The World Cup round of 16 is here, which gives us the opportunity to overhaul our fantasy squads with unlimited transfers.
It’s been a torrid start to this fantasy format, with rule changes after the tournament began and a host of issues.
However, with all those intricacies now ironed out, it’s time to attack the knockout stages.
Strategy
Unlimited transfers mean we can completely change our squads and remove players from eliminated nations.
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There are some key rules which become active at this stage of the tournament.
Managers are now permitted to own four players per nation, compared to the traditional three.
This cap extends to five, six and eight in subsequent rounds of the competition.
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The Radar - The Athletic's 2022 World Cup scouting guide
Crucially, managers are given four free transfers while the round of 16 is live, plus an additional five free transfers for the quarter-finals.
Normally the recommendation would be to back the players from nations most likely to progress to the next round at this stage.
However, with the generous number of free transfers available to us, we do have the flexibility to take some punts.
There’s high demand on budget at this stage of the tournament, with the pool of cheap starting players smaller, so it can be difficult to afford all of the best players.
However, with those four free transfers within the matchday permitted, some important planning can help here.
Start with the premium players at the beginning of the matchday. Then transfer them out to release funds and upgrade a budget option yet to play later in the matchday.
Teams to target
Three nations qualified for the knockout stages after two games: France, Brazil and Portugal. They are the key teams to target.
The advantage of qualifying after two games is that they have had the opportunity to rest their key players.
They also get, in theory, a smoother route to the final as a reward for winning their group.
France will be the first of these nations to play in the round of 16, so assets should be in your line-up from the off.
Kylian Mbappe ($11.5m) has four attacking returns across his opening two appearances.
Olivier Giroud ($7.5m) could also be a useful pickup as he looks to become the outright top goalscorer for France. There’s much demand for our three forward spots though.
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Adrien Rabiot ($6.5m) is listed as a midfielder and with seven points awarded for goals in this position, he carries plenty of potential.
Theo Hernandez ($5.0m) is the go-to defender from the world champions. He takes up attacking positions, with an assist in matchday one.
Portugal won their opening two group games, scoring five goals. Bruno Fernandes ($9.5m) had a hand in four of those goals. With two goals and two assists, plus a key involvement in set pieces, he’s an important acquisition in midfield.
Brazil began with two wins from two, keeping two clean sheets, before making nine changes against Cameroon with a last-16 place already secured. They offer fantasy options all over the pitch.
Richarlison ($7.5m) has impressed leading the line for the tournament favourites, with a spectacular brace against Serbia on matchday one.
Picking up a Brazil defender later in the matchday could be a useful strategy if defenders have disappointed in earlier games.
Punts
The Netherlands topped Group A and now face the U.S. in the first of the World Cup knockout matches.
Cody Gakpo ($7.0m) has three goals in three in the competition and excelled alongside Memphis Depay against Qatar.
Frenkie de Jong ($8.5m) is among the leading midfielders in the game, with two attacking returns.
He could be a key selection for the knockout phase, with his creativity key to breaking down a resolute USMNT defence.
With two clean sheets in three, goalkeeper Andries Noppert ($4.5m) remains a great pickup for his price.
Defender Denzel Dumfries ($6.0m) is due his first attacking return in this competition.
Argentina had a mixed time of it in the group stage, but will be overwhelming favourites when they face Australia on Saturday.
Lionel Messi ($10.5m) is the key pick here as the talisman of the side, and will be a popular early captain option.
England’s wingers will be important selections against Senegal, as the predominant source of goals through the group rounds.
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Marcus Rashford ($7.5m) should get another start after his two goals against Wales, but I favour Phil Foden ($8.5m), who is listed as a midfielder in the game.
With Kieran Trippier now a rotation risk, Luke Shaw ($5.0m) becomes the standout attacking pick of the England back line, with an assist already in this tournament.
Remember that if any of your fantasy picks aren’t in the XI then you can use the in-matchday transfers to swap them out for another player.
Croatia are slight favourites against Japan, but the form of the Japanese suggests that game is far from straightforward. I recommend avoiding this fixture!
Spain are the big favourites against Morocco, with Alvaro Morata ($8.0m) their top goalscorer in the competition, scoring three goals in three.
The Spain defence has been less than convincing over the past two games, so it’s a good idea to look elsewhere.
(Top photo: Elsa/Getty Images)
