With just 6 hours to go until the GW1 deadline, the addition of the “scouting bonus” feature has led to a huge amount of panic, unpredictability and volatility in people’s teams. The scouting bonus gives players under 5% owned a +2 bonus if they score more than 4 points. World Cup Fantasy experts have recommended around 5-6 “differentials” per team to ensure you get the most out of this game. So with the gameweek just around the corner, I have suggested some great options who, at the time of writing, are under 5% owned.
1. Ferran Torres – 3.8%
Latest news on Lamine Yamal suggests that he will be restricted to a brief cameo against Cape Verde and 60 mins against Saudi Arabia before being ready to start against Uruguay. With Yamal out of the team, it leaves a gap open for Spanish attacker, Ferran Torres, a forward who has started in friendlies when the 18-year-old superstar has been injured. Ferran Torres, whilst often being considered a squad player for club and country, has always retained a good goal record when given the chance. He’s managed 21 goals for Barcelona this season and 24 in his Spain career. His ownership is just 3.8% at the moment, making him a huge differential as well as potential for the new scouting bonus (+2 points). With many people favouring well-known attackers such as Mbappe, Haaland or Kane, and Spain forward, Oyarzarbal being 20.5% owned, Ferran, whilst risky, seems a no-brainer against a weak side in Cape Verde.
2. Sergino Dest – 2.1%
Whilst pre-tournament friendlies aren’t an effective way of measuring a country’s goal scorers and assisters, it is helpful for tactics and patterns of play. During the USA’s friendly Vs Senegal, his heatmap resembled that of a winger, surprisingly popping up in the number 9 position and scoring from the opener. If he were to replicate this against Paraguay, he would score a huge +9 for the goal, +2 for appearance and +2 for scouting bonus. Furthermore, against Paraguay, there is huge scope for a clean sheet, adding the potential of another +6 – making a 19-point haul entirely possible. Whilst it is unrealistic and purely hypothetical to predict a player’s points, Pochettino’s style of wing-backs make the defender an extremely affordable, effective and differential option with the added benefit of scouting bonus. For me, he can’t be ignored.
3. Antonio Nusa – 3.4%
At just 3.4% owned, the Norwegian winger is an extremely attractive option in midfield. Whilst Norway are placed in a tough group, the opener against Iraq leaves likely potential for huge returns in a game that could see lots of goals scored. Despite struggling for RB Leipzig this season, Nusa has always impressed for Norway and, in qualifying, averaged 3.96 shots and 2.45 chances created per 90. With Haaland in the box, Nusa will no doubt be assisting him massively -making the potential for a huge haul all but likely.
4. Maxime Crepeau – 4.6%
Due to the limitations of goalkeepers in fantasy draft games, the +2 scouting bonus addition makes owning a goalkeeper under 5% so important. As well as this, the manual substitution feature makes having two affordable keepers imperative, as if one blanks, you can sub the other one on. As Canada’s nailed-on starter in qualifying, Crepeau is expected to start against Bosnia and Qatar – fixtures that are likely to go in Canada’s favour. Furthermore, based on friendlies, Canada’s game plan is set to be very defence-focused, and at just 4.6% owned, the Canadians should score at least one clean sheet during the group stage. The other popular budget goalkeeper in Raul Rangel sits at 4.8% owned, but with Mexico’s team sheet releasing before the deadline, any scenario where Rangel starts will no doubt put him over the 5% threshold. Crepeau, playing well after the deadline, is almost guaranteed to stay below the threshold, with Canada just as likely as co-hosts Mexico to keep a clean sheet.
5. Reece James – 4.6%
As an England fan, it’s difficult to remain unbiased when playing World Cup Fantasy. Wanting players to do well can lead to irrationality and heart over head, but I still believe that starting right-back Reece James is a great addition to any World Cup team. The Chelsea man is surprisingly just 4.6% owned, and with England playing next week, this is unlikely to increase. On the ball, we know what the 26-year-old can do; he creates a huge volume of chances, averages 1.38 crosses per 90, and often moves into midfield, leaving probable scope to get assists. England play Croatia first, which is a tough fixture, but GW2 and GW3 fixtures: Ghana and Panama are a lot easier. With clinical Kane in the box, and obvious capability for clean sheets, James to receive a 4 point haul seems extremely likely to me.
