Dugout Discussion
15 July 2018 1453 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Sixty-three matches down, one to go. Over a month after the World Cup started, the tournament comes to a close on Sunday afternoon as France and Croatia meet at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

France will be making their third World Cup final appearance following their victory over Brazil in 1998 and loss to Italy in 2006. This is, however, unchartered territory for Croatia, who had not previously reached the final of a major international tournament since becoming an independent nation in 1991.

Luka Modric (£9.1m) has averaged only 2.5 points per game in his last four fixtures but remains the most popular Fantasy asset ahead of the final: more than 50% of McDonald’s FIFA managers own the Real Madrid midfielder.

All the money since the semi-finals has been for France players, however. Five of Didier Deschamps’ players now have ownership over 30%: Raphael Varane (£6.1m), Benjamin Pavard (£4.6m), N’Golo Kante (£6.0m), Kylian Mbappe (£9.2m) and Antoine Griezmann (£10.1m).

Pavard is the best value-for-money player left in the competition (scoring at a rate of 5.6 points per million spent) and France’s excellent defensive record (four clean sheets in six matches) has led to sizeable investment in Hugo Lloris (£5.9m) and Samuel Umtiti (£5.9m), too. Lucas Hernandez (£5.0m) is the only member of the regular French back four who has yet to score in this tournament.

The sustained interest in Kante continues to bemuse, with the Chelsea midfielder – who is admittedly available at a relatively cheap price – by far the most popular Fantasy option in the French midfield. Kante, without a goal or assist to his name this summer, hasn’t had one touch in the opposition penalty area or shot on target to date.

Aside from Modric (who had played more minutes than any other outfielder at this World Cup prior to the weekend’s matches), there isn’t a single Croatian player with an ownership over 30%. Following his goal-and-assist return in the semi-final win over England, Ivan Perisic (£8.5m) is now the most popular Croatia asset in attack.

Dejan Lovren (£5.0m) features in around a quarter of McDonald’s FIFA squads, meanwhile.

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.

Check out this new trailer detailing the World Cup content below…

McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy

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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.

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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.

  1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    the only thing that could have saved this musical number would have been a barebreasted Putin as a background dancer

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

      BBC not even showing it 😀

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        That is just good taste, seems good taste have been banned in Russia

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Great, children singing kalinka. Just what the world needs

      1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        With Ronaldinho on the bongo drum.

        Hahahahaha

  2. arndff_
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Any thoughts on my current setup?

    Ederson
    Robertson Bailly Cedric
    Salah(c) Dilva Jota Cairney
    Aguero(vc) Firmino Tosun

    Speroni | Coleman Peltier Masuaku

    Nothing ITB

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

      Looks good. Will Bailly start you think?

      1. arndff_
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Have no idea. If he isn’t involved in their pre-season games, I’ll ditch him.

    2. polis
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Will be pretty close to template. So at the moment, decent.

      1. arndff_
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        OK, thanks!

  3. @fpl_phenom
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    I want a utd attacker from the off... currently on Sanchez but Martial looks like excellent value... shold start with players missing from WC.

    thoughts....

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Will he stay? Sure i read some things about him wanting to move as it doesn't seem like he will get much 1st team football. Like him for the start but not beyond that.

      1. Norman Conquest
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        i think it is more his agent than him that wants to move but having said that if he has a good pre-season i'm sure he will feature from the off for the first few games (if he stays)

        1. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          From the start yes, but when the full team is there does Mou trust him? Could be a steal @ 7.5 but who will he play over?

      2. @fpl_phenom
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        yes it looks as though he is staying... iv been following that closely... problem is he will probably be a short term pick... but can easily change him to Mkhitaryan in GW3! ......

        1. Norman Conquest
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          yea not a bad move

        2. Bun Rab
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I don't like to have transfers on the board for GW2/3. Need some flexability. Last season i had 2 injuries in the 1st GW. Don't want to take hits that early. If that's the plan just get Mkhi to start with (I have).

    2. polis
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Just can't bring myself to put faith in Mourinho. Even with their start last season.

    3. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Jose stupidly doesn't rate Martial and can't see him starting up top over Sanchez if he stays

    4. melvinmbabazi
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      i have both

  4. Js31
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Captain Griez or Mbappe ?

    1. arndff_
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Griez is on pens, right?

      I’d go with him.

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Griezzy baby.

  5. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    If Croatia win, then Modric has to win the Ballon D'or. Otherwise there's no point in the award.

    1. arndff_
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Two days ago, I read an article about his past... What a player!

    2. polis
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Agree with this but he won't even if Croatia do. Obviously.

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

      Never understood this dumb logic. It's supposed to be an award for individual performance, not team performance.

      1. Davido989
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        It notoriously goes to players who win things, and rightly so.

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

          The award is a popularity contest these days, and has no credibility. No, not rightly so. A individual's performance in a calendar year does not weigh on the result of a single game.

        2. Hestefan
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          If Croatia win, then Messi has to win the Ballon D'or. Otherwise there's no point in the award.

    4. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      He would deserve it.

      It would be nice to see a midfield baller win it instead of these these guys that only are looking to get on the end of others hard work.

  6. Jimmy Boy
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    A) Ederson, Azpilicueta, TAA
    B) Pickford, Robertson, Mendy
    C) Courtois, Mendy, Coleman

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B for me. Courtois to be sold since his family won't move to England.

  7. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Where did Monreal's 5 goals come from last year?!!

    Prior to that, he scored 1 goal in 5 seasons.

    Was it a one-off season?

    1. Differential C (Mark)
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Had this run where he was scoring goals for fun, I believe during the early part of the season?
      Im sure its a one off, though.

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      most likely yes

    3. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A purple patch last season where he could slice it into the net. Just like Smalling, except a little longer.

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

      Scored two and assist one in a game before being subbed around the half hour mark, iirc.

      One-off for sure.

  8. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldinho sighting

  9. Fletcher Moss
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Hi folks. I haven’t been a paid member for a few years now so before joining up again I would like to hear your opinions on how easy the members’ area is to use on mobile, or am I going to need to rely on a laptop?

    1. Leaf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I only use mobile (iPhone) and it’s fine for me

      1. Fletcher Moss
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks Leaf, appreciate the reply.

  10. @fpl_phenom
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on this?

    hoping Sorloth nails down a starting role upfront! will change to Kamara if not...

    Bailly also a place holder for the most nailed utd defender.

    Ederson (Stekelenburg)
    Robertson Bailly Cole man Cedric (Peltier)
    Salah Sanchez D.Silva Deulofeu (Gunnarson)
    Aguero Tosun (Sorloth)

  11. Mr_Barbs
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Last transfer on Telegraph, who to pick?

    A) Giroud
    B) Mandzukic
    C) Pogba
    D) Kante
    E) Rakitic
    F) Umtiti

    1. Ratatouille
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I’ve gone B on the sun

    2. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      B. A goalscorer.

    3. Old Man Willow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I'm in exactly the same situation!

  12. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    A) mane firmino coleman
    B) Salah Zaha Taa

  13. Dr Van Nostrand
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Blimey Fulham signed Seri. Barca were rumoured in for him last year. The quality of players coming into the Prem now is unreal

  14. Snapes on a Plane
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Stick with hazard as cap or switch to Griezman?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      If you're chasing then switch.

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        He might be chasing someone who has Griezman as captain.

        1. Jafooli
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          In which case stick

  15. Team Bobcat
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    This season will again be scramble for which 2/3 citah players to play from one week to the next. Very interesting indeed. Do you run the hare or chase with the hound.

  16. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    It is one beautiful trophy.

  17. ladbaby
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    pogba
    parvard
    hernandez
    varane
    griez

    who to captain if chasing

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Chasing what?

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        His tail

        1. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          In that case, Pogba.

  18. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    1) Sanchez sane and 4.5 fwd

    Or

    2)Aguero walcott and jota

    1. Bun Rab
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2.

  19. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Right locked in for now, will revisit after some more pre-season has took place.

    DDG
    Robertson | Tomkins | Cedric
    Salah | D.Silva | Groß | Jota | Kenedy
    Auba | Aguero

    Button | Daniels | Kamara | Peltier

    0ITB

    Thoughts appreciated

    Cheers

    1. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Could you not downgrade DDG to Ederson and get Siggy instead of Gross?

      1. Scapegoat Salah
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Suppose I could (didn't realise Ederson was less) but despite Groß' fixtures I think I prefer him to Siggy.

        1. Bury94
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Fair enough

          1. Scapegoat Salah
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Thanks though

  20. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Has the Croatia national anthem been released on audio cassette yet?

    Wouldn’t mind a copy.

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I bought a copy on 8 track. Playing it on my ghetto blaster as we speak.

      1. Siggy in the Middle
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Got a vinyl cover myself

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Get two copy's it works well for beat juggling.

      2. Jafooli
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Volume 11?

  21. Jafooli
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Croatia with roughly same population as Scotland.

    #shouldneus

    1. Jafooli
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      *beus

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

        America are even worse than Scotland though...

    2. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Which is still 10 times larger than Iceland

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Quick maths.

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Scotland are still the all-time unofficial world cup leaders.

      A title currently owned by Croatia after beating Denmark 2 weeks ago.

      https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unofficial_Football_World_Championships

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

    Only two teenagers have ever played in (both won) the World Cup final. Pele ('58) & Bergomi ('82) - no pressure for the boy wonder!

  23. #FPLBhuna
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Rp

    A) mane firmino coleman
    B) Salah Zaha Taa

  24. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Pavard deserves a 2nd Goal

  25. Differential C (Mark)
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Nice to see a final with both teams at full strength XI.

    1. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah.I'm surprised some wern't rested

  26. @fpl_phenom
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Liking this 433

    Martial will become Mkhitaryan in GW3!

    Pickford /.......Stekelenburg
    Azpil Robertson Bailly Laporte /.... Peltier
    Salah Martial D.Silva / .... Deulofeu Gunnarson
    Aguero Tosun Wood

    Thoughts?

    1. Epic Fail
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Watch the World Cup final.

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        cant , im in work 🙂

        1. Oven Glover
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Employee of the month.

  27. WVA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Does every pundit and commentator have to say Kante does the job of two people everytime they talk about him

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Classic lazy punditry

    2. Norman Conquest
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      yea just like next season everytime kane touches the ball they will refer to him as golden boot winner

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

      And again

  28. Piggs Boson
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Good start by Croatia! Can they actually do this...

    1. Legomané
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Of course they can. World class talent littered through their squad from Mandy to Dejan

    2. Optimus.
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I only found out yesterday that "F@rca" is banned 😀

      I'd like to be a fly on his wall

      1. Epic Fail
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Pervert.

      2. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Looser

  29. Davido989
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Croatia's midfield controlling the game so far.

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

    England would have been 1 up by now.

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      But instead they're coming home.

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        they're home already aren't they