World Cup Fantasy Watch - The Must Haves, The Players To Avoid, The Differentials, and The Cheapies

Must Haves

David De Gea

Team: Spain

Position: GLK

Price: €6.5m

Selected by: 16% 

Reason: Spain’s defence is imperious, and De Gea is arguably the best goalkeeper in the world.

Joshua Kimmich

Team: Germany

Position: DEF

Price: €6.5m

Selected by: 28% 

Reason: Out of all German players, Kimmich was directly involved in the most goals in qualifying. This, combined with Germany’s amazing defence, and Kimmich becomes a must have.

Thomas Müller

Team: Germany

Position: MID

Price: €9.5m

Selected by: 16% 

Reason: Müller scored five goals at the 2010 World Cup, and scored another five in Brazil four years later. Classified as a midfielder, Müller is in essence a striker with amazing goal-scoring instincts, and there’s no reason he can’t score another five in Russia.

Philippe Coutinho

Team: Brazil

Position: MID

Price: €9.0m

Selected by: 29% 

Reason: The Brazilian magician will be pulling the strings for Seleção and has been untouchable in the pre World Cup friendlies.

Edinson Cavani

Team: Uruguay

Position: FWD

Price: €9.5m

Selected by: 8% 

Reason: Coming off the back of his second 40 goal season in a row, Cavani was the top goal scorer in South American qualifying and is in arguably the most favourable group at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi

Team: Argentina

Position: FWD

Price: €12.0m

Selected by: 31% 

Reason: Can score and assist with ease and light up any match in a split second. If you can only have one premium forward, Messi is your man.

 

Players to avoid

Ederson

Team: Brazil

Position: GLK

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 2% 

Reason: Alisson is Brazil’s first choice goalkeeper, meaning that Ederson will not start. You can’t get any points if you’re on the bench.

Kyle Walker

Team: England

Position: DEF

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 10% 

Reason: Kyle Walker is know for his marauding runs forward and crossing ability, which sees him register many assists. However, he will line up at right centre-back for England during the World Cup. As a player not known for his aerial ability, a move to centre-back almost eliminates his attacking output.

David Silva

Team: Spain

Position: FWD

Price: €9.0m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: One of the classiest players in the world and will probably register numerous assists at the World Cup. However, classified as a forward, selecting Silva would mean you have to miss out of players who will score as many goals as the Spaniard will assist. 

Kevin De Bruyne

Team: Belgium

Position: MID

Price: €10.0m

Selected by: 11% 

Reason: The most expensive midfielder in the game, KDB will line up at the World Cup in a deeper midfield role than he usually plays with the national team. Sitting at central midfield instead of right attacking midfield, De Bruyne is more likely to be the assister of the assister, thus severely limiting his fantasy output. This exact thing happened in FPL at the start of the 2017/18 season.

Toni Kroos

Team: Germany

Position: MID

Price: €9.0m

Selected by: 8% 

Reason: Kroos is an amazing player, but this won’t translate into great fantasy points. In 43 appearances last season, he only managed 5 goals and 10 assist. For €9.0m, there are far better options who are much more likely to score and assist regularly.

Marcos Asensio

Team: Spain

Position: MID

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 12% 

Reason: a couple of weeks ago, Asensio looked like he would start for Spain in Russia. However, recent friendlies have suggested that this will not be the case. With many people relying on Asensio as a starter in their fantasy side, this is something to be wary of.

Differentials

Danilo

Team: Brazil

Position: DEF

Price: €5.5m

Selected by: 5% 

Reason: an attack minded defender in a team that has great clean sheet potential. What’s not to like?

Ricardo Rodriguez

Team: Switzerland

Position: DEF

Price: €5.5m

Selected by: 2% 

Reason: Switzerland are renowned for their tight defence. This combined with Rodriguez’s propensity to get forward, and the fact that he is Switzerland’s first choice penalty taker, means that RR has the potential to be one of the highest scoring defenders in World Cup Fantasy.

Marcos Reus

Team: Germany

Position: FWD

Price: €8.0m

Selected by: 2% 

Reason: this is Marco Reus’ time. He’s fit, in form after some sharp performances in the friendlies and an integral part of Germany’s attack.

Kamil Grosicki

Team: Poland

Position: MID

Price: €7.5m

Selected by: 1% 

Reason: the Polish winger is a direct dribbler who has great vision and a dangerous shot. Just as shown Euro 2016, him and Lewandowski form a lethal duo.

Sergio Agüero

Team: Argentina

Position: FWD

Price: €10.0m

Selected by: 1% 

Reason: Agüero has netted three goals in his past three international matches, and is one of the most lethal strikers in the world.

The Cheapies

Abdullah Almuaiouf

Team: Saudi Arabia

Position: GLK

Price: €4.0m

Selected by: 6% 

Reason: comes in at basement price and will most likely start in goals for the Saudis ahead of Yasser Almosailem.

Park Joo-ho

Team: Korea Republic

Position: DEF

Price: €4.0m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: a €4.0m defender who has a great chance of starting at left-back for Taeguk Warriors.

Giovani Lo Celso

Team: Argentina

Position: MID

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 2% 

Reason: Argentina will most likely line up in a 4-4-2 midfield diamond. Lanzini looked set to start on the right side of the diamond but after tearing his ACL, the spot has opened up for Lo Celso. He’s definitely not a prolific scorer/assister (6/7 in 48 appearances last season) , but Lo Celso still has creative and attacking potential.

Trezeguet

Team: Egypt

Position: MID

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 7% 

Reason: in possibly the easiest group at the World Cup, Trezeguet scored 16 goals and provided 8 assists last season, and will be tasked with relieving Mo Salah of all the pressure.

Gustav Svensson

Team: Sweden

Position: MID

Price: €4.5m

Selected by: 2% 

Reason: not known for his attacking capabilities and will probably do more defensive than attacking work, but should start at right midfield, boosting his fantasy potential.

Mateus Uribe

Team: Colombia

Position: MID

Price: €5.5m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: a near nailed on starter at attacking midfield or on a wing for Colombia, Uribe will form part of an exciting attack and is coming off the back of an 11 goal season at club level.

Keita Balde

Team: Senegal

Position: FWD

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: this guy is the low profile Mané. With similar attributes and output to the Liverpool winger, Balde is dangerous and direct.

Alex Iwobi

Team: Nigeria

Position: FWD

Price: €6.0m

Selected by: 5% 

Reason: his side’s most central attacker. Everything will go through him, and this bodes well considering the exciting attack Nigeria possesses.

Blas Perez

Team: Panama

Position: FWD

Price: €5.0m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: he offers pretty limited fantasy potential, but is an almost basement price forward who will start. An option for those people looking to play only two up front and go big elsewhere.

Daniel Arzani

Team: Australia 

Position: FWD

Price: €5.5m

Selected by: 0% 

Reason: a truly prestigious talent who has the potential to be a world class attacker. The 19 year old only made his first start at club level for Melbourne City in January, but has already scored for his country and has looked brilliant in the pre-World Cup friendlies. If he can squeeze his way into the Australian starting side on the left wing, Arzani is solid cheap option.

If you would like some personal suggestions for your World Cup Fantasy team, make sure to tweet your teams and questions into us. 

@WFC_17 @WFC_Seb @WFC_LS_Potzi @ctesoriero18

Road To Russia - World Cup Team-By-Team Preview - GROUP G

Belgium

Manager:

Roberto Martínez

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool).

Defenders: Toby Alderweireld (Tottenham Hotspur), Dedryck Boyata (Celtic), Vincent Kompany (Manchester City), Thomas Meunier (Paris St-Germain), Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona), Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur).

Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Dalian Yifang), Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City), Mousa Dembele (Tottenham Hotspur), Leander Dendoncker (Anderlecht), Marouane Fellaini (Manchester United), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Thorgan Hazard (Borussia Monchengladbach), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Dries Mertens (Napoli), Youri Tielemans (Monaco), Axel Witsel (Tianjin Quanjian).

Forwards: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Romelu Lukaku (Manchester United).

Key player:

Kevin De Bruyne: dictating the tempo of matches with his passing and control, De Bruyne is the complete midfielder and a creative wizard.

One-to-watch:

Eden Hazard: a truly remarkable dribbler who keeps the ball on a string, and a clinical finisher when given the chance.

Young gun:

Youri Tielemans: from central midfield, Tielemans is skilful at working his way out of tight spaces, has great vision and possess an exception long shot.

Team overview/style of play:

Despite being one of the most promising sides in recent years, the talented Belgians have failed to impress in international tournaments. With former Everton manager Roberto Martinez at the helm, the Red Devils will nonetheless be hoping for a change in fortunes. There were certainly promising signs during the qualifying campaign, albeit against considerably weaker opposition, with 43 goals scored and only 6 conceded. Employing an unconventional 3-4-2-1 formation, Martinez has attempted to address Belgium’s well documented defensive woes, whilst also capitalising on their hitherto under-utilised but exceptionally skilled midfield and attacking options. It is safe to say that we will see more of the Spaniard’s trademark innovative and attacking football, but what that will mean for Belgium’s already stretched defence remains to be seen.

Strengths:

·        Belgium is not left wanting for talent, particularly in midfield and attack, and under the guidance of Martinez and his attacking mindset, the likes of De Bruyne, Hazard, Mertens and Lukaku would be a handful for any defender

Weaknesses:

·        Belgium has a considerable lack of depth in defence, and are dependent on the likes of Vertonghen, Alderweireld and the notoriously fragile Kompany

·     The new 3-4-2-1 system is reliant on proactive wingbacks to feed midfield and attack. As seen in Belgium’s pre-World Cup friendlies, containing the opposition wingers often means that the wing-backs leave the Lukaku, Hazard and co. stranded in the final third

Predicted line up:

Jerseys:

Verdict:

With so much talent, Belgium will certainly make it out of the group. Whether they finish first or second in their group, the quarter finals appears to be where the Red Devils will bow out.

England

Manager:

Gareth Southgate

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke City), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Burnley)

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Harry Maguire (Leicester City), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur), Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Ashley Young (Manchester United)

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Danny Welbeck (Manchester United)

Key player:

Harry Kane: a clinical finisher who is so good, he can score without even touching the ball! Simply, Kane is a world class striker.

One-to-watch:

Raheem Sterling: coming out of his best ever domestic season, Sterling at his best is untouchable and capable of both scoring and assisting with ease.

Young gun:

Marcus Rashford: with speed to burn, great stamina and a lethal shot, Rashford is one of the most exciting youngsters in the world.

Team overview/style of play:

England can play a very rash and unstructured game at points as the reliance on mercurial striker Harry Kane becomes evident. Manager Southgate has to keep his team in check in order to go deep in the tournament. Options a plenty in attack with the likes of Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford pushing on the heels of Kane, England has become a nation like many others where the defence is the real and biggest issue heading into a major tournament. With perennial right back in his career at Tottenham and now Manchester City, Kyle Walker shifts into a centre back role - negating to some effect his marauding attacking potential. However, the likely set-up of a back three for England has 3 players in Walker, John Stones and Gary Cahill who all like to adventure forward at times, leaving exposed gaps in the defensive structure. Midfielders in Eric Dier and Jordan Henderson set-up deep in the line and can be potent at covering these holes but aren't the world class talent that can stop the likes of the big nations attackers in Germany, Spain, Brazil and France. Look for the side to lean on Kane outscoring their opponents, with Spurs team mate Dele Alli and Manchester City dynamo Raheem Sterling chipping in.

Strengths:

·        Great attacking options at the managers disposal

·        Pace down the wings

Weaknesses:

·        Unbalanced starting XI

·        Out of position players

·        Heavy reliance on Harry Kane

·        Expectation of success could hinder inexperienced players

Predicted line up:

Jerseys:

Verdict:

At best, England will make it to the quarter finals. At worst, they will fail to make it out of their group. What seems most likely? A tough battle in the round of 16 against either Colombia, Poland or Senegal that could be either way.

Panama

Manager:

Hernán Darío Gómez

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jose Calderon (Chorrillo FC), Jaime Penedo (Dinamo Bucharest), Alex Rodriguez (San Francisco FC).

Defenders: Felipe Baloy (CSD Municipal), Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes), Eric Davis (DAC Dunajska Streda), Fidel Escobar (New York Red Bulls), Adolfo Machado (Houston Dynamo), Michael Murillo (New York Red Bulls), Luis Ovalle (CD Olimpia), Roman Torres (Seattle Sounders).

Midfielders: Edgar Barcenas (Cafetaleros de Tapachula), Armando Cooper (Club Universidad de Chile), Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Gabriel Gómez (Bucaramanga), Valentin Pimentel (Plaza Amador), Alberto Quintero (Universitario de Lima), Jose Luis Rodriguez (KAA Gent).

Forwards: Abdiel Arroyo (LD Alajuelense), Ismael Diaz (Deportivo La Coruna), Blas Perez (CSD Municipal), Luis Tejada (Sports Boys), Gabriel Torres (CD Huachipato).

Key player:

Gabriel Gómez: With 138 caps for his country, Gómez is a composed presence who controls the play of his side.

One-to-watch:

Gabriel Torres: Torres is a speedy winger who knows how to find the back of the net.

Young gun:

Michael Amir Murillo: the 22 year-old right back loves a foray forward.

Team overview/style of play:

Making their first appearance at a FIFA World Cup, this unheralded Panama side will be looking to make the most of a rare berth that came at the expense of the United States. Playing with a conventional 4-4-2 system, coach Hernán Darío Gómez is aware of his team’s underdog status, instructing Los Canaleros to play disciplined, rigidly defensive football. Making use of two speedy wingbacks, however, may give the side the opportunity to grab goals through incisive counter attacks, before shutting up shop.

Strengths:

·        Panama’s underdog status may render their opponents complacent

·    The Panamanian players are known to be intensely physical and have the stamina to match

Weaknesses:

·       Central midfield has been a weak point through qualifiers and pre-World Cup friendlies, with the side losing possession all too often in their own half

·        Despite playing well as a unit, Panama lacks any degree of individual talent

Predicted line up:

Jerseys:

Verdict:

Qualified for the World Cup in dramatic fashion, and Russia will bring numerous memorable experiences for Panamanian players and fans alike. Picking up one single point would be a huge achievement.

Tunisia

Manager:

Nabil Maâloul

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Moez Hassen (Chateauroux, France), Aymen Mathlouthi (Al Baten, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Rami Bedoui (Etoile du Sahel), Yohan Benalouane (Leicester City, England), Syam Ben Youssef (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Dylan Bronn (Gent, Belgium), Oussama Haddadi (Dijon, France), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly, Egypt), Yassine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek, Egypt)

Midfielders: Anice Badri (Esperance), Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Al Ahli Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Ghaylene Chaalali (Esperance), Ahmed Khalil (Club Africain), Saifeddine Khaoui (Troyes, France), Ferjani Sassi (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Ellyes Skhiri (Montpellier, France), Naim Sliti (Dijon, France), Bassem Srarfi (Nice, France)

Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Al Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia), Saber Khalifa (Club Africain), Wahbi Khazri (Rennes, France)

Key player:

Wahbi Khazri: with great vision, a dangerous shot and top class free-kick taking ability, Khazri is capable of brilliance.

One-to-watch:

Naim Sliti: The driving force of Tunisia's attack has spent his entire club playing career in the french divisions and after debuting with the national team in 2016 has become a regular on both wing positions 

Young gun:

Bassem Srarfi: the young attacking midfielder has looked right at home in Ligue 1 this season.

Team overview/style of play:

A side that has no real talent of note, manager Nabil Maaloul is prone to changes in the starting team, along with being flexible where regulars slot into the side. Predominantly a defensive set-up, a bank of four in the back-line has become a staple for the Tunisian's who look to get past the group stage for the first time ever in the countries World Cup history, having qualified for the finals 5 times. Not only is Tunisia's set-up defensive, they don't have outlets or highly technical players to create  play when winning, retaining and possessing the ball. This inability will lead to very ugly viewing and the stifling of oppositions styles, which occurred in their African qualifying group, despite going unbeaten.

    

Strengths:

·        Maturity in playing squad

·   Coaching by Maaloul has minimised the use of tricks and low percentage flicks, while increasing directness of play

Weaknesses:

·        Loss of striker Youssef Msakni to injury

·        Poor defensive line that concedes to easily

·        Shaky goalkeeping on crosses and corners

·        Player indecisiveness when coming out of the back, resulting in unnecessary skill moves that relinquish possession

Predicted line up:

Jerseys:

Verdict:

Will almost certainly drop out in the group stage, but could pull off a surprise and book a round of 16 spot. The latter seems highly unlikely though.

GROUP A - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/05/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team.html

GROUP B - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/05/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team_31.html

GROUP C - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team.html

GROUP D - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team_47.html

GROUP E - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team_6.html

GROUP F - http://worldwidefantasyclub.blogspot.com/2018/06/road-to-russia-world-cup-team-by-team_8.html

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF THE BELOW KEY RINGS, PARTICIPATE IN OUR CURRENT PRIZE GIVEAWAY BY CLICKING HERE

Make sure to follow us on twitter to read all of our 2018 FIFA World Cup articles, as well as participate in special prize giveaways!

@WFC_17 @WFC_Seb @WFC_LS_Potzi @ctesoriero18