Our look at the official FIFA Club World Cup™ fantasy game continues, with the spotlight turned onto groups C and D.
Featuring some global superstars in the form of Harry Kane and Cole Palmer right down to the amateurs from Auckland, there’s plenty of value to be had in these two sections.
Group C (Auckland City, SL Benfica, CA Boca Juniors, FC Bayern München)
Overview: As the only amateur outfit at the tournament, it’s no great secret that Auckland aren’t likely to push too deep into the tournament and that greatly limits their fantasy upside.
Star striker Myer Bevan ($5.0m) is on penalty duties and that may prove a route to points but it’s more likely that any fantasy gold may be found in defence where the Navy Blues will be doing all they can to keep the group heavyweights quiet.
That then brings keeper Conor Tracey ($4.6m) and potential save points into play while captain Mario Ilich ($5.0m) and Gerard Garriga ($5.0m) could produce plenty of tackle numbers in central midfield.
Key contributors: Myer Bevan ($5.0m), Dylan Manickum ($5.0m)
Value picks: Mario Ilich ($5.0m), Gerard Garriga ($5.0m)
Set-piece takers: Myer Bevan ($5.0m), Dylan Manickum ($5.0m)
Top picks: Myer Bevan (0.9%), Mario Ilich (0.7%), Dylan Manickum (0.7%)
Overview: Having just concluded a domestic campaign where they were bridesmaids to Sporting for a second season running, Benfica will relish the chance to test themselves against opposition from three different confederations.
In a group where the goals could flow, forward Vangelos Pavlidis ($7.8m) could cash in and with 29 goals and 11 assists in all competitions last year he’s one of the most in-form finishers at the Club World Cup.
Midfielder Orkun Kokcu ($6.6m) also had a fine season offering goals and assists (7) in equal numbers while veteran Angel Di Maria ($7.3m) will be looking to impress in his club swansong and fellow Argentine Nicolas Otamendi ($5.2m) is a huge threat from set-pieces as his six goals last term indicates.
Key contributors: Vangelos Pavlidis ($7.8m), Angel Di Maria ($7.3m)
Value picks: Orkun Kokcu ($6.6m), Nicolas Otamendi ($5.2m)
Set-piece takers: Angel Di Maria ($7.3m), Orkun Kokcu ($6.6m)
Top picks: Alvaro Carreras (5.1%), Angel Di Maria (5%), Vangelos Pavlidis (4.6%)
Overview: Another side with a new head coach at the helm means that Boca could be something of a wildcard in terms of determining fantasy production. They also head to the tournament in patchy form, with only one win in their last four matches.
With six goals and three assists so far this season Miguel Merentiel ($6.2m) has been a standout performer for the Buenos Aires outfit while Carlos Palacios ($5.5m) is a set-piece threat and also has the joint-highest number of assists.
At the other end left-back Lautaro Blanco ($4.9m) is a threat going forward while midfielder Kevin Zenon ($5.6m) could profit from being one of the main corner takers.
Key contributors: Miguel Merentiel ($6.2m), Carlos Palacios ($5.5m)
Value picks: Lautaro Blanco ($4.9m), Kevin Zenon ($5.6m)
Set-piece takers: Miguel Merentiel ($6.2m), Kevin Zenon ($5.6m)
Top picks: Sergio Romero (5%), Agustin Marchesin (1.6%), Edinson Cavani (1.3%)
Overview: Having impressively reclaimed the Bundesliga title, Bayern will be out to add global silverware to an already bulging trophy cabinet. Given their dominance in Europe it’s little surprise that the Bavarian giants are also stacked with fantasy options right across the pitch.
At the back, keeper Manuel Neuer ($5.6m) is as reliable as they come, while Raphael Guerreiro ($5.8m) could offer returns both defensively and going forward. The midfield and forward lines are absolutely stacked with talent with Harry Kane ($11.0m) pricey, but arguably essential for the opening match against the amateurs from Auckland.
With 12 goals and 15 assists in the league, Michael Olise ($9.4m) is another heavy-hitter garnering serious attention while veteran Thomas Muller ($7.0m) could be a value pick, even off the bench, in his Bayern farewell tour.
Key contributors: Harry Kane ($11.0m), Michael Olise ($9.4m)
Value picks: Raphael Guerreiro ($5.8m), Thomas Muller ($7.0m)
Set-piece takers: Harry Kane ($11.0m), Michael Olise ($9.4m), Joshua Kimmich ($6.2m)
Top picks: Harry Kane (42%), Michael Olise (38%), Jamal Musiala (14%)
Group D (Chelsea FC, Espérance, CR Flamengo, LAFC)
Overview: Having ended their domestic and continental campaigns on a high, Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea head to the USA aiming to transfer that form onto the global stage.
With 15 goals and eight assists in the domestic campaign that’s just concluded, once again, Cole Palmer ($9.6m) led the way for the Blues.
Enzo Fernandez’s ($6.2m) versatility makes him an intriguing midfield option, as is new arrival Liam Delap ($6.0m) who could quickly settle in at the head of the 4-2-3-1.
Key contributors: Cole Palmer ($9.6m), Pedro Neto ($6.5m)
Value picks: Enzo Fernandez ($6.2m), Liam Delap ($6.0m)
Set-piece takers: Cole Palmer ($9.6m), Enzo Fernandez ($6.2m)
Top picks: Marc Cucurella (28%), Cole Palmer (27%), Enzo Fernandez (10%)
Overview: The Tunisian titans have won their domestic league in eight of the last nine seasons and will be keen to test their mettle against the planet’s best in the USA.
They have been handed a tricky looking section but still offer some fantasy options, notably midfielder Youcef Belaili ($5.6m) who is fresh off scoring nine and creating three on the home front this season.
Elsewhere, Chiheb Jebali ($4.0m) is likely to be on most set-pieces and thus carries some appeal at an attractive price while young keeper Amanallah Memmiche ($5.0m) looks like a star in the making for both club and country.
Key contributors: Youcef Belaili ($5.6m), Rodrigo Rodrigues ($6.0m)
Value picks: Chiheb Jebali ($4.0m), Amanallah Memmiche ($5.0m)
Set-piece takers: Youcef Belaili ($5.6m), Chiheb Jebali ($4.0m)
Top picks: Youcef Belaili (4.1%), Mohamed Amine Tougai (1%), Amanallah Memmiche (0.9)
Overview: Continental champions three years ago, the Rio giants enter the tournament in fine domestic form, sitting top of the Brazilian league with 24 goals scored and just four conceded in their first 11 fixtures.
That presents plenty of options at both ends of the pitch for one of the genuine title contenders. Chief among those is the central midfield string-puller Giorgian de Arrascaeta ($6.2m) who already has 13 goal contributions this term.
Given the club’s watertight defence there’s also plenty of value to be had with central defenders Leo Ortiz ($4.9m) and Leo Pereira ($4.9m) while left-back Alex Sandro ($5.1m) also offers both defensive and attacking returns.
Key contributors: Giorgian de Arrascaeta ($6.2m), Pedro ($6.8m)
Value picks: Leo Ortiz ($4.9m), Alex Sandro ($5.1m)
Set-piece takers: Giorgian de Arrascaeta ($6.2m), Pedro ($6.8m)
Top picks: Giorgian de Arrascaeta (11.7%), Agustin Rossi (2%), Alex Sandro (1.8%)
Overview: The final side to qualify for the tournament are USA-based LAFC who secured their place at the global showpiece via the FIFA Play-In Tournament. While home comforts will offer the Californians hope, their recent MLS form has been patchy and that perhaps caps their fantasy upside to a degree.
The most likely source of points could well be the play-in hero Denis Bouanga ($7.0m) who has taken plenty of shots so far this term (more than three times as many as his nearest team-mate) while veteran France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris ($5.2m) could offer valuable save points at the other end.
Key contributors: Denis Bouanga ($7.0m), Mark Delgado ($5.8m)
Value picks: Aaron Long ($5.0m), Jeremy Ebobisse ($6.3m)
Set-piece takers: Denis Bouanga ($7.0m), Mark Delgado ($5.8m)
Top picks: David Ochoa (2%), Sergi Palencia (1.9%), Ryan Hollingshead (1.9%)
