The World Cup group stages are complete and we move on to the knockout stages.
For MD4 we have unlimited transfers, so it’s a great chance to get a solid team ready to go for the round of 16.
After the knockout stage begins we only get limited transfers, so it’s wise to select players from good teams with a high chance of progressing.
Here are 15 of the best players to transfer in for World Cup fantasy MD4.
Andries Noppert
- Price: $4.5m
- Picked by: 20%
- Fixture: USA
Noppert has had a big hand in helping the Netherlands keep two clean sheets.
He’s made 10 saves (fourth most), which is a 90% success rate (third most).
The Dutch face the USA, so it’s fair to say they have a good chance of progressing, plus the US have only scored twice so far.
Dumfries ($6m) may be most people’s Dutch pick in defence, but he’s not performed as well as we expected.
He’s not had a shot at the tournament yet, picking up not attacking returns. Based on those stats, he’s not worth the extra $1.5m.
Shuichi Gonda
- Price: $4m
- Picked by: 3%
- Fixture: Croatia
Gonda is the cheapest starting Goalkeeper still in the tournament, so is a worthy bench pick.
Japan have another tough game versus Croatia, but they seem to perform well against possession-based teams.
He’s made the third most saves so far (12), so he can still score well in this one.
Jordi Alba
- Price: $6m
- Picked by: 15%
- Fixture: Morocco
Spain have been solid in defence, mainly through retaining possession so well.
The 2010 winners have been allowing the third-fewest shots per game (5.7) and Alba started their first two games.
He seems to be the most nailed in the side at left-back, providing two assists and four goal-creating actions too (the joint-most).
They play Morocco, in which they are favourites and if they perform to their best they will keep a clean sheet against them.
Luke Shaw
- Price: $5m
- Picked by: 22%
- Fixture: Senegal
Shaw always delivers for England, picking up an assist in their first game of the tournament.
For Man Utd this season he’s averaging 0.3 per 90, ranking him in the 95th percentile across Europe’s top 5 leagues for full-backs.
This tournament he’s played the third most progressive passes (22) and the third most goal-creating actions (13).
England have been solid at the back once again, keeping two clean sheets and only conceding one non-penalty goal.
Theo Hernandez
- Price: $5m
- Picked by: 20%
- Fixture: Poland
Hernandez is probably the best defensive asset in the game, with the ability to produce attacking and defensive returns.
He has two assists, with the third-highest xA (0.9), and the second-most key passes (9).
France face Poland, who have only taken 6.3 shots per game, which is the fewest of the nations that have qualified for this stage.
Alex Sandro
- Price: $5m
- Picked by: 11%
- Fixture: South Korea
Brazil are yet to concede in the tournament, allowing only 5.5 shots per game (second fewest), and look like they could make it very far into the competition.
Alex Sandro is the cheapest starting defender for the 5-time winners at $5m.
Should they win the group they will most likely face either Ghana or Uruguay, for which they should have the quality to see off.
Marcos Acuna
- Price: $4.5m
- Picked by: 4%
- Fixture: Australia
Argentina have kept two clean sheets since their shock opening game defeat to Saudi Arabia.
In their three games, they’ve allowed the fewest shots per game (3.7) and have the lowest xGA (0.7).
He may have scored -1 points in MD3 but he was subbed off on 60 minutes with a yellow card, denying him 5 clean sheet points.
The Copa America champions face Australia, who they should keep a clean sheet against and advance to the quarter-finals.
Acuna isn’t guaranteed to start but we’ll have his percent chances of doing so on our World Cup starting lineups page.
Bruno Fernandes
- Price: $9.5m
- Picked by: 31%
- Fixture: Switzerland
With two goals and two assists, Bruno Fernandes has the most attacking returns so far at this World Cup.
With midfielders getting 7 points per goal, he is an absolute must-have for MD4.
He’s also made 7 passes into the penalty area, which is the 6th most.
Portugal will probably win the group, therefore facing Switzerland or Serbia next. With their attacking talent, Fernandes could be involved in some goals.
Angel Di Maria
- Price: $8.5m
- Picked by: 21%
- Fixture: Australia
Di Maria has a single assist, making the most passes into the penalty area (10).
He also has 6 key passes (10th most), and for Juventus has averaged 0.5 xAG per 90 (99th percentile).
He plays Australia next, who they are strong favourites against, so having as many of their assets as possible is recommended.
With 20% ownership, it’s wise to own him as he could get another attacking return in this one.
It also helps Argentina have the best chance of reaching the World Cup quarters.
Bukayo Saka
- Price: $8m
- Picked by: 32%
- Fixture: Senegal
Saka is the most advanced of England’s midfield assets and is likely to reclaim his starting place against Senegal.
He has two goals and has been averaging 6.4 touches in the attacking penalty area for Arsenal in the last year (92nd percentile).
England are favourites against Senegal and have performed well at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate, with Saka being one of the most likely scorers for them.
Davy Klaassen
- Price: $6m
- Picked by: 9%
- Fixture: USA
With two goals and an assist, Klaassen has gone under the radar at the World Cup, averaging 1.9 attacking returns per 90.
He plays behind the front two and is great at arriving late into the box, where he could score more against the USA.
Against the USA they meet a team they can definitely beat, and Klaassen could play a key role in that.
He’s a cheap midfielder at $6m with a decent goal threat, making him a great budget asset.
Abdelhamid Sabiri
- Price: $4m
- Picked by: 3%
- Fixture: Spain
Sabiri is one of the very few $4m midfielders still in the competition and is a great enabler to afford more expensive assets.
That being said, he is still a capable midfielder, getting an assist against Belgium and having the third-highest xAG per 90 (0.8).
He has only started one game, the latest win over Canada, but being part of the winning side may keep him in the team.
Even if he doesn’t start, he’s only $4m so it won’t be too much of a waste.
Kylian Mbappe
- Price: $11.5m
- Picked by: 56%
- Fixture: Poland
Mbappe is the current top scorer in Qatar with three goals and is one of the favourites for the World Cup golden boot.
He has the joint-highest xG too (2.4), taking the most shots (16) at a rate of 6.9 per 90.
Additionally, he has an assist, producing the most shot-creating actions per 90 (10.8).
In their first knockout match, France play Poland, who have conceded 16.7 shots per game on average (third most).
If Poland play anything like they did against Argentina, then not owning Mbappe will be a painful watch.
Lionel Messi
- Price: $10.5m
- Picked by: 72%
- Fixture: Australia
Messi contributed massively to Argentina topping the group, with two goals and an assist.
The 7-time Ballon d’Or winner has the joint-highest xG (2.4) – taking the second most shots (11) with 6 on target.
That’s two on target per 90, and as you get points for every two shots on target that means another potential avenue for points.
Furthermore, he has the second most key passes (9), the third most shot-creating actions (17), and the most progressive passes (26).
Argentina’s opponents are Australia, who have been allowing 16.7 shots per game (third most).
There’s a reason why he’s owned by 70% of players, so expect him to produce something against the Socceroos.
Richarlison
- Price: $7.5m
- Picked by: 18%
- Fixture: South Korea
Richarlison has two goals so far, scoring with every shot on target.
Brazil are blessed with attacking talent everywhere on the team, so he’s not short of service up front.
They should win the group as they only need a point against Cameroon, and in doing so will likely face Ghana or Uruguay in the round of 16. A tie in which they’d be favourites.
Alternatively, Cody Gakpo ($7m) is a worthy forward, scoring in every game, but Brazil are likely to progress further in the tournament than the Dutch.
| Name | Team | Position | Price | Pick % | MD3 Points | Overall Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andries Noppert | Netherlands | Goalkeeper | $4.5m | 20% | 7 | 16 |
| Shuichi Gonda | Japan | Goalkeeper | $4m | 3% | 2 | 5 |
| Jordi Alba | Spain | Defender | $6m | 15% | 0 | 16 |
| Luke Shaw | England | Defender | $5m | 22% | 6 | 15 |
| Theo Hernandez | France | Defender | $5m | 20% | 0 | 8 |
| Alex Sandro | Brazil | Defender | $5m | 11% | 0 | 12 |
| Marcos Acuna | Argentina | Defender | $4.5m | 4% | -1 | 5 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Portugal | Midfielder | $9.5m | 31% | 0 | 23 |
| Angel Di Maria | Argentina | Midfielder | $8.5m | 21% | 1 | 9 |
| Bukayo Saka | England | Midfielder | $8m | 32% | 0 | 17 |
| Davy Klaassen | Netherlands | Midfielder | $6m | 9% | 6 | 17 |
| Abdelhamid Sabiri | Morocco | Midfielder | $4m | 3% | 1 | 4 |
| Kylian Mbappe | France | Forward | $11.5m | 56% | 1 | 23 |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | Forward | $10.5m | 72% | 3 | 19 |
| Richarlison | Brazil | Forward | $7.5m | 18% | 0 | 13 |