World Cup

World Cup 2018 – Team Analysis – Saudi Arabia

Despite boasting some exciting players in wide areas, Saudi Arabia are something of an unknown quantity heading into World Cup 2018.

Two managerial changes since securing qualification to this summer’s finals make it hard to know what to expect from the Green Falcons.

Furthermore, some of their best squad members have not played much league football since January following a strange deal struck between the Saudi Arabia Sports Authority and La Liga.

Road to Qualification

Saudi Arabia qualified as the runners-up of Group B in the third round of the Asian section.

After dominating United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Malaysia and Timor-Leste in the previous stage, a 1-0 win over Japan in their final match secured passage to Russia and consigned Australia to the play-offs.

One of the more attacking nations from the Asian contingent, none of the 12 sides who competed in the third round scored more than Saudi Arabia, who were level with Japan on 17 goals.

However, it’s hard to know how much to read into those results considering both the poor quality of the Saudi’s continental opponents and the fact that the man who orchestrated qualification is now long gone.

Bert Van Marwijk, who took Holland to the World Cup final in 2010, left his position in September because he could not agree on a new contract. It was a huge blow for Saudi Arabia as the Dutchman knew the players well and they understood his system perfectly. He was replaced by Edgardo Bauza who lasted just five matches before being sacked. His reign included 3-0 defeats to Ghana and Portugal as well as a 1-0 reverse in Bulgaria.

In charge for the World Cup finals is Juan Antonio Pizzi, whose most recent achievement prior to joining the Green Falcons was overseeing Chile’s surprise failure to qualify themselves little over a year after guiding them to the 2016 Copa America title.

The Spaniard has opted for a more measured passing game compared to Van Marwijk’s direct approach, which seems sensible given the task presented to them as the lowest ranked team at this World Cup. It’s certainly hard to see the 49-year-old implementing the aggressive high-pressing style used at Chile.

Pizzi has presided over some solid recent results since taking over, which include 2-0 wins over Moldova, Algeria and Greece. Iraq were 4-1 winners over a weakened Saudi side in February, while a full-strength Belgium hit them for four in March.

In the World Cup warm-up games Saudi Arabia were beaten 2-1 in Italy and 3-0 by Peru in Switzerland

AFC World Cup Qualifying Third round
Most starts: Salman Al-Faraj, Taiseer Al-Jassim, Omar Hawsawi, (all 10), Nawaf Al-Abed, Abdulmalek Al-Khabri, Yahya Al-Shehri, Osama Hawsawi, (all 9).
Most goals: Nawaf Al-Abed (5), Fahad Al-Muwallad, Mohammad Al-Sahlawi, Yahya Al-Shehri (all 2).
Most assists: Taiseer Al-Jassim (3), Nawaf Al-Abed, Hassan Muath Fallatah (both 2).

International Friendlies since August 5th 2017
Most starts: Omar Hawsawi (8), Yasser Al-Shahrani, Osama Hawsawi (both 7), Taiseer Al-Jassim, Abdullah Otaif (6).
Most goals: Salem Al-Dawsari, Salman Al-Faraj, Taiseer Al-Jassim (all 2).
Most assists: Mohamed Al-Sahlawi (3), Mohamed Al-Kwikbi (2).

The Key Targets

Up front, striker Mohammad Al-Sahlawi (priced modestly on Fantasy iTeam at £5.4m and £6.5m in McDonald’s FIFA game) has a total of 28 goals in 37 international appearances, that works out at 0.76 per game.

Two of those came during qualifying, three in friendlies (two from the spot when Al-Abed was off the pitch) and since that campaign drew to a close he has added another three assists to the one recorded against Australia in June 2017. In April Al-Sahlawi spent also three weeks training with Manchester United to improve his game for the World Cup.

Meanwhile the virtually ever-present veteran midfielder Taiseer Al Jassim (£5.5m on McDonald’s FIFA) has a tendency to pop up with important goals. He has three in the last two years but could add to that in Russia and recorded three assists in qualifying. Only centre-back Osama Hawsawi (£4.5m on McDonald’s) represented the national team more times than Al Jassim since the summer of 2016.

The Long Shots

The 23-year-old Fahad Al-Muwallad (£5.3m on Fantasy iTeam and £6.5m in McDonald’s FIFA game) is considered the star attacker in Saudi Arabia’s ranks but hasn’t converted too much of his talent into Fantasy returns over the last two years.

The Al Ittihad winger scored twice in qualifying and has featured in just two of the matches since Pizzi took over. That may be because Al-Muwallad has been the unfortunate victim of an agreement between the Saudi Arabia Sports Authority and La Liga gone wrong. In order to broaden the experiences of the Saudis’ best players, seven of them were sent on loan to Spanish clubs wage-free for the recipients.

Al-Muwallad joined Levante but has only played 25 minutes in two substitute appearances since. How match fit he’ll be come the start of the World Cup is hard to determine, but his ability is well documented and Al-Muwallad is at the age where the occasion could bring out his best.

Salem Al-Dawsari (£5.0m on McDonald’s FIFA) is another of Saudi Arabia’s exciting wingers with plenty of quality but just 33 minutes of pitch time under his belt following a loan move to Villarreal.

 

Areas to Avoid

An ageing defence will be an area to avoid as Saudi Arabia look likely to concede their fair share of goals in Group A. Osama Hawsawi, capped 132 times, is a hugely important figure to the side but at 34 is more susceptible to exploitation by pace, the same goes for left-back Mansoor Al-Harbi (£4.5m on McDonald’s) Omar’s namesake Omar Hawsawi (£4.5m).

Meanwhile Osama’s new 26-year-old centre-back partner, and another namesake, Motaz Hawsawi (£4.5m) may have been named the best defender in the most recent Saudi Premier League, but at 1.79cm tall could be exposed.

In fact, of the outfield players in the frame to start against Russia on June 14, only Osama Hawsawi is over six foot and the Saudis may struggle with the physicality of their opponents.

There is no firmly established name in goal either with Yasser Al-Musailem (£4.5m) the favourite, but Mohammed Al-Owais (£4.0m) and Abdullah Al-Mayuf (£4.0m) have all competed for the number one jersey during Pizzi’s tenure so far. With Mohamed Salah, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani all to be faced in Group A, the Saudis may have trouble keeping the score down.

Upcoming Friendlies

June 8: Germany v Saudi Arabia (Leverkusen)

Further Analysis

Our comprehensive World Cup guide can be found here.

Group A Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group BIran, Morocco, Portugal, Spain

Group CAustralia, Peru, France, Denmark

Group DArgentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria

Group EBrazil, Costa Rica, Switzerland, Serbia

Group FMexico, Germany, Sweden, South Korea

Group GBelgium, Panama, Tunisia, England

Group HSenegal, Japan, Poland, Colombia
Our editor’s Fantasy World Cup tips as told to Proper Sport

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.

135 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    "Last RT from @DiMarzio suggests Manchester United have agreed a deal with Shakhtar for Fred at £44 million and the club also retain an interest in one of Mario Mandzukic and Marko Arnautovic"

    Looking at Arnie as a backup striker apparently.

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Manchester United have reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Fred - €50m.
      https://twitter.com/TransferChecker/status/999608280174485505

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      They've probably been beaten to the signing of Milinkovic-Savic then.

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

        United believe that €100m is too expensive for Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. #mufc [Di Marzio]

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

          Sounds like bollox. He is probably waiting for Madrid.

          1. Zilla
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Why would he go there? He surely won't like to stay as a backup.

  2. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Never realised Riyad Mahrez was Saudi's goalie.

  3. GreenWindmill
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Got to say, these articles by David are going to be invaluable for the World Cup fantasy - huge respect for the amount of research he must be putting in here.

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

      You're not so green these days. 😯

      1. GreenWindmill
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Afraid so, I officially handed in my badge and gun just over a week ago. They were going rusty from lack of use anyway to be honest so I was taking up a valuable spot in the Mods and Cons minileague that I didn't warrant. I'm back on the side of the lawless troublemakers now 🙂

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

          It's better on our side 😉

          1. GreenWindmill
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            The devil has all the best tunes 😉

    2. Troopon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Could not agree more.

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

      Yeah well done Dave these lesser known sides often have a cut price gem in their ranks.

      If someone asked me to name a player on the Saudi team before i read this article i would not be able to give them an answer at least now i know some of the lightly lads in that team.

    4. DavidMunday815
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Thanks mate. Appreciate the kind words and I’m glad these articles are helping people! Makes the hours of spreadsheet building/analysis worth it!

  4. John Terry won't play v Chelsea if promoted
    goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Jim White: If Villa get promoted to the PL, John Terry will sign a contract extension with one of the potential clauses being him missing out on the 2 games against ex club Chelsea.

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

      Sounds like a pretty lame clause imo

    2. Spencer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I think it was a flippant comment from Steve Bruce. No actual facts there.

    3. GreenWindmill
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      You've really got to hope that's made up, imagine if Villa are fighting for survival on the final day and they're playing Chelsea but their captain refuses to play. The fact I can even begin to believe it is demonstrative of what a massive arse John Terry is though.

    4. Rum Ham
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      He sucks so bad.

    5. Siva Mohan
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      don't think he will stay with Villa.. he will be off to USA this summer..

    6. Witty Pun: Not good at this…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Good thing Villa will be put down by Fulham 😉

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

      well I hope they don't pay his wages for those 2 weeks, if the unthinkable happens and they win on Saturday

    8. HNI
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Well hope he plays vs Manutd as he will get a standing ovation there. That penalty slip which gifted Manutd the ultimate UCL trophy in 2007-08 will be remembered forever. Always respect and cherish Terry for that

    9. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I hate John Terry.

      I really really hope Fulham win.

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

      I always wondered why teams didn't try to get this included in transfer agreements. Alderweireld > Manchester United if he doesn't play against Tottenham. You could negotiate a lower price, and it would mean United are stronger against Tottenham rivals.

      Weird on a contract extension though

  5. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    BREAKING: Manchester United have reached a €50m agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Fred. (Source: Di Marzio)

      1. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        BREAKING

        1. Siva Mohan
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          not so BREAKING 😐

  6. Sánchez
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Here it is. The article I've been waiting for. A few essential names in this one

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      These are the useful ones though! We can all tell you France's good players but not many of us had a clue here

      1. Sánchez
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Because none are good

      2. Yozzer
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        No one in their right mind would put in a SA player to be fair.

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      These are the 4m defenders and 4.5m mid/fwd to be bench fodder

      1. Sánchez
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Saudis will get destroyed 3/3 though. Others aye, maybe a few cheap gems, but them, no chance. More 8-0's for them

  7. mcrayeps
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    So guys, which one is the best apps for fantasy football world cup 2018?

  8. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Doosra has started his own podcast. Never took him for a cricket enthusiast.

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0680w6t

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

      If he wasn't, he probably wouldn't have chosen that name.

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

      I think we know who isn't a cricket fan now...

  9. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone watched this guy Fred before? Is he a good player?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Used to be popular on youtube

      1. Make Arrows Green Again
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah he knew a thing or two about steam engines, God rest him.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gimlq8_IIR4

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I thought it was chimneys not steam engines...

          1. Make Arrows Green Again
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Man of many talents. End of an era.

            1. G-Whizz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 6 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Ah! He did both? Didn't know that!

              1. Make Arrows Green Again
                • 7 Years
                5 years, 10 months ago

                To be fair it appears he was more of a chimney guy! So you were more right. That's why they made you a mod 😉

                1. G-Whizz
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • Has Moderation Rights
                  • 6 Years
                  5 years, 10 months ago

                  Haha 😆

    2. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      His real name isn't Fred

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

      I hear he can squeeze a pass through the eye of a needle

    4. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No idea, but when Fred was asked earlier today if the rumours linking him to Man Utd were true..

      "Right" said Fred

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        lol
        (Dunno if you saw this Optimus but it did put a smile on my face:
        http://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/18221266 )

      2. RedLightning
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        If you demolish a chimney, does it leave a Hole In The Ground?
        I only arsked!

  10. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I saw somewhere that there's a table of all FPL entrants' points since they started recording previous season history i.e. since 06/07. Where is this table or know any other info about it?

    1. Fitzy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Who's do you want to look at? Your season history shows yours, and anyone with their team linked on here you can see too.

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

        No, someone did up a cumulative points table of what people have scored since the 06/07 until now i.e. 12 seasons

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Sorry mate, I have no idea :/
          If it was a specific article you may be able to find it using the search feature, if it was a post then I just don't know how to help you find it 🙁

        2. RoysCallerAnne
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          It was Triggerlips. If you search his comments from a few days ago.

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

            That was a table of the best 5 scores of people who had had at least 4 top thousand finishes (including himself).
            There weren't very many who qualified for it.

    2. Gregor
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      FPL Ben McNair on the Twitter is your man for all that sort of thing.

  11. FFFrog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I've posted this previously as part of a bigger post but as its an interesting stat I thought I'd bring it up again. At the last 3 World Cups only 2 teams have kept 3 clean sheets in the group stage; Switzerland (2014) and Uruguay (2010) (interestingly both dark horses). This suggests that however strong the defences of the big teams look before the tournament, they're unlikely to actually live up to that and keep 3 clean sheets. Alongside this, 26 teams have kept 2 clean sheets in the group stage at these tournaments (more than 8 teams a tournament); although only 6 teams kept 2 clean sheets in 2014. This perhaps shows that the best value is in weaker, but more defensive teams that have two easier games and are likely to come out second in their groups, in particular Mexico (vs Sweden and South Korea), Switzerland (vs Costa Rica and Serbia) and England (vs Tunisia and Panama).

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

      England wing backs will be good bets. Rose and Trippier to start?

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

        Trippier probably more secure than Rose with both Delph and Young in the squad

        1. Sánchez
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          So is Kyle Walker going to be used as a centre back then?

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

            That's what Southgate has done to great effect so far so I see him keeping that up

    2. Sánchez
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Switzerland basically park the bus in every match even against rubbish teams so their defence are always of interest for that alone

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No idea how you've picked Mexico v Sweden and South Korea as one of the easy ones.

      Definitely looking at England though. Maybe Denmark as well.

      Ramos after the Portugal game is nailed on for me as well.

  12. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    West Ham finally acknowledge they've got rid of James Collins.

    One of my worst ever fantasy punts.

    1. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Far from impressed with the way they've handled this whole situation. Totally disgraceful...
      https://twitter.com/gwhizz420/status/999593024396066816

  13. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Anyone posted a draft of this FiT game yet?
    Not sure where to focus with this team so I've just gone for a few talismans so far.

    Courtois
    Godin Marcelo Moses Trippier
    Ozil JRod Eriksen Coutinho
    Ronaldo Cavani

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

      Ronaldo has never previously performed at a World Cup and plays Spain in his first game so I'd avoid him gw1, Kroos tends to take the creative role in Germany's team over Ozil and Werner and Muller are much more prolific goalscorers so maybe look elsewhere there and Nigeria's defence is very suspect, so maybe avoid Moses, but the general squad is solid

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

        But the general approach of choosing goalscoring talismen is solid

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Oh yeah I forgot Ronaldo had a tough first game, guess I'd better pencil in a transfer down the line there. May go Kane for the first game as he's going to shoot a hell of a lot!

          Won't Moses be playing Oop though? Thought he might be a fun shout and been in great form recently for Chelsea.

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

            Yeah he may well be and I've just seen that he may well be on penalties so could be a better shout than I'd thought

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

      Seems like you can buy more transfers. Not a fan of pay to win.

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

    Anyone notice Russia and Egypt have a double fixture in the first gameweek for the fantasy iTeam?

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

      Yes but unless you’re captaining one of their players it doesn’t mean much because of the limited transfers, it just means that they miss a game the next week so has very little effect on the general team imo

    2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      There's double gameweeks in the world cup?
      Doesn't make much sense.

  15. enourouz
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Reading the rules in fantasy iTeam and it doesn’t sound like they have the stick or twist feature for the captain. Is that accurate or did I miss something?

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

      No you choose your captain pre-GW and stick to it, you can make up to 4 transfers throughout a GW however

  16. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Juventus GM Beppe Marotta on Morata:

    ‘These are simply rumours. I want to deny them, we don’t want to deceive anyone. We already have a great attack [so any Morata] operation seems totally utopian’

    source: https://www.football-italia.net/121837/marotta-%E2%80%98morata-return-utopian%E2%80%99

  17. noquarternt
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Will Saudi Arabia score a goal at the World Cup?

    1. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Prob not

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'd say so yeah, maybe in a 4-1 defeat by Egypt

      1. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Egypt scoring 4 goals? Nope, no way. Hector Cuper is the manager.

    3. noquarternt
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Nailed on CS for Russia in that first game? 😀

      1. The Hobbit
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I thins Saudi Arabia will be motivated to upset the hosts, especially when Russia is not a top team. This will probably result in Russia’s win, but I think Saudi will score at least one.

  18. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Sterling expected price? 9.5?

    1. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      10.0 min

    2. André94PT
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      10.5 imo

    3. I Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      9.5 would be a steal. Expecting 10m.

    4. TLF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      10.5 is my guess

    5. Yozzer
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      10.5 easy.

  19. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    BREAKING: Mauricio Pochettino signs new contract at @SpursOfficial until 2023. #SSN
    https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/999667133314424837

    1. J0E
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Reminds me never to pick a Spurs full back again. 😉

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah sure... That would be like you never captaining Kane lol

    2. Zilla
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Interested to see who they are going to get this summer.

    3. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Been promised money by Levy then. Assume it will be dependent on sales though. Rose and Toby will go for decent cash.

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Reckon they might cash in on Lamela back to Italy too

  20. J0E
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    New community article - Top Marx continues his analysis of last season's Career Hall of Fame top five with a look at their captain and player highs and lows.

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/05/24/top-5-career-hall-of-fame-end-of-season-review-part-2/

  21. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Real Madrid fans have returned 1,000 tickets as they could not arrange travel to Kyiv. Today, 3 flights from Liverpool to Kyiv have been cancelled resulting in an additional 1,000 fans with tickets not able to reach Kyiv.

    UEFA at their very best.

  22. Lingardium Leviosa.
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Reports saying Ronaldinho gonna marry both girlfriends.

    Puts a new spin on the idea of a box-to-box midfielder.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Just imagine the gegenpress he will face.

  23. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hector Bellerin has been jailed.

    https://twitter.com/metpoliceuk/status/999660953909235713

    1. Rum Ham
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Crimes against fashion.

    2. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      😀 pretty much a spitting image!

    3. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Cross between Laporte and Bellerin

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

    Anyone else not intending to play Fantasy iTeam specifically because of the pay to win / cash for extra transfers feature?

    1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Yeah I think that's ridiculous.

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

        Same here. It completely ruins it for me.

      2. Jairzinho
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Not playing, but you can’t ridicule them for it. They need to make money somehow, unlike FPL who benefit from an increase in Premier League engagement.

        Same with official World Cup game, and plus McDonald’s are sponsoring it, also as a branding thing.

        It will have cost FiT a fair chunk of money to develop the game, and I doubt they’re loaded with cash.

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

      I do not think i will play it either.

      I do not mind the idea of a pay in prize league ufpl style but this cash for transfers thing sounds like a scam and does not sound like there is going to be a level playing field for managers with success depending on how money someone is willing to put into the game.

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

        *much money

    3. FFFrog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      If you've played the game before with any success it's likely you'll have enough credits, even without paying for them, to get the maximum one extra transfer a week. Although there is a small element of pay to win, for me it is outweighed in this World Cup by the fact the only advantage you can get is one extra transfer and that the FFS League is offering £1000 in prizes, which make it worth the risk. It's not perfect but I've reached top 100 in the world in previous tournaments without spending any money.

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        How much does it cost per transfer?

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

          It's £1 to buy the extra transfer, and you get 3 free every gameweek.

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

            So to buy an extra transfer every week it would be £7, and probably less because you can win credits throughout the tournament

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

              In fact it's £6 because 600credits (6 transfers) is a £5 package

        2. Twelve years a slave
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          How much do they cost and if you used all the buyer transfers available how much would the total spend be? Because to win you wouod likely need to spend the maximum available. So anyone know total cost? They convieniently left that out of their article

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

            ^ see abov

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

              So you can only buy 1 transfer per week max?

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

                Yep I think so

            2. Twelve years a slave
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Haha p, yep just noticed. Surely there more thsn Three rounds though when you include teh knockout.

              I guess the trick is to enter and then only spend money if have a fantastic first gameweek, otherwise just peeing into the wind

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Playing pay to win games and trying to be competitive is pointless. Pass.

    5. PDM TOP 1,000 any Season Le…
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      The actually FF version is pretty good but all this pay extra for transfers is a utter joke ....
      As the Dragons say “I’m Out”

    6. circusmonkey
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Won't be playing because it looks like a phone only game and my phone is full. The Telegraph game, it just looks like an exercise in buying players each fixture, of managing the schedule rather than backing players. 26 transfers for the group stage is silly. Foxsports.com.au did a reskinned FPL in 2014, I'd rather pay that if they do it again.
      Might just stick to auction league, the best version of FF!

    7. Lets Talk About 19 Baby
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I've been playing Fantasy ITeam since 2014. You can still enjoy playing the game without having to buy credit. This season I played with one team in each EPL, ESL, CL. In the ESL i finished Overall 256, I used the three free transfers you get every gameweek. The guy who was 1st brought extra transfer every week. I was sitting second 130 ish points behind him in my mini league, with around 8 weeks from the end. I ended up finishing top by a 27 point lead. So it is possible to compete without paying for extra transfers. Got to plan your transfers in advance and of course have a little luck.

  25. A Betting Man
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Pleased you're doing these articles, keep them coming

    I know you mention them in the text but a bolded 'penalties: X' would be very useful...

  26. Jairzinho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Fantastic article, along with yesterday.

    You did fail to mention that they gifted Mo Salah a piece of land last month. Call me a conspiracy theorist, like you did with Russia, but can anyone else see a Salah blank/Saudi Arabia clean sheet for that match?

    My tip: stock up on the Saudi defence.

    http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2772423-mohamed-salah-to-be-rewarded-by-saudi-arabia-with-piece-of-land-in-mecca

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Egyptian here, no way that there is a conspiracy here. Egypt will die to win.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Ragabolly could you clear something up for us?
        https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/18216562

        I'd appreciate your take on things if you have a mo... (see what I did there lol)

  27. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ffs, just found out my cricket team has a fantasy league. Captained myself for the weekend. First baller incoming

  28. New Article