Dugout Discussion

Lukaku and Coutinho the Fantasy favourites for Belgium v Brazil clash

A mouth-watering quarter-final, unquestionably the tie of the round, takes place this evening as Brazil and Belgium meet in Kazan.

The Selecao could so easily have been playing Japan tonight, after Belgium’s near-miss in the round of 16.

Philippe Coutinho (£9.2m) remains the most popular buy in the McDonald’s FIFA World Cup game, despite blanking in the 2-0 win over Mexico. Well over half (59%) of Fantasy bosses own the Barcelona playmaker, who has had more shots on goal than any midfielder at this year’s tournament.

Marcelo (£6.5m), previously the most-owned Fantasy asset in the World Cup group stage but now selected by 30% of McDonald’s FIFA bosses, returns to the Brazil side this evening after sitting out the last-16 victory over Mexico with a back spasm.

Centre-back Thiago Silva (£6.1m), who has three clean sheets and a goal to his name already, finds himself in 26.9% of Fantasy squads.

Neymar (£12.0m) has recovered from his touchline assault in the Mexico match to take his place in Brazil’s starting XI tonight. The Paris Saint-Germain forward has picked up some of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi’s former owners and now sits in just over a quarter of Fantasy squads. No player has had more shots than the Brazil striker at this year’s World Cup.

Romelu Lukaku (£10.1m) has been usurped by Harry Kane as the most popular forward in the McDonald’s FIFA game but is still owned by over a third of all Fantasy managers (33.5%). Eden Hazard is priced identically to Lukaku yet has less than half of the Manchester United striker’s owners, despite scoring more points (22 to 21) than his fellow Belgian forward.

Thomas Meunier (£6.0m) is living up to his pre-tournament billing as a must-have defender, having supplied two assists in his three World Cup appearances to date. The cavalier wing-back, who is owned by 10.3% of Fantasy managers, is one yellow card away from suspension, however.

Chelsea custodian Thibault Courtois (£6.0m) is in just under a quarter of Fantasy squads, having kept two clean sheets and registered save points in his other two appearances so far.

Both goalkeepers can expect a busy time this evening: Brazil (77) and Belgium (76) have attempted more shots than any other country at the 2018 World Cup to date.

Brazil (4-3-3): Alisson; Fagner, Silva, Miranda, Marcelo; Paulinho, Fernandinho, Coutinho; Willian, Jesus, Neymar

Belgium (3-4-2-1): Courtois; Alderweireld, Kompany, Vertonghen; Meunier, Fellaini, Witsel, Chadli; De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku

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, 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.

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McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

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Fantasy iTeam

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798 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Skalla
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Great stuff Belgium , now for England to do the same tmrw!

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

    7 players out from 13 if Croatia win, 8 if Russia win. Not looking good

  3. Drexl Spivey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    And that was that. Cup stays in Europe.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Of course. Its coming home

      1. Drexl Spivey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        It is. It really is.

  4. tm245
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    France-Belgium will be a great match.

    1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      May as well be for the WC

      1. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Hater

  5. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Kompany was fantastic today.

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Kompany in the huddle: "WE DO NOT LET THIS SLIP!"

    2. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      really? thought he was poor to be honest lots of mistakes, even though i'm a fan

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        So many last ditch tackles and headers. Thought he was rock back there!

        1. the axolotl
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          yeah he'd plenty of those to be fair. good and bad maybe.

  6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Eden hazardd u herooo

  7. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Belgium will have a extra days rest over England for the final

  8. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Why are Belgium players celebrating? If you dont win you are last.

    1. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Really? Because I could have sworn there was a third and fourth placed game.

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        But you arent sure though right because you have no idea who has ever played in one of those....

  9. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So.... Phil Foden for GW1 then?

  10. CaTriEm
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Fair play to Martinez. I said before that I thought he was in over his head but he's really pulled one off here.

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

    Bobby locked in GW1 team.

  12. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Courtois was unbelievable tonight! Stick with him on 5 or twist to Pickford?

    1. Richd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Stupid question. Wtf.

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        True a bit stupid, just thinking rival has Pickford scared of a pen save and I’m defending a lead. But true, stupid question

  13. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Karma for Neymar.

    How many Brazilian players in your WC team?

    3 here. Neymar over Kane was biggest mistake:(

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      4 and 0 Belgium...i'm doomed!!

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

        Oof. I had 3 and I'm a bit sore from that. z

      2. rdamjan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Just get some. Meunier is banned for next match;)

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

      Only Coutinho out for me so far, so will be able to field 11 even if my 5 England players get knocked out! They won't be as it is coming home but it is good to know 🙂

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

    Maximum captain played and all my players are getting 5 points.. how annoying

  15. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Get the RMTs back out!

  16. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Rio: Hazard best player in the PL last few years...

    Sorry what?

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

      Definitely top 3

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

        I'd put KDB, Salah, Kane ahead at least.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      "Rio"

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

        It's all about cajooling your team

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Rubbish. He's so inconsistent

    4. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Not even the best Belgian player in the Premier League the last few years.

      1. Skalla
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah that is Fellaini and then maybe even KDB ahead of Hazard too...

    5. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Weeoo

      Say no more

  17. CaTriEm
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    If both England & Croatia go out tomorrow I'm quitting WC fantasy.

    1. Mo Mané Mo Problems
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah, I’ll have two players. 🙂

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Oh, have you not heard?

      It was my understanding that everyone had heard...

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        FOOTBALLS COMING HOME

        1. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Do you live in Russia?

  18. Skalla
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So now time for the important question, stick or twist on a Courtois 5pter when you have Pickford to come...

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Twist. Its coming home

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Stick. It's coming home (after a fight)

    3. Norman Conquest
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      i have subasic i'm sticking

    4. michudagawd
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Are you mad? Stick of course. From a Courtois bencher and Muslera starter. 🙁

      1. Skalla
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah will prob stick but if someone can save a Granquist penalty it is Pickford!

    5. mir
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      England fan? If so stick? If keep a cleansheet you miss out on a point or two (saves) but it would mean England are in the semi finals (if not 0-0 and lose on pens)!

    6. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Stick

  19. DantheManinaPan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Should I keep Mertens?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      If you want.

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

      You'll know if he's back in before the deadline so hold for now, but you'll probably need to sell.

  20. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Without Kane, who to captain?

    A. Rakitic
    B. Lingard
    C. Trippier

    Rakitic?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      😀

  21. Richd
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    40 points from 5 players.

    KIAS COMING HOME TO FLAPPY

  22. idaho23
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    So... Kane (c)?

  23. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any leaked info about the Croatian line up?

  24. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    It's so nice to be able to tinker by taking players in and out of your team in FPL again, without having to constantly reset your team like in McD's WCFF. It just feels so much easier and more enjoyable 😀

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      5 at the back again this season?

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

        I'm tempted! But with (seeming) value in midfield this season, it's hard to justify. Deulofeu, for example, is probably better than all the 5.5m defenders, and possibly the 6.0m too 😀 Plus plenty of option to fill the three forward slots too. I might go for 3 at the back with a strong 1st sub defender to give the team some extra longevity 🙂

        1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 9 months ago

          Yeah I agree about midfield, might go with 5 mids instead

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

            I can basically afford a team with a bench I won't want to bench. My swithc it up to get Salah, but I like the quality i can get without him. The extra bit of money sprinkled around could mean large gains in defence and midfield, since the value is there in every bracket, and some added defence against injuries and rotation 🙂

  25. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Ooh Cortouis addressing the pickford comments!
    Says he didnt mock him

    1. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Good of him to take the time to clarify his comments

  26. willl
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Team has fallen apart, lost 6 of my 14 players and will lose at least 2 more tomorrow.

    The end is nigh for me.

    1. mir
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Yep I'll either have 4,5 or 6 players for semi finals. With 5 transfers I might be able to get 11 out if England and Croatia win. Be fine for the final round though but then everyone will.

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 9 months ago

      Lost 5 today, with another 3 tomorrow.

      It's coming home though... balances out.

  27. mir
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Any news on Strinic?

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

      Training, should play.

  28. Lewa
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 9 months ago

    Best players for tomorrows games?