Dugout Discussion
26 June 2018 318 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Australia and Denmark have it all to play for in this afternoon’s World Cup double-header, but it’s France – who have already qualified for the last 16 – who Fantasy managers are invested in.

Five French players have ownerships of 10% or more in McDonald’s FIFA: Hugo Lloris (£6.0m), Raphael Varane (£6.0m), Samuel Umtiti (£6.0m), N’Golo Kante (£6.0m) and Antoine Griezmann (£10.0m). Varane, the only one of these assets who has seen an increase in Fantasy interest since Les Bleus’ 1-0 win over Peru, retains his place alongside Kante and Griezmann (the second-most sold player since Gameround 2 with 58,000 sales)  in Didier Deschamps’ starting XI this afternoon.

Benjamin Pavard (£4.5m), the budget route into the French backline for 4.6% of Fantasy bosses, is rested with Lloris and Umtiti.

Though France have already qualified for the knockout stages, a point is still needed in the 3pm encounter with Denmark to ensure they progress as group winners. Deschamps has nevertheless made six changes to the starting XI from that success over Peru, with Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and Kylian Mbappe also missing out.

The Danes’ most-backed Fantasy assets have seen a dip in ownership meanwhile, no doubt due to the fact that this afternoon’s opponents represent their biggest test so far. While the “kneejerk” nature of Fantasy football would perhaps account for Kasper Schmeichel (£5.0m) and Andreas Christensen (£5.0m)’s dwindling ownerships – after the pair failed to keep a clean sheet in their last match with Australia – the real surprise is that some of Christian Eriksen (£9.0m)’s Fantasy backers have deserted him.

The Tottenham Hotspur playmaker bettered his assist in Denmark’s opening World Cup match against Peru with an excellent strike in the 1-1 draw with Australia, but his ownership is now down to 8.8% from 9.5%.

With a record 20 penalties being awarded in this World Cup so far, Fantasy managers have been quick to latch on to those on spot-kick duties. Mile Jedinak (£6.0m) is now the most-owned Australian player having scored in successive matches from the spot: 4.2% of Fantasy bosses have selected the Aston Villa midfielder in their squads.

Carlos Cueva (£6.0m) missed a penalty in Peru’s opening-match defeat to Denmark, but the Incas’ creator-in-chief is still the most-owned Peruvian player on show this afternoon: 1.6% of Fantasy managers have kept faith with the Sao Paolo midfielder.

France XI (4-2-3-1): Mandanda; Sidibe, Varane, Kimpembe, Hernandez; Kante, N’Zonzi; Dembele, Griezmann, Lemar; Giroud

Denmark XI (3-4-3): Schmeichel; Kjaer, Christensen, Jorgensen; Dalsgaard, Delaney, Eriksen, Stryger; Braithwaite, Cornelius, Sisto

Australia XI (4-2-3-1): Ryan; Risdon, Sainsbury, Milligan, Behich; Jedinak, Mooy; Leckie, Rogic, Kruse; Juric

Peru XI (4-2-3-1): Gallese; Advincula, Ramos, Santamaria, Trauco; Tapia, Yotun; Carrillo, Flores, Cueva; Guerrero

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…

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.

318 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Telegraph game would you bring in

    A Messi or
    B Higuaín
    C Musa

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A ofc

  2. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    What croatia trying to do? 9 changes!!
    Can Iceland win this?

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      The manager said he’d rotate, they’re qualified and pretty much 1st.

      1. Captain Kakaroto (I blame R…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        True, but 9 is much more changes that i was expect. IMO its not proffesional

        1. Jazz!
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          True, but their team still looks decent. Kramaric, Perisic, Modric, Kovacic is a good spine.

    2. Old Schoolᴼˢ “disa…
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      They only need Modric

    3. CaTriEm
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Considering Iceland topped their qualifying group ahead of Croatia I wouldn't exactly say an Iceland win would be a shock regardless of the team Croatia put out.

      They have first place in the group wrapped up bar some very unlikely scorelines so it really makes no sense to not rest players.

  3. Bambi
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    stick or twist captain: Gallese

    1. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Who

  4. G-Whizz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    "To see Leo Messi looking so stressed and unhappy at this World Cup was a real worry.

    He is my friend as well as my former team-mate and I felt really sorry for him before the Croatia game. It is very unusual to see him like that, but it was a sign of what was going on in his head.

    At times like this, there is a huge pressure on him because people expect too much, and for him to do everything for the national team.

    I was not surprised he struggled, in what was a disastrous defeat for us. As a player myself, I know that if you go into a game and you don't really enjoy it then it is very difficult to play well."

    Pablo Zabaleta
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/43974672?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=5b3247bd9797eb066786b7a2%26%27Messi%20looks%20stressed%27%262018-06-26T17%3A03%3A41%2B00%3A00&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:4baed2d4-4f16-4c07-a979-cc13051ef87b&pinned_post_asset_id=5b3247bd9797eb066786b7a2&pinned_post_type=share

    1. Jazz!
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Your time to shine is tonight Leo. You have to.

  5. DJDave1979
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I know I've been an advocate for twisting a 6 point captain but after three groups, I think banking a 6 or 7 is fine...

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I'm banking my cs

      Kimmich - coutinio- Kane to go

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Unless I know kane starts which I don't

    3. Eden Wizard
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve just twisted Salah on Higuan, chase the dragon guys! Much more fun

  6. Gilbo88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Fingers crossed for my pint on Finnbogason with a completely new back 4 and keeper!

    1. Bardo9
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I went sigurdsson. Come on Iceland!

  7. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Pick 2 to play
    A)akanji
    B)Layun
    C) salcedo

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

    No Vrsalako on my BB 🙁

  9. New Article
  10. Neves say Neves
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Forgot to change captain from Costa to Messi...