The Under-21 Euros are starting but while UEFA has let us down this year with no game our Polish friends are doing a good job covering.
An English version of the Polish Fantasy game for the event can be found here, where you can also find more details about the rules and scoring system.
In addition, a FFScout league has been created (code: 575933631).
The tournament is played in Poland and will have 12 teams competing from June 16-30. Teams are divided into three groups of four, with the group winners and the best runner up progressing to the semi-finals.
The deadline for initial selection of squads will be June 16, 5pm UK time, which is also the kick-off of first game, Sweden v England.
A quick glance through the rules tells us that we have unlimited transfers between each round, which means that bench cover is not very important, as long as you try to pick nailed players.
Players earn two points for winning a match so you want to be targeting big teams, while adding a few cheaper players from smaller teams to stay inside your budget.
Selecting your squad
As always U21 squads change a lot with players getting promoted to the national teams. Some teams have got their big stars back for this tournament, so predicting lineups for the first games can be a bit tricky.
Goalkeepers
Stoppers earn minus points for goals conceded and don’t earn any save points so going safe with a goalkeeper from one of the big teams is advisable. Gianluigi Donnarumma (9m, Italy) is priced very highly so instead perhaps consider Julian Pollersbeck (7.5m, Germany) or Everton bound Jordan Pickford (7m, England). Portugal’s goalkeepers have a big gap in price so there could be a potential bargain there, but without confirmation of their number 1 it may be best to wait.
Defenders
Defenders also earn minus points for goals conceded, but get four points for an assist. This has been noticed by many and it is no surprise that Hector Bellerin (8m, Spain) is the most popular defender. Other targets include two experienced attacking right-backs who have both also played as wingers for their clubs this season, Joao Cancelo (8m, Portugal) and Andrea Conti (7.5m, Italy). For other defenders look out for tonight’s England XI to see if any of the cheaper players get a start.
Midfielders
The highest priced midfielders include Saul Niguez (9.5m, Spain) and Renato Sanchez (9m, Portugal), who are very well-known but play in a deep midfield role and are not known for their scoring. Marco Asensio (9m, Spain) and Serge Gnabry (8.5m, Germany) are classified as midfielders but expected to play as wingers so may be better options. Also consider Lewis Baker (England, 7.5m) and Portuguese duo Bruno Fernandes (8.5m) and Joao Carvalho (7.5m).
Strikers
There is already a template attacking trio forming with Gerard Deulofeu (8.5m, Spain), Davie Selke (8.5m, Germany) and Patrik Schick (4.5m, Czech). All of these players did very well in qualifiers and are expected to continue where they left off. If you call yourself a maverick and want something different, then look for the two Italian Serie A big hitters, Federico Bernardeschi (8.5m) and Domenico Berardi (8m). Neither has an impressive record in the U21 but coming from one of the toughest leagues in Europe to play with kids, could mean a lot of points. England’s Tammy Abraham (6.5m), who is a loan target for both Newcastle and Brighton, could be another budget option if he starts tonight.
Here is a link to an earlier hot topic where you can find more information to help you with your selection,
I’ll be sure to keep a close eye on all different foreign websites for late news on lineups.
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