And then there were four… it’s time for the semifinals, and one of these four teams will win their first global championship (World Cup/Olympics)! Remember that you have three free transfers and an increase in budget for Round 6. Here are my thoughts on the two semifinal match-ups.
Spain v. Sweden
With 15 goals through the first five matches, Spain is the most prolific scoring team remaining in the tournament. Sweden is tied with England for the fewest goals conceded (two) of the quarterfinalists. So, on the face of it, this match appears as a contest between Spain’s offense and Sweden’s defense.
However, remember that Sweden has scored 11 goals, and their first two knockout games have been against very effective defensive teams: the USA conceded only once in four games and has the lowest xGA of any team in the tournament, and Japan conceded only three times in five games. Of the two semifinal matches, I think this one has far more potential for multiple goals. Therefore, I would devote the majority of your FW and MF budget to Sweden and Spain.
Specifically, if you can work out some combination of Swedish forwards and Spanish midfielders, and perhaps fit in Amanda Illestedt (Sweden’s set piece goal specialist), your team should be set up for success. If you’re limited on transfers, I’d prioritize in this order:
- Teresa Abelleira ($400k)
- Aitana Bonmatí ($900k)
- Amanda Illestedt ($400k)
- Sofia Jakobsson ($700k)
Abelleira is leading the tournament in both corner kicks and crosses, while Bonmati is leading Spain (tied with Jennifer Hermoso) with three goals scored. Jakobsson is leading the tournament in xGA/90, and trailing only Abelleira in total xGA, so she is primed for a breakout game.
Australia v. England
This is the match in which to use your DF and GK budget. Australia hasn’t conceded since their second match, and England has had perhaps the most effective defense (for fantasy purposes anyway) throughout the tournament. I’ve mentioned several times how the Lionesses’ back three of Alex Greenwood, Lucy Bronze, and Millie Bright are ideal fantasy options, and the Matildas now have three of the top 25 DFs as well: Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley, and Ellie Carpenter. Here’s my priority list of transfers for the semis from this group:
- Alex Greenwood ($900k)
- Steph Catley ($900k)
- Millie Bright ($900k)
- Lucy Bronze ($1M)
- Alanna Kennedy ($700k)
Greenwood is the highest-scoring DF in the World Cup, and she and Catley have both been taking corner kicks. Catley is leading the tournament in clearances. I’ll give Bronze the slight edge over Bright due to the number of tackles she’s recorded, but both players (as well as Greenwood) are in the top ten for most touches in the World Cup. Kennedy is leading in both clearances and aerials won.
For GK, any of the four keepers remaining are viable options, but I’d lean towards either Mary Earps or Mackenzie Arnold depending on how much money you have left. Maybe just pick the goalkeeper of the team you’re not rooting for, so then you have a reason to celebrate either way 🙂
What are your thoughts on the semis? Comment or tweet @MansersAnswers!