RADIO
Welcome back to “The Kick-Off”! We have a nice four-game slate starting at 3:45 P.M. EST with Italy the overwhelming favorites at -525. Remember that each game on the slate will either bring teams one step closer to qualifying or end all of the hopes and dreams of making it to the big stage.
With four games, hard pricing, and a handful of injuries, making the winning lineup will be very difficult and it will take the best forms of creativity when making lineups. The slate may also become a rather low-scoring slate which would point towards peripheral midfielders being much more valuable.
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or via Twitter @df_solutions or on “SLACK”.
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The Kick-Off - March Qualifiers
[H] Wales (+185) vs Austria [A] (+180): Total: 2 1/2u
Wales has been in surprisingly good form, as well as Austria. However, Wales's last match resulted in a solid 1-2 draw with Europe giants Belgium. The meeting between these two sides has been dictated by a goal in three out of their last five matches. This meeting should not be any different with the hosts hoping to clinch all three points in a tough bout.
Expected Outcome: Wales 1-0
WAL:
Cash/GPP:
D: Williams($4.9K), Roberts($3.6K)
M/F: Wilson($7.4K)
GPP: Bale($7.1K), James($6K), Hennessey($4.6K)
AUS:
Cash/GPP:
D: Lainer($4.9K)
M/F: Alaba($6.1K)
GPP: Arnautovic($8.4K), Baumgartner($6.5K)
[H] Sweden (+100) vs [A] Czech Republic (+320): Total: 2 1/2u
When examining the recent form of each team, the visitors have a slight advantage. However, when looking at the splits, Sweden has been dominant. Sweden’s current home form, followed by the Czech Republic missing multiple first-team players, spells out the expected result here with a comfortable win for the hosts.
Expected Outcome: Sweden 2-0
SWE:
Cash/GPP:
G: Olsen($5.2K)
D: Sundgren($2.5K)
M/F: Forsberg($8.7K), Isak($6.8K)
GPP: Quaison($6.4K), Kulusevski($5.2K)
CZE:
Cash/GPP:
D: Mateju($3.3K)
M/F: Barak($5K)
GPP: Masopust($3K)
[H] Italy (-525) vs [A] North Macedonia (+1300) Total: 2 1/2o
The only two times these two have met, Italy won 3-2 away and drew their most recent match in Italy 1-1. Italy has fallen back to Earth since their Euro 2020 win and they might find it tough playing against in-form North Macedonia. The squad itself does not boast any big names, but they do play a compelling match of soccer. Italy needs to win this match, especially being at home in front of their crowd.
Expected Outcome: Italy 2-1
ITA:
Cash/GPP:
D: Emerson($4.5K)
M/F: Insigne($9.1K), Immobile($8.2K)
GPP: Berardi($10.1K), Donnarumma($6K)
MKD:
Cash/GPP:
D: Alioski($5.5K)
M/F: Bardhi($6.9K)
[H] Portugal (-275) vs [A] Turkey (+800) Total: 2 1/2o
Portugal has dominated this meeting, albeit losing their most recent matchup 3-1 in 2012. Turkey is also coming in off a two-game win streak, while Portugal dropped their last match at home to Serbia 2-1. However, this is do-or-die for both sides and Ronaldo has already missed out on the remaining Champions League this season. He cannot afford to miss out on another World Cup too. Granted the matchup itself may not be as straightforward as many would hope it to be. Expect the hosts to come out of the gate flying.
Expected Outcome:
POR:
Cash/GPP:
D: Dalot($4.5K)
M/F: Ronaldo($11.4K), Silva($7.6K), Moutinho($4K),
GPP: Felix($7.5K), Patricio($5.7K)
TUR:
Cash/GPP:
D: Erkin($5K)
M/F: Calhanoglu($7.9K)
GPP: Yilmaz($7.4K), Kokcu($6.3K), Akturkoglu($5.4K)
Expected Corner Takers:
Wales: Wilson/Williams
Austria: Alaba
Sweden: Forsberg
Czech Republic: Barak
Italy: Insigne/Emerson
North Macedonia: Bardhi
Portugal: Moutinho/Silva
Turkey: Calhanoglu
Thanks for reading The Kick-Off! Good luck in all of your contests today!
