Basically, we’re all suckers. Fifa put a really crap product in place, then did nothing to improve it (except adding photos – thanks again for that!). But – because we’re all fantasy obsessives who’ll gratefully accept whatever we’re given – we’re playing it anyway.
Personally, as someone who takes regular Fantasy Premier League very, very seriously, I’m actually enjoying taking a more relaxed approach to Fantasy World Cup. Do I still want to score a ton of points? Sure. Did I still get annoyed when I saw Ziyech vs Musiala as a coin-flip for my captaincy, picked Musiala, watched Ziyech immediately score, then watch Musiala dominate against Costa Rica but somehow end up with one of the most unbelievable blanks I’ve ever seen in my life? Err, yes, I did actually!
With all that said, there are no long-term implications to Fantasy World Cup, the bragging rights aren’t as important was with regular FPL, and – overall – it really is just a bit of fun. Also, it’s just plain cool to be able to have the likes of Messi and Lewandowski in your fantasy team, and you only get that chance once every four years.
Fantasy World Cup Tips – Round of 16 Preview
With all that blathering finished, let’s get on with the actual preview.
We’re at the Round of 16 stage now, in case you hadn’t noticed. That means… *divides 16 by 2*… we’ve got eight games to look forward to! They kick off at 15:00 GMT Saturday, and we’re going to have two games every day – one at 15:00, the other at 19:00.
Here’s a quick reminder of the matchups:
(Times are GMT +1)
Another quick reminder is that there isn’t really a ‘deadline’ ages before kickoff, as there is in Fantasy Premier League. Basically, you can make changes up until the action begins.
Your third and final reminder is that you get unlimited changes this round. You can also have up to four players from each country (although that’s unlikely to be an issue yet).
Right, let’s get on with the actual previews. I’ll go through each match in turn, then summarise with the players I actually want at the end.
Netherlands vs USA
In classic Van Gaal fashion, the Netherlands were a bit boring in the group stage but got the job done. They won two games 2-0, and drew the other 1-1, to finish with the second-best goal difference of any team (behind Engerlaaand, of course – this means we’re definitely winning the World Cup, right?).
This is a nice defensive matchup against a USA side with loads of decent forwards but without a proper striker. Murica only scored two goals in the whole first round, while the Dutch – as noted – kept two cleans.
Their goalkeeper – Noppert – looks a great shout at 4.5. Van Dijk and Dumfries are nailed, but are expensive at 6.0. Blind and Ake will probably both start too, and are cheaper options at 5.5 and 5.0 respectively.
Gakpo is officially the Next Big Thing, after scoring in all three group stage games. This isn’t a great matchup – the USA will probably play super defensively, and they also kept two cleans in the group stage. He’s so cheap though – only 7.0 – that he might be worth a go anyway.
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I don’t really want anyone from the USA. They’re going up against a rock solid defence, and don’t score anyway. I’m sure they’ll keep it tight at the back, but still wouldn’t back them for a clean.
Nah.
Argentina vs Australia
Messi remains a lock in my team. His passing was great against Poland. Unfortunately his teammates are generally rubbish at shooting, but he’s a good shout for assists through sheer weight of chances created. He’s also on pens (he missed one last time, but no chance he’s getting taken off them), and Fifa seem determined to give Argentina as many soft penalties as they can. Oh, and he scored a great goal from open play against Mexico too.
Alvarez is a fairly intriguing option. He’s looked better than Lautaro this tournament (not hard) and took his goal well against Poland. He’s only 6.5 too, and probably starts again in this game, making him a nice budget option at forward.
I guess the Argentina defence did well against Poland… but it wasn’t the toughest test in the world. They kept a clean against Mexico as well though, to be fair, and look to have sorted themselves out after the embarrassing display against Saudi Arabia.
Otamendi is the pick back there. He’s nailed, only costs 5.0, has back-to-back cleans, and Australia scored a grand total of three goals in their three group stage games.
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Unsurprisingly, I’m not really interested in Australia. Keeping cleans against Tunisia and Denmark is one thing. Keeping one against Messi is quite another.
France vs Poland
If France don’t get their arses in gear and absolutely dominate this match, I’ll be shocked.
I know Poland will be super defensive, which will nullify France’s biggest threat (counter attacking with the ridiculous pace of Mbappe and Dembele). France know that too though, will have a gameplan for it, and – in Griezmann and Giroud – have two excellent link-up players to break down a parked bus.
Mbappe is obviously the sexy pick here… and the best one too! He’s not just a counter attack merchant – he can score in a packed penalty area too – and obviously he’s their best player. Giroud is another decent option. He blanked against Denmark, but scored two against Australia. He only costs 7.5, is nailed, and can get either goals or assists.
This is obviously a great matchup for the French defence too. They haven’t kept a clean yet, but Poland have been so, so terrible going forward this tournament. They got shut out against both Argentina and Mexico, and benefited from very lax defending against Saudi Arabia. France have a great shot at a clean here, and Theo Hernandez – at 5.0 – is the cheapest way of buying in.
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I don’t want any Polish players. I backed Lewa against Argentina, was burned, and won’t be going back to the well here.
England vs Senegal
England smashed it in the group stages, albeit mainly by beating up on two of the worse teams in the competition. It’s hard to gauge how difficult this matchup will be. Senegal won the Cup of Nations… then lost their best player and their first game (but it was the Netherlands)… then won their next two games (but it was Qatar and Ecuador).
On paper, this definitely looks like a win for England. Based on prior knockout round performances, however, it’ll be a conservative and professional one. I’m anticipating the grind-it-out performance we saw against Murica, for example, rather than the free-flowing, fun-loving one against Iran and Wales.
As such, I’m not madly in love with England’s attacking options. Kane is the only one who’s actually nailed to start. He hasn’t actually scored yet though (not even a penalty!), and is expensive at 11.0. I prefer the matchups for Mbappe and Messi.
Defensively, England are always a good shout in the knockout rounds, and I’m not afraid of the matchup here. Shaw, Maguire, and Stones are all nailed, with Shaw the cheapest at 5.0. Technically Trippier is also only 5.0, and has the highest attacking potential of the bunch… He probably starts, but there’s at least a chance Walker starts instead, and I don’t want the risk.
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I don’t want any Senegal players.
Japan vs Croatia
Japan have been brilliant. Apart from Morocco, they’ve been the most surprising (in a good way) team for me this tournament. I don’t actually want them in fantasy… but good on you, Japan!
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Croatia are just super professional. They’ve been here and done it all before. They had no drama at all in the group stages, and – with all due respect to Japan (genuinely) will probably take care of business here.
They’re not great going forward, which puts me off the likes of Perisic and Modric. They look absolutely rock solid at the back though.
Gvardiol (the one who wears the mask) has been immense, and is only 4.0. Sosa is somehow even cheaper, at 3.5, and is a lock to start. Both are very nice options.
Brazil vs South Korea
I’m nervous about Brazil.
They’ll probably still win this game, but I’m not that interested in them in fantasy. I can’t believe I’m writing that, with the ridiculous number of attacking options they have, but it’s true.
They scored all of three goals in their three group stage games. Sure, they rotated against Cameroon… but they weren’t exactly putting scrubs out there (Jesus, Martinelli, Rodrygo, and Antony started up top – most teams in the competition would kill for that front line).
South Korea’s defence hasn’t been great, but I’m sure they’ll sit deep and counter here. I guess Richarlison is the value pick, since he’ll probably start up top and is only 7.5… but I wouldn’t bother.
Defensively, I’d be more interested. Brazil kept two cleans in the group stage, and – even if they did score a decent number of goals – I don’t particularly like South Korea’s attack. Alex Sandro is the cheapest reliable way in, at 5.0.
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It’s another ‘nah’ from me here, for South Korea. I’m sure they’ll keep it close, but they’ve got nobody interesting for fantasy.
Morocco vs Spain
Mmm, now this is a tasty matchup. It’s easily the most intriguing of the Round of 16 matchups. Unfortunately… that’s not actually a good thing for fantasy!
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Spain have looked fine so far. They’ve been professional. I wouldn’t overreact to the Japan defeat – Japan are good, and Spain didn’t play that badly. Sure, having 83% possession and losing anyway is hilarious – but that’s Spain!
Morata is the most interesting option here. He started the tournament on the bench, but has absolutely forced his way into the starting lineup. He’s scored in all three games here, and – for all his week-to-week inconsistency – has proved himself as a big-game player. He’s only 8.0 too, so I like him as a cheaper pick alongside Messi and/or Mbappe.
I wouldn’t rush to get Spain defenders in here. Morocco have looked dangerous going forward all tournament, and there are better matchups elsewhere. Azpi is the cheapest option if you do want to, at 5.0.
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I love this Morocco team. They’re rock solid at the back, attacking quickly and skilfully, and have generally shown a coherence you don’t usually get at international tournaments (especially with a brand new coach).
From a fantasy perspective, however, this isn’t a great matchup. The defence has been great, but there’s almost no chance they keep a clean vs. Spain.
I like them more going forward. Spain’s defence is slow, and Morocco could absolutely get at them on the counter. Ziyech is the main man, is listed as a midfielder rather than a forward, and is on set pieces. I like him at 7.0.
Portugal vs Switzerland
Like England, Portugal are usually super pragmatic (a nice way to say ‘boring’) in knockout football. If we throw out the crazy final game in which Serbia needed a win, Switzerland’s attack has been underwhelming to say the least.
This is all a long-winded way to say I like the Portugal defence here.
Costa is a nice shout for one of your two goalies, at 5.0. Unfortunately, Dias and Cancelo are the only nailed defenders, and they’re expensive (5.5 and 6.0 respectively). Pepe probably starts… – I think? – and he’s cheaper, at 5.0, but feels risky.
Elsewhere, this isn’t a great matchup for Bruno… but he’s in brilliant form. If you’ve got the money, I like him as a premium midfielder at 9.5.
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Switzerland are also boring (this probably won’t be a great match). They don’t score, and – although they’re tight at the back – probably won’t keep a clean against Portugal.
Nah.
FWC Round of 16 – My Team, and Final Thoughts
So, with all that analysis taken care of, where does it leave us?
With this!
I love both my goalkeepers – that’s not a problem.
In defence, there are a ton of good picks – I like all my choices back there too.
For forwards, there are too many good options. Mbappe and Messi are nailed (in my team, at least), only leaving us with one spot. Morata, Gakpo, and Richarlison are all good shouts there, although they all have tough matchups. I’ve got with Gakpo, based on his ridiculous form, but could well (probably will) be wrong.
Midfield is the biggest struggle, by far. Bruno’s in based on form, and Ziyech based on form and opportunity vs Spain. After that… to be honest, I don’t particularly want any of them.
I’ve gone for Saka for the upside… but only because England play early. If he doesn’t start (which is a real risk), I can just sub him out.
I’ve taken Modric because the matchup against Japan isn’t that bad, he was great in the last World Cup, and he’ll (probably) take any pens they get. Croatia also play after England, so I can sub Modric in for Saka.
The final spot goes to Olmo. I don’t love it, but he plays after both England and Croatia, so I can bring him in as the emergency backup for Saka and Modric. I don’t really like the matchup (at all), but he’s nailed and plays a very attacking role.
Finally, Messi is an easy choice for my first captain. If he blanks against Australia (anything’s possible), I’ll move it to Mbappe.