The final round of group games is upon us at this year’s World Cup, with qualification all to play for.
Some teams, such as France, are guaranteed to go through to the Round of 16, so we may see rotation in certain cases, such as Mbappe for instance.
Brazil are another example, where their place at the top of the group is all but secured.
Consequently, we predict there will be a lot of changes to the Brazil starting lineup.
We get unlimited transfers before the first knockout round, so any transfers here will just be for one matchday.
So, here are some of the best players to transfer in for World Cup fantasy MD3.
Jamal Musiala
- Price: $8m
- Picked by: 17%
- Fixture: Costa Rica
Musiala has been arguably Germany’s brightest spark at this World Cup so far.
His dazzling dribbling has earned him an assist against Spain, where he created the most chances in the match (three).
He has also produced the third most shot-creating actions at the tournament, as well as the highest xG on the German team versus Spain (0.4).
Die Mannschaft’s next opponent is Costa Rica, who conceded 7 times to Spain and is a match that Germany should score a few in, and more importantly have to win.
Cody Gakpo
- Price: $7m
- Picked by: 10%
- Fixture: Qatar
It’s two goals in as many games for the PSV attacker, scoring with every shot he’s had so far.
Additionally, he takes corners for the team which creates more potential for assists.
Qatar are the Netherland’s final group stage opponents, who have already been knocked out and have conceded 5 times so far (third most).
Therefore Gakpo and the Netherlands should find things very comfortable against the host nation.
Due to the nature of the fixture, Denzel Dumfries and Steven Bergwijn are also fine picks.
Mehdi Taremi
- Price: $7m
- Picked by: 1%
- Fixture: USA
Taremi is quietly having a great World Cup, scoring twice and getting an assist.
He is Iran’s penalty taker, scoring one against England in their first game last week.
The Porto striker has the joint-most key passes out in Qatar (9), as well as 11 shot-creating actions (fourth most).
Iran have a huge chance of going through, so Taremi will be giving 100% for his country again.
Mohammed Kudus
- Price: $6m
- Picked by: 5%
- Fixture: Uruguay
Ghana’s talisman has had an exceptional start to the tournament, scoring a brace against South Korea and getting an assist against Portugal.
His form for Ajax has been impressive too, scoring 0.9 goals per 90 and having an xG per 90 of 1.1.
The Black Stars face Uruguay in a rematch of their 2010 World Cup Quarter-Final, so as a team they will have extra motivation to perform well.
Theo Hernandez
- Price: $5m
- Picked by: 12%
- Fixture: Tunisia
Hernandez has been brilliant at left-back, providing lots of attacking threat.
He has the joint-most assists (2) and key passes (9), along with the second-highest xA (0.9) and 11 shot-creating actions (fourth most).
Against Denmark, he created 5 chances, the most in the match.
France play Tunisia in their third game, who are yet to score so a clean sheet could be on the cards.
Mbappe ($11.5m) is another French asset that would be good for MD3, however with France already through he may be rested for the knockouts.
The same could apply to Hernandez but he seems as likely to start as any of France’s premium players.
David Raum
- Price: $4.5m
- Picked by: 5%
- Fixture: Costa Rica
Germany have one of the easiest games on paper at this tournament, facing Costa Rica, and they must win to advance.
Costa Rica have only managed one shot on target at the tournament, and Raum has a 53% chance of a clean sheet.
He is also good going forward, making 5 key passes (7th most) and 11 shot-creating actions (fourth most).
At $4.5m he’s very cheap and well worth putting in your MD3 team.
Joakim Maehle
- Price: $4.5m
- Picked by: 25%
- Fixture: Australia
Maehle is playing as a left wing-back at this tournament, meaning he has more license to get forward.
He’s great at this as highlighted by his 6 goals and four assists for his country since 2022 began.
Denmark face Australia for a place in the last 16, with both teams able to qualify.
The Danes have a 57% chance of a clean sheet in this game, however, making Maehle a great choice.
| Name | Team | Position | Price | Pick % | MD2 Points | Overall Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamal Musiala | Germany | Midfielder | $8m | 17% | 5 | 7 |
| Cody Gakpo | Netherlands | Forward | $7m | 10% | 6 | 12 |
| Mehdi Taremi | Iran | Forward | $7m | 1% | 4 | 16 |
| Mohammed Kudus | Ghana | Midfielder | $6m | 5% | 15 | 18 |
| Theo Hernandez | France | Defender | $5m | 12% | 4 | 8 |
| David Raum | Germany | Defender | $4.5m | 5% | 1 | 4 |
| Joakim Maehle | Denmark | Defender | $4.5m | 25% | 0 | 6 |