she went nuts in the lopsided win over Jamaica, netting a hat trick on her way to 73.2 FanDuel points. Bonansea was just the opposite, scoring a brace against Australia (41.3 FanDuel points) and turning in just 12.8 FanDuel points versus Jamaica. These two have accounted for all of Italy's goals that have come from their starting XI (substitute Aurora Galli has two goals), and they'll likely be involved in some way if Italy score in their fixture with Brazil.

Defenders

Allyson Swaby ($12) and Konya Plummer ($14), Jamaica

Swaby and Plummer have been the center-back pairing for Jamaica's first two games, and they're high-floor options against Australia. Plummer has scored 13.0 and 14.3 FanDuel points so far in the tourney, averaging 3.5 clearances, 3.5 tackles, 2.0 interceptions and 1.5 blocks. Swaby is averaging 7.0 clearances, 1.5 tackles and an interception, posting 6.5 and 18.2 fantasy points. Both should be very busy against Australia. If Jamaica rotate their squad, any of their starting defenders would be worth using.

Ellie Carpenter ($12), Australia

The Aussies' right back, Carpenter should be getting forward frequently against Jamaica. She has been credited with four chances created over the first two matchdays, though none have been converted into an assist. In addition to her crossing prowess, she offers nice clean-sheet odds and is a good stacking partner with any Australia attacker.

Goalies

Lydia Williams ($16), Australia

Williams has -- by far -- the best win odds on the slate, and she's got nice clean-sheet chances, too. Reminder: a clean-sheet win is good for 17.0 FanDuel points. With the Italy-Brazil matchup expected to be a close one as well as Jamaica letting in eight goals through two matches, Williams is the best keeper option on the slate.

Laura Giuliani ($12), Italy

If you pass on Williams, you might as well roll the dice on Giuliani or Bárbara ($14) from the Italy-Brazil meeting. If you're building a roster under the assumption of multiple Brazil goals, go with Bárbara. If you're rolling with the idea that Italy win, go for Giuliani. Italy's keeper has been the better DFS play of the two so far, producing 20.0 and 16.5 FanDuel points.

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