Uefa Euros U21 Fantasy Game – Group B Guide

Following on from my look at Group A’s possible line ups and key players, here comes the second part, focusing on Group B. This will also have a strong focus on potential differentials.

ENGLAND

Likely XI
—————————————–Butland (6.0)
Jenkinson (6.0)———–Stones(6.0)———————-Gibson (4.5)————–Garbutt (5.0)
—————–Ward-Prowse (8.5)—————————-Loftus-Cheek (7.5)
–Redmond (8.0)—————————Hughes (9.0)——————Berahino (FWD, 10.5)
——————————————-Kane(12.0)

Key points

*Luke Garbutt is the cheapest nailed-on defender. If you feel punty go with Ben Gibson but Michael Keane may easily start ahead of him.
*Nathan Redmond and James Ward-Prowse are both good midfield options. Of the two Ward-Prowse may be the best as he is on set-pieces.
*Saido Berahino is on penalties and was England’s top scorer in qualifying, but he could be pushed wide to accommodate Harry Kane, who at 12.0, is worth a fortune but also one of the best players in the tournament.

Conclusion

For a team who are one of the favorites, despite being in such a tricky group, you’d want to have two to three players from England. Garbutt or Gibson, Redmond or JWP and Berahino or Kane should be your key decisions.

ITALY

Likely XI
——————————————-Bardi (5.5)
—Zappacosta (5.5)———–Rugani (6.0)————-Romangoli (4.0)———Biraghi(5.5))
————Viviani (7.0)——————–Sturaro (8.5)—————Baselli(7.0)
——Berardi (9.5)—————————Belotti (10.0)—————Bernadeschi (9)

Key Points

*A bargain in the defence is Alessio Romangoli, although he comes with a threat of rotation from the out of form but experienced  Matteo Bianchetti.
*Not too many goals came from the midfield in qualifying, although Federico Viviani with a share of free kicks is an option. Overall though there are better midfield options amongst other teams.
*The three striking options to choose from are Andrea Belotti, Federico Bernadeschi and Domenico Berardi. Of the three  Berardi is the best player while Belotti plays more centrally and was the top scorer for Italy in qualifying.

Conclusion 

You’d want to have some Italian defence, with keeper Francesco Bardi another to consider. If you have money to spare Daniele Rugani is one of the real stand out premium defenders in the game. If you are happy to take a risk than Romangoli is your man. In attack one of Beradi, Belotti or Bernadeschi looks a shrewd move.

SWEDEN

Likely XI
——————————————-Carlgren (5.5)
—-Lindelof—————Helander(5.5)—————Holmen (5.5)————-Augustinsson (5.0)
——————-Hiljemaark (8.0)————————–Lewicki (7.0)
–Quiaison (6.0)—————————————————————Khalili (5.5)
————————-Guidetti (10.0)—————–Thelin (8.0)

Key points

*The keeper and defence are far too expensive to consider for a weak team in a tough group. Ludwig Augustinsson at 5.0 could be an option with attacking potential but it may be best to avoid their defence altogether.
*Abdul Khalili and Robin Quaison are cheap option in midfield, but Kristoffer Olsson might start ahead of either. He is an exciting player and could be worth a look if he nails down a spot as the tournament progresses.
*In attack Manchester City’s John Guidetti is a good striker but he is unlikely to live up to his high price tag.

Conclusion

Except for a cheap midfield option or those who want to take a punt on Guidetti there are not many players to choose from in this largely over priced team that is set to struggle in Group B.

PORTUGAL

Likely XI
———————————————–Jose Sa (5.5)
—-Cancelo (4.5)———-Figueiredo (5.5)———————–P Oliveira (5.0)————Gurreiro (4.0)
————————————————–William (7.5)
————————————-Mario (7.0)——————S Oliveira (6.5)
————————————————–Bernardo Silva (8.5)
————————-Cavaleiro (9.5)——————————————-Paciencia (7.5)

Key points

*Portugal had one of the best defences in qualifying and one of  Raphael Guerreiro or Joao Cancelo, who both carry kind price tags, looks wise. Investing in both is also a viable tactic.
*The midfield is one of the tournament’s biggest minefields, as it is packed with experienced talent. Apart from Bernardo Silva and William Cavalho (who is too defensive to be an option), nobody nailed on. Sergio Oliviera is likely to be on penalties if he starts. Also where will Ricardo Pereira fit?
*In attack rotation fears loom large as well.  Goncalo Paciencia would be a steal at 7.5, if he was a regular starter, but Carlos Mane could also start games. With the team able to play both 4-3-3 or 4-4-2 with a diamond alot will depend on formation regarding Portugal’s starting strikers.

Conclusion

This is one of the best squads in the tournament, which is good news for Portugal fans but bad news for Fantasy managers. This makes them one of the hardest starting XIs to predict. Despite such uncertainty one of Cancelo or Guerreiro looks a must, Silva looks to be the pick of the midfielders, while Paciencia should be for risk takers only. It is also worth noting that investment in Portugal’s midfield and attackers may be better from Week 2, when we will know more about their likely XI and they have the tricky opening tie with England out of the way.