The Round of 16 kicks off on Saturday with three games on the schedule, so we’ll build our Euro fantasy lineup around that. It begins with Switzerland taking on Poland, Wales clashing with Northern Ireland and then the match of the day between Croatia and Portugal. While the final matchup should be the most highly anticipated by the casual fans, Wales is the biggest favorite of the day for good reason and we won’t completely ignore the opening game for fantasy purposes. Here is a look at the optimal lineup for Saturday’s DraftKings Euro 2016 daily fantasy leagues.
GK: Wayne Hennessey, Wales
Salary: $5,600
Wales is deservedly a substantial favorite heading in to its Round of 16 game with Northern Ireland and we have no problem capitalizing on the matchup by rolling with Hennessey as our goalkeeper. Hennessey has been solid so far in this tournament and there is a good chance he delivers with a clean sheet win. Remember that Wales is coming off a win where they earned a clean sheet, so why not bank on another one happening here? Hennessey is a good choice for your Euro fantasy lineup.
D: Ashley Williams, Wales
Salary: $3,700
It only makes sense to have at least one defender from Wales and Williams fits the bill for what we want as a smart value play at just $3.7K. Williams won’t offer the highest offensive upside but he should play the full 90 minutes versus Northern Ireland and will benefit if they deliver the clean sheet victory.
D: Kamil Glik, Poland
Salary: $3,500
Glik is for Poland what Williams has been to Wales and he should play the full 90 minutes versus Switzerland. Poland will have the tougher test of the two but both teams play a strong defensive game and that should translate to a low scoring game in which Glik comes through for us as another smart value option in Euro fantasy.
M: Valon Behrami, Switzerland
Salary: $4,600
Behrami is one of the most appealing options on the board for Saturday based on his incredibly low price tag and the fact that he is such a key contributor for Switzerland. Behrami will be central to what the Swiss want to do in the attacking third and he will be a smart play for this weekend’s DraftKings tournaments.
M: Filip Starzynski, Poland
Salary: $4,200
Starzynski made an appearance off the bench in Poland’s 1-0 win over Ukraine and while he didn’t register a point the reality is that he could very well see action again on Saturday. Poland will need his ability in the midfield whether it’s as a starter or off the bench and at $4.2K he is the player with the highest potential that we can still afford without compromising the rest of our lineup.
F: Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal
Salary: $12,700
Ronaldo delivered in a major way in Portugal’s 3-3 tie with Hungary as he scored twice and added an assist with a total of 10 shots in that game. Ronaldo certainly lived up to his substantial price tag and after that incredible performance there is no doubt we are willing to spend big money on him for Saturday’s elimination game versus Croatia.
F: Gareth Bale, Wales
Salary: $11,100
Bale is the lone player in this tournament to score in each of his team’s first three games and he will have a golden opportunity to extend that goal-scoring streak versus Northern Ireland on Saturday. Bale is also one of the most expensive options on the board but he is definitely worth it as we lock in the two best striker options on the board in Euro fantasy.
FLEX: Neil Taylor, Wales
Salary: $4,500
Taylor is technically listed as a defender on DraftKings but his status as a key midfield contributor makes him an excellent option as a FLEX play for Saturday. Taylor delivered with a goal in Wales’ 3-0 win over Russia in their final group stage game and we are banking on him delivering with at least a point in Saturday’s favorable matchup in Euro fantasy with Northern Ireland.
