Dugout Discussion

Rotation fears spark mass sale of England and Belgium’s Fantasy assets

The penultimate match of the 2018 World Cup takes place on Saturday at 3pm as England and Belgium meet for the second time in the tournament.

Much like in their Group G encounter at the end of June, managers Gareth Southgate and Roberto Martinez have given a number of their fringe squad players a run-out in this effectively meaningless fixture.

Harry Kane (£11.2m) is the leading points scorer in both the Fantasy iTeam and the McDonald’s FIFA World Cup games but is the most-sold player of this round in the latter.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.0m), who trails Kane by two goals in the race for the Golden Boot, is the next-most transferred out player at the time of writing.

Fears that their respective managers would choose to rest the premium forwards for this third-place play-off has no doubt contributed to the hundreds of thousands of sales, but there will also be a small proportion of Fantasy managers out there who, perhaps, don’t realise that Saturday afternoon’s match still counts towards their scores.

Jesse Lingard (£7.5m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£9.8m) are among the other players to have been widely ditched by those who are playing McDonald’s FIFA.

Hopes will be high for a high-scoring fixture, particularly as Belgium (18) and England (15) have had more big chances this summer than the other 30 nations taking part. Martinez’s side have also allowed more shots on goal (91) than any other side in Russia, which bodes well for an open game.

Only Brazil (81) have carved out more chances than Belgium (70) in this tournament, meanwhile.

England’s total number of attempts from set plays (37) is by far the highest figure of any nation at this World Cup, with nine of their 12 goals coming from dead-ball situations or penalty kicks.

Adnan Januzaj (£5.0m) scored the only goal of the game when the two sides last met in Kaliningrad.

World Cup Data

We’re delighted to offer World Cup data as an early addition to our regular season offering to help those playing Fantasy games over the summer.

We’ve secured Opta data, not only for the tournament itself, but also from the Qualifying Rounds for Europe and South America and for international friendlies involving the participating nations. This includes all the matches played right up to the tournament kick-off.

Just to stress, this World Cup offering comes packaged with the regular Fantasy Football Scout membership.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

Join our McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy league ‘FantasyFootballScout’ using the code: HEWJPVYR

Fantasy iTeam

Fantasy Football Scout is supporting Fantasy iTeam, a free World Cup game available on a number of mobile devices, including iPhone, iPad, iPodTouch and Android. We have an official Fantasy Football Scout League open to UK users only, with a £1000 of Amazon vouchers to give out, split between the top three performers. There’s also the small matter of £10k worth of prizes available in the main competitions: Overall World Championship and Manager of the Gameround.

Click here for details and here to sign up.

Our League name is Fantasy Football Scout and the pin is 1887.

Please note, users must be over 18 and based in the UK to join our league.

1,112 Comments Post a Comment
  1. olly:)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    13-0. Kevin Mirallas scores a hat-trick in 6 mins with a free-kick.

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Omg

    2. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yawn

    3. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      3 everton players are a must 😆

  2. openerhm
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    RMT pls!!!!

    Foster
    Mendy Daniels TAA Cedric
    Salah Sane Izquierdo
    Aubameyang Aguero Arnautovic

    Fabianski Kenedy Wan Bissaka Stephens

    £0itb. Think this is a bit diff to template?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      No Mirallas?
      Solid team, different to most on here.

  3. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    holgate may be keane's partner

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      everton fan, expect him to start with keane if we don't sign someone.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        good

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      And may be not

  4. The Hobbit
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    What is you favorite site for football news from whole Europe/World? I mainly read BBC for news, but it's a bit too Premier League oriented.

    1. Fantastisk
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Here.

    2. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      twitter

      1. olly:)
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        yep.

    3. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Your best bet is new now

      Just Google the subject and news now. That's how I do most of my research

    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      fantasyfootballscout.co.uk

  5. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Keane can be harsh - but he is telling it straight today. Players like Jones and Stones are not learning from their mistakes.

    1. Garlana
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Just going to say the same... refreshing to hear this non bs analysis.

  6. Bruno Bruno!!
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on Will Hughes could be a steal at 5m if he fullfills his potential in the early fixtures

    1. Reuser
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Good option - I have him.

      Started every match he was fit for last season. 5.0 for a decent number 10 looks great value - if he can remain injury free.

    2. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah could be good but 5m is a difficult price to include.

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      He's a bit delicate. Can see him getting injured. Gerry D provides a bit more security and pedigree.

    4. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Injury prone. Like Wilshere, Stanislas, Ramsey etc.

    5. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Avoid avoid avoid

      Had him last season since gw 32

      Was utter dross in fpl and not worth 5 mil

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What?

    2. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Can we downvote tables?

    3. willl
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What are you actually saying?

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You need more description on your tables to be an elite contributor, though. What conditions do you have on your Talisman table?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        HELLOOOO? Elite managers wouldn't ignore this simple question each time it was asked!

    5. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      You create lots of tables. Are you a carpenter?

      1. willl
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Plumber more likely, works with shite.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Is that why they charge so much?

      2. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Harrison Ford was a carpenter. True story.

        1. willl
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          What was this post about?

          You posted a link to tables you have made.

          How is that anything to do with being 'elite'?

          By definition, not 'nuff said'.

          1. FPL Virgin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            The data within those tables contains the keys to the kingdom, my friend.

            FPL glory awaits.

            Drink from the chalice. But choose your Cup wisely.

            1. willl
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              You need to clarify the filters you have used I think.

              Will have a proper look later.

              1. FPL Virgin
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Cheers mate. Would really appreciate the feedback.

    6. Dokdok666
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      "Any man who must say, "I am the king" is no true king"

      Also, what do you intend to gain with a showing like this?
      Sounds to me like you need to work on your selfesteem, instead of working on tables

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        It's acceptable to strut when you have natural talent. Look at Hazard.

        1. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Hazard is the least arrogant flaor footballer I can think of

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    If Jones starts regularly over Bailly next season, then I'll be rooting for Jose out. He was awful this game.

    1. Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      in better words: "he is awful "

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      De Gea
      Lindelof Bailly Rojo
      Valencia Fred Pogba Matic ?????
      Sanchez Lukaku

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Shawly not Young?!

    3. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      This.
      Who do you think are United's best CB partnership?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Maguire/Toby

      2. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Lindelof wasn't great last season, but he had a terrific world cup. Would like to see him and Bailly given a run together. Not sure though. I just want Bailly there 🙂

  8. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Rose poor again. I know Bavies will get the the early games, but is he likely to be first choice with his performances last season?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Rose won't be poor all season. He'll still compete, so I wouldn't expect Bavies to play more than 8/10 matches whilst Rose is fit. Could be fewer; could swing the other way. Hard to predict form and tactics.

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Tactics? So Bavies more likely to play in more defensive games? (Games where less likely for cleansheets)

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Sounds plausible, but I don't know. Teams can prepare to play against specific players. If a RB gets a sudden Rose attack when expecting to come up against Bavies, he could have a difficult time, and vice versa, and for RW players too. They have different attributes and not 100% overlap of styles. The other reason it's hard to predict is that I'm not a football manager. I don't know what all the factors are. Clearly some clubs rotate FB and some stick. Some switch between 3 CBs and 2. Hard to predict without being ITK

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Rose will be first choice again at some point. He's had a lot going off and you don't just flick a switch. Both on form then Rose is better for Poch' s system

  9. olly:)
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    14-0, Kevin Mirallas gets his 4th in 13 mins of the second half.

  10. stat
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Mirallas 4 goals in 13 mins

      1. olly:)
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        had about 20 chances already, he's awful, honestly 😀

      2. Fantastisk
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Kerber wins Wimbledon.

    • squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Would you rather have:
      A. Walcott and Cedric
      B. Deulofeu and Coleman

      1. tim_oriordan
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

      2. Reuser
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

    • olly:)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Everton have scored more goals in Marco Silva’s first 52 minutes (13) than they managed in the last 11 games of Sam Allardyce (12).

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        This is where stats can be deceptive. Need to factor in quality of opponent.....

        1. squ1rrel
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          no really

        2. olly:)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          obviously, but it is funny.

        3. Fantastisk
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Obvious (c).

    • Louis_Sans_Balls
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      what's the current template for FPL?

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Mirallas, Tosun + 13

        1. olly:)
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          mirallas essential. 😀

    • The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Wolves beat current Swiss Champions 4-0 in friendly today. Noice. 😀

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Cool! Scorers?

        1. Over Midwicket
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Cavaleiro, Costa, Bonatkni and Mir.

          1. Lovren an elevator
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            You know if any of those guys are nailed or atleast near nailed tho?
            So far what I've picked up from wolves fans is Jota, neves and Jiminez are the only nailed options?

      2. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Wolves will finish Top 8. The new Burnley, but with more flair.

    • tim_oriordan
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Thoughts on this FPL team? Would appreciate any feedback. I know the bench is rubbish but shouldn't need a bench until the Christmas period really.

      De Gea
      Mendy - Christensen - Arnold - Daniels
      Salah - Sane - Jota - Cairney
      Aguero - Aubameyang

      Button - Bennett - Romeu - Quaner

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Arnold not nailed.
        Daniels might not either and finished season poorly...as did Bournemouth defence.
        Christensen?!
        Everything else looks great tho

        1. tim_oriordan
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          I'm not sure how Arnold will get dropped after the season he had last year.
          True, maybe take him out for Cedric? You'd think Southampton will improve.
          Sarri plays a possession style, I think that could lead to him giving a ball playing centre back like Christensen the nod.

          1. Lovren an elevator
            • 8 Years
            5 years, 9 months ago

            Im a big fan of TAA and i agree with you and for 5m he could be amazing, Clyne might have something to say about that tho.
            Definitely prefer Cedric to Daniels, although find the extra .5 and get Coleman if I were you.
            We'll have to see about Christensen, not saying you're wrong atall, I just think while there are so many attacking wing backs, I don't want to consider someone like him. What's Sarri's defence record like then?

            1. tim_oriordan
              • 8 Years
              5 years, 9 months ago

              I would get Coleman I'm just not sure Everton will keep enough clean sheets for him to be worth it.
              Sarri's Napoli conceded 32, 39 and 29 in his three seasons there.

              1. Lovren an elevator
                • 8 Years
                5 years, 9 months ago

                Sorry to sound really dumb...I have no idea if that's any good or not? How does that translate to cleansheets?

    • Kante FC
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Please RMT

      De Gea, 4.0

      Cedric, Daniels, Tomkins, Schindler, Dunk

      Hazard, De Bruyne, Eriksen, Cairney, Ralls

      Aubameyang, Firmino, Tosun

      - 1x player from top 6
      - five way defence rotation

      Thoughts?

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Not being funny but I could do that and I suck

    • Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      "They're a better team than us"

      Fair play to Southgate. No bull shizzle.

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        That might be true. But where is our adaptability against the better teams? We can't play the same 3-5-2 system against every team - we get found out. In the same way Conte's 3-5-2 / 3-4-3 got found out in the PL.

    • WVA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      What do you think of this, bit different?

      Foster
      Pva Coleman Douglas
      Salah Eriksen Jota Miliv Cairney
      Auba Aguero
      4 4.5 4.5 4

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        First time I've seen Mili in a RMT. Just pray he stays on pens. Everything else looks solid, and pretty template to be fair

    • Emiliano Sala
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      williams injured

    • TheDonald
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Huddersfield, with a pretty good lineup, lost 3-0 to Accrington Stanley. Who are they?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Ironically Accrington Stanley are probably more famous than Huddersfield.

    • cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Which is better:

      A) Aubameyang and Douglas
      B) firmino and Azpilicueta
      Thanks

      1. squ1rrel
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

      2. The Pesci challenge
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        B

    • CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      MacD updated.

    • lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Would you keep lukaku 2 points or bring in lovren in the Macd game?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        stick!

        🙄

    • Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Those investing in Wolves assets, be wary. Douglas and Jota missed the friendly today through unspecified injuries.

      Source: https://www.expressandstar.com/sport/football/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2018/07/14/young-boys-0-wolves-4--report/

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Very early days.

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          ",,,Diogo Jota and Barry Douglas who weren't risked after missing training yesterday with minor knocks. "

      2. Costa Nostra
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        So Bonatini is first choice over Jimenez??

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Jimenez was at the World Cup, so you can't assume that.

    • tim_oriordan
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      A) Salah, Aubameyang, Jota
      B) Hazard, Firmino, Eriksen, +1m

    • Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      RMT please

      Fab Foster
      Robbo Mendy TAA Coleman Cedric
      Mkhi Dilva Siggy Jota Sessegnon
      Auba Kun Jimenez

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        0.5 in bank, could upgrade cedric to douglas?