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World Cup Transfer Tips: Semi-Finals – The Big Numbers

Just four teams remain at the 2018 World Cup after the culmination of the quarter-finals on Saturday evening.

Fantasy managers now only have players from France, Belgium, England and Croatia to choose from, with Uruguay, Brazil, Sweden and Russia assets surplus to requirements.

Those who are playing the McDonald’s FIFA World Cup game have five free transfers with which to shake up their squads, although Fantasy iTeam managers will have to make the most of their three allotted transactions (a fourth can be purchased with credits) if they are to field 11 playing assets at the semi-final stage.

Up to six players per country can be selected in our Fantasy squads at this point.

After their goals for Belgium and France in the two countries’ respective quarter-finals, Kevin De Bruyne (£9.8m) and Raphael Varane (£6.0m) are attracting the most investment in the McDonald’s FIFA game at this early stage.

With the likes of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Diego Godin and Andreas Granqvist to jettison from our teams, where should the money be reinvested? Our team-by-team analysis of Opta’s World Cup data, which is updated and available to Fantasy Football Scout members immediately after the end of each match, gives us strong clues as to which players’ underlying statistics could translate into Fantasy points and which assets are best avoided.

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.

633 Comments Post a Comment
  1. UshFPL
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts? 0.5 itb

    Fabianski
    Robertson Coleman Kabasele
    Salah Silva Siggy Deulofeu
    Aguero Firmino Zaha
    (Boruc Tomkins Gunnarsson Schelotto)

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pretty solid

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Expecting Fabianski to get lots of saves against Liverpool, Arsenal, Evertone, United, and Spurs, Leicester and Burnley in the first 11, or planning to WC early?

      1. UshFPL
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Bit of both, not definitely WCing early but it's a possibility

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Could just pick a keeper who isn't playing solid attacking teams or find the 0.5 for a rotation?

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Find it.... itb!

  2. ceerus
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    RMT pls
    Pickford 4.0
    TAA Douglas Tomkins Ward Bednarek
    Hazard Salah Sane Jota Masuaku
    Firmino Zaha Tosun

    Keep Hazard or sell him and upgrade def/fwd?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'm struggling to see where you're expecting to get points from 😉

      If you have a cheap defence, you've really got to nail the attack, and I'm not sure about the midfield tbh. It doesn't feel certain enough that it will bring home the bacon. But that's just my opinion; I'm often way off the mark 🙂

    2. noahzark22
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hazard likely to be late to start with Belgium doing well in the World Cup

    3. Lovren an elevator
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      TAA nailed?

  3. Jack Frost
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    No BAGgage............, with the semifinals entirely free of Brazil, Argentina and Germany for the first time.

  4. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    This tournament is going by so fast, England somehow managed to come through to the semis after being ridiculed before the tournament and now I'm fairly confident they're heading to the final.

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      That's a ballsy prediction.

      1. Pariße
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I'm not English so it's not going to haunt me, but although Croatians are good I don't think they have what it takes to get to the finals. A tournament full of surprises opened a relatively easy path for England to get where they are, but the finals (surprisingly unlike the teams from the other side of the tournament tree) are going to be by far the biggest challenge for them.

        1. Alan The Llama
          • 15 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          They're in the semi-final and you're only "fairly confident" they can make it to the final.

          I think they'll beat Croatia and were they to face France, probably win the whole thing. I reckon Belgium would be able to beat them comfortably though.

          1. Pierce34
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Why do you rank them ahead of France?

            1. Alan The Llama
              • 15 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              I don't think either of them (England or France) have particularly creative players but I'd rate England's defence much more than France's. They're suspect.

          2. Pariße
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            There's a difference between saying fairly confident they can or will make it to the final. I'm 100% sure they can, but ''only'' fairly confident they will.

            About the second part...if France beat Belgium on Tuesday, I don't think they're gonna let this one go. 🙂

  5. Fortune
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    1 transfr left, and i still got 2 non playing bench (gk and def)
    Which one should i kick?

    Gk has courtois - ????
    Def has trip, pavard, lovren, varane, ????

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      defender to Maguire/Stones

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Agree

    2. Fortune
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      all right.
      will do granny to one of them.

      thanks.

  6. Pierce34
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I don't really expect any answers, but does anyone know of any Irish, Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish FPL forwards other than Vokes and Shane Long?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I believe Sigurdsson is from somewhere up North

      1. Pierce34
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Haha don't worry, he'll be in my all-Scandinavian team instead!

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ben Woodburn (Liverpool): Wales

      Stiff competition though.

      1. Pierce34
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks! Not in the game yet though, and if I remember correctly he was classed as a mid last year.

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Robertson

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Hennessey

      1. Pierce34
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Like I said - I don't really expect any answers 😛

    5. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      McArthur

    6. San Marino
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Callum Wilson is eligible for Ireland

  7. The White Pele
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    RMT please. 1 itb

    Ederson
    Mendy Robertson Van Aanholt Daniels
    Salah Sanchez Walcott Mkhitaryan
    Firmino Wilson

    (4m gk, Coleman, Cairney, 4.5m fw)

    1. OldBenKenobi
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Forwards are too weak imo

      1. The White Pele
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        cheers, might do wilson to zaha.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      looks very balanced however you managed it!
      Mendy will he start left wing back immediately at the start of the season?
      Walcott flakey - but good value
      Having Sanchez gives you leeway to get other players

      1. The White Pele
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        yes i think mendy will start, but we'll find out in the pre season.

    3. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wouldn't get close to Wilson the way he punished us whenever we brought him in last season.
      Huge troll

  8. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 15 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Anoyone else considered Ainsley Maitland-Niles 4.5m as a sneaky bench pick.
    Looks like a real star of the future.
    The next Luke Young?

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      What's the point of a sub who's unlikely to start unless there's no one else available at the cheapest price?

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Because he may start? And even if he does not he would be involved in one of the better teams attacking wise, so always has potential of attacking points with 20 30 minutes late in a game?

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Chances of attacking points in CM from the bench would be pretty slim for him, I think. More of a defensive move, since there will be other attacking players to bring on if the game needs to be won. If he's brought on as a FB, there's still only a slim chance of a return. FBs don't get that many returns playing 90mins all season.

          Besides, subs will be tacticle so you could never be sure whether he would come on or not, so never sure if he covers the doubt you have in your starting XI. Unless there's a strong indication he will start before the season starts, I would avoid, personally.

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Even if he matched Bellerin's attacking points per minute, MN would only manage 0.13 - 0.19 attacking points per 20-30 minute performance. That's 1.13 - 1.19 points per appearance, including app point, assuming no cards, and assuming he's even brought onto the pitch 🙂

            Whereas a nailed player has 2pts automatically, assuming no cards, and much more time to get an attacking return 🙂

            1. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              (I didn't include any baps Bellerin may have got due to attacking returns, but you get the point)

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Luke Young?

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 15 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Haha I mangled my Man united left backs I meant Ashley Young.

        Versatility I meant.

  9. OldBenKenobi
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Cairney over Neves 100% right?
    Will be my 5th midfielder/bench cover

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Cairney definitely plays further forward, but Wolves are the better side.

      1. OldBenKenobi
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Both have some set piece duties right?

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Johansen takes the majority of our corners nowadays I believe. Not sure on Neves

    2. Alan The Llama
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      As has been said on here before, Neves scores worldies and very little else. Go for Cairney.

  10. @fpl_phenom
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    DDG
    Alonso Coleman Daniels Cedric Tomkins
    Salah Sanchez Silva
    Aguero Zaha
    -------------------------------------------------------
    Hamed Ralls Neves Quanar

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think you need some MCI def cover with their fixtures, so DeGea->Ederson or Alonso->MCI def

    2. Lovren an elevator
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Interesting picks, I like the approach. How do you think Coleman will be set up next season tho under silva?

  11. @fpl_phenom
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    bednarek naield on?

  12. jia you
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Playing the FH chip has squeezed me into the top 10k thanks to big 'arry 🙂

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wish I had a FH chip 🙁

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        lol mate, it's far too early for me here or maybe I've FPL on the brain already 😉

  13. Emiliano Sala
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Alonso
    Chelsea's situation is awful, so better forget him ? Other options may work better

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Haven't heard about them, what's wrong there?
      Azpi has been in my early drafts..

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Managerial problems, relation between different staffs, players,...

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Moses done well last season and came under the radar so he might be a shrewd pick.

      Hard to say with Chelsea,they looked to be in a good place at the start of last season but did not deliver on the promise,who knows how it will turn out for them this season?

  14. Duffy Dunk
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I feel like avoiding Kane (August curse +WC fatigue) and Lukaku (WC fatigue) at the start.
    So,
    Auba (MCI che WHU cdf new EVE WAT ful)
    or
    Aguero (ars HUD wlv NEW FUL cdf BHA liv)
    ?

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Aguero

    2. lugs
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      both if you can afford it

      1. Duffy Dunk
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I really want Salah, so including both of those fwds would destroy the rest of the team.

  15. @fpl_phenom
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    depending on pre-season obviously but I think Lindelof may get a run in the side this year... could be a bargain !

    1. Kuqi Monster
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      He's played well in the WC

    2. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      It is often the case that players that suffered during their first season in the PL kick on to greater things during their second season and Lindelof could be that guy.

      He did look to be settling in somewhat towards the end of last season.

  16. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    #003

    Ederson, 4.0
    Moses, Bailly, Tomkins, Jagielka, 4.0
    Salah, Walcott, Jota, Deulofeu, 4.5
    Kane, Aguero, Wood

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think it'd be essential to find a 0.5 to upgrade your 5th def just in case.
      Wood->Barnes or Jota->Gudmund

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        my first thought

        Karius, 4.0
        Alonso, Bailly, Tomkins, Jagielka, 4.0

        Karius > Leno after GW2

        1. Thinkering like a Boss
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Currently searching for 4.5 nailed defender. Not sold on Cedric and Daniels

          1. noahzark22
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            One of Everton CB will be 4.5

  17. Duffy Dunk
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Lots of tinkering going on, but what do you think about this?

    Ederson Button
    Smalling Robertson Coleman Tomkins Daniels
    Salah Mkhitaryan Milivojevic Jota Gudmundsson
    Aguero Arnautovic Tosun

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Balance. Could be worth it

    2. Ghost Gooner
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think the mid is strong enough

  18. Differential C (Mark)
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Just saw that my 5.0 Fulham player Cairney got an assist in their Pres Season friendly. A delivery from a corner too. Cairney's locked in my team.

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      baring in mind it was Crawley Town we were up against 😛

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        😀

  19. jia you
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Not worth taking a hit for a second GK for the SFs is it?

    1. Pierce34
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lol, a friend (and distant ML rival) is wondering whether it's worth taking a hit to field more than 10 players and you're wondering whether to have a spare keeper! 😉

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Haha, you know I love a hit.

      2. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Heading off on my travels a shortly mate so want to set up my team before I go. At 9.3k, which seems decent, so don't know how far can push on from there

        1. jia you
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          10th in China, aiming to win that one 😉

          1. Pierce34
            • 9 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Nice, good luck! I'm a bit behind at 10.9k myself. Had a great R16 with Mbappe, but for the QFs I had the wrong English defender and too much Sweden and Brazil. Still have my wildcard though, so all good!

            And I agree with the 'no way' comment below 😉

            1. jia you
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 3 months ago

              Cheers mate!

    2. jia you
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Pickford
      Maguire / Meunier / Hernandez (Lovren)
      Modric / KDB(C) / Lingard / Chadli
      Kane / Mbappe / Mandzukic

    3. 420king
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      No way.

      1. jia you
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        thanks for saving me from my madness 😉

        1. 420king
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          No prob, good luck! 😉

          1. jia you
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Cheers, you too!

  20. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Pickford, 4.0
    Meunier*, Pavard, Fagner*, Trippier, Lovren
    Tolisso, Coutinho*, Modric, Lingard, Svensson
    Neymar*, Giroud, Kane

    Neymar, Coutinho, Meunier, Fagner, Svensson > Lukaku, Kdb, Chadli, Vertonghen, 4.4 Def

    1. 420king
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Wait for lineups. It's possible Tolisso doesn't start and you might want to replace him instead of Meunier.

      Either way I'd probably go Hernandez & Maguire over Vert & nothing.

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        obviously will wait for the line up, but if Tolisso doesn't start Will replace Tolisso, Meunier, Neymar, Coutinho, Fagner... Still in my 5 FT

    2. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Lukaku or Hazzie? Thinking Lukaku myself too since Haz did not get in the box much last game. Chadli nailed to start?

  21. Lovren an elevator
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Are Stones and Trippier likely to be more nailed for their teams next season?

  22. money face bandwagon
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    any nailed on 4.5m midfielder? no need to be attacking

    1. Desertbug
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      There will be plenty. Dale Stephens and Oriol Romeu were last year. They will be more evident as we get closer to the season, but yeah, you'll be able to find somebody as long as you aren't depending on much from them

  23. Patch
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    The strongest template I have seen so far is a culmination of:

    Pickford - (Speroni).

    Azpi/ Alonso - Delph - Bednarek - (Kiko) - (Diop).

    Salah - Mane - Siggy - Fred/ Mili - (Cork).

    Aguero - Zaha - King/ Arnie.

    65+ points week in week out!

    1. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Ohhh

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Looks like you've only seen a few.

    3. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Delph nailed? I doubt that. Maybe Same instead of Mane? Also not sold on that front line.

  24. Holmes
    • 11 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    So Aguero is popular again, hmmm...

    1. Wonderful Wizard Hazard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Personally think Aguero is amazing but there will be rotations just like last season.

    2. St. Joseph
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      11 M rotating with jesus, let them pick. I'm not going there.

  25. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Fabs, Bergovic
    Alonso Coleman TTA Cedric Daniels
    Mane Gylfi D Silva Eriksen Masuka
    Firmino Arnie Zaha

    2 mill itb for D Silva to KdB

  26. LSP
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    D.Silva or Sane?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      The one most nailed

  27. Eze Really?
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Any injuries and suspensions we should be aware of?

  28. amit1964
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    morning all, please take a look:

    begovich (hennesey)

    daniels arnold cedrik tomkins (bendarek)

    kdb salah erikson ( masuaku gunnarsson)

    firmino aguero king

    1. Legohair
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think if you are going for 4-3-3 your defence is too weak i think

  29. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    wildcard active:

    Mbappe / Hazard
    Lingard / Modric / KDB / Alli
    Pavard / Varane / Trippier / Lovren
    Subassic

    Subs: Kalinic / Maguire / Bradaric / Kane

    Any comments?

    1. Legohair
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Nice team

  30. Legohair
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    If you are going for 4-3-3,i think your defence is too weak.