With XIs taking shape, the defensive value is easy to map. Mexico's defenders at altitude, Spain against Cape Verde, Germany against Curaçao and England against Ghana headline the cheap clean-sheet plays of the opening round — keepers and full-backs who should face fewer than three shots on target.
The principle is simple: pair a strong defence with the weakest opening opponent and pay bottom dollar. Mexico, at 2,240m against South Africa, is the headline — we made the altitude clean-sheet case before the squads landed, and it only got stronger once the lineups firmed up.
Spain against Cape Verde, Germany against Curaçao and England against Ghana round out the board. Goalkeepers carry save points as well as the shutout bonus, so the floor on a well-chosen keeper is rarely zero even if the clean sheet slips.
Everyone budgets for goals and forgets the back four. Clean sheets win mini-leagues quietly.
Build the defence here and spend the savings on the armband options from the captain board.
Sources: RotoWire — Matchday 1 picks · RotoWire — group-stage rankings.