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The FIFA World Cup is now just days away and the fans can't wait to go full volume in their support for their national team but while everybody is excited and are screaming on top of their lungs during their team's matchday, they tend to get bored during their team's off days.
Hence to bring the excitement and joy back during the off days the fans can join a fantasy league to enjoy the other matches and also compete against your friends.
To have a successful fantasy team you should select a core group of 8-9 players who will form the main crux of your team, while the remaining players selected will be supporting the core players of your team.
Here are some core players for your fantasy team in each position:
Goalkeeper:
Fernando Muslera (Uruguay): The 31-year old is a 2-time World Cup veteran who currently plies his trade for Turkish football giant Galatasaray. Muslera won the Turkish league title this year and was a pivotal part of the squad as he kept 13 clean sheets during the whole season.
Uruguay are placed in one of the easiest groups comprising of minnows Saudi Arabia, hosts Russia and a Mo Salah led Egypt. With Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez guarding at the center back position, Muslera should have an easy time during the group stages.
Allison Becker(Brazil): This is the 25-year old's first World Cup appearance but it should not be a big problem for Allison who was quite instrumental in Roma's run to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. His was selected in the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League team of the season.
Brazil is placed in a relatively easy group consisting of Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia. With a defense as strong as Brazil's, Allison doesn't have much to worry about.
Manuel Neuer(Germany): 2014 World Cup's golden glove winner has not had the best of the time preparing for the tournament as he played just 3 games in total for Bayern Munich during the 2017-18 season but we are all aware of Neuer's abilities and expect a comeback from him.
In the group featuring Mexico, South Korea, and Sweden, Neuer can be backed to keep 3 clean sheets in the group stage.
Defenders:
Marcelo(Brazil): This is a no-brainer, Marcelo is the best left back in the world right now and is playing in an attacking-minded Brazil team. He is a really strong candidate for goals, assists and clean sheets for your team.
Jordi Alba(Spain): He is one of the leading wing backs in world football and is known for his attacking style of football, he is the primary source of crosses for Spain. He is coming of a strong season for Barcelona where he recorded 11 assists across all competitions.
Raphael Guerreiro(Portugal): He is a very exciting young talent who was a part of the 2016 EURO winning squad and was nominated for Best Young Player of the Tournament award. He is a great source of assists.
Kyle Walker(England): Walker is coming off a great league campaign for Manchester City where he was instrumental in them winning the Premier League title. He provided 7 assists across all competitions.
Diego Godin/Jose Maria Gimenez(Uruguay): Both central defenders are teammates for club and country and were part of Atletico Madrid's Europa League winning campaign in 2017-18. Either one will be a great addition to your squad.
Thomas Meunier(Belgium): Even though he is a right back, Meunier will slot in the midfield for Belgium will be a part of numerous attacking plays for the Red Devils. He had 7 assists and 5 goals for PSG across all competitions.
Joshua Kimmich(Germany): Kimmich is another up and coming talent who has cemented his place in the German squad. He coming into the World Cup after a stellar season with Bayern where he recorded 17 assists across all competitions.
Midfielders:
Kevin De Bruyne: KDB is coming off a phenomenal season for Manchester City where he led his team to the Premier League title and was the leader in assists with 16. He most certainly will be running the show for the Belgians
Toni Kroos(Germany): Kroos was played an instrumental role in Real Madrid's Champions League success this year, he would be hoping to continue his form in the World Cup. Look out for Kroos to be pulling the strings in the German midfield.
Raheem Sterling(England): Sterling will play a vital role in Southgate's England after putting in a stellar year for Manchester City where he scored 23 goals and provided 17 assists across all competitions. His pacy runs on the sideline and cuts inside the penalty box will be the ones to watch out for.
Christian Eriksen(Denmark): Denmark rode Eriksen's back to reach the World Cup as he scored 11 goals and provided 6 assists during the qualifying campaign. He coming off another productive season for Tottenham with 14 goals and 13 assists across all competitions.
David Silva(Spain): Merlin was at his best this season as he ran the show for Manchester City alongside Kevin De Bruyne and with the style of play for City and Spain being the same expect Silva to run circles around the opposition. He scored 10 goals and recorded 14 assists across all competitions.
James Rodriguez(Colombia): He went from a relatively unknown player to a galactico after winning the golden boot in the previous edition, the Colombians will be expecting the same from him this time too. He had a great season with Bayern Munich as scored 8 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions.
Philippe Coutinho(Brazil): He forms the dangerous attacking trio for Brazil alongside Neymar and Gabriel Jesus, Coutinho will look to replicate his club form in the World Cup as he scored 22 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions for both Liverpool and Barcelona.
Attackers/Forwards:
Lionel Messi(Argentina): He has been the best player across the globe all season with 45 goals and 18 assists across all competitions for Barcelona and will enter the World Cup to avenge last edition's finals loss.
Cristiano Ronaldo(Portugal): CR7 was at his usual destructive best as he won the 5th Champions League title of his career. He scored 44 goals and provided 8 assists across all competitions for Los Blancos and will be looking to add to his 2016 EURO title.
Neymar(Brazil): Neymar announced his return back to football with a brilliantly taken goal against Croatia, Brazil would be hoping that it was the first of many to come from the boot of their favorite child. He had 28 goals and 18 assists across all competitions for PSG.
Antoine Griezmann(France): The French football team is filled with stars and Griezmann is their leading light in this year's World Cup. He was playing at a high level this season as he finished with 25 goals and 15 assists across all competitions.
Luis Suarez(Uruguay): If he just attacks the ball instead of the players on the field then the Uruguayan has a great chance of finishing the group stages as the leading goal scorer. He has had a phenomenal season with Barcelona scoring 31 goals and providing 18 assists.
