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World Cup Fantasy Transfer Tips: The Big Numbers

World Cup Fantasy managers will have to respond quickly to the emerging trends in Russia, as they prepare their transfers ahead of the Gameround 2 deadline on Tuesday.

We’ve taken our first look at the Opta World Cup data, which is exclusively available to members after the completion of each match.

Our analysis covers all fixtures contested in Groups A-F, with a scrutiny of Group G and H to follow before the second set of group matches commence.

Not surprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.0m) has been at the heart of the transfer market in recent days following his 16-point haul in Portugal’s opening fixture: since Friday night, his ownership has doubled.

Elsewhere, there appears to be a strong case to load up on Uruguay players ahead of their match with Saudi Arabia, while the underlying statistics should provide some consolation to owners of Lionel Messi and Neymar following the £12.0m-rated forwards’ opening-match blanks.

READ NEXT: How to build your World Cup Fantasy team around set-pieces and penalties in Gameround 2

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.

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, which begins on June 14 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 previewing the World Cup content below…

1,883 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Based on the final two group fixtures. Would you rather have Kane & Eriksen or Messi & Lingard?

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      The former

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Kane and Eriksen.

    3. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Messi and Lingard

    4. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Kane Eriksen all day long

    5. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Kane and Lingard

      1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Haha properly getting hyped now

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

    Muller owners ditching or giving one more chance?

    1. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Tbh he didn't do anything to justify keeping him. Not like he put in a good performance and got unlucky. Ditching and an easy decision.

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

        fair enough. do you think he will start ?

  3. Les Bleus
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Would you take out Mbappé for Costa for the free transfer? Or hold?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Costa, he don't costa lotta.

      I'll get them pesky tumbleweeds......

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Solid effort 😛

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I did it

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

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

      Sensible imo

      1. Les Bleus
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Cheers

  4. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    News on James?

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Thanks

  5. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A) JRod -> Isco
    B) Jesus -> Costa

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      B

  6. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Maximum captain doesn't look useful in the first two gameweeks. I would have gotten 0 points from it and my friend who used it got 2 points.

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

      what even is maximum captain? i'm sort of confused.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        puts C on the player who scored the most at the end of the GW

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

          that's what I thought, then how would you have gotten 0 points from it?

          1. 420king
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I captained my highest scoring player manually? 🙂

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

              ohh okay you mean the net gain. I'm being mentally slow rn

            2. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              They should double your double captain score if you've the skill to pick the player with the highest points.

            3. tutankamun
              • 14 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              It will surely be useful later on when there are less matches (less chances to change captain) and harder games?

              Maybe use it in the final?

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

                I'm using it in the final or semis.

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

                  Don't get your logic? You think semis or final will be a goal fest? I think it should be best used when there is a bigger chance for premium players to score,and when the opposition is weak,hence in the opening rounds!

          2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            By goes he means gained over manual

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      it goes to the player who scores the most points in your team

  7. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Which, or none:

    A) Caballero to Smeichel
    B) Jesus to costa (NO OTHER BRAZIL)
    C) Jesus eriksen to costa coutinho -4
    D) Pavard (will he play?) to 5.5
    E) Mueller to isco
    F) Jesus eriksen to Ronaldo 7.0max (-4)

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      WC mate

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah? Ok

  8. squ1rrel
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    On WC, JRod to Eriksen or Coutinho? Or anyone else for that matter? 0 ITB and already have Isco. Or I can wait and see how tomorrow plays out.

    1. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      See how tomorrow goes but I prefer Coutinho of the two.

  9. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is Nacho nailed for Spain now?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No

  10. Fifa las vegas
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Enjoy the pleasure of my wildcard:

    Muslera, Uzoho
    Alba, Godin, Danilo, Guerriero, Ignashevich(not sure here)
    Isco, Lingard, Layun, Cheryshev, Inui (not thrilled losing Cueva, but France)
    Lukaku, Cavani, Ronaldo (Kane worries me)

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I’m solely looking at teams that need to field best teams for last few fixtures. For example if England beat Panama I can easily see Vardy start against Belgium etc

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Which means Kane doesn’t worry you? Or that your looking at the Brazilians and Germans over the English and Belgians?

        1. OldBenKenobi
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Both.

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Must not be as good as I thought it was.

  11. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A)Costa 9.5max (eg coutinho, as only Brazil attack)
    B) ronaldo 7.0max (eg Layun, free funds)

  12. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Time to take advantage of the 4.0 defenders that have emerged? (For bench)

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No, 4.5 still the way to go.

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Why’s that? Essentially could give you between 1 and 1.5 extra for your “better” players? You can start them anyway if they play first

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

      Is there such a thing as a "bench"?

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        You can still start them and you may get lucky?

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

          Right, so no then? Haha

          I don't know who these 4.0 defs are, so I can't really judge, but they'd have to be pretty good to nudge out the 4.5ers imo. Varela, Akanji and possibly Mojica look decent. I have 2x 4.0 GKs, but I'm quite confident that it's worth the 0.5 saving when I can't predict the CSs and the GKs almost certainly won't get attaking returns to make up the difference

          1. OldBenKenobi
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I should probably have stated that I’m using my WC so it allows me to redistribute the funds. Example below

            1. OldBenKenobi
              • 7 Years
              5 years, 10 months ago

              Ronaldo Cavani Costa
              Isco Draxler Willian Layun
              Kimmich Pique Varela
              Ochoa

              Uzoho Gazinsky Idowu Escobar

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

                Yeah, sure, my answer is the same 🙂

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Start them anyway.

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah that’s what i mean. Gamble on them initially even though returns are unlikely

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Yip. Can't lose with them. Plus keeping one and a 4.0m keeper can save you a few quid going into the last 16 wildcard with an extra 5m added for 13 more players.

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Maguire a good bet?

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

      Risky pick due to Cahill and Belgium

  14. Pierce34
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    While the maximum captain chip is fairly straightforward, I'm struggling to see how best to utilise the bench boost chip in this game. The fact that we can make manual substitutions and take out low-scoring players means the chip has a much lower value - i.e. we just have to somehow fluke a round where at least 13 or 14 of our players (including both keepers) get hauls.

    Any ideas?

    1. 420king
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      It's pretty useless. The most value you can get from it is by picking two GKs that get a CS, so you should aim for that.

      1. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        That's what I was thinking - both keepers with clean sheets is a must, and a large slice of luck elsewhere. Not much about tactics or strategy. I think with this game format they should've probably introduced a different chip - the bench boost is more suited to FPL with its autosubs only.

        1. 420king
          • 9 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Yeah, it's almost impossible to get 11 scoring more than 2, let alone 13-14. Two keepers the only way to profit really, with a small bonus of not having to worry about subbing off 2-3 pointers.

          Agree about the boost not being suited for this game, the other isn't the best either.

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

        I was just going to say it seems like the best way to play is 2 GK's that get clean sheets.

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Gives you extra points if there any on the bench and only need to change captain each day.

    3. tutankamun
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe wait until the final? Load up with 11 players on the favourite with the bench being the best of the other team just in case.

      1. 420king
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Final is two games.

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

          Yeah max captain looks best for that round

        2. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Huh - forgot about the 3rd/4th place game! So then max captain and bench boost on the last two rounds looks like the way to go.

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            3rd and 4th place playoff might be high scoring. Semis and finals tend not to be.

      2. Pierce34
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        I'm saving the maximum captain for the final, as it will be the only round where we'll only have 1 shot at getting the captain right.

    4. Euro Raiders
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Play it in the final. Simples.

  15. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    On WC

    A) Muslera & Pique
    B) Neuer & 5.5

    1. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

    2. Fifa las vegas
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      A

  16. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Are Gazinsky and Zobnin nailed for Russia?

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Both played 90 mins so worth the gamble imo

  17. Lewa
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I had Kolarov and Lozano Hirving on my early drafts... I came here posted a rmt and someone told me that they are trash... I listened to him.. Now I shall regret...

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Did he steal your password and change your team?

      1. Lewa
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Yeah I know I made the last call....

  18. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    A) CR7 Layun/???
    B) Costa Coutinho

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

      B but close

  19. Trippier Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Hi, does the members section contain this WC finals tournament data as well as the qualifiers and friendlies?

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      It does indeed! The data is updated soon after the end of each fixture too, which is handy for the quick turnaround in matches (especially tomorrow and the start of the second gameround at 7pm).

  20. General_Zod
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    On a wildcard

    A. Suarez and Cheryshev
    B. Cavani and Golovin

    Cheers

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

      A for me because I have a gut feeling that Suarez will do really well, but logic says B

  21. ThorntonReed
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Is Plattenhardt likely to keep playing?

    1. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      No

  22. DJDave1979
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Ooh up to 1,183. Nosebleed time!

    1. General_Zod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      waves from 1484

  23. Bambi
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    just played the maximum captain, regret it now - would be best served for the semi finals / final

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

      How many points do you have? Maybe you could enter a new team and make up the deficit with the MC chip 😉

      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        56

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

    Do you really think a wild card is worth doing now over lets say a -8? And what do you think about taking hits at this stage...?

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Hits definitely not worth it. Bonus points is the issue really makes it very hard to justify. The new player would absolutely have to get more than an assist extra to be worth it :/

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

        Well lets say Jesus and Muller for Ronaldo plus fodder for -4? Seems worth it to me no?

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

      I was planning for a WC in R3, but I'm leaning towards saving it now. Could get two strong keepers for R4 BB, then WC to spread the cash again in R5 or something similar.

      In such a low scoring games (so far, anyway), I would be nervous about taking a -8, but it could certainly save you points in the long run as you might want a -8 or more after R4 anyway.

      Besides, playing for the fun is fun, and you'll probably end up beating the dullards like me anyway.

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

        True. Seems like a -4 is no big deal given scoring is so low. Lets say Jesus and Muller for Ronaldo plus fodder for -4? Seems worth it to me no?

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

          Personally think that's not worth it at all, but my team consists entirely for 5.5-9.0s, besides Varela and GKs, to try and take advantage of the rolling subs and captain. It hasn't worked so far, but I'm gonna stick with the plan. It makes sense in theory to me, and I think if you read your transfer suggestion a week ago, you might think that future you has gone crazy 😀

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

            I agree a week ago but look at were the points are coming from at least the major points. It's from the big guns... Rom, Ronaldo, Kane etc. I guess it's just the casuals in my ML killing me (for now) that's just bugging me....

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

              I don't know if that's true. If you go to Staistics > Top Scoring Players, you'll see a healthy mix of prices there. There are plenty of other "big guns" who didn't deliever: Messi, Neymar comprising 2/3 of the biggest guns (averaging 1pt); Suarez at 10.5 (2pts); KDS, Griezmann, Hazard and Aguero at a whopping 10.0 only got you 6pts on average, and Griez was pretty lucky to get a pen iirc; the 9.5s got 1.33pts per player; and most of the 9.0s got nothing.

              You can't predict which big guns to get, though you may have faith in Ronaldo. Many had faith in others, but I don't see how much has changed regarding what we know about the big names. What has changed is what we know about the better value players (albeit mostly in regard to whether or not they'll play). Besides, I don't think we can draw many conclusions from one Round 🙂

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

                KDB*

    3. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      In general, I think hits are less likely to pay off in this game. That's both because it's lower scoring (no bonus), and because of the manual substitutions, meaning that you will always catch the unexpected hauls from players that you wouldn't otherwise have played.

      Having said all that I'm considering a -4 to bring in some Spanish players!

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

        See above. I do get your point tho.

        1. Pierce34
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Not sure I like the fodder idea, I'd much prefer having someone who has a decent chance at returns.

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

      wild card over a hit.
      Just too short a game to justify imo.

  25. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    On 96 in telegraph with only one player blanking. Am struggling to see how there are people with over double my score when I have kane, Kaku, Giminez. How much better can they be?

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Maybe like this guy Richard Wilkins. Nice move today. Courtois, 4 Belgian defenders, Hazard and Lukaku and 5 points for Trippier. Can't see how many transfers he's made but some good thinking 🙂

      https://fantasyfootball.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/view/4014263

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Well I have 4 Uruguay defenders including the one who scored, tripper and Meunier with clean sheet. Eriksen 5, Hazard 8 with Kaku and kane’s Braces up front. Only sterling blanking to become Rodriguez/Groscizki tomorrow but if this keeping points of who you transfer out is true then that’s just silly

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

      Must be all the transfers. And when they make the transfers don't they get to keep the points of the out going players or something stupid like that?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        That’s a thing? What a stupid game

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          I like it! Have 70 points, 20 transfers left. Bringing in Lewandowski and Golovin for tomorrow.

          That guy might have all his transfers left.But I doubt it. He targeted the Panama game. No point in not using all your transfers.

          1. Ask Yourself
            • 7 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            Yeah fair okay so i’ll Probably catch up by the time the group stage finishes that’s alright then

    3. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      did you see their teams?

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Most teams in the league I'm in are locked!

      2. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        Can’t click on any 🙁 but how can there be 120 odd points higher amcery confused not really paying much attention to it tho

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 10 months ago

          Some probably had 11 Russians to start.

          1. DJDave1979
            • 9 Years
            5 years, 10 months ago

            I'm absolutely kicking myself I didn't do that.

  26. ToyBlader
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I guess a player from Belgium and Spain would be a must-have for their next round.. Who would you recommend?? I am thinking something like Lukaku and Isco??

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Aye that’s probably your best bet

  27. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    If I get costa over CR7 in for Jesus, should I double up with Isco? Or keep mueller?

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

      muller to Couts in that case but even a double up with Isco is better than Muller.

  28. Nigawan
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Do I .....

    a) keep cavani
    b) sell cavani for costa (-4)

    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Have to keep him for KSA

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      cavani playing saudi next defo keep

    3. squ1rrel
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      obviously keep lol

    4. panda07
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      Keep for GW2 and then get Costa for GW3

  29. Magones
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    Best midfield to transfer in for 6.5m or less? Thinking Golovin as it gives me a captain punt tomorrow. Have got a good captain choice all other days. Or possibly Layun and have 1m ITB for the next round?

    1. SW6
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 10 months ago

      I'd go Laying
      I think we've missed Golovins points but I could be wrong

      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 10 months ago

        *Layun

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

      Probably Layun, or a risky magic bean 😀

  30. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 10 months ago

    I have 5m to spend on a mid, is Gazinsky my best option? Not much in that price bracket really.