Table of Contents
For the European Championship edition of Telegraph Fantasy Football, we have a team of fantasy football fanatics ready to bring you expert advice from fellow managers that live, sleep and breathe TFF.
Today’s writer, Shaun Thorpe, has played multiple fantasy football formats over the years but loves the strategy required for short-form tournaments, knowing when to move players in and out.
Telegraph Fantasy Football Euros Edition: Quarter-Finals
Spain vs Germany
Many people feel the winner of this game will go on to lift the trophy. Both sides made it through to this stage with relative ease, Germany withstanding a chalked-off opener from Denmark and a lightning storm, while Spain eventually blew away the plucky Georgians after going a goal behind.
For both teams, it is the younger generation that has taken centre stage, with Spain’s attacking trio of Williams, Ruiz and Yamal scoring three goals and recording five assists between them, while for Germany, Jamal Musiala is the current joint-top goalscorer with three goals in what feels like a breakthrough moment for the Bayern Munich man.
Portugal v France
Unlike Spain and Germany, both teams struggled through their respective games, with Portugal requiring the heroics of Diogo Costa to beat Slovenia and France requiring an 85th minute own goal to send Belgium home.
This would have looked like a shoe-in for Kylian Mbappe and a free-flowing French attack prior to the tournament. However, Le Bleus have only scored two goals from open play (both own goals) and a penalty, and this could be another low-scoring affair. So far Portugal have been far from their best and it shows with their top five point-scorers all being defenders.
England v Switzerland
If you looked purely at the performances during the tournament so far, Switzerland would sit as firm favourites after drawing with hosts Germany and outplaying a poor Italian side. Their midfield engine room has been the star of the show, with Remi Freuler and Michel Aebischer scoring a combined 40 points – nine tackles and a goal and an assist each.
They have, however, only achieved one clean sheet and eventually an England team with many attacking options will take advantage.
By contrast, England have really struggled and one of their brightest points has been the form of Marc Guehi, who is now suspended for this game. It is no surprise that it is Jude Bellingham who has dragged the team to the quarters with two goals and eight tackles.
Netherlands v Turkey
Although the Netherlands struggled in their group, a morale-boosting victory over Romania in the first knockout phase, as well as the form of joint top-scorer Cody Gakpo and top assister Xavi Simons will be giving them hope of a deep run, especially with the half of the draw they have ended up in.
Turkey, on the other hand, has shown real attacking intent, winning three of their four games so far (only losing to Portugal) and scoring seven goals in that period. Youngster Arda Guler has been particularly impressive and is the bright spark in this exciting team.
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Telegraph Fantasy Football Euros Edition: Round 5 tips
The Telegraph Fantasy Football player list has been analysed ahead of the next round and these look like the best players to transfer in:
1. Jamal Musiała £5.4m
The forward looks like the main threat for the hosts and will attack a Spanish defence who, as Georgia proved, will give you chances if you get at them.
2. Cody Gakpo £5.3m
There’s not much to say here that wasn’t already said when tipped in the last round. This doesn’t need to be over-complicated – the Liverpool forward is the joint-top goalscorer and has one of the easier opponents from the quarter-final ties.
3. Jude Bellingham £5.7m
Talismanic for a struggling England team, in the easier half of the draw and if they are going to go one further than Euro 2020, you feel it will be him… “who else”?
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