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 Quarter-finals. 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
Harry Kane - F, England (Price: 11.2M)
Harry Kane is the top goalscorer in this tournament, with six goals so far. Three of those have been penalties, but it is clear that Kane is the main attacking outlet for England and is involved in the majority of their scoring chances. With a game against Sweden in the Quarter-finals, you would expect England to dominate for the majority of the ninety minutes, making an investment in Kane a necessity for fantasy owners who are still competitive in their mini-leagues or the overall rankings. Kane is worth the price due to his set piece duties for England and overall scoring ability as the top forward at this tournament.
Edinson Cavani - F, Uruguay (Price: 9.5M) UPDATE: Likely OUT for Match
It's easy to look at the France vs Uruguay match and say that France are the expected favorites, but as we saw against Argentina, France's defense is more leaky than previously expected. With Cavani hitting form in the Round of 16, it may be a good idea to scoop up the Uruguayan forward in what should be a pretty even encounter with Les Bleus. Cavani is a deadly finisher and will have to put a couple away to challenge Kane for the Golden Boot, making him a good buy at his current price.
Willian - M, Brazil (Price: 8.4M)
Brazil were able to achieve a 2-0 victory against Mexico in the Round of 16 in order to advance to a Quarter-final clash with another tournament favorite, Belgium. Perhaps the best player in Brazil's lineup last match was right winger Willian, who electrified the field with his pace and technique. Thoroughly under-appreciated at the club level with Chelsea, Willian has had a chance to shine for the national team this tournament and could generate significant returns in his team's upcoming game against a Belgium side that will keep the game open.
Emil Forsberg - M, Sweden (Price: 7.5M)
If there is one Swedish player to own right now, it is midfielder Emil Forsberg. Forsberg has been electric for club team RB Leipzig and is one of Sweden's leading attacking players. In a game that the team is expecting to play behind, Forsberg will be the likely option to make an attacking difference for his side. Although he may be a bit pricey for the value that he will return, if you are betting against England, having Forsberg in your lineup may be the way to go.
Ivan Strinic - D, Croatia (Price: 5.1M)
On paper, Croatia have the easiest matchup of the group. This makes their defensive options good choices to play this round as well as in the semi-finals. If any defenders are expected to make an impact offensively for Croatia, it would be their fullbacks. Therefore, left back Ivan Strinic is as good a choice as any to give you some solid points in this upcoming round, and at a price of just over $5M you can't go wrong.
Fagner - D, Brazil (Price: 5.1M)
Another cheap defender who is guaranteed to start, Fagner has filled in admirably for Danilo since the latter sustained an injury in the Group Stage. Additionally, now that Marcelo is out hurt, Fagner is the primary attacking fullback for a Brazil side that plays free-flowing, attacking football. Therefore, the Brazilian fullback is well-worth his value price tag in a game where he has significant offensive upside and an expected victory against Belgium, even if it will be a 50/50 affair.
RotoBaller Weekly XV
Team:
GK: Thibaut Courtois (6M), Lovre Kalinic (4.4M)
DF: Thomas Meunier (6M), Kieran Trippier (5.6M), Ivan Strinic (5.1M), Fagner (5.1M), Dejan Lovren (5.1M)
MF: Willian (8.4M), Jesse Lingard (7.6M), Emil Forsberg (7.5M), Luka Modric (9.1M), Philippe Coutinho (9.1M)
FW: Eden Hazard (10.1M), Mario Mandzukic (9M) , Edinson Cavani (9.5M)
Analysis:
With depth across all three areas of the pitch, utilizing your substitutions in between the games now becomes more crucial than ever. In goal, Thibaut Courtois is once again a good option despite playing a Brazilian team full of talent because of his high-saves potential and Belgium's strong starting lineup and ability to win the game. Out of the back, two Croatians as well as value plays at wingback across the rest of the matches ensures a few clean sheets with the upside for some assists from out wide from the likes of Meunier and Trippier. In midfield, Willian, Lingard, and Forsberg provide a good foundation for creating attacking chances underneath elite options Modric and Coutinho, one of whom should have a terrific game this round. Finally, having three forwards in games with high scoring totals gives this team a good chance to create points from all levels of the pitch.
That's all for this week - good luck!
