Fantasy World Cup Preview Group B
GROUP B: AUSTRALIA, NETHERLANDS, CHILE, SPAIN
Our World Cup previews continue at a pace and we would like to extend a very warm welcome and thank you to Josh721 as he gives us his take on Group B, the teams involved, which players he recommends that you should pick and who is likely to progress from the group.
Some of you will have registered already but if not the site that we are using for this years game is Mcdonalds Fantasy World Cup, you can register here. You can register now and you can begin to pick your squad from June 8th ahead of the big kick-off on June 12th. We will publish the FF247 league codes as soon as the league option is open on there. In the meantime we encourage you to plan ahead and as such here’s Group B for you all…
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Australia
Overview
Let’s start with the minnow of the group, Australia. Ranked number 59 at the time of writing, this is their 3rd straight World Cup after failing to qualify from 1974-2006. They are also in one of the toughest groups in the tournament and, combined with a new coach, will find it hard to get any points in their group. Well, at least you’re in the World Cup, so enjoy it as much as you can.
Fantasy Player Perspective
There aren’t too many choices from this team as there are other better teams to select from. Red Bulls forward Tim Cahill could be worth a look as one of the Socceroos’ star players. I would stay away from their defenders as the chances that they keep any of Chile, the Netherlands, or Spain from scoring isn’t exactly zero, but it is pretty close.
Fixtures
Their first game is against Chile, followed by the Netherlands. They probably won’t win either of those, although they could play the role of spoiler and get a draw. If you’re going to get any of their players, they should be dispensed of prior to their last game against Spain.
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Netherlands
Overview
Moving up the FIFA rankings (which we know are perfectly, 100% accurate), we find the Netherlands, or Holland, coming in at number 15. After finishing as runners-up in the 2010 final, they followed that up with an unspectacular showing at the European Championships in 2012. They went through their qualifying group undefeated with 9 wins and a draw and are considered one of the favorites to advance out of the group stage. However, they haven’t won any of their last 4 games, with their most recent win coming against Romania in March of 2013.
Fantasy Player Perspective
The Netherlands have many attacking options to choose from. Everyone’s favourite Dutch striker, Robin van Persie, will look to get back to scoring ways after missing out on a big part of the season through injury. He will have a very talented group supporting him that includes Arjen Robben, Jeremain Lens, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, and Rafael van der Vaart. In defense they have Bruno Martins Indi, who scored 2 goals in qualifying.
Fixtures
The Oranje kick off their campaign with a rematch against 2010 World Cup winners Spain, so expect that to be a tight one. Maybe this match will have less yellow cards in it… After that, they get to play Australia, who actually tied the Netherlands last time they played each other in 2009. I have a feeling the score line will be a little bit different this time around. Then they close out the group with a tough match against Chile. This game could potentially decide who will advance out of the group along with Spain, so this could be a thriller.
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Chile
Overview
Next we have Chile, who should also consider themselves in with a chance to get out of this group. Ranked 13 in the world, they are certainly no pushovers. They finished 3rd in CONMEBOL qualifying, earning them a spot in this tournament. Chile have lost their last 2 friendlies, but given that they were against 2 of the strongest teams in the world, Brazil and Germany, that’s nothing to be too concerned about.
Fantasy Player Perspective
It might be wise to steer clear from Chile’s defenders as they conceded 25 goals in 16 games in qualifying. However, some of their attacking players are worth a look. Notably, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez. Also keep an eye on Eduardo Vargas, who scored 5 goals in qualifying to match Vidal’s total. They will be sure to cause problems for other teams’ defenses.
Fixtures
Chile start their campaign against lowly Australia, so I would expect them to get a win in that game. Their next game sees them play Spain, which won’t be as one-sided as some might think. They played to a 2-2 draw the last time they played in September of last year. Chile’s final game comes against the Netherlands, which as I noted earlier, will most likely be the deciding game in terms of who will advance.
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Spain
Overview
Finally we get to Spain, and yes they are still ranked number 1 in the world. Winners of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012, there really isn’t much to say about Spain that you don’t know already. La Furia Roja went undefeated in qualifying, conceding only 3 goals while scoring 14. So yeah, they’re pretty good. They had a small hiccup in the 2013 Confederations Cup where they lost to Brazil 3-0 in the final. That loss should be enough to motivate them to win the group since whichever team finishes second in this group will meet the winner of Group A, which will most likely be Brazil.
Fantasy Player Perspective
If I were to have any players from Spain (why wouldn’t you?), I might actually choose to invest in their defenders rather than their attacking players. Spain don’t actually score that many goals and seem to prefer to pass the opposition to death with their possession. So Sergio Ramos or Gerard Pique are good bets to keep a clean sheet, because how can the other team score if they never have the ball? Having said that, their star forward (Fernando Torres) Diego Costa will look to have a big impact in the World Cup. He is set to make his official debut at a tournament playing for Spain instead of his birth country and tournament hosts, Brazil.
Fixtures
Vicente del Bosque’s team will have to start quickly in the group stage because their first game is against 2010 World Cup finalists Netherlands. Then they have a tough game against Chile, followed by Australia. Spain and Australia have actually never played each other before at the senior level. However, expect Spain to get the win and advance to the knockout stage.
Group Summary
The winner of Group B will play the runner-up of Group A, and conversely the runner-up of Group B will play the winner of Group A. Much depends on how seriously Spain and the Netherlands take their last games then assuming both have already done enough to qualify. The potential opponents for whoever progresses then are Brazil, Croatia, Mexico or Cameroon. That feels like a mouth watering Round of 16 game on the cards already should it transpire that Brazil face either of the favourites from this group. Whisper it quietly then but the third games in this group could be spent trying to engineer whatever result means the teams involved avoid Brazil next!
Very helpful Josh, thanks. Shame about the strikethrough malfunction!
I’ve been doing research for Group C, and found out that during Greece’s qualifying campaign they beat Slovakia 1-0 due to a Skrtel own goal. That was in October 2013 so that is actually FIVE own goals this season for him. The man’s cursed!!
He scores when he wants to.
Thanks Calvin
Thanks josh, a very helpful read! Pleased to see Australia arnt much chop
Thanks Alex. Yeah, it’ll most likely be out at the group stage for them.
I might sound silly asking this, but how do the GWs work in World Cup fantasy? It will be my first fantasy game in World Cup, so im assuming the GW will end once all teams play one of their opponents in their respective groups? Right?
So i guess our first GW will take days from 12 June to 17 June, because on 18 June teams (Spain, Australia, etc) are getting their second games.
On 17th June we have an interesting fixture, Brazil vs Mexico. But Brazil is already playing against Croatia on 12th June and Mexico will be playing Cameroon on Friday the 13th.
Does this mark a DGW for both Brazil and Mexico? Common sense suggests it should.
Not sure if its already discussed on here. Any clarifications will be appreciated.
Also its a perfect time to ask regarding transfers. The initial 23 men squad I pick, will it have to stick with me throughout the group stages, which means Ill be able to change my squad once all teams have played their 3 opponents from their respective groups, or will the transfers be allowed on a GW basis, which means that ill be able to make transfers once each team has played at least 1 opponent.
Or someone mentioned that transfers will be allowed in the rest days. which means that transfers will be only allowed once before Round of 16 and the subsequent stages involving quarters, semis and finals.
This means we will have to stick with our squad 12th June to 26th June before we can make changes, a period during which around 50 games will take place?
Where you been The B?
Potty
Finding work Potty! Need to get some experience with some hot shot corporation before i go back to my senior year in college
Hope you are feeling well and walking healthy!
That would make sense for Brazil and Mexico to have a DGW in the first round since technically their second game is in the first gameweek. I’m sure we’ll know more once the game is actually open and we can see the squads and the fixture list.
And yes, you will have one chance to make your squad for all of the group stage games. So those initial 23 players will stay with you until the knockout stage.
That sucks. We are only picking players based on historical data and what if out of no where a “Ramsey” appears, or a “Barkley”, we would really have to let go of those points for that player’s 3 games.
Moreover, the horrific team selections will be common for many fantasy managers. Picking up players who do not make the first 11 will waste a lot of space.
Anyway, hoping these confusions clear out soon as we approach the 8th.
The B — you’ll just have to pay attention to the friendlies leading up to the WC to get a feel for player form as well as team form and selection. Predicting who starts each game might be difficult as managers might rotate some players depending on the game and how they’ve done in the previous games (e.g. if they’ve qualified for the knock-out stages early). This will really test your 23-man squad so strategy and careful selection would be key! And a huge amount of luck!
Your in group F….
Sanchez will you get out of it????
Potty
Potty — hopefully the ‘research’ (getting drunk and watching the friendlies) will pay off and I’ll make it through!!!
The B…..listen in
You made The Perfect 32 – Pottys World Cup Competition .
The draw was 10 Days ago.
You are in Group G
To confirm your spot???
E-mail me at prctrdvd@gmail.com
And say…
Potty I’m In
Thanks
Potty
Potts!
Of course Im in! An email is coming right your way. Can you give me a link to the draws and the rules if you posted them on here?
Evening all, Potty did you get my e-mail mate ?
The B, here’s the draw in full again –
Group A:
Silence of the Lambs
Tinkerman United
Buzzers
Beepys Retribution
Group B:
Pussycat Pimps
Alsed Fc
Black n Yellow Fc
The Reds
Group C:
Tekno Viking
Monkeys Nuts
Chico’s Bail Bonds
Rsingh123
Group D:
Fc pheonix
The Goonies
The Greatest Fc
Cookies Monsters
Group E:
Kop Warriors
Horse Fc
Mitos Mercaneries
Glad its all Over
Group F:
Inittowinit
Fc Sanchez
Gallant Pioneer’s
Ba Ba Black Sheep
Group G:
The Cape Bulls
Powerful Potty Fc
Chins n Bellies
Elleffcee
Group H:
Wolf Pack
Celtinha
Mourinho’s Mojo
Pimp my Side
And the Willys and Wallys one also –
Willy (Group Y):
Pork n Cheese Utd
Anti Top Four
Possibly very Real
Barntons Bashers
Wellesley Grove Fc
Wally (Group Z):
Fc Redmecca
Athletico bosh
Eddy Hitler Fc
Bring on the Trumpets
Banterbury Leagues h2h (and a proper one?)
Potty/Init
How does this one work? I was away last week and missed the draw.
ta.
The group stage is split into 3 weeks as such. No DGW’s.
Damn! I was getting my hopes up high! :hippo:
Anyway, shouldnt affect team selection much since most are already going full on Brazil.
Right ladies, gents + Chins, heres an easy one to start with :- Name the only two players to have played for an English club side and captained a World Cup winning team. :thumbup:
Bobby Moore
Thats the toughie out of the way Kopster, correct.
I’m pretty sure Deschamps captained France in 98
Huh ! You got the easy one aswell. :big-lol:
Elle there are 3 mate….
Whos the third ?
Cafu played 1 game for Garforth Town
Bog off chicken, yer not having that one. :cuss:
But he did! And scored 6 goals in it to boot :p
Oi !!
Right another easy peasy one :- Who was the first Englishman to win league titles in four different countries? :thumbup:
can only be golden balls
I was waiting for someone else to answer
Correct GPR + Kopster. Heres another:- Name the two non Brits to have won the FA Cup as a player and as a manager. :thumbup:
Vialli?
im going di matteo
Correct Kop + GPR.
Rosler?
Calvin – Did he win it at all?
Haha, just realised. Remembered all the hoo-ha about him dumping City out of the FA Cup and then also how Wigan beat City in the final, they just weren’t the same event! Obviously Martinez. Man, what a brain fart…
And I never remembered him winning it as a player, just thought he might have done. Course, had I actually thought about it for a second I’d have remembered that glorious banner that used to be up at Old Trafford, so would have been spared this embarrassment 😛
Twelve stadiums have hosted Premier League football which have ‘Park’ in their name. Name them.
I’m pretty sure elle asked this question recently…it’s a pity I didn’t pay any attention to the answer!!!
I did kopster.
Goodison
Pride
thats 2
Upton
St James
Old Trafford hosted some park football this season I’m sure 😉
Villa Park
Burnden???
suprisingly yes kop 6
Yip.
Come on gents, hurry up with the answers. :noshake:
Ewood
Selhurst
Fratton
Selhurst Park
3 to go.
elle
Ayresome Park (Boro)?
Roker Park will also be one?!?
yes 2 to go
GP, its not my question its GPRs, i’m not giving any answers as i asked the same teaser a while back.
elle
I meant gpr, sorry.
Ji Sung?
Calvin.
Comedy gold this one mate.
Well played sir.