The Sun World Cup fantasy football tips – midfield options for the quarter finals transfer window

Here’s some midfield options for the Sun Dream Team quarter final transfer window.  

The Sun World Cup fantasy football tips – midfield options for the quarter finals transfer window

The importance of knowing your priorities

If you’ve read my article http://www.fantasyfootballgeek.co.uk/sun-dream-team-world-cup-transfers-quarter-final-transfer-window-strategy/  you’ll see that before you make your transfers you need to decide what your priorities are.  To have all 11 players playing to the final/3rd place playoff then you need to take a view on who will win the quarters as there are no further transfer windows in place.  There is 1 more transfer at a surprise time apparently but although I think that will come before the semi’s there’s no guarantee of that.  So if you’re behind and trying to win your mini league you may want to gamble and only pick players from the teams you think will win their quarter final ties.  If you are winning your league and don’t want to take that risk then you may want to hedge your bets and not gamble on picking the winners of each tie.  The James Rodriguez v Neymar selection is a classic example.  Do you sell Rodriguez gambling that Brazil will win and risk that if Brazil loses you have no Rodriguez and a Neymar who won’t play again in the competition?  Only you can decide how you want to play this but my article mentioned above does help your thought process.  yo

Midfield options table:

Here’s my table of the midfield options.   I’ve tried to rank them in order by taking into account their WC form, their overall quality, the likelhood of them progressing to the semi’s and then the gamesthereafter.  However there’s enough data in the table for you to make your own decsion on who to transfer.  There’s a key at the bottom of the table plus some narrative behind each player:

Key:

WC Goals:  World Cup goals scored in the Group stages

All Intl App/Goals:  The total number of International appearances and goals

WC Qualf App/Goals:  The appearances and goals in the World Cup 2014 qualifying games

Club 13/14  App/Goals/Assts:  The appearances, goals and assists for his club in the 2013/14  season including League, European and Cup games

Robben

You have to think that Holland are the best chance of the 8 teams to progress to the semis.  Thereby guaranteeing that they will play the maximum number of games.  Robben has been in great form and is practically playing as a striker in the 3-5-2 system.  A must have in this transfer window for me.

Muller

Another  midfielder playing as a striker.  Although the fluidity of the midfield players do allow positional changes.  Great scoring record.  It’s hard to pick a winner of the Germany France game but Germany are probably slight favourites.  A dangerous player to sell.

Rodriguez

The player of the tournamnet so far.  You’d probably back Brazil to edge their quarter final but it’s by no means certain thats for sure.  Rodriguez is in such good form that he’s a difficult player to leave out.  The star of the Colombia team so will always be at the front of the queue for Star Man awards if Colombia progress

Gotze

Has the talent, the positional framework and the ability to score it’s just the gametime thats a risk especially with Schurrles performance against Algeria which furthers that risk.  The other risk is whether Germany can get past France.  One for the brave only.

Sneijder

Hasn’t really played that well in the tournament so far but with Robben the only realistic prospect in the Dutch midfield.  Plays behind Robben and RVP in the 3-5-2 formation and has the ability, its just not been seen.

Pogba

Played really well in the win against Nigeria constantly finding space and driving the team forward.  Should be in a great position to lead the counter against Germany who were constantly on the back foot against Algeria.  Looking good in front of goal as well.  It’s just whether they can get past Germany.

Di Maria

Was appalling against Switzerland but scored the winner.  Disappointing as it looked like he had put behind the ordinary performances of the first 2 Group stages with a great performance in the 3rd game against Nigeria.  However Argentina should beat Belgium in my mind so if you’re looking to back them in midfield there really is no other choice.  May benefit from getting more space from Belgium who wont park the bus like 3 of the 4 sides they’ve played so far.

Oscar

Shunted out to the flanks so Neymar can play more centrally it’s been a disappointing World Cup for the player who promised so much.  With Neymar playing well it’s unlikely to change.  However if you’re backing Brazil to beat Colombia and want some midfield coverage then he’s the only realistic choice

De Bruyne

Showed against the USA what we had been missing after such an excellent qualifying campaign.  Played a mixture of centrally and on the flank but excelled in both.  Great value.  However can they get past Argentina?

Valbuena

Ran riot against Nigeria.  Playing on the right of the front 3 and must be looking forward to playing against Howedes who has not looked comfortable at LB for Germany.  Can France get past Germany though thats the imponderable

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The Sun World Cup fantasy football tips

The Sun World Cup fantasy football tips