Three of the top four in the Matchday Three, Day Three Captain Poll picked up attacking returns this evening but, with six points the most Antonio Cassano, Andrea Pirlo and Andres Iniesta could muster, many Fantasy managers may well be willing to twist.
With Spain and Italy now through to the last eight, tomorrow brings the final matches of the group stages. France, England, and Ukraine are all still in with a shout of progressing, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Sweden have the small matter of pride to play for.
England need just a draw against tournament co-hosts Ukraine to progress to the final eight and will be boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney – Roy Hodgson confirmed earlier that the United man will start tomorrow, now that his two-match suspension has been served. Danny Welbeck and Andy Carroll are set to tussle for the remaining forward slot after both found the net against Sweden, while Ashley Young’s contribution could be vital from out wide. Steven Gerrard also comes into contention after returning a pair of assists for his Fantasy owners thus far and Theo Walcott’s goal and assist display against the Swedes could earn him a start, after Hodgson revealed he is over his hamstring scare.
Oleg Blokhin’s side are still sweating on the fitness of Andriy Shevchenko. The former Milan and Chelsea man is rated as 50-50 due to a knee problem, though seems the man most likely to breach the English rearguard. Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko must step up their games from the wide positions if Blokhin’s side are to prosper – the duo have produced just one assist between them thus far. Marko Devic is favourite to step in if Shevchenko fails to make it, lining up as the lone frontman with Andriy Voronin tucked in behind.
A change of system against Ukraine saw Jeremy Menez come into consideration for France. With Laurent Blanc changing to a 4-2-3-1, the winger grabbed a goal and outperformed the likes of Samir Nasri and Franck Ribery in the 2-0 win – if he can maintain a role in Blanc’s first XI, Menez could prosper against a Sweden side that have lost both their opening matches. Karim Benzema saved the day for many Fantasy managers last time out by picking up a pair of assists – he has yet to find the net but, with plenty of creators surrounding him, tomorrow night could be the time to break his scoring duck.
For Erik Hamren’s side, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is always the lead contender. The Sweden boss has already ruled out Johan Elmander and Rasmus Elm, meaning Markus Rosenberg is likely to lead the line, with Ola Toivonen on the left – both could be decent differentials, though whether they can breach a French backline that has conceded just a single goal thus far is another matter entirely. Seb Larsson and Kim Kallstrom’s creativity were crucial in the qualifiers and both have provided an assist apiece already.
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