RADIO
Perhaps the most viewed global sporting event, the World Cup brings more than a billion fans to their television screens to watch a month of the world's most popular sport. With this comes the inevitable fantasy variant of the sport - a month-long competition that pits you against the rest of the planet. The most popular site for World Cup fantasy is the McDonalds sponsored World Cup Fantasy competition on FIFA's own website. Although it has some different rules to traditional fantasy soccer games (roll-on roll-off substitutions, unique formations, and different boosts), the basic premise of the game is the same: score as many points as you can and beat your opponents.
Here at RotoBaller, we will try to give you the best analysis possible so that you can beat your friends and take on the rest of the world by managing your team in the fantasy version of the beautiful game.
Here is the team analysis and lineup picks for fantasy drafts heading into the Round of Sixteen. At the end of the day, remember to make the decision you feel is best for the team. Good luck, and enjoy!
Six Names To Look At - Fantasy World Cup
Eden Hazard - F, Belgium (Price: 10.1M)
Along with Romelu Lukaku (who is also a good consideration for your lineups), Belgian winger Eden Hazard is a good bet to produce against a heavily underdog Japanese side. Hazard makes the most sense out of anyone in Belgium's lineup due to his ability to score from open space as well as his penchant for taking free kicks, corners, and penalties. It's simple - Hazard is the most talented player on a team that has the easiest matchup in the entire Round of Sixteen. Therefore, he should be considered an elite option for your lineups this week.
Mario Mandzukic - F, Croatia (Price: 9M)
Alternatively, quite possibly the highest performing team in the tournament so far has been Croatia. With a 3-0 win against Argentina in the Group Stage, Croatia cemented their place as a serious contender to go deep in the tournament. A matchup against Denmark shouldn't be too much cause for concern, and Croatia's starting forward Mario Mandzukic could find his way onto the scoresheet for the first time this tournament.
Luka Modric - M, Croatia (Price: 9.1M)
Modric scored an absolute wonder-goal against Argentina in Croatia's dominant 3-0 victory. The team's captain has been an offensive mainstay and the main creative outlet in the team's midfield. Croatia's set piece specialist and offensive threat, Modric is sure to be behind any attacking developments that Croatia has against their Danish counterparts. You should value Modric as a good selection at his price point, even if it is a little expensive, due to the returns that he could give with Croatia advancing deep in the tournament.
Isco - M, Spain (Price: 8.5M)
Spain are playing a weaker Russia side who has performed well in the Group Stage. Although the hosts have considerable momentum, they were untested in their first two games and struggled mightily against Uruguay. This means that there is a good chance for Spain to dominate the game, making the inclusion of midfielder Isco and forward Diego Costa a must in your lineups. Isco has proven that he can play at the top level this tournament, and should be one of the first names on your teamsheet due to his team's favorable matchup.
Thomas Meunier - D, Belgium (Price: 6M)
Another Belgian with a favorable matchup against Japan, wingback Thomas Meunier already has one assist in the two games that he did play in the Group Stage. Although he is highly priced for this round, Meunier makes sense due to his penchant for getting up the pitch and supporting the explosive Belgian offense. Meunier is one of the highest owned defenders left, and if you don't have him, make sure he is in your lineups for at least this next round.
Ricardo Rodriguez - D, Switzerland (Price: 5.5M)
Switzerland have shown that they are here to compete this tournament, and a decent matchup against Sweden could be the perfect opportunity to further showcase their ability. Although he is the team's left back, Ricardo Rodriguez also takes their set pieces (including penalties) and is one of their main attacking outlets. If the game gets to be high-scoring, expect Rodriguez to play a sizable role in the team's offensive buildup and be a key contributor should Switzerland get the victory.
RotoBaller Weekly XV
Team:
GK: Thibaut Courtois (6M), Masaaki Higashiguchi (4M)
DF: Thomas Meunier (6M), Dani Carvajal (5.5M), Ricardo Rodriguez (5.5M), Fagner (5M), Johan Mojica (4.5M)
MF: Isco (8.5M), Juan Quintero (5.6M), Christian Eriksen (9.1M), Luka Modric (9.1M), Philippe Coutinho (9.1M)
FW: Eden Hazard (10.1M), Mario Mandzukic (9M) , Diego Costa (9.1M)
Analysis:
Playing on the matchups of the Round and favorites to advance, Rotoballer's team is utilizing the new $105 million budget to consolidate their midfield, provide elite attacking power, and go with defenders with favorable matchups. Except for Johan Mojica (who plays England), the other four defenders all are the favorites to keep clean sheets in what are reasonably easy matchups, making them ideal choices for a back line in the Round of Sixteen due to the fact that they should advance to the next stage of the tournament. In the midfield, Eriksen, Modric, Isco, and Coutinho are game-changing options who, coupled with new Colombian starter Quintero, should have plenty of firepower in them. Finally, up top, you are left with elite options such as Hazard, Mandzukic, and Diego Costa, who should all generate excellent goalscoring upside in matchups where they are clear favorites to advance.
That's all for this week - good luck!
