A busy Friday of tournament coverage continues with a look at the DraftKings game for Russia 2018.
DraftKings is running a free contest for the tournament this weekend with $10,000 in prizes (the top prize is $500). CLICK HERE, if you’re interested.
Having partnered with DraftKings for other league campaigns, many of our readers will be more than familiar with their set-up.
We’re excited for the contest, but an FYI: we receive a commission from DraftKings, but are not employees of DraftKings and don’t have any access to non-public info. These are just our personal thoughts on the matchups.
For those new to the game, though, here’s a quick rundown on the rules.
Building a squad DraftKings managers are handed a budget of $50,000 to construct an eight-man line-up for their selected contest.
This must comprise of one goalkeeper, two defenders, two midfielders and a pair of forwards.
However, the final “Utility” slot can be handed to any outfield player.
This allows a greater degree of flexibility to our formations, with managers having the chance to play 3-2-2, 2-3-2 or even 2-3-3, providing, of course, the total cost remains within your budget.
Scoring Points
Scoring in DraftKings is perfectly suited to members of Fantasy Football Scout in need for a summer tournament.
As mentioned in previous articles, members who have joined up already for the 2018/19 season have access to the qualifying rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations, as well as the data for the tournament itself.
Aside from the obvious goals, assists and clean sheets, among the on-pitch actions included are shots on goal, crosses, fouls won, successful tackles and interceptions. Here’s a summary of the new DraftKings scoring matrix:
- Goal = +10 PTs
- Assist = +6 PTs
- Shot = +1 PTs
- Shot on Goal = +1 PTs
- Crosses = +0.75 PTs (via corner kick, open play, and set pieces)
- Fouls Drawn = +1 PTs
- Fouls Conceded = -0.5 PTs
- Tackle Won = +1 PTs
- Pass Intercepted (D,M,F) = +0.5 PTs
- Yellow Card = -1.5 PTs
- Red Card = -3 PTs
- Penalty Kick Miss = -5 PTs
- Saves (GK) = +2 PTs
- Goal Conceded (GK) = -2 PTs
- Clean Sheet (GK) = +5 PTs
- Clean Sheet (D) = +3 PTs
- Win (GK) = +5 PTs
- Penalty Kick Save (GK) = +3 PTs
As you can see, keepers earn more points for shutouts than defenders (five to three) and are the only players rewarded when their team emerges victorious, claiming an extra five points.
On the downside, through, goalkeepers are deducted two points for every goal conceded.
DraftKings will be running contests all the way through Russia 2018, with a trio of matches later today offering plenty for Fantasy managers to consider.
With that in mind, here’s our standout options for each of those kick-offs.
Uruguay vs Egypt, 1pm
Coming in at $10,000, Luis Suarez is the priciest player in Friday’s early fixture for good reason.
The Barcelona frontman played a part in more goals (13) in qualifying that any team-mate, scoring five times and supplying eight assists.
Uruguay’s number one for spot-kicks, Suarez placed first and second respectively for shots and key passes on the way to Russia.
His domestic form remained relentless, too, with 25 goals and 12 assists in 33 La Liga appearances this term.
With a goal and assist in last week’s 3-0 win over Uzbekistan, Suarez looks worth the outlay against an Egypt defence that’s managed just two clean sheets in their last 12 matches.
Morocco vs Iran, 4pm
With showdowns against Spain and Portugal to follow, both Morocco and Iran will be looking for a vital three points in the second of today’s matches.
Like Suarez, Hakim Ziyech ($8,700) arrives on the back of an outstanding domestic campaign.
The Morocco midfielder bagged nine goals and 15 assists in 34 league fixtures for Ajax in 2017/18 and his underlying numbers are even more impressive.
Ziyech averaged 18.4 minutes per shot and 21.4 minutes per key pass for the Dutch side.
Supplying two goals and as many assists in five qualifying fixtures, the playmaker is their main man for set-pieces, boosting his prospects of points for crossing in the Draft Kings game.
Ziyech is also expected to be Morocco’s number one penalty-taker, after scoring from the spot in a 2-1 win over Serbia back in March.
Morocco look the likeliest to emerge victorious in the battle of the Group B underdogs – they have won four of their five friendlies in 2018, beating the likes of Serbia and Slovakia and drawing against Ukraine.
Spain vs Portugal, 7pm
This evening’s match was a difficult one to call even before Spain’s change of manager on Wednesday morning.
Given that Cristiano Ronaldo sets you back $11,500 and Isco comes in at $9,200, a price of $7,400 for David Silva looks more than reasonable.
No player produced more goals (five) or assists (four) for Spain than the Man City playmaker, who is listed as a midfielder in DraftKings for the clash with Portugal.
With a big share of set-pieces also boosting his appeal, Silva created more chances and supplied more crosses than any team-mate on the way to Russia 2018.
Having also supplied two goals and a pair of assists over the recent friendlies, he looks strong value for money on DraftKings.
5 years, 10 months agoWorth captaining Muslera if I have no other options? Seems like an unnecessary risk for someone who's unlikely to score big