The third matchday of the FIFA World Cup 2022 has come to a close. In the space of just a few weeks, we have seen both highs and lows, featuring entertainment all-round. This is just the beginning though – Matchday 4, or the Round of 16 follows straight after Matchday 3 finishes. For fantasy players, there is quite a short turnaround, so it’s a good idea to start planning now. It doesn’t matter if you have already used your Wildcard chip or not, but before the Round of 16 games starts with The Netherlands and USA, you might make an infinite number of changes to your team. Also, many picks are already headed home, hence a rearrangement is absolutely necessary. Therefore, in this article, we are presenting you the FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 4 Wildcard guide to look at the potential best players and a team to push through in this upcoming matchday.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Round of 16: Fixtures
- Netherlands vs USA
- Argentina vs Australia
- France vs Poland
- England vs Senegal
- Japan vs Croatia
- Brazil vs South Korea
- Morocco vs Spain
- Portugal vs Switzerland
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 4 Team: Best Goalkeepers
1. Andries Noppert (Netherlands) – 4.5 million
Noppert had a great performance against Senegal in the Netherlands’ opener. A clean sheet and a further 3 saves resulted in a 7 points return. Things went a little downhill for the Netherlands team in MD2 though, they conceded 15 shots against Ecuador and only just won a point.
However, if it wasn’t for Noppert and his 3 saves, it could have been worse. Also, he managed to keep a clean sheet against Qatar in the final group game and also made 3 saves. Now with a total of 16 points and a cheap price of $4.5m, he sure looks like a lucrative deal, with their fixture against the USA, who have really struggled to keep their shots on target (7 shots on target out of 28 shots taken).
2. Jordan Pickford (England) – 5.5 million
England plays Senegal in the Round of 16 and in case Noppert fails to impress, Pickford can be a safe and alternatively cheaper choice. To be honest, there are always favourites in knockout games. Consequently, among all the favourites from the look of it, England can keep a clean sheet if they can and also Pickford is a bit cheaper than the other favourite teams’ goalies.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 3 Wildcard Team: Best Defenders
1. Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands) – 6.0 million
The top fantasy choice Dutch defenders are on equal fantasy points almost. However, with the attacking threat, van Dijk poses from setpieces, he would be our pick. Still, if you may, Dumfries is an alternative to him. A Dutch defender is a safe option in the team because they play the first Round of 16 fixture and are the favourites against the USA.
2. Luke Shaw (England) – 6.0 million
Being England’s only natural left-back, it’s likely Shaw keeps his place in the team’s starting 11. He contributed an assist in England’s opener against Iran and then helped his team to a clean sheet against the USA and also Wales, totalling 15 points altogether. England plays Senegal next and are favourites going into this fixture with their squad depth. And it is of course highly likely Shaw would start and don’t be surprised if the Three Lions keep a clean sheet.
3. Josip Juranovic (Croatia) – 5.0 million
A differential defender pick (1.5% ownership), the Croatian is a guaranteed starter against Japan as he was, in the group stage. Juranovic has helped his team keep 2 clean sheets and in the game, he failed to keep so, he managed an assist. He is with the 2nd highest fantasy points among the defenders with 16 points. Apparently, Croatia is the favourite to keep a clean sheet in their fixture against Japan and since they play on the 3rd day of the Ro16, he makes our team of 3 defenders.
4. Roman Saiss (Morocco) – 4.5 million
The unexpectedly highest fantasy points scorer amongst the defenders. The story of Moroccans in this World Cup itself has been a fairy tale so far. Saiss’ goal against Belgium almost sealed the deal for both parties in the group. He initially makes our bench, however, in case either of the above defenders fails to deliver, Saiss would make it into our squad, being a differential. Also, note that Morocco is one of the teams who have conceded the least number of goals so far in the tournament.
5. Alex Sandro (Brazil) – 5.0 million
Brazil kept 2 clean sheets in a row without a shot on target faced. Such was their defensive performance. Things didn’t go as expected against Cameroon when Tite decided to rotate the squad. Otherwise, the defenders are all at equal fantasy points so far, however, Alex Sandro is a bit cheaper than Silva and Marquinhos. Sandro initially would be on our bench though, in case the others fail to impress, he would get in later.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 3 Wildcard Team: Best Midfielders
1. Jude Bellingham (England) – 7.5 million
Although Jude didn’t deliver much except that in the first match day, there is no reason to see why he wouldn’t deliver against Senegal too. He is the cheapest English fantasy midfielder who is actually guaranteed to start. Hence, keeping his price in mind, he makes in our team’s midfield. Saka or Foden are also decent choices if you can adjust the prices in other departments.
2. Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) – 9.5 million
Fernandes contributed to two of Portugal’s three goals in their first matchday. He came out with 2 assists in the end, but throughout the game, he created 3 chances including 2 big chances as well. And then against Uruguay, he scored both goals. Against Switzerland, the Portuguese would surely have to depend upon his playmaking. He is currently the best fantasy midfielder, with 23 points. He didn’t start against Korea, but would surely start against Switzerland, so don’t worry.
3. Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) – 6.0 million
A differential midfield pick. With 3.7% ownership, the Argentine midfielder has delivered in the last 2 group games for his team. The next game against Australia might see more out of him. Also, Argentina plays on the 1st day of the Round of 16, hence keeping Enzo initially in the team won’t hurt, especially since he would be needed to adjust the cost of the team. His low price and decent return make him a lucrative asset.
4. Frankie De Jong (Netherlands)- 8.5 million
Another one of our Dutch choices. As already said, they are going into the game against the USA as favourites. The Barca midfielder is Netherlands’ best fantasy midfielder as of now with 18 points. With 1 assist and 1 goal and also points from clean sheets, De Jong makes our midfield too based on the fact that his team plays early in the round.
5. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco) -7.0 million
Morocco pulled off a shock 2-0 upset over group favourites, Belgium and initiated their ‘home-going’. Hakim Ziyech was one of the key cogs in this team and his assist in added time helped finish the game off. Earlier in the match, he had the ball in the net too, with a fantastic free-kick, though that was ruled out by a small offside touch. Nonetheless, he clearly has a lot to offer in the game against Spain. Initially, he would be on our bench though since his fixture is at a later stage.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 3 Wildcard Team: Best Forwards
1. Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 10.5 million
Messi came through with a goal and an assist in the later stages of Argentina’s Matchday 2 fixture to keep his country’s hopes of making the knockouts alive. He has been involved in every goal for Argentina so far except in the Poland game. Who else would the Argentines look up to, for a masterclass against Australia? He would also be our captain for the 1st gameday of Matchday 1. Thus far, Lionel Messi has secured 19 fantasy points.
2. Kylian Mbappe (France) – 11.5 million
After another fantastic showing in Matchday 2, Mbappe is now on 3 goals and 1 assist in 3 matches in this tournament. With 23 points in total, he is the highest-scoring Fantasy player in the game, and he is a must-have pick. His absence was felt in the Tunisia game that France eventually lost. However, rest assured for obvious reasons that he would start against Poland.
3. Cody Gakpo (Netherlands) – 7.0 million
One thing we have learnt from this World Cup is that, if the Dutch are playing, Gakpo is surely scoring. There are several reasons why Gakpo should be in your team: current form, fixture difficulty, early fixture and cheap price. There might be better players than him in terms of points, but nobody is as consistent as him. He basically earned 6 points in each matchday, by scoring a goal in each of them. Besides the heavyweight forward choices, you may rely upon Gakpo too.
FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 4 Round of 16 Team: Full Team and Strategy
We have already discussed our first team choices. However, the bench looks decent too. Alternatives are there to play from the bench. Lionel Messi takes the armband for the first day’s play. In case he fails to deliver, Kylian Mbappe or even Bruno Fernandes can be a strong contender for the later parts of the play.
Did you find our analysis of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Fantasy Matchday 4 Guide for the Round of 16 useful? Are you considering anyone from here? Drop your comments in the comment section below!
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