The Group Stage is finally over, and now it is on to the knockout round for Saturday’s Women’s World Cup DFS slate. The Group stage was full of surprising results, and even some of the teams that advanced will have games they want to forget. Based on the betting lines for this round, you would think that things are going to return to normal with the better teams advancing. I am not so sure. We went into this tournament expecting chaos, and now that we’ve gotten chaos, I’m not anticipating it will end anytime soon. Inevitably one of the top teams is going to win 4-0 to advance to the quarterfinals, but I’m not counting on that when I’m building my WWC DFS lineups.
Women's World Cup DFS Soccer Lineup Picks August 5
Goalkeepers
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Gaelle Thalmann
SWI
ESP
3600
12.57
7
16.67
I think Switzerland has a much better chance to win this game than Thalmann's price indicates. I would like it better if Switzerland did more than the bare minimum to win their group, but it was nice to see Thalman pick up eight saves while not allowing a single goal. Spain folded like a cheap card table the minute they faced a real team, and for as much as they underwhelmed in the group stage, Switzerland is a real team.
Ayaka Yamashita
JPN
NOR
5500
12.92
12
17.33
I trust Japan more than I trust Spain and I certainly don't trust Norway. This is risky because Norway has several capable goalscorers, but Yamashita is a good bet for a win and a clean sheet.
Forwards
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Ada Hegerberg
NOR
JPN
6700
6.38
16
11.60
Even if she plays, there is a chance she won't be completely healthy. I just think Hegerberg is a world-class player who is far too cheap if she starts.
Ramona Bachmann
SWI
ESP
5300
9.99
15
15.03
Bachmann costs $3,000 less than she did against New Zealand. I think this is finally the game Switzerland has to push at least a bit to score, and Bachmann should lead the attack. She is tied for the team lead in shots, chances created, crosses and corner kicks.
Aoba Fujino
JPN
NOR
7100
16.07
18
25.70
Fujino was quiet against Spain but now that every game is must-win, I think she will step up and provide great fantasy value.
Mina Tanaka
JPN
NOR
8800
21.61
21
34.23
Tanaka has had her minutes limited, but you would have to think that is coming to an end, especially if Norway can keep this game close. She isn't the safest player on DraftKings but she leads Japan in shots and is tied for the most chances created.
Midfielders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic
SWI
ESP
5100
8.41
16
15.83
Crnogorcevic is tied for the team lead in shots and chances created and she is second in clearances. She is super safe on FanDuel but she is also playable on DraftKings, where she is listed as a defender.
Hikaru Naomoto
JPN
NOR
5700
12.55
17
21.73
Naomoto's numbers are pretty impressive considering she played just 13 minutes against Zambia. She had a quiet game against Spain but I expect her to be more involved against Norway.
Teresa Abelleira
ESP
SWI
9400
19.57
20
30.93
We have to spend up on someone, and while Abelleira doesn't have the goal upside of the other players in her price range, she is much safer. Abelleira has taken 10 more corner kicks, sent in six more corners and created five more chances than any player in this tournament.
Guro Reiten
NOR
JPN
8100
14.76
17
22.50
The problem with Norway is I still have no idea who will score the goals in any given game. But at least I know Reiten will send in crosses and create chances. She had nine and four respectively in her last two games.
Alexia Putellas
ESP
SWI
6400
5.36
13
6.50
Putellas topped out at 61 minutes against Japan, which is probably the only reason her price is so low. On a slate with few good cheap options, I'll gladly play one of Spain's best players and hope she produces in her short time on the field or that her minutes continue to increase.
Defenders
Player
Team
Opp.
DK $
DK FPPG
FD $
FD FPPG
Julia Stierli
SWI
ESP
4200
7.25
13
17.40
I wish she was a little bit cheaper on FanDuel, but I'm probably playing her there anyway. Stierli has six more clearances than any other Swiss defender, and Spain allowed the most clearances in the group stage. She is playable on DraftKings as well, thanks to her role splitting corner kicks with Ramona Bachmann.
Moeka Minami
JPN
NOR
3500
6.58
10
14.13
Minami had her best game of the tournament against Spain, and now she faces the team that has allowed the sixth-most clearances this tournament. Minami is second on the team in clearances and third in tackles + interceptions.
Ona Batlle
ESP
SWI
6300
12.55
14
17.07
Batlle was one of the only players who actually showed up for Spain against Japan. She isn't cheap, but she is a safe way into the Spanish attack at a premium position.
