World Cup Soccer DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings (Saturday Dec. 3) - MatchDay 13

Happy Match Day 13, RotoBallers! We are here for the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup and the first day of the knockout rounds. After a wild final day of group play, it's win-or-go-home time for the remaining nations. On Saturday, we are treated to clashes between Netherlands-USA and Argentina-Australia.

The Netherlands and Argentina are favored in their respective clashes, but we shouldn't count out the USA. Christian Pulisic's health (groin) will be a massive factor for this two-game slate. He is an elite floor play, but it's tough to fully recover from such a brutal-looking injury in a few days. In the other matchup, Argentina should breeze past the Socceroos. However, Australia surprised France with an early goal, tossed aside Tunisia, and downed Denmark for their first knockout appearance since 2006.

The DraftKings World Cup DFS Soccer contests lock at 10:00 am ET for the 12/3/22 slate. Make sure to get your lineups in early. Also, don't forget to check out the rest of our World Cup coverage on Rotoballer with team and match previews, along with our betting and DFS advice. If you have any further questions or want to chat about the World Cup, feel free to reach out to me on Twitter @EuanOrYouOut.

DraftKings DFS Goalkeepers

Emiliano Martinez - $6,000

Opponent - Australia

The last few days have been great for the underdog keepers, but I'm returning to the well with a heavy favorite between the nets. Emiliano Martinez and Argentina shouldn't overlook the Socceroos, and a quarter-final berth is within their grasp if they take Australia seriously. However, a clean sheet is well within the realm of possibility, and the South Americans have the best odds at one.

Despite making the knockout round, Australia's only created two big chances in Qatar. That's tied for last with Denmark and the host nation. So don't expect an upset or goal from the men down under on Saturday afternoon. Martinez has back-t0-back clean sheets under his belt since the Saudi Arabia loss, and he has the chance for the hat-trick against this not-so-wild Australia side.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Andries Noppert ($5,100), Matt Turner ($4,200)

DraftKings DFS Forwards

Lionel Messi - $10,900

Opponent - Australia

Lionel Messi is my favorite target on this two-game schedule. He dominates the set pieces for Argentina and is the focal point of the attack for a heavy favorite. In his three 2022 World Cup games, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner has two goals and an assist while averaging 24.3 FPPG.

Messi drives Argentina. They go as he goes. He's got the best goal-scoring odds among the four teams (-165), and things are lining up well for the man averaging 4.33 shots and 2.67 shots on goal per contest. Australia's had a nice run, but this could be a matter of how respectable they can keep the scoreline. Messi will be highly-rostered, but that shouldn't deter DFS managers from doing the same.

Christian Pulisic - $9,200

Opponent - Netherlands

It's difficult to take off the red, white, and blue tinted goggles for this matchup. Pulisic has been terrific for his country and DFS managers during this tournament. However, it just feels wrong to play Memphis Depay or Cody Gakpo over Captain America. That could make us public suckers or just homers. Regardless of what side you land on, there's no denying Pulisic's DFS value.

In his first taste of World Cup action, the Chelsea man has delivered and then some. He scored the goal that sent the USA through but has also piled up the set pieces, with 15 set pieces taken. That sort of floor endears the 24-year-old to any DFS manager, and he's shown us that he can get into, and take advantage of, goal-scoring opportunities when needed.

CHRISTIAN PULISIC TELEMUNDO GOAL CALL IS ELECTRIC!!! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/Purrm5ozsw

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) November 29, 2022

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Julian Alvarez ($9,600), Cody Gakpo ($9,400), Memphis Depay ($8,900)

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DraftKings DFS Midfielders

Enzo Fernandez - $6,900

Opponent - Australia

With only two games on the schedule, finding a team to load up on and go from there will be imperative. For Saturday's games, it's Argentina. Enzo Fernandez is performing well enough to earn more playing time and could come up huge against Australia. He made a 33-minute cameo versus Mexico and grabbed a goal before bagging an assist in the pivotal win against Poland. He's the type of player to pair with Messi and Angel Di Maria in an Argentina stack.

Frenkie de Jong - $5,100

Opponent - USA

A lot of the public will be on the USA for this contest. As a result, it's probably a good plan to have some exposure to the Netherlands and differentiate your lineups a tad. Frenkie de Jong isn't known as the most offensive-minded player when jogging around Camp Nou, but he's turned into one at the World Cup.

Through three games, the 25-year-old has a goal and an assist, with three shots assisted and two corners taken. His floor leaves something to be desired, but the upside is tantalizing. Exposing the United States in the middle of the park could be how the Dutch control this game, and de Jong is pulling the strings.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Davy Klassen ($6,700), Rodrigo De Paul ($5,800), Weston McKennie ($3,700)

DraftKings DFS Defenders

Marcos Acuna - $5,400

Opponent - Australia

I'm unsure how many ways I can express how heavily favored Argentina will be against Australia. Still, hopefully, my fourth recommendation from the sky blue and white does the trick for the final time. Since coming on as a substitute in the first game, Acuna has made his spot in the lineup his own. In three games, the veteran left-back averages 5.36 crosses and 1.61 chances created. At $5,400, he's a welcome alternative to any heavy-hitting Argentine attackers if you need salary relief.

Sergino Dest - $4,300

Opponent - Netherlands

With everything to play for in their third group game, the United States was a much more attack-oriented unit. Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson were extremely impressive down the wings for the Americans. This pairing provides the USA with a different way to attack the Netherlands and cause an upset. Despite averaging 8.9 FPPG to Robinson's 8.8 FPPG, Dest is $700. On this sort of slate, that $700 is extremely important and a big reason to choose the right-back over his left-sided teammate.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Antonee Robinson ($5,000), Fran Karacic ($4,800), Virgil van Dijk ($3,800)

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