Hi all! My name is Sam. I’m a Belgian journalist and FPL casual. Ever since I was little, I’ve been absolutely addicted to the Red Devils – by which I don’t mean a small club somewhere in Manchester, but the national Belgian team. In the next few weeks, I’ll be doing write-ups on the Belgian squad and its relevant Euro Fantasy assets. More specifically, you’ll learn
- Which players performed well, especially in friendly matches which not everyone watches.
- Injury news and updates, which could be very relevant in the coming weeks (Hazard – KDB – Witsel).
- Little known stats and quotes during press conferences
- Predicted line-ups
I would appreciate you all to read the first part in case you haven’t: BELGIUM Euro Fantasy Watch EP. 1 – Looking Forward and ‘In my Defense’
THE BELGIAN ATTACK: LOOKING FORWARD
Yesterday, I tackled the Belgian defensive options including the wing-backs. Today, I will be talking about Belgian’s biggest weapon: the attack.
Roberto Martinez’ squad is absolutely ruthless on the ball against teams that show the slightest weakness. The 3-4-3 system is very dynamic, and in theory Belgium has all the players needed to score more than 2 goals per game. That’s what happened during the qualifiers, where Belgium averaged 4 goals per game (40 in 10 games). Of course, these data are skewed by games against some very poor teams in the group, like Gibraltar and Cyprus. But it does show that when Martinez’ men play against a team like Finland on Matchday 3, chances are they’ll score 3 goals without any problems.
Belgium already won against group B opponents Russia in the qualifiers, scoring 3 and 4 goals in the process. When they met their other group B opponents Denmark in the Nations League last year, they’ve beaten them 4-2 and 2-0. In fact, the last time Belgium failed to score a goal in any game, was in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against France. That’s three years ago! (Belgium did lose one game during that period: 2-1 vs England in the Nations League)
Further Read: Beginner’s Guide to EURO Fantasy: How to Play, Rules, Scoring and Tips
WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS IN ATTACK?
Let’s start with the most important player: Romelu Lukaku (11.0). He is the main striker in the 3-4-3 line-up and his recent stats are out of this world. This season alone, he scored 30 goals en got 10 assists in 44 games for Inter. Since the World Cup, he’s got 19 goals and 6 assists in 16 games for Belgium. He is in the form of his life and on a mission to win an international prize. He’s on pens as well. For me, he’s essential.
Also in the squad are Christian Benteke (7.0) and Michy Batshuayi (6.5), both playing for Crystal Palace. They should only feature as substitutes. Only if Belgium gets a 6/6 against Russia and Denmark, one of them could play as a striker against Finland. Normally, Batshuayi should be the one claiming that spot. His stats for Belgium are unreal: 22 goals and 3 assists in 33 games. Batshuayi fails to deliver for his clubs, but always comes up with the goods at international games. A possible differential for your chip in Matchweek 3, and also 0.5 cheaper than Benteke.
As I’ve already mentioned, Belgium will play in a 3-4-3 formation. In an ideal scenario, Eden Hazard (10.5) plays on the left, just behind Romelu Lukaku. But everyone knows that Hazard hasn’t been himself for the last two seasons. Ever since his transfer to Real Madrid, he’s been injured and out of form. That’s why I’m surprised to see him in so many Euro Fantasy drafts. I’ve watched quite a few Real Madrid games involving Eden Hazard the last few months, and my conclusion is pretty clear: he’s not good enough. I won’t exclude a miraculous resurrection, but I’m not counting on it either.
Further Read: Euro Fantasy Football – The Best Budget Enablers in Each Position
When Hazard finally started playing some games at the end of the season, after recurrent injuries, he was absent on the pitch, barely completed take-ons, and looked fragile. He eventually missed out on the last game versus Villareal with a new injury, from which he is now recovering. He will miss the first friendly against Greece because of it. He should play 45 minutes against Croatia on Sunday, per Roberto Martinez, but the coach already mentioned that Hazard might be more important in short cameos at the beginning of the tournament. In brief: chances are real that Hazard doesn’t start vs Russia (and Denmark), and even if he does, it’s probably not the Hazard we knew at Chelsea. I would very much wait and see. His 45 minutes against Croatia on Sunday should learn us something more. In his last big interview, Yesterday night, Hazard said he’s feeling better every day.
The Hazard injury should have handed the best Belgian player of all time even more responsibility: the more than 30% owned Kevin De Bruyne (10.0), who enjoyed a fine season at Man City. But a collision with Chelsea defender Antonio Rüdiger in the Champions League final has cast some doubts over the fitness of KDB. He suffers from a fractured nose and eye socket.
In the form he was in, KDB was an absolute no-brainer in my Fantasy team, but Roberto Martinez mentioned it is ‘very improbable’ that he’ll play the opening game against Russia. Maybe he can get some minutes against Denmark with a face mask, and hopefully a full 90 minutes against Finland to get some match rhythm. Martinez has already said we’ll have to wait for next week to get more news on KDB’s fitness, but right now, he’s nowhere near my team. If KDB looks like he can play 90 minutes against Finland, though, he could be a true differential in Matchday 3.
This is very bad news for Belgian fans like me, but as Belgium is still a very offensive side, this opens up room for some cheaper strikers and midfielders for our Fantasy teams. Absolutely nailed behind Lukaku at the right side is Napoli striker Dries Mertens (9.0). He’s a fox in the box and helps the team a lot with his aggressiveness when applying pressure and his link-up play. Martinez started benching him in the big games during the World Cup, but Mertens is a very important player in matches in the group phase.
This season, he racked up a respectable 8 goals and 9 assists in 29 games for Napoli. In 2020 and 2021, he got 3 goals and 2 assists in his 6 games for Belgium – including a goal and assist in the 2-0 win over group B opponents Denmark in 2020. When KDB doesn’t play, he tends to take a lot of corners and, interestingly, direct free kicks. Without Hazard and KDB, he’ll be like a second striker alongside Lukaku.
The spot on the left behind Lukaku is up for grabs, if Eden Hazard isn’t ready. My guess is that Yannick Carrasco (7.0) starts there, with Thorgan Hazard (8.0) or Timothy Castagne (5.5) playing at left wing-back. I wrote about these players already in my previous post. My advice is to absolutely get Carrasco for the Russia game, as he’s nailed in the starting 11 and could potentially start in behind Lukaku and Mertens. Martinez could also use Leandro Trossard (6.5) behind Lukaku.
The Brighton talisman has been quite impressive for Belgium in his last few games, but it would still be a surprise if he started ahead of all the names mentioned above. The same goes for Jeremy Doku (7.0), the 19-year old youngster who is an extremely impressive dribbler and an exciting prospect, but who doesn’t look ready to start these kinds of games. I could, however, see Doku and Trossard starting the Finland game should Belgium start the tournament with a 6/6. My advice, then, would be to go with Trossard, whose stats are way better than Doku’s. He would also likely be on some set-pieces without KDB and Carrasco and is 0.5 cheaper than Doku.
Further Read: Euro Fantasy Football Captaincy ~ Changes and MD1 Captain Options
WHAT ABOUT THE MIDFIELD?
The whole world seems to be looking at Eden Hazard and KDB, but Belgium is wondering just as much about the fitness of Dortmund midfielder Axel Witsel (5.5). He is absolutely essential to the attacking game that Belgium plays, as he covers a lot of spaces and defends the zone in front of the back three very well. This opens up possibilities for the wing-backs and the other central midfielder to move forward without worrying about the defence. Witsel got injured in January and is hoping to be ready to start the games in the knock-out phase. Witsel will most likely be replaced by Leander Dendoncker (5.5) from Wolves, who hasn’t impressed at all for the Belgian side. None of them are viable Fantasy assets.
Nailed: Youri Tielemans (6.5). He will likely play next to Dendoncker to distribute passes and command the play. FPL players know Tielemans’ strengths: he’s got a fine shot on him and likes to take indirect free kicks. In the absence of KDB, he could take some direct free kicks as well. Lately, he’s also been more involved in the final third of the game, handing goals to Lukaku and scoring some long-range goals. A differential worth considering, in my opinion, but not one I will be picking for my own team.
There’s also a bonus for those of you who will already use a chip in Matchday 2. Chances are that Russia will sit very deep against Belgium in the opening game. That’s why Martinez might skip Leander Dendoncker for this game – although he will most definitely play against Denmark – and opt for a more creative midfielder along Tielemans.
There are two players in the squad suited for the job: Leicester’s Dennis Praet (6.5) and Club Brugges Hans Vanaken (7.0). Vanaken has impressed lately when he played for Belgium. He is an unknown player internationally, as he plays in the Belgian league, but he’s very interesting Fantasy-wise.
Every season, he’s getting about 20 goals/assists in 35 games. He’s a creative player who likes to combine with one-touch passing and frequently scores headers on set-pieces. He’s a very atypical midfield player, but if the signs are pointing to a start against Russia, he might turn out to be absolute Fantasy gold.
He’ll also be less than 1 percent owned. I will keep an eye on his situation and inform you in the days before Euro 2020 commences. The friendlies against Greece and Croatia will learn us something more, as Martinez already told he wanted to ‘test’ some midfield partnerships in the absence of KDB and Witsel.
Further Read: EURO Fantasy Chip Strategy: What to do with the Elusive Boosts?
IN BRIEF: WHO TO CONSIDER?
Let’s not forget that a Belgian side without Witsel, KDB and Eden Hazard isn’t as strong as the side was in 2018. We will create less chances and score less goals. But we are still an offensive side that scored goals in every game in the last 3 years. So you can still bank on some players:
- Pick Romelu Lukaku. No doubt about it.
- If you’re looking for a cheaper but nailed striker who plays alongside Lukaku: Dries Mertens is your man.
- Yannick Carrasco is underpriced, in my opinion.
- Tielemans if you want to go for a differential.
- KDB and Hazard: wait and see, probably until the KO phase. There’s plenty of other options, not only in the Belgian team but also in other top teams.
My next post will be on Friday, where I will analyze the friendly versus Greece. Courtois, Vertonghen, Vermaelen, Hazard and KDB will not be playing yet. The defence will be experimental. If you watch the game: check out the midfield, and see if you like Praet, Vanaken or Tielemans. Also keep an eye out for the wingbacks. And: enjoy! This side always attacks.
Incase you missed our Euro Group A and B Analysis⬇️
Euro Fantasy Football | Group – C~ Review, Analysis, and Top Fantasy Assets
Euro Fantasy Football | Group – A~ Review, Analysis and Top Fantasy Assets
Euro Fantasy Football | Group – B ~ Review, Analysis, and Top Fantasy Assets
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Further reads, resources from ALLABOUTFPL on Euro Fantasy Football and FPL
BELGIUM Euro Fantasy Watch EP. 1 – Looking Forward and ‘In my Defense’
Euro Fantasy Football | Group – B ~ Review, Analysis, and Top Fantasy Assets
EURO Fantasy Chip Strategy: What to do with the Elusive Boosts?
Beginner’s Guide to EURO Fantasy: How to Play, Rules, Scoring and Tips
Euro Fantasy Football | Group – A~ Review, Analysis and Top Fantasy Assets
Euro Fantasy Football – The Best Budget Enablers in Each Position
Euro Fantasy Football Captaincy ~ Changes and MD1 Captain Options
Euros Predicted lineups, Win and CS% Stats
Player odds, Cleansheet odds, Articles, Picks and much more Euro 2020 info on Drafthound
FPL History: Highest Scoring FPL Players Each Year Since The First FPL Season in 2002/03
Highest scoring FPL goalkeepers each year since the first FPL season in 2002/03
All that you need to know about FPL cup
History Of Fantasy Football And Origin Of FPL
FPL Tools Overview, Comparison, and Feature Analysis
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Sam Ooghe
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