Here’s some options for goal keepers and defenders in Sun Dream Team World Cup for transfer window 1
Sun Dream Team World Cup tips – GK and Def options for transfer window 1
The importance of team structure
Picking the best players is only part of the equation here. Remember the 1st transfer window is prior to the round of 16 and the 2nd transfer window is prior to the quarter finals. Ideally you want all 11 players to survive the quarter finals but that will be difficult. However you should have that in the back of your mind for this transfer window 1 as well. See my earlier article called Sun World Cup fantasy football tips – some thoughts on the best countries for transfer window 1 to stimulate your thinking.
Best defender table:
Here’s my table of the defensive options. I’ve put them in order of how I would pick them given no issues over team structure. The table doesn’t show the current points as I’ve tried to give data on clean sheets and goals as the primary determinant of points. There’s a key at the bottom of the table plus some narrative behind each team:
| Country | Best def | GK | Group stage GC’S | Group stage CS’s | Team WC qualf games | Team GC/CS | ||
| Argentina | Rojo (£3.0m) | Romero (£4.0m) | 3 | 1 | 16 | 15/4 | ||
| Holland | Blind (£1.5m) | Cillissen (£3.5m) | 3 | 1 | 10 | 5 /6 | ||
| Germany | Howedes (£3.0m) | Neuer (£6.0m) | 2 | 2 | 10 | 10/5 | ||
| France | Sakho (£3.0m) | LLoris (£4.0m) | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8/4 | ||
| Brazil | Luiz (£5.0m) | Cesar (£5.0m) | 2 | 1 | N/A | N/A | ||
| Belgium | Alderweireld (£3.0m) | Courtois (£4.0m) | 1 | 2 | 10 | 4/6 | ||
| Colombia | Zuniga (£1.5m) | Ospina (£2.0m) | 2 | 1 | 16 | 13/6 | ||
| Costa Rica | Gamboa (£1.0m) | Navas (£1.0m) | 1 | 2 | 16 | 11/7 | ||
| Germany | Lahm (£6.5m) | Bayern M | Mertesacker (£4.0m) | Arsenal | 10 | 10/5 | ||
KEY
Best defender: Given the low scoring by defenders to date, I’ve picked the cheapest defender with gametime security
GK: I’ve given the price of the GK for comparison
Group stage GCs: The amount of goals conceded in the WC Group stage
Group stage CSs: The amount of clean sheets in the WC Group stage
Team WC Qualifying games: The amount of qualifying games played
Team GC/CS: The amount of goals conceded (GC) the team conceded in qualifying and the amount of clean sheets (CS) obtained in qualifying
Argentina
They may not have the best defence by any stretch but with Switzerland in the round of 16 and a possible quarter final against the stuttering Belgium side means they have the best fixtures if not the best defensive team
Holland
Again have had their defensive issues in this World Cup. However Mexico will come to defend in the round of 16 which will help the clean sheet potential. Holland need to get through that, which could be tricky given Brazil and Croatias experience. However if they do then they will face Costa Rica or Greece which has good clean sheet potential
Germany
Again haven’t looked that solid. Round of 16 tie looks a good chance of a clean sheet. However France will be the likely quarter final opponent which doesn’t look so welcoming. Howedes isn’t the best German defender by any stretch but seems to be holding his place and looks reasonably threatening at set pieces. Mertesacker seems safer at £4.0m and has high ownership as well which you may want to cover if you’re leading the pack.
France
Defensive performance has been distorted by an easy Group which has resulted in 2 clean sheets. Nigeria is a reasonable round of 16 opponent but Germany potentially in the quarters definitely isn’t. Sakho has some injury niggles so go for Debuchy if there is any doubts but Sakho if fit is the preference.
Brazil
The much vaunted defence hasn’t produced at all. When you’re conceding to Cameroon you know you’ve got pronblems. Difficult draw too against 2 good attacking opponents in Chile and then possibly Colombia. However the talent is there, it just needs to produce. Luiz isn’t the most attacking option but he’s the cheapest
Belgium
2 clean sheets but in a really poor Group. Have some injury niggles as well to Kompany which won’t help. Have the talent but have been really poor. Alderweireld though is pretty good value considering the first game is against the USA who, Dempsey apart, offer little attacking wise. Thats the end of the road though with Argentina likely to be next.
Colombia
Tricky fixtures with Uruguay first and potentially Brazil next and a defence thats been ok rather than great. Good value though is available
Costa Rica
The surprise package of the tournament. Have looked comfortable with high pressing as well as sitting deep. Gamboa is the only choice in Sun Dream Team but he seems to be secure gametime wise. A very good chance of a clean sheet against Greece but it will end after that against the Netherlands. You need transfers up your slevve or you just need the cash to save
Thats it hope you found it useful. I’ll be on to midfielders next
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Sun Dream Team World Cup tips
Sun Dream Team World Cup tips
