Tuesday 12 June 2012

Euro Insight : Matchday 2 & 3 Picks




Matchday 1 has not been the most scoring due to several reasons. Only 2 clean sheets including that of Denmark which was literally against the odds and lots of 1-1 draws from team which are expected to win the tournament.However they have seen their toughest game in the group stages go by and theres all to play for in Matchday 2 and 3. 

Had to make this article really quick due to the timing between matchdays, so lets see whats in store for Matchday 2 and 3 :




Euro 2012 Matchday 2 Schedule :
DateTimeMatchTeam
Tue, June 1218:00(CET)Match 1Greece vs Czech Republic
Tue, June 1220:45(CET)Match 2Poland vs Russia
Wed,June 1318:00(CET)Match 3Denmark vs Portugal
Wed,June 1320:45(CET)Match 4Netherlands vs Germany
Thu,June 1418:00(CET)Match 5Italy vs Croatia
Thu,June 1420:45(CET)Match 6Spain vs Republic of Ireland
Fri,June 1518:00(CET)Match 7Ukraine vs France
Fri,June 1520:45(CET)Match 8Sweden vs England

Euro 2012 Matchday 3 Schedule :
DateTimeMatchTeam
Sat, June 1620:45(CET)Match 1Greece vs Russia
Sat, June 1620:45(CET)Match 2Czech Republic vs Poland
Sun,June 1720:45(CET)Match 3Portugal vs Netherlands
Sun,June 1720:45(CET)Match 4Denmark vs Germany
Mon,June 1820:45(CET)Match 5Croatia vs Spain
Mon,June 1820:45(CET)Match 6Italy vs Republic of Ireland
Tue,June 1920:45(CET)Match 7Sweden vs France
Tue,June 1920:45(CET)Match 8England vs Ukraine

Note :

All timings are as per CET.

Wildcard is available and you can use it just once in this game.

Goalkeepers :


Buffon ( 6.5 )
Unbeaten in qualifying stages and Italy look solid in defence.


Lloris ( 6.5 )
Its time to back up with stronger defenses as they have easier matchups and more chances of clean sheets.France is undoubtedly on their way up and have been rock solid in defense during qualifying.

Hart ( 6.0 )
The one difference i see in this England team is that they have a great keeper unlike previous competitions where they had to depend on the likes of Green and Robinson. Hart is world class and it will not be easy to score against him this time around.Good price at 6.0


Bargain Pick : Cech ( 5.0 )
Czech Republic clearly seem to be struggling in defense but why not keep Cech as a second keeper and hope that he produces a clean sheer.Even if he doesn't , you still have your bench keeper to back him up.

FORWARDS 


Cassano
Seems to be a sure starter for Italy and if they stick with the same lineup, Cassano will be a great asset in your team.Not to expensive and the possibility of Italy scoring in the balance 2 group stage games is high.I would prefer Cassano to Balloteli.


Benzema ( 9.5 )
Same reasons as above.Top man from a team on the up.


Lewandowski ( 8.0 ) 
Not the easiest of games against Russia but if you want to get behind the hosts , look no further than this man.


Gomes ( 11.5 )
If you really want to splash your funds, i would prefer Gomes against Netherlands as he has a good team to support him with the likes of Muller / Podolski / Ozil etc he will always get lots of opportunities as compared to Ronaldo who has to earn for himself literally.


Ibrahimovic ( 8.0 )
Even if the matchup is not great , i would still recommend Ibrahimovic due to the quality he possesses.He has been in exceptional form through last season and has been scoring in all the games for sweden lately.If you fancy a goal against England, you could pick him.

Differential picks 
Apart from the names already mentions , i would look at Ronaldo ( 11.0 ) if you have some spare funds as he plays Denmark who have not been a easy team to beat.Out of the England strikers i would like to mention my hunch for this matchday i.e Defoe ( 7.0 ) If he starts he could score a couple and just feels he is due some goals.Salpingidis came on from the bench and could have easily scored a couple more with the chances he had.If you want an enabler i would recommend him at ( 5.0 ) From the russian camp one man who has been consistent up till now has been Arshavin and he seems to be involved with most of the moves they make upfront .Last but not the least is Jelavic( 5.0 ) , even though he is playing a tough game he is capable of scoring goals.

ROONEY ( 10.5 )
Note that Rooney, who has been unavailable for the first 2 games of Euro 2012 is now available for matchday 3 and he will be a top pick among the strikers.

MIDFIELDERS

Iniesta ( 9.5 )
Man of the match performance against Italy and was unfortunate to not put himself on the scoring sheet.Im still backing him.

Young ( 8.5 ) 
Key player for England this time around and lots depend on how he plays really.He has been instrumental in the build up with a couple of goals and assists.If i had to pick one of the England midfielders, it would undoubtedly be Young.

Fabregas ( 8.5 )
Was a little surprised to see Fabregas start as a striker against Italy and they could have done better with their formation in my opinion.But if they stick with something similar , then Fabregas is surely an asset as he will be playing upfront either alone or along side the other forward.


Mandzukic ( 6.0 ) 
Another value for money pick as he plays upfront for Croatia. He has had a good season with Wolfsburg scoring 12 goals and 8 assists.And the two goals he scored against Republic of Ireland.


Dzagoev ( 7.5 )
The difference between a good and a bad matchday 1.If you had him , im sure would be happy with the 2 goals.Clearly the best pick in this Russia side and surely there is more to come.

Differential Picks 
Having to choose 5 midfielders, you will need a mix of both experienced and fresh talent who have been making a name for themselves in the run in to this competition.
Blaszczykowski ( 7.5 ) He takes all free kicks, corners and penalty kicks which could be an asset.Played well in the first game and got an assist.Shirokov ( 6.0 ) is another differential pick from the Russian camp.Offers plenty going forward with respect to Goals and assists.Nasri ( 8.5) had a great game against England and playing just behind the strikers suits his game.Yarmolenko( 7.0 ) has been in good form and is instrumental in Ukraine's run in.Gerrard ( 8.5 ) could also be looked at as he takes all free kicks, penalty and corners which is a big asset in this game.Another addition to this section is Pirlo ( 8.0 ) who always seems to be improving with age.His deliveries are well converted by the forwards and not to forget the goals he is capable of scoring from long range.Krohn-Dehli (6.0) is a good option as an enabler.


DEFENDERS

Lescott ( 5.5 )
Cheapest defender from a top team and sure short starter.Started this tournament with a goal and is good with set pieces as we have seen in Manchester City.

Jordi Alba ( 6.5 )
Sure starter for Spain at left back and his price is affordable.I would assume Spain to be outright winners in their group and Alba offers good potential.

Debuchy ( 5.5 )
Same reasons as Lescott.Great value and after the man of the match performance against England, he looks threatening going forward.

Kadlec ( 5.5 )
Had a great run in the qualifiers with 4 goals. He is the penalty taker for the Czechs and that could well prove to be the differential in your team.

Zhirkov ( 6.0 )
Another good left back who offers lots going forward. Valued at 6.0 and a good pick to have in your team.Russia have been rock solid in their defense and with just 1 goals in their last 7 qualifiers speaks alot for their defense.

Differential picks :
In the experienced lot you could also look at A.Cole ( 6.5 ) , Boateng ( 6.5 ) Terry ( 6.5 )and Evra ( 6.0) as their value seems to be worth it.K.Papadopoulos ( 4.5 ) has returned back to full fitness with a goals in their last friendly game and also he eases your funds to be invested elsewhere.
Strinic ( 4.0) is another good bargain pick as he tends to go forward and get the odd goal.


Well, alot of options we have there for you. You will find good picks in there to complete your 15 man squad and its important to have a good bench strength so that you can change any player who you feel hasn't  played as per your expectation.

You are most welcome to join our Blog Fantasy League ( Code : 5750-17458 )

You may also feel free to discuss your teams in the Comments section below.

Have a great tournament.

Cheers. 







17 comments:

  1. * My Initial Team [racked up 52 points]: http://en.euro2012fantasy.uefa.com/entry/27401/event-history/1/

    * Wildcarded team for matchday 2:
    Anderson / Chalkias [useless now]
    Lescott – J.Alba – Strinić (Perquis – Maniatis)
    Sneijder – Iniesta – Young – Ribéry [K.Andrews]
    Lewandowski – Benzema – Nani [Current Captain]

    * Any thoughts on a slight improvement i can make for match day 3?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Derp,

      52 is good for Matchday 1 where 50-70 was supposed to be a above par score in a low scoring week.

      You team looks alright to me for both Matchday 2 and 3.But you will need to see how Group B play today and how their results impact team selection of Matchday 3.

      I see Anderson,Sneijder and Nani all from that group and depending on todays matches you will need to see who to replace out of these 3.
      Also next up for Denmark is Germany so Andersen isnt the best of picks.

      Rest is good

      Delete
    2. i am thinking about using my free transfer to replace lewandowski or nani with cassano or balotteli. is this a wise move or is there any other better change i can make with the free transfer. can't bring in torres or silva as i already have two spanish players.

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    3. tonight's two games helped me make up my mind :). its going to be Dzagoev who replaces ashley young. now i have a slight problem on who to captain on the first day of match day 3. Lewandowski or Dzagoev. my thinking is more towards Dzagoev at the moment :)

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    4. Agree with Dzagoev for captain today.

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    5. Talk about bad luck!. i was reluctant with bringing in Dzagoev into an already high profile midfield. His outstanding form changed my mind.i couldn't keep dragging the out of form ashley young. But sucker Dzagoev not only he didn't give me any points, sucker went out of the tournament all together :)

      Delete
  2. here i present a list of many online soccer-fantasy / manager-games (with useful helplinks): www.nomaam-family.de/index.php?forum-showposts-187 !!! some links are not active anymore, but maybe they could start again. i improve this page step by step, so continue watching it. ... have fun and goodbye !^^ sorry for my bad english, i am german :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. here i present a list of many online soccer-fantasy / manager-games (with useful helplinks): www.nomaam-family.de/index.php?forum-showposts-187 !!! some links are not active anymore, but maybe they could start again. i improve this page step by step, so continue watching it. ... have fun and goodbye !^^ sorry for my bad english, i am german :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AM: This is My Preliminary Team For The Q.Finals:

    Rui Patrício / Chalkias
    Lescott – Abate – João Pereira - Hummels - Limberský
    Özil – Iniesta – Gerrard – Pilař - Fortounis
    Cassano – Gomez – Cristiano Ronaldo

    * Do i have the all the assets i need to come through with high points in the Q.Finals. Any advice on any improvements i could make will be very much appreciated. Abate i think has a very good chance of featuring for italy's starting eleven after confirmation of the injury to Chiellini.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pretty solid team there Derp. I would alter it.

      Hows your rank ?

      Delete
    2. I meant - i "wouldn't " alter it. Cheers

      Delete
    3. Not Great. 147 points and rank: 23,757. gambled on benzema as captain and let me down, and ribery as well :). just looking to come as close to the top places as possible.

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    4. The only thing i don't like about fantasy football is dependency on luck. Strong Knowledge of football, tactics, players, teams, form, picking a strong team and all is not enough to be at the top :). But anyway still it makes watching football more fun. specially the teams you don't support :)

      Delete
  6. Also do you think i have all the necessary contingency plans in place in case i need to change a few for the semi finals. i have no extra cash left in the bank. That is if you don't count 0.1 Million Euro :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. QUARTER FINAL PICKS???????????????????PLEASE!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Mate,

      All picks have been covered in our Preview of Matchday 1, 2 and 3

      Picks for QF, SF and Finals are no different from those picks.

      However you should be all in on Germany and a mix of players from Portugal/Czech .The rest of the two games will be tight.I would also look at some England contingents.

      Good Luck.

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