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 Round 2. 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
Romelu Lukaku - F, Belgium (Price: 10M)
Romelu Lukaku showed his class in the game against Panama, cooly slotting in two goals en route to Belgium's comprehensive victory. Lukaku demonstrated his ability to put himself in a position to score and made good on his chances - with games against Tunisia and England coming up, the target forward will have to play well if he wants to ensure that his side advance as the top team in the group. Lukaku is one of the elite options for fantasy owners for the rest of the tournament, as his playing time and chances per game are not likely to change anytime soon.
Hirving Lozano - F, Mexico (Price: 8M)
A key reason in Mexico's surprise victory over tournament favorites Germany, winger Hirving Lozano dazzled fans with his skill in the opening match and played his part in the 1-2 that eventually set up his goal to put Mexico ahead against Germany. With games against Sweden and Korea coming up, expect Lozano to have several chances to add to his goals tally in the Group Stage. As a result of his presence and Mexico's expected wins, Lozano becomes an elite option at a decent price for fantasy owners to consider.
Christian Eriksen - M, Denmark (Price: 9M)
The player that is putting the Danish team on his back, Tottenham Hotspurs midfielder Christian Eriksen is an electric talent with skill for days. The Danish attacking mid has an excellent array of technical ability and is lethal from set pieces, making him the most likely figure to contribute to any success for the Danish in their group. With difficult games coming up, the team will have to rely on Eriksen more than ever throughout the rest of the Group Stage, making him a must-own for fantasy owners after Round 1.
Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco - M, Belgium (6.5M)
Although he has been playing as a wingback in Belgium's formation, Carrasco's attacking ability cannot be denied, as the ex-Atletico Madrid winger has shown that he has the ability to get up the pitch at a moment's notice and do damage in the opposing third. Carrasco is a great buy at his value of $6.5M because of his ability to cut inside and score as well as cross from the flanks for his teammates. Expect Carrasco to get on the score/assist sheet in the next few games, making him a great value-play for fantasy owners heading into Matchday Two.
Joshua Kimmich - D, Germany (6.5M)
Perhaps the only bright spot in Germany's shock loss to Mexico a few days ago, wingback Joshua Kimmich was electric down the flanks and seemed involved in almost every attacking move that Germany had. Kimmich has a high ownership percentage among those who are playing during this World Cup (24.6%), but that doesn't mean you should shy away from him with a contrarian pick. Rather, trust in Germany to regroup and win their next two games convincingly - if they are able to do so, you will likely have a top-performing defender in your team with the selection of Kimmich in your lineups.
Benjamin Pavard - D, France (4.5M)
Not a very familiar name to most outside of France, young fullback Benjamin Pavard got the start in France's win against Australia. There is a good chance he starts for France's other Group Stage games, making him an ideal weapon and cheap fantasy option for owners. Although there is always the risk that Sidibe will start in front of him, Pavard played well in the first match and his price point is too good to pass up on if you are looking for cheap defenders on top performing teams who will play the full ninety minutes.
RotoBaller Weekly XV
Team:
GK: Guillermo Ochoa (5M), Francis Uzoho (4M)
DF: Joshua Kimmich (6.5M), Henrik Dalsgaard (4.5M), Mario Fernandes (5M), Benjamin Pavard (4.5M), Hiroki Sakai (4M)
MF: Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco (9M), Denis Cheryshev (5.5M), Christian Eriksen (9M), Aleksandr Golovin (6.5M), Anice Badri (5.5)
FW: Romelu Lukaku (10M), Antoine Griezmann (10M) , Robert Lewandowski (9.5M)
Analysis:
Focusing once more on a strength up top, Rotoballer's team is shying away from the conventional strategy of stocking up in defense and instead focusing on the midfield and forwards as the main source for points. Expect three of the four defenders not named Hiroki Sakai to likely keep clean sheets in what are all easy matchups, making them ideal choices for a back line in Round 2. In the midfield, building on the success of Golovin last round, Carrasco and Eriksen should be the main points contributors and both have easy matchups that they can capitalize on. Finally, up top, you are left with elite options such as Lewandowski, Griezmann, and Lukaku, three proven goalscoring threats who should all start for your team and be in the captaincy consideration for the upcoming round.
That's all for this week - good luck!
