Thread by @eytexi

🏆 #FIFAWorldCup
🔮 #WorldCupFantasy

🇳🇱 🇸🇳 GROUP A PREDICTIONS 🇪🇨 🇶🇦

Welcome to the 1st of 8 #WorldCup threads covering: my predictions, team-by-team top #WCFantasy picks (for the official game, @RealFevrFantasy, & @FanTeamOfficial), & my consequent selections {THREAD}

🗓️ GROUP A - PREDICTIONS 🔮

As discussed below, I expect Qatar to struggle throughout, suffering convincing defeats in all 3 fixtures. The Netherlands should progress with a flawless record, whilst I expect Senegal to dispatch Ecuador to tie up the group

🇳🇱 NETHERLANDS 🇳🇱 #WorldCupFantasy
✨ TOP PICK - MEMPHIS DEPAY (8.5M) ✨

Since 2021 began, Depay ranks 1st for goals (21) & assists (11) among Dutch internationals, also topping shots (58), SOT (30) & big chances missed (7) in qualifying. And he has pens. & set-pieces!

🇸🇳 SENEGAL 🇸🇳 #WorldCupFantasy
✨ TOP PICK - BOULAYE DIA (5.0M) ✨

The front-runner for the striker spot (started 4 consecutive games) is highly under-priced in the official game & presents value vs. Qatar. Only Mané, Diedhiou & Sarr have more goals since qualifying began (3).

🇪🇨 ECUADOR 🇪🇨 #WorldCupFantasy
✨ TOP PICK - MOISÉS CAICEDO (5.5M) ✨

With striker spots precious in the official game, Caicedo looks value vs. Qatar, topping Ecuadorian statistics across the board: assists (4; 1st), shots (25; 2nd), SOT (8; 3rd), big chances missed (3; 3rd).

🇶🇦 QATAR 🇶🇦 #WorldCupFantasy
✨ TOP PICK - SAAD AL SHEEB (4.0M) ✨

This seems the rational pick, Qatar's #1 presenting a budget route into having 2 attempts at GK selection given the manual substitution rules in place. Pair him with a reliable stopper & hope for a penalty save.

🔮 #WorldCupFantasy @RealFevrFantasy
✨ GROUP A - TOP SELECTIONS ✨

🇳🇱 Memphis Depay (8.0m)
🇸🇳 Boulaye Dia (6.0m)
🇪🇨 Michael Estrada (5.5m)
🇶🇦 Almoez Ali (5.0m)

🔮 #WorldCupFantasy @FanTeamOfficial
✨ GROUP A - TOP SELECTIONS ✨

🇳🇱 Denzel Dumfries (7.0m)
🇸🇳 Sadio Mané (8.5m)
🇪🇨 Michael Estrada (8.0m)
🇶🇦 Saad Al Sheeb (4.5m)

🔮 #WorldCupFantasy

🎁 MY SELECTIONS - GROUP A 🗓️
I own Dumfries & Depay in all formats; Bergwijn is an option for MD3. Estrada & Caicedo (in RF/FT & the official game, respectively) will take spots vs. Qatar, whilst I'll look to Dia & Mané (in RF & FT, respectively) for MD2.

💭 Closing thoughts, until next time... 💭

🏆 Groups B-H will be covered soon - be sure to follow & ensure you don't miss out!

In the meantime:
1) join the @CaribouKraftPOD league: play.fifa.com/fantasy-classi…
2) check out @FPL_Austria, @Konate_FPL & @FantasyFPundit for more!