Finally! World Cup fantasy football starts living up to its name, with only four more European teams to be determined ahead of the North American tournament next Summer.
When everything’s up for grabs, players either shrink or take full responsibility. You’ll, of course, need the latter for your team.
And here they are! These are the players that, I think, will improve your squad selection ahead of World Cup fantasy football, and the ones that you should avoid this time around.
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These Are the Players You Need for the Playoff Finals
The “Must-Haves”
As always, I’m starting things off with the best options available.
Everyone, including manager Gennaro Gattuso, knows that Italy could screw up its qualification chances against the plucky Bosnia-Herzegovina. It’s done it better! While I like the Bosnians, I think that the Italians will come alive in this game.
Get Donnarumma in goal if you can afford his card. Mancini, Bastoni and Calafiori are all good picks for this one. Di Marco and Tonali can supply the magic. What about the strikers? I’m less convinced on that subject.
Yes, Bosnia’s got Dzeko, who is an absolute icon, but he should feel the fatigue of playing 90 minutes three days ago. Sunjic, Dedjic, and Katic are alright if you need to flesh out your squad.
I’m also fond of Czechia, but feel that this is as far as this generation can take things. The Danish team has had more recent experience at the top level.
Hojlund is a decent attacking option. Damsgaard, Hojbjerg and Hjumland bring top-notch experience. And, Maehle nearly always shines in important games.
Meanwhile, I think Schick is one of the more underrated strikers in Europe and could get on the scoresheet. And, veterans Coufal and Soucek will no doubt pull their weight.
The rest of the squad is surprisingly light, given the Czech team’s usual ability to produce quality attacking talent.
The “Might As Well Try ‘Em”
Few were surprised by Turkiye’s qualification over Romania. However, the game showed a team that is not quite mentally at the level it should be.
Sure, Calhanoglu, Yildiz and Guler are OK picks if you can afford them. Yilmaz is, in my book, a top player. However, this doesn’t look like much of a winning side to me.
I think Kosovo has the extra bit of ambition to see this game through. And I think Asllani, Muriqi, Vojvoda, and Muslija are strong, affordable picks for your fantasy football team.
The “Need One More Player for a Full Squad”
If I am honest, a few of these teams really look like sides that should take place in a World Cup. But rules are rules.
I’d like to say that I’ve enjoyed seeing Poland on the big stage, but that’s not quite the case. The brilliant generation is coming to an end with Lewandowski the sole survivor, and one more World Cup of boring performances could be more than I can stand.
Lewa should be in your team. If nothing else, he’s a penalty taker.
Zielinski, Kiwior, and Cash are experienced players who deserve an outside shot if you need a few more names.
However, I think Sweden can win this game fairly easily. For all his misgivings, Gyokeres shines on stages like this. He could be a good pick.
Karlstrom, Elanga, Lindelof, and Lagerbielke all seem motivated and capable of delivering strong performances.
The Players You Should Avoid
Italy’s got a pretty good squad, but its strike partnership between Kean and Esposito could be better. I suggest looking elsewhere.
Rrahmani is Kosovo’s star player, but will likely be unavailable for the playoff final.
Sweden’s Ayari is also in good form, but will likely miss the final through injury, as well.
Not sold on Polish goalie Grabara, or on Bednarek‘s performance. Might be better options out there.
