Euro 2024

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Matchday 5 Scout Picks | Quarter-finals

We’ve put together our Scout Picks for Matchday 5 of Euro 2024 Fantasy, aka the quarter-finals of the tournament.

This is essentially a ‘Free Hit’ XV for Matchday 5 only, with no thought given to later rounds.

We get an increased budget of €105m and can also select five players from one nation.

GOALKEEPERS + DEFENDERS


We’ve had at least five clean sheets, and an average of 6.5, in every Matchday so far.

Now, though, it’s the business end of the tournament. The match-ups are closer to call. Even the bookmakers’ favourites for shutouts in Matchday 5, the Netherlands and England, are up against the joint-third highest-scoring teams of the tournament.

That’s why we’ve gone for five defenders who are capable of producing tidy returns even if the clean sheets fall.

Antonio Rudiger (€5.5m), Pepe (€5.0m) and Manuel Akanji (€5.0m) in particular are ball recovery machines. They play for the perceived underdogs in their respective quarter-final ties, although there’s precious little in it (especially Spain v Germany) and you would not be surprised if all three of their countries progressed.

Ball recoveriesBall recovery points
Rudiger3310
Pepe309
Akanji299

Jules Kounde (€5.0m) and Virgil van Dijk (€6.0m) are not far behind the trio above, on 25 and 23 ball recoveries respectively.

Kounde is also the leading defender for chances created at the European Championship, while van Dijk is unbeaten among players in his Fantasy position for shots in the box. Turkey, who the Dutch face next, allowed eight headed chances in their win over Austria. That was over half of their overall total for attempts conceded.

Which brings us to our two goalkeepers, Jordan Pickford (€5.0m) and Unai Simon (€5.5m).

England and Spain are the joint-best sides for fewest big chances conceded, not that hopes are particularly high for shut-outs from either side.

They do, at least, play on alternative days, so should Simon flop then Pickford comes in.

The absence of Marc Guehi (€4.6m), who is even ahead of Rudiger for ball recoveries, made it easier to go with the England goalkeeper.

MIDFIELDERS

Euro 2024 Fantasy: Bellingham's poor stats +


The midfield selection was tricky this week. You would not be surprised if defensive midfielders come to the fore in scrappier, high-stakes affairs, with the likes of N’Golo Kante (€6.0m) and Rodri  (€6.5m) adding to their Player of the Match collections.

Ultimately, though, most of those midfield anchors don’t recover balls at the same rate as the defenders behind them. Kante and Rodri, for instance, have less than a third of the recovery points that Rudiger has amassed.

It’s for that reason that we’ll continue to throw our lot in with more attacking assets for Matchday 5.

Jude Bellingham (€9.5m) is one of them, albeit playing for an England side with the handbrake on. He’s had just three shots all tournament, indeed, so he’s been fortunate to score twice. But there are suggestions that Gareth Southgate is to rip up the playbook for this one, opting for a wing-back system against the Swiss. Bellingham is expected to retain his number 10 role within that. The Player of the Match committee love him. So does Southgate, who has given Bellingham at least 86 minutes in every match so far. Those game-time guarantees are another string to his bow.

Xavi Simons (€7.0m) is more of a gamble. But he comes into the match against Turkiye off the back of his best display of the summer. Two shots, three chances created and seven penalty box touches arrived from the ‘10’ role against Romania, where he looked more effective than he did on the right flank prior to that.

Turkiye are the only quarter-finalists without a clean sheet to their name. They also have conceded, by some distance, the highest number of big chances and expected goals. It’s for that reason why we’re willing to punt on Simons.

Spain are the best attacking side of the tournament so far. Most shots, big chances, highest xG. Germany will be their toughest test yet but based on what we saw against Italy and Croatia, Luis de la Fuente won’t be compromising on those principles.

The issue is always minutes with Spain, as de la Fuente has a predilection for using his squad and making early-ish substitutions. But Fabian Ruiz (€6.5m) and Neco Williams (€7.0m) were sensationally good against Georgia. The pair delivered a combined 12 shots and six chances created, both hauling in a 4-1 win. They won’t get the same space as they did in the last 16 but even against Italy, they joined forces for five goal attempts and seven chances created.

The fifth midfield slot was the one we chewed on more than any other. Arda Guler (€5.9m) was in the mix, as were Granit Xhaka (€6.0m), Ruben Vargas (€6.0m) and Declan Rice (€6.5m). There’s always Germany’s array of options, too, but we’ve included a forward from the hosts instead.

Ultimately we went with representation from the Portugal attack, having overlooked the veteran greedy guts up front. And might CR7’s penalty miss see Bruno Fernandes (€9.0m) get a look-in from the spot? The Portuguese playmaker is another 90-minute man who won’t be taken off by his manager. He’s capable of collecting ball recoveries when he drops deep, too, as well as being the creative central hub.

FORWARDS

Kai Havertz (€7.5m) and Kylian Mbappe (€11.0m) haven’t scored from open play yet.

But both are on penalty-taking duties for their respective countries. They are also racking up the chances. Only the similarly profligate Cristiano Ronaldo (€10.0m) has had more shots than these two (15 apiece). No one has had more shots in the box (13 each). Madness to expect a different outcome and the goals to finally flow? Or keep faith in those good old underlying numbers? The absence of too many form forwards elsewhere makes it a slightly easier decision.

Cody Gakpo (€7.5m) is one of those. One of just two forwards to hit double figures for both chances created and shots, the joint-top goal scorer of Euro 2024 is captaincy material on Saturday.

SCOUT PICKS TEAM CAPTAINCY SCHEDULE

  • Friday 5 July: Williams
  • Saturday 6 July: Gakpo

MATCHDAY 5: SCOUT PICKS

55 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    Kounde or VVD if you could only have one?

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

      For this round only, I think I prefer Kounde

      1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
        • 6 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        If no WC left, I would go with VVD.

        1. DV8R
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 months, 3 days ago

          I have WC, I guess it's Kounde then

          1. fenixri
            • 8 Years
            4 months, 3 days ago

            Do you have NED def coverage? I am in same situation and thinking between Kounde/Theo and VVD

            1. DV8R
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 months, 3 days ago

              I don't have any NED defenders and I do have Maignan, but Kounde's stats look great

              1. fenixri
                • 8 Years
                4 months, 3 days ago

                Same as me, think I will get Theo. Good luck to both of us.

                1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
                  • 6 Years
                  4 months, 3 days ago

                  I have Kounde and VVD, but with my WC transfers I'll bring De Vrij

  2. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
    • 6 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    No WC and already 8 players in the first day, 2 from each team (Costa and Bruno, Koundé and Mbappé, Cucurella and Williams, Gundogan and Musiala), so I have a guarantee that 4 will be eliminated for the semis.

    For the second day I've got 3 english players (Pickford, Walker and Bellingham) and 3 dutch players (Depay, Gakpo and Van Dijk).

    I'm missing a defender... would you go for an extra dutch (like De Vrij) or for Akanji?

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

      Depends how confident you are on Switzerland winning... but probably extra Dutch I think since you can't afford to lose another player

      1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
        • 6 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        Yes, it makes sense. That's what I'll go for and hope England and Netherlands won't fail me!

  3. dansmith1985
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    G2G?

    Neuer
    Kounde Carvajal Cancelo Rudiger
    Ruiz Gundogan Williams Musiala
    Kane Mbappe

    Pickford VVD Simons Gakpo

  4. DavyT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    RMT WC played early so went Spain-Dutch Final last round, made 3 transfers

    Mbappe (c), Gakpo, Depay
    Ruiz, Pedri, Williams, Musiala
    Kounde, Carvajal, T Hernandez
    Simon

    Bench for tomorrow: Verbruggen, Van Dijk, Ake, Bellingham

  5. Flekken' Hell
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    Bellingham vs Bruno F

    I'm not convinced by either Bellingham or Bruno. Alternative is a Swiss or Netherlands differential, which again is not a convincing shout.

    One of Bellingham or Bruno. Who'd you pick? Or an alternative as a differential.

    Thanks.

    1. Flekken' Hell
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      I only have Limitless left. Anyone reckon now is a good time? Or for Semis?

      1. GreennRed
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        Depends what team you can pick for QF. 4 FT for semis. Prob final as you won't be disadvantaged by team reset but you only need 6 players for that. 5 FT and lineups before deadline. Apologies, that's not helping much.

    2. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      Picked Bellingham. More likely to get MOTM than Bruno I think, even if that's unlikely.

      1. Flekken' Hell
        • 8 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        Yes, the only reason I'm leaning towards Jude but he isn't shooting or creating enough. Not at all.

    3. Manani
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      bellingham for me, just general lack of midfield options, but he is the best of the bunch

  6. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    Trent and Rice

    Or

    Stones and Saka

    1. marcos11
      • 4 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      SS

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        That's the way I'm leaning. Had Saka at the beginning of the tournament

  7. marcos11
    • 4 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    a) Morata & Simons
    b) Gakpo & Bellingham (-4)

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      Just Gakpo.

    2. Manani
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      gakpo & simons?

  8. dansmith1985
    • 2 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    Captain Musiala or Williams?

    1. GreennRed
      • 13 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      Musiala.

    2. Flekken' Hell
      • 8 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      N. Williams.

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      Musiala

    4. Gommy
      • 14 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      I'm on Williams

  9. Flekken' Hell
    • 8 Years
    4 months, 3 days ago

    The way Swiss played vs Italy, I don't know why we aren't going for more Swiss players. Swiss are still unbeaten in the tournament.

    Granted Italy wasn't the toughest team this Euro but neither is England. Swiss should be the favorite to go through.

    1. x.jim.x
      • 10 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      England are the toughest team left in the tournament, based on xGC

      1. Mirror Man
          4 months, 3 days ago

          Based on experience, they're out.

      2. Manani
        • 13 Years
        4 months, 3 days ago

        england is solid in the back, feel like it will be low scoring either way and only defenders are worth buying

    2. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 5 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      Probably gonna go for this move and have 14 players in the QF:

      a) Donnarumma, KDB, Guehi ----> Maignan, Akanji, Bellingham

      Is it worth disturbing this move for Morata ---> Depay (and field 13 players)?
      Still have a WC intact.

    3. mikeyboss33
      • 3 Years
      4 months, 3 days ago

      1FT left debating shipping Fullkrug for Yilmaz? Any suggestions, close second in cash ML.

      Mbap, Fullkrug, Gakpo
      Ruiz, Pedri, Williams, Musiala, Bellingham
      Dumfries, Raum, Cucurella, Cancelo, De Vrij
      Maignan, Pickford

      1. Andrisanis
          4 months, 3 days ago

          Fullkrug

          1. Mirror Man
              4 months, 3 days ago

              Well done

        • Andrisanis
            4 months, 3 days ago

            Hi guys, really need some help since I mistakenly used WC insead of limitless earlier.

            I currently have:
            -Pickford, Maignan
            -Akanji, Walker, Mittelstadt, Carvajal, Ake
            -Gundogan, Mussiala, Beli, Williams, Sabitzer(*)
            -Mbappe, Kane, Havertz

            How would you act in this situation? Use limitless going for 5 NED players: Gakpo, Simons, van Dijk, Dumfries, Verbruggen, also adding Rudiger, Kounde, Mendes, Fernandes, while also keeping Mbappe, Kane, Musiala, Beli, Williams and Maignan?

            Or should I use 3 free trades to swap Sabitzer, Mittlestadt and either Pickford or Gundogan or Havertz? Thinking I could even take -4 or -8 pts and go for 5 trades to get Verbruggen, Simmons, van Dijk, Ruiz and Kounde?

            Any suggestions? Appreciate your help 🙂

            1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
              • 6 Years
              4 months, 3 days ago

              I would save limitless for the final now...

              1. Silva Bilva Tilva Pilva
                • 6 Years
                4 months, 3 days ago

                Or at least for the semifinal (for the final you just need 11 players).

                1. Andrisanis
                    4 months, 3 days ago

                    Got it. Who would you trade now from my current squad? Would you use extra trades for -4pts?

            2. Manani
              • 13 Years
              4 months, 3 days ago

              Havertz or Kane?

              1. Andrisanis
                  4 months, 3 days ago

                  Kane

                • Mirror Man
                    4 months, 3 days ago

                    Harry's mallet is way too large. He'd throw the balance right off. Sell!

                • Aleksandervjl
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  4 months, 3 days ago

                  Musiala over Ruiz ?

                  1. Andrisanis
                      4 months, 3 days ago

                      Musiala

                    • marcos11
                      • 4 Years
                      4 months, 3 days ago

                      Musiala

                  2. JackMatt1209
                    • 1 Year
                    4 months, 3 days ago

                    Am currently wanting to sell Ronaldo baumgartner and guehi for kounde bellingham and gakpo but am .3 short. What should I change from that to make up the money or do I take a hit?

                    1. Mirror Man
                        4 months, 3 days ago

                        I doubt Ronaldo has ever seen a bobsleigh in person. Also the helmets required are not good for folks with hyper maintained eyebrows.

                    2. idaho23
                      • 6 Years
                      4 months, 3 days ago

                      Carvajal/Cucurella/Cancelo -> Koundé?

                      1. JackMatt1209
                        • 1 Year
                        4 months, 3 days ago

                        Cancelo for me

                      2. Manani
                        • 13 Years
                        4 months, 3 days ago

                        i chose Kounde

                    3. Totalfootball
                      • 7 Years
                      4 months, 1 day ago

                      when will fpl launch ?

                    4. RedManisGoated
                        3 months, 14 days ago

                        i feel sad for mbappe because he has to wear a mask thanks to danso