The knockout action picks up pace today as DraftKings managers are treated to a trio of Sunday fixtures.

First up at two o’clock, hosts France take on Republic of Ireland for the right to meet England or Iceland in the quarter-finals. Didier Deschamps rested a number of regulars against Switzerland and looks poised to recall the likes of Dimitri Payet and Olivier Giroud after Les Bleus failed to find a way past Vladimir Petkovic’s side.

Having beaten Italy to advance through the group stages, Martin O’Neill’s outfit will be in buoyant mood as they prepare to face the tournament favourites.

World Champions Germany take on Slovakia in the evening kick-off. Although they’ve found the net on just three occasions, Joachim Low’s men registered more attempts inside the box than any side over the group stages and will be confident of breaking down a stubborn rearguard that held England to a goalless draw last time out.

Belgium go up against Hungary in the late encounter. Marc Wilmots’ men are building momentum on the back of two successive wins and are favourites to emerge from the top half of the draw to clinch a place in the final on July 10.

The Magyars, though, will be no pushovers and ended the group stages as joint-top scorers along with Wales, having found the net six times so far.

As always, we encourage you to scan the teamsheets before each fixture, adjusting your lineups in search of some last-minute bargains. However, here’s our essential picks to form the backbone of your eight-man squads.

Jonas Hector – Germany – $4900
The full-back offers Fantasy managers the most attacking route into a Germany defence that chalked up clean sheets in all three of their group fixtures. Whilst there are doubts over the right-back berth for Joachim Low’s side, Hector looks certain to start on the left and his raids down the flank have supplied 17 crosses so far – that’s second only to Toni Kroos for the World Champions and top amongst defenders taking part in Sunday’s action.

Dimitri Payet – France – $10,100
Arguably the player of the tournament so far, Payet bagged two goals and an assist in the first couple of fixtures before being afforded a second-half sub role against Switzerland in the final group fixture. Given that the France playmaker’s frequency of both crosses (7.4 minutes) and key passes (15.6 minutes) was quicker than any player over the group stages, his ability to unlock a stubborn Republic of Ireland rearguard will be key to the hosts’ prospects of making the quarter-finals.

Kevin de Bruyne – Belgium – $9700
Having played from start to finish in all three group matches, the Belgium midfielder produced more crosses (35) and created more scoring opportunities (18) than any player in the group stages. Given that De Bruyne’s ten attempts on goal over the first three fixtures was greater than any midfielder who progressed to the knockout stages, it’s fair to say he’s been unfortunate only to earn a single assist ahead of a clash with Hungary.

Balazs Dzudzsak – Hungary – $7200
A double in the 3-3 draw with Portugal ensured Hungary progressed as winners of Group F. Dzudzsak was joint-top for shots on target amongst midfielders across the group stages, whilst a total of 20 crosses is more than three times the number of any team-mate. If Bernd Storck’s side are to produce a shock and get the better of Belgium, Dzudzsak’s contribution in the final third will be vital.

Olivier Giroud – France – $8800
Rested for the final group fixture against Switzerland, the French frontman looks poised to return to Didier Deschamps’ starting XI for today’s encounter against Republic of Ireland. Despite missing that clash with the Swiss, Giroud has still produced more attempts inside the box than any compatriot and with Payet pulling the strings, he should be afforded further opportunities to improve upon his goal in the tournament opener.

Mario Gomez – Germany – $7700
Handed his first start of the tournament against Northern Ireland, the Germany striker netted the only goal of a narrow 1-0 win. With Thomas Muller yet to open his account, Gomez seems set to lead the line against Slovakia, with the Bayern Munich man poised to take up a role on the right once again. Priced at $7700 to Muller’s $9900, Gomez bettered his team-mate by four attempts on target to one against the Irish and could prove a canny acquisition for DraftKings managers.

Spots in DraftKings contests for Sunday’s matches are still available, including the $3 entry “Sweeper” with a $11k prize pot.

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