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World Cup Fantasy Football Tips, Round of 16: Defenders

We're down to the last 16, so make the most of your ever-receding options.

Jan Vertonghen, one of our World Cup Fantasy Football tips for the last 16
Vertonghen… Recommended (Image: Paulblank)

As educated guesses go, our World Cup Fantasy Football tips for defenders (and goalkeepers) in the round of 16 are 26 per cent more educated and a whopping 87 per cent more guessed than the national average.

Several different versions of the game are proving to be popular so we can’t be specific on prices, but then your choices get less and less as more teams get knocked out anyway.

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Anyway, on with the last 16 defenders (and goalkeepers)…

World Cup Fantasy Football Tips, Round of 16: Defenders (and goalkeepers)

First of all, have a look for players who are listed as defenders but play a little bit further up the pitch – we’re thinking mostly here of Holland’s Danny Blind and Germany’s Philipp Lahm, each of whom might get you an assist as well as a clean sheet.

Germany looked back to their solid best in the second half of their 1-0 win over the USA, restricting their opponents to very few chances – we rather fancy them to keep a clean sheet against Algeria, even with the Africans in decent goal-scoring form.

Centre-back pair Per Mertesacker and Mats Hummels are dangerous from set-pieces, so may even get you a points-spinning goal to boot.

Mexico’s defence has been in fine form thus far but proceed with caution here – they take on a Netherlands side with Robin van Persie and Arjen Robben both flying.

Level with Mexico as the tightest defences so far are Belgium and Costa Rica, each of whom have conceded only once so far.

Costa Rica take on a Greece side that’s by no means prolific, so have a think about one of their defenders – Óscar Duarte for instance costs just £3m in the Mirror Fantasy Football game, our preferred version on account of its similarity to Fantasy Premier League.

Duarte even scored a header in the 3-1 win over Uruguay, so the potential is there for a bargain albeit Costa Rica are unlikely to go all the way.

You might prefer someone from Belgium – Jan Vertonghen scored the winner in the 1-0 win over Korea Republic, while Vincent Kompany has been known to score a goal or two.

Belgium take on a useful looking USA side, but they do look solid so have a think about their options.

Oh, and Colombia of course take on a Uruguay side shorn of the services of a certain Luis Suárez, so they could well turn out to be a horse worth backing.

Ultimately it’s up to you. Good luck and happy selecting!

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