Scout Notes

Russia’s Golovin shines in World Cup Fantasy opener

Midfielder Aleksandr Golovin (£6.5m) was the Fantasy star of the show as Russia thrashed Saudi Arabia 5-0 in the opening World Cup fixture.

He scored the fifth and final goal for the hosts as they registered their first win in eight matches, assisting another two of his nation’s strikes for a 13 point haul.

Substitute Denis Cheryshev (£5.5m) was not far behind Golovin in the match, scoring twice and amassing 12 points.

Budget option Yuri Gazinskiy (£4.5m) opened the scoring in the 12th minute, heading past Al-Maiouf from Golovin’s cross in the aftermath of a set-piece.

It should come as no surprised that Russia took the lead in the air against the shortest side at this summer’s World Cup.

That vulnerability furthers the appeal of Uruguay defender Diego Godin (£5.5m), a great threat from set-pieces, who scored four goals in World Cup qualifying.

Indeed, Oscar Tabarez’s side netted more goals from set-plays in qualifying than any other nation from South America or Europe.

The likes of Mohamed Salah (£8.5m), Luis Suarez (£10.5m) and Edinson Cavani (£9.5m) will all likely be looked at as options for later Group Stage rounds accordingly.

There was disappointment for Alan Dzagoev (£7.0m), selected by two percent of World Cup Fantasy managers, who was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 24th minute.

His replacement, Cheryshev, was the scorer of the second goal after Russia successfully mounted a breakaway attack in the 43rd minute.

Roman Zobnin (£5.5m) fed the substitute, whose excellent first-touch took him past two defenders allowing him to slam the ball high into the net unchallenged.

Alexandr Samedov (£7.5m), involved in 11 goals during Russia’s 20 matches in the build-up to the tournament, look bright but was substituted in the 64th minute with just playing and clean sheet points to his name.

Next to leave the field for Russia was Fedor Smolov (£8.0m) in the 71st minute. Artem Dzyuba (£8.0m) was the man who came on for him, scoring with his first touch of the match – a header from another Golovin cross.

Cheryshev scored his second late-on after a knock-down from Dyzuba was rifled into the net from outside the box.

After being fouled on the edge of the box in stoppage time, Golovin, who had been booked minutes before, took the free-kick placing it perfectly to Al-Maiouf’s left to cap off a memorable victory for the hosts.

With a fixture against Egypt up next, Golovin and Cheryshev may soak up some transfer activity in the coming days.

TEAMS

RUSSIA (4-2-3-1): Akinfeev; Fernandes, Kutepov, Ignashevich, Zhirkov; Gazinskiy, Zobnin, Golovin, Dzagoev (Cheryshev 28’), Samedov (Kuzyayev 64’); Smolov (Dzyuba 70’).

SAUDI ARABA (4-5-1): Al-Maiouf; Alburayk, Os.Hawsawi, Om.Hawsawi, Al-Shahrani; Otayf (Al-Muwallad 63’), Al-Dawsari, Al-Faraj, Al-Jassam, Al-Shehri (Bahbir 74’), Al-Sahlawi

1,257 Comments Post a Comment
  1. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    I'm entering the Daily Telegraph game after today's Uruguay Egypt team news has been announced.

    The team i'm planning to enter is

    Lloris
    Kimmich, Meunier, Danilo, Godin, Tagliafico
    Muller, James, Paulinho
    Cavani, xxxxxxx

    The final forward spot will be rotated 26 times during the group stage, so I can play Messi, Neymar, Kaku, Geizmann, Werner, Leba and Saurez in all their group matches, and Kane in first two.

    That leaves me with 3FT, injuries permitting should I use them on Ronaldo or is there a better forward option (for one or more of the games) ?

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

      You need to rotate your defence mate. But fair enough and good luck- might be in with a shout of the Golden Boot prize.

      You might need them for injuries.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I've got three teams, others will involve defensive rotation. Fingers crossed on the injuries.

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

      I'd play 3-4-3 and leave money ITB if you're rotating the heavy hitter up front.

      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        I've got 7.3m ITB for that last rotating spot, and the most expensive players in the game are 7.0m

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

    Punt on cahill, he nailed? With some source please..

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Sky Sports says he doesn't start - Maguire does.

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

        Ouch now i hope tunisia and panama to score

    2. andy85wsm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely not nailed

    3. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      More likely to play than Maguire, not nailed though.

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

      FFS predicted line ups have got it wrong. Maguire starts according to the mirror.

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

        Ikr, even in the twitter many prediction leaning towards cahill, now my 5m has gone

  3. Azathoth
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any news who's gonna be Che manager next season?

    1. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      think still pushing for Sarri but compensation etc is the issue at the moment

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

        wait and see then.....thanx

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

      Between Sarri, Jovanovic and Blanc was last that I heard.

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

        Louis needs a job!