With less than a week left before the start of the season’s most awaited football competition kicks off, we shift our attention to the FIFA World Cup as fans across the globe look forward to cheering their beloved national teams over a four-week period before resuming the club campaign for the final stretch of the season. However, alongside the usual fandom surrounding the World Cup, FWC managers are expected to continue involving themselves in the intricacies of the game, with the competition’s official fantasy game offering a unique experience of fantasy football over the duration of the tournament.
With a mouth-watering roster of players across the competition, FWC managers are expected to remain calculative and ahead of the curve in their planning throughout the tournament. Moreover, with several underdog teams suffused across the groups, upsetting results are likely to play a key part in determining one’s overall points during the short duration of the tournament this time around. Hence, whilst the premium picks are more than likely to deliver the desired returns, the bargain and budget assets are expected to play a pivotal role, with FWC managers looking to draft in the most promising of those players before game-week one.
As a result, with the Fantasy World Cup 2022 expected to grow in intrigue as the tournament progresses, in this article, we take a look at the most promising budget picks from the outfield positions as FWC managers look to build a compelling squad for the start of the competition this Sunday.
DEFENDERS
Borna Sosa [£3.5m, Morocco, Canada, Belgium]
Expected to be Croatia’s starting left-back at the World Cup, Sosa emerges as the foremost bargain buys amongst defenders ahead of the start of the competition. With the team having only conceded four goals in 10 games during the group stages of qualification, Croatia establish themselves as a defensively resolute side expected to make it to the knockout stages of this year’s World Cup.
With Sosa heading into the tournament on the back of an impressive vein of form – registering eight assists in 13 games across all competitions for VfB Stuttgart – the left-back boasts the potential to provide fruitful returns at the World Cup. Facing sides unlikely to concede a goal against in their opening two fixtures, Sosa emerges as a promising pick available for a bargain price amongst defenders ahead of the tournament.
Pervis Estupinan [£4.5m, Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal]
Amongst the promising options in defence at the World Cup, Estupinan continues to garner attention amongst FWC managers looking to maximise their defensive prowess before the start of the tournament. Likely to emerge as Ecuador’s primary free-kick taker alongside having kept five clean sheets in his last five outings with the national team, the left-back establishes himself as a viable option amongst budget defenders.
With Ecuador heading into the tournament on the back of a promising reputation owing to their recent performances, the African nation could potentially cause a handful of upsets at the tournament. Boasting a notable roster of talent across the squad, Etsupinan emerges amongst the pick of the players, with the left-back likely to deliver fruitful returns provided Ecuador perform to their potential during the tournament.
Kieran Trippier [£5.0m, Iran, Usa, Wales]
Amongst the notable names available for a bargain price, Trippier currently emerges as the second-most drafted defender in the game, at the time of writing. Having enjoyed an excellent campaign with Newcastle United hitherto, the full-back is expected to play a pivotal role for the England national side in this tournament.
England’s primary free-kick and corner taker alongside having been a reliable defender in recent tournaments, the right-back emerges as a respectable all-around option for FWC managers looking to maximise their assets’ potential in the tournament. Moreover, having scored once and assisted thrice alongside accounting for nine clean sheets in the Premier League with for Newcastle United before the break, the full-back is expected to emerge amongst the first names on the team sheet for England as they look to end their World Cup drought this winter.
MIDFIELDERS
Leandro Trossard [£5.5m, Canada, Morocco, Croatia]
Likely to emerge as a notable asset, provided he receives adequate game-time during the group stages, Trossard will be keen on bringing his excellent form with Brighton & Hove Albion into the World Cup. Having scored seven goals alongside registering three assists for the Seagulls heading into the tournament, the attacking midfielder boasts a promising reputation amongst the budget options ahead of the start of the competition.
Whilst Eden Hazard is likely to be granted a nod ahead of Trossard, provided the former fails to remain fit throughout Belgium’s journey in the World Cup, the latter is expected to slot into the starting line-up replacing the Real Madrid winger. Facing two sides likely to put up a competitive fight on the pitch, Trossard could emerge as a game-changer during crucial moments, with the midfielder having proven his capability with Brighton & Hove Albion this season.
Piotr Zielinski [£6.5m, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Argentina]
Registering five goals and seven assists for Napoli in 20 games this season, Zielinksi emerges as a promising option for FWC managers looking to secure a differential budget midfielder ahead of the season. Likely to emerge as an occasional free-kick and corner-taker for the Polish national side, the midfielder is expected to find the back of the net during the group-stage fixtures.
Moreover, with Poland expected to emerge as a competitive side moving within their group, Zielinski is expected to play a pivotal role in the team’s prospects as they aim to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition this World Cup.
Steven Bergwijn [£7.0m, Senegal, Ecuador, Qatar]
Although operating as a second striker on the pitch, Bergwijn’s classification as a midfielder within FWC allows managers to consider the Dutchman as an exciting asset ahead of the tournament. Having registered five goals and one assist in his last five outings with the Netherlands national side, the forward is expected to be involved in the goals owing to being amongst the first names on the team sheet under Louis Van Gaal.
Moreover, facing a favourable set of teams within the group stages, Bergwijn is expected to deliver favourable returns early in the campaign. With FWC managers looking to draft in the most viable goal-scoring options, the Dutchman emerges as the foremost pick amongst mid-budget midfielders heading into the tournament.
FORWARDS
Aleksandar Mitrovic [£7.0m, Brazil, Cameroon, Switzerland]
In a rich vein of form heading into the World Cup, Mitrovic establishes himself amongst the most notable forwards in FWC ahead of the tournament. Having registered nine goals in 12 Premier League games for Fulham before the break, the Serbian forward is expected to find the back of the net in the group stages, although Serbia are expected to face a stiff challenge in qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.
The national side’s primary goal-scorer, Mitrovic heads into the competition having netted eight goals in the same number of games during qualification. Moreover, having topped the charts for non-penalty goals (1.36 npXG) and shots on target (3.24) per 90 minutes amongst European teams during the World Cup qualifiers, the Serbian talisman is expected to be involved in the goals in the early part of the competition.
Lautaro Martinez [£8.0m, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland]
A significant figure for Argentina on the pitch, Martinez is expected to play a pivotal role in the South American nation’s quest for World Cup glory this winter. In a promising vein of form heading into the tournament, the attacker emerges amongst the likeliest of forwards to deliver fruitful returns in the early stages of the competition.
Accounting for seven goals and two assists for Inter Milan before the break, Martinez is likely to be paired alongside Lionel Messi in the frontline against Saudi Arabia next week. Moreover, a prolific goal-scorer for the national side during the qualifiers, the attacker is likely to deliver valuable returns owing to Argentina’s relatively favourable group stage fixtures this World Cup.
