We now move onto the final four teams in our analysis of this summer’s World Cup. Our coverage of Group H gets underway with a look at rank outsiders Algeria –Vahid Halilhodzic’s side kick off their tournament with a showdown against group favourites Belgium on Tuesday June 17 at 5pm before taking on South Korea five days later at 8pm prior to a clash with Russia on Thursday June 26 at 9pm:
Road to Qualification
The Algerians waltzed through a four-team qualifying group that also included Mali, Benin and Rwanda. Winning five of their six matches, they scored on 17 occasions and shipped just four goals before being drawn against Burkina Faso in the two-legged play-offs – having lost 3-2 on their travels, they clinched a 1-0 home win to advance on away goals.
Most Starts Carl Medjani (8), Sofiane Feghouli, Rais M’Bolhi (7), Djamel Mesbah, El Arabi Soudani, Madjid Bougherra, Mostefa (6),Islam Slimani, Saphir Taider (5)
Most Goals Islam Slimani (5), Sofiane Feghouli, El Arabi Soudani (3)
The Key Targets
Halilhodzic sets his side up in a 4-3-3 formation which many view as a 4-3-2-1; essentially, the midfield comprises of three deep-lying central players, with the lone forward positioned further up the pitch than the two wide men. Since clinching qualification, the Algerians have played three friendlies, beating Slovenia 2-0 and Armenia 3-1 before winning 2-1 against Romania last Wednesday evening.
At the back, centre-half duo Madjid Bougherra and Carl Medjani (4.8 and 4.4 respectively in FantasyiTeam) both notched one goal apiece over the qualifiers. Whilst the former Rangers man now plies his trade in Qatar, the Algerians have plenty of European experience at the back which could bode well for their defensive prospects – Monaco’s Medjani has spent the season on loan at Olympiakos and Valenciennes, whilst at full-back, Halilhodzic is likely to call on Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam (4.3 in FantasyiTeam) on the left, with Parma’s Djamel Mesbah and Reims’ Aissa Mandi – who has been strongly linked with Arsenal – vying for a role on the right.
The defensive midfielders are also experienced at the top level. Hassan Yebda spent the latter part of 2013/14 on loan to Udinese from parent club Grenada and has also played for Porto, Saphir Taider is a regular of Inter Milan’s first-team, whilst Tottenham’s Nabil Bentaleb has forced his way into the XI after a breakout season under Tim Sherwood last time around. Taider served up a goal and assist in the friendly win over Slovenia and could tempt one or two, coming in at 5.0 in FantasyiTeam, whilst Bentaleb – who scored against the Romanians – is even cheaper at just 4.8.
Further up the field, the front three scored 11 of the 17 goals during the qualifiers and look the men most likely to deliver. On the right, Valencia’s Sofiane Feghouli chipped in with four goals and eight assists in La Liga last term and his creativity and trickery on the flank, allied with an eye for goal that saw him notch three times during qualification, suggests he’ll be at the hub of his nation’s attacking endeavours. You can snap him up for just 4.8 in FantasyiTeam.
On the opposite wing, El Arabi Soudani has averaged a goal every other game at international, though, and whilst he lacks Feghouli’s class and ability on the ball, he racked up 16 strikes and seven assists in 31 appearances for Dinamo Zagreb last term, suggesting his predatory instincts may make him a better Fantasy pick. Up front, 2013 Algerian Player of the Year Islam Slimani is the focal point. Top scorer in qualifying, the Sporting Lisbon man produced eight goals and four assists in the season gone by and looks set to lead the line once again. Both players are listed as forwards in FantasyiTeam and are available for 6.4 and 6.1 respectively – Souradi’s classification merely strengthens Feghouli’s appeal for those eyeing up the Algerian midfield.
The Long Shots
Bearing in mind Halilhodzic has only selected three forwards in the 23-man squad, Nabil Ghilas will be hoping for game time off the bench at the least. Available for 6.5 in FantasyiTeam, he moved to Porto last year and produced four goals and six assists in 36 appearances across all competitions – his introduction late on in matches could potentially reap reward against tiring defences.
Further Analysis
Group A – Brazil,Cameroon, Croatia, Mexico
Group B – Australia, Chile, Holland, Spain
Group C – Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast, Japan
Group D – Costa Rica, England, Italy, Uruguay
Group E – Ecuador, France, Honduras, Switzerland
Group F –Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iran, Nigeria,
Group G – Germany, Ghana, Portugal, USA
Fantasy iTeam
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Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 4915.
Relevant Community Articles
Fantasy World Cup Early Options by Bowstring the Trout, The World Cup – The Players by the Sarjeant, World Cup Qualifiers – Goals Scored and Conceded by Blue Lion.
9 years, 10 months agoSwitzerland are pretty solid at the back aren't they? Would expect a cleanie vs Ecuador?