Make transfers wisely with these McDonald’s FIFA World Cup Fantasy tips for defenders in the quarter-finals of Russia 2018’s official fantasy football.
With only eight teams left, you may now choose up to five players from each side – so keep this in mind when making your three free transfers.
If you need to make further transfers on top of these you can, although you’ll incur a four-point penalty for each one.
With that in mind, recommended picks include players from England, Croatia, Brazil, Sweden and France.
Kieran Trippier/Ashley Young/Harry Maguire, ENG – 5.6m/5.4m/4.9m
John Stones is the one with two goals at this World Cup, but there are strong arguments apiece for these other England defenders.
Trippier and Young could both score attacking points as well as defensive ones, while Maguire is cheap and has looked threatening from set pieces.
Although a quarter-final fixture against Sweden is by no means easy, on paper it’s the best draw England could have had at this stage.
RELATED: Mystic Megson’s Sweden v England score prediction
Dejan Lovren, CRO – 5.1m
Part of a Croatia defence that could be hard for Russia to break down, and he’s got the potential for getting on the end of a set piece and scoring.
Indeed, he could well have scored from a Luka Modrić free kick against Denmark in the round of 16.
RELATED: Mystic Megson’s Russia v Croatia score prediction
Fagner, BRA – 5.1m
Brazil would do well not to concede against Belgium, but they’ve kept three clean sheets in a row so you might well back them to do so.
At just 5.1m, Fagner is arguably cheap enough to warrant the risk.
RELATED: Mystic Megson’s Brazil v Belgium score prediction
Benjamin Pavard, FRA – 4.5m
France conceded three against Argentina last time out so their defence isn’t necessarily the tightest, although their next opponents Uruguay aren’t the most attacking.
Pavard showed his potential for attacking returns against Argentina, scoring a brilliant goal and getting forward regularly, so he could prove a bargain.
RELATED: Mystic Megson’s Uruguay v France score prediction
Andreas Granqvist, SWE – 5.2m
Sweden’s first-choice penalty taker, he’s already scored two at this tournament so far and will no doubt step up if they get one against England.
However, with Harry Kane in this form, you probably shouldn’t be counting on Sweden to keep a clean sheet.
RELATED: Mystic Megson’s Sweden v England score prediction
Good luck and happy selecting!