We don’t do a full review of matchday 2 today but instead focus on options for you to pick in matchday 3. It all depends upon who is worth trusting given who needs a result. Let’s get into it!
Options for Matchday 3
Group A and Group B – 29 November
England have already qualified. England have been more hesitant about rotating in the past – part of the manager’s ethos is to create a team spirit so he likes to play the same XI. Regardless, I think the risk of rotation means transferring in England players could be a waste.
Instead, it feels much better to target Netherlands assets for a must win game against the awful-ness that is the Qatar national team. In particular, Dumfries and Gakpo seem like great options. You could even triple up and bring in Depay too.
Senegal v.s. Ecuador will be a tight affair. Ecuador will sit back and try and hit on the counter. Valencia is never a bad option.
Wales need to beat England to even have a chance of qualifying but I just don’t see it. That doesn’t mean that Bale can’t deliver like always but I don’t love it. USA v.s. Iran is also going to be tense, especially with the deeply political issues.
Group C and Group D – 30 November
France have already qualified. Last time this happened, France rotated heavily and were crap. This is probably one of the best teams in the tournament so I don’t think its great.
Everyone else still has a chance to qualify depending upon results.
Denmark play against Australia in my favourite fixture of the day. Denmark lack a striker but they are clearly better than Australia. Plus, Australia need a win and we know they only play on the front foot, despite being bad. A double up with Eriksen and a defender feels great for me.
Argentina play a good Poland side with one of the best strikers in the world in Lewandowski. To be fair, Poland haven’t been great this tournament but neither have Argentina. I don’t hate a Messi pick here but I wouldn’t load up.
I don’t think there are many Saudi or Mexico options from a fantasy point of view. Neither team is particularly great.
Group E and Group F – 1 Dec
Nobody is safe here.
Spain have a meaningful game so they do have to play for this. Alba still a great shout. Asensio is playing out of position striker for an 8.5m midfield spot and I love that. They could sub everyone out early if ahead but that’s what subs are for. Don’t see anyone I want from Japan.
Germany, despite being bottom of the group, could get out of this group by beating Costa Rica as long as Spain also win. Sane and/or Musiala are great options.
In Group F, only Canada are out already. Morocco play them and Ziyech is key to everything. I like bringing him in. I also like the defence, Canada have only scored one goal in the tourney so far.
Belgium have been awful. I don’t mind getting rid of all of them for this Croatia game.
Group G and Group H – 2 December
Brazil are safe. Avoid them but don’t trust Cameroon to play well.
Serbia can beat Switzerland to knock the Swiss out of the tournament. Lots of options here with Mitrovic, Milinkovic-Savic and Vlahovic. I like these guys.
Genuinely find it hard to call who will win out of Ghana and Uruguay. On paper, I back Uruguay but on form I back Ghana. Feels too risky to go here.
Portugal should beat South Korea. The Koreans have been poor so far, particularly as Son’s injury seems to be affecting him. I back the Portugese defence and inevitable Ronaldo penalty.
My moves
I just moved Shaw, De Bruyne, Jahanbaksh and Richarlison out for Van Dijk, Sane, Ziyech and Mitrovic for a -6. Hits in games are generally bad but they are cheaper here than in FPL (only -3) and it’s a short term game so I am willing to take a risk and we have subs so I can try and chase the upside. AND, most importantly, its fun!
Good luck all.