Dugout Discussion

Belgium v Panama: Red Devils the Fantasy favourites

Yannick Carrasco (£6.5m) will be a key player in Belgium’s World Cup opener against lowly Panama today, according to Fantasy managers.

The Dalian Yifang winger is the most-owned player ahead of the first match of Group G, sitting in 16.2% of McDonald’s FIFA World Cup squads.

His modest price has encouraged more Fantasy managers to sign him for Gameround 1 than the prolific Romelu Lukaku (£10.0m), who has eight goals and two assists in his last six international appearances.

The Manchester forward is owned by 13.7% of managers, exactly four percent more than those who opted for Chelsea man Eden Hazard (£10.0m). In midfield, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) is in 12.7% of teams.

Fantasy managers are also expecting a clean sheet for Belgium as they face a Panama side that qualified for the World Cup with a negative goal difference.

Attacking full-back Thomas Meunier (£6.0m) was involved in more goals (13) than either Lukaku (12) or Hazard (11) in qualifying and has convinced 10.2% of managers to invest in him, while 13.2% opted for the more familiar figure of Thibaut Courtois (£6.0m).

BELGIUM XI (3-4-2-1): Courtois, Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen; Meunier, Witsel, De Bruyne, Carrasco; Mertens, E. Hazard (c); R. Lukaku

PANAMA XI (4-1-4-1): Penedo; Murillo, Escobar, Torres, Davis; Gomez; Barcenas, Godoy, Cooper, Rodriguez; Perez.

760 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Fox Sports 2 mins ago

    https://www.foxsports.com/soccer/story/russia-has-chance-to-make-mark-at-world-cup-with-another-win-061818

    James Rodriguez, the top scorer of the 2014 World Cup with six in five matches, is expected to play for Colombia despite a calf injury that has limited his action. The team has not revealed if Rodriguez, who scored against Japan in Brazil, will start the game in Saransk.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Likely to be my captain. Hardly make or break, swapping from Merten's 2pts to James' potential no-show 😀

  2. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Just like Germany, another team lacking that cutting edge.

    It’s coming home, confirmed.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Until Tunisia win 2-1 tonight

  3. Stats Don\'t Lie
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Referee been rather poor

  4. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    People have a go at England. But some of the performances in this WC by the big teams has been crap.

    1. Stats Don\'t Lie
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Only Portugal and Spain pit in a real performance so far tbf

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Russia favourites 😀

    3. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      England arent a big team..

  5. Dr Dream
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Garbage.

    Only saving grace is at least they weren't as bad as France.

  6. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    England now favourites to win the lot!

  7. The Cherry Picker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Get in there Panama. Keep it up!

  8. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Swiss or Serbian defender?

    Taking out Pavard for either Akanji or Milenkovic

    1. Straobalno
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Swis they finished brazil

  9. Fifa las vegas
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Fook this for shite

  10. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I wonder if I would have had a better score with autopick?

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I’d currently have a higher score if I hadn’t entered a team.

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Haha. I wouldn't be far off either.

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Marko Arnautopick ftw

    3. Eden Wizard
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I know I would!

  11. F4L
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    as an England fan, don't we want Belgium to win anyways now?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      They'll win but it might be a goal race for top spot in the group. Which might not be wanted if Germany finish second in theirs.

  12. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I have Meunier(C)... Expect a 2nd-half RC

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Don't be surprised if he's off before 60'.

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      At this stage I wouldn’t really care.

    3. Eden Wizard
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ditto! Would gladly take the 5*2 and run

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Why? Obviously none of your other captains have got RCs! 😀

  13. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Panama defence not as leaky as their jail in Series 3 of Prison Break.

    1. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Or their banks/accountancy firms/canals....

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Noughties references only allowed tyvm 😛

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Damn good show that

  14. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So much potential...then you have Martinez coach them.

  15. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    It would be nice if we could see expected teams for the world cup when we click on the team news tab instead of just seeing obsolete prem team news.

  16. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    This has possibly been the worst half in the tournament so far.

  17. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Should have stuck with Coutinho

    1. Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      should have stuck with Godin 🙁

  18. The Cherry Picker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Panama fans have been absolutely world class this first half. Fair play to all of you!

    1. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      About the only World Class thing on display in this game

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A draw would be very handy indeed

  19. Eden Wizard
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Boring

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Getting exciting now this has been posted!

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        WC been boring so far except Spain vs Ronaldo

        1. St. Joseph
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Agree for Por vs spa, but germany vs mex last night = class.

          1. Eden Wizard
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Germany were boring then 😆 Mexico were good and fully deserved it

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I found Mexico Germany and Russia KSA to be pretty thrilling, among others.

  20. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone remember this one? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STkMhGfngrk

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Sadly yes.

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Yep...

    3. Hooky
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      J. R. Hartley likes this

    4. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ha, #oldskool

  21. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Why was my fantasy footy related post deleted? Is that mod going to lose his privileges? If not,why not?

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Communist dictatorship

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Why Communist?

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          On topic.....Russia WC and all that

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Wow. People like that! 😀

        2. Eden Wizard
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          WC fever 😆

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      😆

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Some of these news mods are abusing their powers....

        1. Jafooli
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          They’re probably just a bit over excited at the moment.....

          1. Geoff
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            And someone didn't know that Hirving Lozano's nickname is Chucky 😀

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Never saw it Chucky , believe it was an outrageous one though

      1. Chucky
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yes I just asked is Chucky Lozano essential now after his breathtaking goal against Germany... don't know which clown deleted it....

    4. Geoff
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Not sure what you're talking about 😉

      To be fair, that's pretty specialized nickname knowledge

  22. Original Sin
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    wana choose a Spanish and Mexican defender , currently on WC. Please suggest.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Alba and Moreno

    2. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Moreno and Nacho

      1. Original Sin
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        thanks guys..so between Nacho and Albo which one has more attacking potential?

  23. Meinhoff
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Earlier today, there was a discussion whether Lukaku will score a brace or a hattrick.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hattrick

    2. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      It only takes a second to score or something.....

    3. Meinhoff
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      tHeRe iS sTiLl oNe hAlF tO bE PlaYeD

      1. Eden Wizard
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Welcome to MySpace 1999

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Kubrick's forgotten masterpiece

  24. Red Dagger ✪
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Kvist has 2 broken ribs and a punctured lung FYI.

    1. The Cherry Picker
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Ouch. Feel sorry for him. Worked hard to be there

      1. Red Dagger ✪
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Amazingly he is staying and hoping to be able to play. Hard man he must be.

        1. Brehmeren
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          He is flying back to Denmark today for further treatment though. But has expressed a desire to play again later in the tournament, if possible.

  25. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Eriksen worth the price on a Wc, or too much considering Denmarks lack of threat?

  26. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    This first half proformance by the Belgians must be giving England fans a lot of hope.

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Belgium wont fear England tho.

  27. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is pavon (Argentina) a good option? I saw someone saying he was going to start the next game.

  28. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Mertens goal. No assist.

    1. Red Dagger ✪
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Great goal that.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yup

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Captaaaaiiiin!

  29. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    OMG Mertens

    No assist

  30. Epic Fail
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    The keeper didn't even stretch his arms out.