Captains

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Best captain picks for the group stage

With daily captaincy changes allowed in the official Euro 2024 Fantasy game, selecting a skipper will be key to success.

Below we’ve put together a guide to the group stage calendar so you can see who the best armband candidates are every day.


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GROUP STAGE CALENDAR

DateMatchdayFixtures to target
June 141Germany v Scotland
June 151Italy v Albania, Hungary v Switzerland
June 161England v Serbia, Netherlands v Poland
June 171France v Austria, Belgium v Slovakia
June 181Portugal v Czechia
June 192Germany v Hungary, Croatia v Albania
June 202England v Denmark
June 212France v Netherlands
June 222Portugal v Turkey, Belgium v Romania
June 233Germany v Switzerland
June 243Spain v Albania
June 253France v Poland, England v Slovenia
June 263Portugal v Georgia

DAY-BY-DAY CAPTAINCY PICKS: MATCHDAY 1

Euro 2024 Fantasy: The best forwards

JUNE 14

There’s only one match taking place on the opening day of Euro 2024: Germany v Scotland.

Kai Havertz (€7.5m) will spearhead Germany’s attack so could be a possible shout for the first captaincy. He has started all four of Die Mannschaft’s friendlies in 2024, scoring against France and Greece.

Behind false nine Havertz, Julian Nagelsmann will employ twin 10s: Jamal Musiala (€8.5m) and Florian Wirtz (€7.5m).

Musiala was limited to just 24 Bundesliga appearances in 2023/24 but chipped in with 10 league goals and six assists for Bayern Munich. He’s also made an impact at international level, coming away from the March friendlies against France and the Netherlands with a brace of assists to his name.

As for Wirtz, he is a creative force for Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen. Although he has scored just one goal in 18 appearances for Germany, he’s a special player and enters Euro 2024 as one of football’s most exciting young talents.

Ilkay Gundogan (€7.0m) will have his suitors for the armband, too, with penalties in his locker.

For those not interested in Germany’s attack, try Maximilian Mittelstadt (€4.0m). He has just four senior caps to his name but is expected to start at left-back after a decent season with VfB Stuttgart. The 27-year-old scored a brilliant goal against the Netherlands in March and with his attacking style, racked up five key passes in the recent friendly with Ukraine.

JUNE 15

There’s no stand-out player to captain on Saturday.

The Italy v Albania fixture immediately catches the eye, but the Azzurri don’t have a talisman, so there isn’t an obvious pick.

Federico Chiesa (€7.5m) has suffered from injury issues for much of the last two years, limiting him to just two qualifying starts. However, he racked up 10 shots across those fixtures and tends to step up for Italy, having played a key role in their Euro 2020 triumph.

With his attacking potential, Federico Dimarco (€5.0m) is also worth a look. During qualifying, the Inter Milan wing-back provided just one assist, but there were some strong underlying numbers: a minutes-per-shot average of 53.1 was one of the best posted by a defender. You wouldn’t be surprised to see a clean sheet for Italy, either.

Question marks over Nicolo Barella’s (€7.0m) fitness probably make him a no-go at the time of writing, however.

Hungary’s Matchday 1 opponents Switzerland are usually tough to beat, but star man Dominik Szoboszlai (€7.0m) has plenty of freedom to roam in Marco Rossi’s 3-4-2-1 formation. He also takes penalties, free-kicks and corners.

JUNE 16

England’s clash with Serbia is the headline act on Sunday.

Harry Kane (€11.0m) scored or assisted in all seven of his qualifying starts, which coincided with a stellar first campaign at Bayern Munich.

The Three Lions admittedly aren’t in great shape right now, with only one win from their last five matches, but Gareth Southgate’s squad is packed full of attacking talent, so Kane should be able to build some early momentum.

Like England, Serbia also have issues at the back. They managed just two clean sheets in their eight qualifiers, and have now registered just five in 25 competitive games under Dragan Stojkovic.

Netherlands v Poland is the other real standout fixture of Sunday’s schedule, with Memphis Depay (€7.5m), Virgil van Dijk (€6.0m) and Denzel Dumfries (€5.5m) the obvious armband candidates from the Dutch.

A defensive pick might be the way to go, with Poland talisman Robert Lewandowski (€9.5m) set to miss out because of a thigh injury.

JUNE 17

It’ll be all about Kylian Mbappe (€11.0m) for the majority of Fantasy managers on Monday, with France naturally one of the favourites to win Euro 2024.

Ralf Rangnick has greatly improved the fortunes of the Austrian national team, but Mbappe looks primed for another headline-grabbing tournament, having plundered nine goals and seven assists in qualifying.

While Mbappe will have his suitors for the armband on Monday, there’ll be plenty of interest in Romelu Lukaku (€9.0m) too.

The former Chelsea and Manchester United forward was the top scorer in Euro 2024 qualifying, having found the net 14 times. It meant his rate of 39.0 minutes per goal far exceeded Ronaldo (72.2), Mbappe (73.6) and Kane (76.6).

Slovakia have a solid spine but are unlikely to put up too much of a challenge for Belgium, so playmaker Kevin De Bruyne (€9.5m) could also come into contention.

JUNE 18

Players from Portugal are the standout options here, with Cristiano Ronaldo (€10.0m) and Bruno Fernandes (€9.0m) firmly in the mix.

Roberto Martinez’s side comfortably scored the most goals in qualifying (36) and should have too much firepower for Czechia.

Ronaldo netted 10 goals in nine qualifying appearances, whilst ranking top for goal attempts (46), shots in the box (33), big chances (15) and efforts on target (19). A further two goals were added on Tuesday, further boosting his appeal.

As for Fernandes, he scored six goals and produced seven assists in qualifying. He also created more chances and big chances (37 and 11) than any other player and should be good for ball recoveries, too, as we discussed in a recent article.


DAY-BY-DAY CAPTAINCY PICKS: MATCHDAYS 2/3

Euro 2024 Fantasy: The best forwards 1

Matchday 2 runs across four days, from Wednesday 19 June to Saturday 22 June.

Similar names will no doubt crop up in our discussion, so we’ll instead take a briefer look at the most eye-catching fixtures and captains.

It’s also worth noting that qualification could be sealed for several nations by Matchday 3, so many of the go-to captains from previous rounds could be subject to rotation.

JUNE 19
  • Germany v Hungary (Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz, Havertz)
  • Croatia v Albania (Modric)
JUNE 20
  • England v Denmark (Kane)
JUNE 21
  • France v Netherlands (Mbappe)
JUNE 22
  • Portugal v Czechia (Ronaldo, Fernandes)
  • Belgium v Romania (Lukaku, De Bruyne)
JUNE 23
  • Germany v Switzerland (Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz, Havertz)
JUNE 24
  • Spain v Albania (Morata)
JUNE 25
  • France v Poland (Mbappe)
  • England v Slovenia (Kane)
JUNE 26
  • Portugal v Georgia (Ronaldo, Fernandes)
72 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Playing a Danish version of Euro Fantasy that is somewhat similar to FPL.

    Which combination would you go for?

    A) Lukaku, Wirtz, Elvedi (4-3-3)

    B) Kane, Doku, Shaqiri (3-4-3)

    Thanks in advance

  2. FCH
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Does anybody know how the Italian backline's gonna look?

    1. azz007
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Rumours of Theo and DiMarco today causing a stir and might not start.
      So be interesting to know

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        just my 2 top defenders - no worries

        1. azz007
          • 6 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Think most of template

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            6 months, 2 days ago

            I have neither, yikes.

      2. Moxon
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Do you have a link to the Dimarco news?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Think its just this discussion that sparked a bit of doubt:
          https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/26625169

          Looking around at various predicted lineups I think Di Marco should be fine; its the RWB spot that's up for grabs.

          So basically I think it should be:
          LWB: Di Marco
          LCB: Bastoni
          CB: Buongiorno
          RCB: Di Lorenzo / Darmian
          RWB: Cambiaso / Di Lorenzo

    2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      If you're scared then just go Bastoni. It's not like di Marco has any more of a proven clinical offensive threat anyway.

  3. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Arggh
    Ussain Bolt ruptures Achilles in a charity at the Bridge

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      sticky s

  4. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    England v Denmark is a fixture to target for captaincy?
    Call an ambulance, but not for me GIF

    1. avfc82
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      I get it, but the other fixtures that day are Slovenia v Serbia and Spain v Italy.

      Could potentially target the latter fixture, especially once we have a bit more clarity on their line-ups, but I still think I'd prefer Kane.

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        That's a good point. Round 2, and that day in particular, looks a bit grim in that case.
        Might go Kane as well, but round 2 might see the lesser teams open up and really go for it (or else they go home). Could see Sesko or Mitrovic go wild.

        Serbia's first 2 games at world cup were a 2-3 and 3-3, so they don't really conform to Gareth's style of tournament football.

        1. avfc82
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Yeah, I don't mind that at all. Can always switch to Mbappe/Fernandes if it doesn't work out.

  5. mcpoop
    • 12 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Think this is my team

    Pickford Lunin
    Mittelstadt Faes DiMarco Akanji Van Dijk
    Fernandes Kvaratskhelia Szoboszlai Baumgartner Soucek
    Kane MBappe Lukaku

    GTG?

    1. azz007
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Any team is good to go right now with all. Rumours of players limping training, final training XI etc. All doubts.

    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Pick a good place to hide when Portugal play

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        I don't think that's Gelson Fernandes.

  6. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Surely with 5 captain options, it pays to go for a more punty approach early on? I'm tempted by Mittelstadt. Cue red card

    1. Moxon
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      That's the approach I'll be taking

    2. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Yeah. Captain any player no matter how bad you think he might be. Nothing to lose. Slim chance of an upset and unfancied doing well and getting player of the match. If it doesn't then spin the wheel for the next day. On red card, a player can't be subbed if he gets a red card. Not sure in this game but in UCL if red card player was sent off you couldn't transfer the captaincy from him.

      1. Alan The Llama
        • 15 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        You can change captaincy with a red card this time around, just not sub off, as you said.

    3. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Agreed, although Saturday / Sunday are the most interesting ones given that plenty will cap Wirtz / Mittelstadt due to lack of alternatives. Think I'm going for Szoboszlai & Depay there

  7. ResultatFar
    • 6 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Am I crazy for wanting to punt on Nico Williams as a 7m Mid for the first two gws?

    1. PartyTime
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      No. One can’t win the game without differentials.

    2. Men in green tights
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Did have a look at him but punting on Frattesi instead at the moment settled on 13 players at the moment .

  8. Philosopher's Stones
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Gonna take a break from fantasy football this Euros and just enjoy the games without worrying about who got the assist. Come back fresh for next season to win the whole thing 😛

    GL to all playing though.

  9. Roshen
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    a. Lukaku + Trossard
    b. Ronaldo + Simons

    1. Udogie-style
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 2 days ago

      You need at least one from each letter.

      1. Roshen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Rokaku + Sossards?

        1. Udogie-style
          • 1 Year
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Lukaldo.

  10. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Struggling to pick two out of Mbappe, Kane, Lukaku and Ronaldo.

    Mbappe and Kane by far the better players individually, but Lukaku and Ronaldo have much more favourable fixtures.

    1. sirmorbach
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Same dilemma. CR7 and Mbappé are nailed on my team. Currently on Lukaku over Kane, but hesitant

      1. Udogie-style
        • 1 Year
        6 months, 2 days ago

        If it's a choice between Kane and Lukaku, it's an easy Lukaku choice for me. I was struggling more with deciding between Kane and CR7.

  11. sirmorbach
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    A. Costa, Castagne, Lukaku
    B. 4.0, Faes, Kane

    1. Udogie-style
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 2 days ago

      A

  12. Udogie-style
    • 1 Year
    6 months, 2 days ago

    Better combo from...
    A) Cambiaso and Cancelo
    B) Dumfries and Dalot

    Aware of risks of each already. Option A seems somewhat less risky now.

    Cheers.

  13. Moxon
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 2 days ago

    What players are locked in your team?

    I don't have many outside Mittelstadt, Dimarco, Bruno and Mbappe

    1. lugs
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Mbappe, Bruno & Saka

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Yesterday: 13-14
      This morning: maybe just the forwards

      Had a bit of a defensive shakeup, dropping Mæhle & maybe Dumfries, seeing who I could upgrade in midfield if I went for Cambiaso...

      Settled on this now (maybe):
      Verbruggen
      Mittelstadt Di Marco VVD Kristiansen
      Wirtz Szoboszlai Eriksen Sudakov
      Mbappé Depay
      (Lunin, Cancelo, Fernandes, Ronaldo)

      1. Moxon
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Love the Depay pick

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Gonna cap him too

      2. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 3 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Main alternative would be:
        VVD - Dumfries
        Kristiansen - Cambiaso
        Lunin - Strakosha
        Eriksen - Musiala

    3. Mirror Man
        6 months, 2 days ago

        All 15. I ain't changing nobody. Yurt.

    4. Steavn8k
      • 1 Year
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Best combi of these 4:
      A: Faes and Lukaku
      B: Frimpong and Havertz
      C: Frimpong and Dovbyk
      D: Cancelo and Yamal

      1. lugs
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        A

    5. SKENG
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Pickford Stanek
      Cancelo TAA Dimarco Mittelstadt Faes
      Fernandes Wirtz Gundogan Trossard Jorginho
      Mbappe Ronaldo Lukaku

      Team ready - WCing in QF & going Ronaldo over Kane.

    6. Remi
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Last draft, what do you think?

      Costa, Moldovan

      Mittelstadt, Dimarco, Grimaldo, Dumfries, Castagne

      Jorginho, Shaqiri, DeBruyne, Bruno, Calhanoglu

      Lukaku, Mbappé, Ronaldo

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        No it's not.

        1. Remi
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Almost last draft

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Unless playing chip in MD2 your keepers play same day, sounds like Dumfries may not be starting ( if bib theory believed) so watch for that ( could go to VVD if switch Castagne to De Cuyper) , same with doubt over Grimaldo in first game. Mids and forwards look good

        1. Men in green tights
          • 6 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Been a lot of rumours today about defenders good job we have the subs .

          1. Remi
            • 3 Years
            6 months, 2 days ago

            Yeah... Théo, Grimaldo, Dumfries...

        2. Remi
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Thanks a lot for the heads up!
          Looks like my defense is going to change a lot (again)

    7. putana
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Something I dont understand; A team fires their manager, yet they want to be paid by the club who want to hire that coach. Why dont they just allow the coach to go so they dont have to pay his salary anymore?

    8. Moxon
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Template vs differential

      A. Saka, Gundo, Rodri, Jorginho
      B. Wirtz, Majer, Sudakov, Baumgartner

      1. Moxon
        • 10 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        or even Veerman

      2. Men in green tights
        • 6 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        I’ve only got one of the 8 so B for me .

    9. jesus jesus
      • 12 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Have I missed something - what’s the love for Sudakov of Ukraine ??
      Anyone please

      1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Smashed Moldova to pieces, and needs to stand out on international stage to get a move away from Ukraine, for which he is far too good.

        1. jesus jesus
          • 12 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Thanks - on penalty’s or free kicks ?

          1. jesus jesus
            • 12 Years
            6 months, 2 days ago

            Better pick tha Çanhanoglu of Turkey?
            Turkey play Georgia gw1

            1. Men in green tights
              • 6 Years
              6 months, 2 days ago

              Both good picks but was a few posts on here yesterday saying Guler was a better pick for Turkey playing up front attacking .

    10. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      I can see some worry on Dumfries. Is this because of some bib nonsense or is there anything concrete I’ve missed?

      1. Men in green tights
        • 6 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Some training pics with frimpong apparently wearing starting 11 tops , not taking much notice of it myself

        1. Jambot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 months, 2 days ago

          Thanks. What’s the definition of a starting 11 top? Was it just a colour of bib or something more obvious?

          1. Men in green tights
            • 6 Years
            6 months, 2 days ago

            Different coloured training top I guess like yellow against red I think it’s complete nonsense just people reading to much into it .

      2. The Mentaculus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 3 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        Original post/tweet here:
        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/26625156

        Predicted lineups here (Tom?) rolling with bib theory:
        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/team-news/

        I still kind of think Dumfries / Simons is more likely tbh from what I've seen/read before this, but slightly uncertain now.

      3. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 2 days ago

        On the one hand, yes it's just some bib nonsense.
        On the other hand, there's a pool of about 40 defenders you can legitimately choose from, so why would you stick with someone who costs 5.5m and is a question mark. It's not like a CS or attacking returns are nailed on v Poland, and Frimpong remains a risk to DD's minutes even if DD starts.

    11. More Cow Bellingham
      • 2 Years
      6 months, 2 days ago

      Rmt plz (thx!)

      Lunin
      Faes Mittelstadt DiMarco VVD
      Bellingham Wirtz Gundo Szobo Rodri
      Kane

      Costa Castagne Schick Mbappe