Dylan Bolch’s Supercoach World Cup Watchlist: Buy, Hold, Sell round 2

The World Cup has to be the best event in global sport. 

I’m absolutely loving having soccer on at all hours of the day and the tournament has well and truly delivered so far.

I posted a score of 152 in the round 1 of SC WC26, a solid platform but there’s plenty of scope to improve. I’m currently ranked 5985th. 

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BUY

KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRA – FWD)

Mbappe scored a brace in France’s opening fixture against Senegal, including a beauty late. If you decided to fade Mbappe in round 1, it’s something you have to rectify ahead of round 2. Mbappe has already become France’s most prolific goalscorer at World Cups and will be hunting even bigger records as the tournament progresses. Iraq awaits, a team which Erling Haaland scored 25 SC points against in round 1. A fantastic captaincy option.

VINICIUS JUNIOR (BRA – FWD)

Vini Jr scored Brazil’s only goal against Morocco, but their fixtures open up from here with upcoming matches against Haiti and then Scotland. Vini Jr created just 0.08 xG against Morocco, but the Brazilians are one of the best attacks in the world and I expect them to pile on the goals against Haiti. 

MICHALE OLISE (FRA – MID)

Olise provided the assist for Mbappe’s first goal against Senegal and he’s such a creative player. The Bayern Munich gun created four chances against Senegal and had monopoly on set pieces, finishing with a score of 12 SC points. I’m a happy owner already. 

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HARRY KANE (ENG – FWD)

The England captain delivered in spades in round 1, scoring two goals to tally 23 Supercoach points. The Three Lions have rediscovered their attacking flair under Thomas Tuchel and Kane’s their main man. I took him on against Croatia, but with fixtures against Ghana and Panama to come, you might want to get Kane sooner rather than later. 

JOSHUA KIMMICH (GER – MID)

The German captain is one of the best defenders in world football and still managed to score 20 SC points against Curacao, despite failing to keep a clean sheet. Kimmich created two assists from right back but regularly got involved in Germany’s attacking forays forward. It’s a shame we can’t pick him as a defender, but I still love his prospects as a midfield option. 

RAPHINHA (BRA – FWD)

An alternative to Vini Jr, the Barcelona star also struggled to get going in the opening fixture but when on song, is incredibly damaging. He hasn’t yet hit his straps, but I love that he’s on set pieces. 

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DOUGLAS SANTOS (BRA – DEF)

If you’re looking to invest in Brazil’s defence instead, then Douglas Santos could be your man. Santos accumulated 9 SC points against Morocco, but can score points in a variety of ways. While plenty will look to centre back Gabriel, Douglas Santos could be a nice point of difference play.

ENNER VALENCIA (ECU – FWD)

Germany annihilated Curacao in the first round with seven goals and that means Ecuador are a team to target in round 2. Valencia was Ecuador’s most prolific attacker through qualifying, racking up six goals and two assists from 14 matches. He’s also on penalties. 

HERNAN GALINDEZ (ECU – GK)

The theory behind this pick is that Ecuador are one of the teams most likely to keep a clean sheet given their fixture against Curacao. While the likes of Piero Hincapie or Moises Caiceido are other options, I’m happy to use those coveted DEF and MID slots on more explosive assets from other teams. Galindez gives me an avenue into the Ecuador defence, though. 

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PEDRI (ESP – MID)

Fading Pedri in round 1 didn’t go to plan as the young Spaniard amassed 12 SC points after a big game against Cabo Verde. Pedri had an xA of 1.23, so if his teammates had been able to finish his good work, this could’ve been an even bigger score. His base stats are really nice and a big score could be on its way against Saudi Arabia. 

MARC CUCURELLA (ESP – DEF)

The Spanish left back was one of Luis de la Fuente’s best against Cabo Verde, running up and down that left flank. Cucurella top scored for Spain in that clash with 13 SC points and I really like him as an option given he can score points both offensively and defensively. 

MAXIME CREPEAU (CAN – GK)

I think Creapeau has one of the best chances of keeping a clean sheet this round with a fixture against Qatar. Using a goal keeper slot, rather than an outfield one, to target this fixture seems like a sound play.

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DECLAN RICE (ENG – MID)

The English midfielder provided an assist against Croatia, but the thing I like most about Rice is his floor. A base stat beast who’s also on set pieces, Rice feels like a ‘safe’ play.

DANIEL MUNOZ (COL – DEF)

For some bizarre reason, I switched from Munoz to teammate Mojica ahead of round 1. Bad move. Munoz has such a license to get up and down the pitch for the national side, highlighted by the opening goal he scored against Uzbekistan. Also played his part defensively with eight defensive contributions and I’m happy to invest in Colombian assets with a fixture against DR Congo in round 2. 

MATHIAS OLIVERA (URU – DEF)

While Cabo Verde managed to hold Spain to a draw, I’m not sure they’ll get as lucky again against Uruguay because after all, they did concede 2.10 xG. I’m keen on a Uruguayan defender when you consider Cabo Verde only generated 0.2 xG themselves. The Napoli centre back Olivera is the best option I think given his base stat floor. 

FEDERICO VALVERDE (URU – MID)

Valverde didn’t get the attacking return against Saudi Arabia, but I’m backing him in to get something against Cabo Verde. Valverde had the joint-most touches in the opposition box and was lively in the final third. He’s also on set pieces which is a big bonus. 

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HOLD

LIONEL MESSI (ARG – FWD)

I was happy to fade Messi in round 1 and my word he made me pay. The Argentinian wizard had a vintage game against Algeria, scoring his first ever hattrick in the World Cup. It’s easy to go chasing points here, but I don’t think Austria will give him the time and space he was afforded in round 1. Can’t fault anyone who wants to bring him in, though. 

DAYOT UPAMECANO (FRA – DEF)

The French centre back was impressive against Morocco, accumulating 11 defensive contributions. The downside to this pick is it means you can’t have two French attackers and I think I want to target the upside. If you’re happy with one though, I expect the French to keep a clean sheet but his point scoring opportunities will be limited given France should dominate possession.

MIKEL OYARZABAL (ESP – FWD)

I thought I was a genius picking up Oyarzabal as a point of difference play, but he did not have a touch of the ball inside the first 30 minutes against Cabo Verde. Having said that, you’d be a bold person to offload Spanish assets ahead of their fixture against Saudi Arabia. It’s easy to forget that Oyarzabal had 12 goals and six assists in his last 11 games for Spain prior to that clash. He didn’t fire in the first round, but I expect him and Spain to bounce back. 

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BRUNO FERNANDES (POR – MID)

It’s easy to get frustrated with Bruno Fernandes’ first performance against DR Congo where he scored just five SC Points, but hold the faith. Portugal were one of the most underwhelming teams from round 1 but I expect them to bounce back against Uzbekistan. We know the Manchester United star is suited to Supercoach scoring, is on set pieces and could step up for a penalty if Cristiano Ronaldo is benched. 

NUNO MENDES (POR – DEF)

Like Bruno Fernandes, those who selected Nuno Mendes would be left feeling pretty let down. After only managing a draw against DR Congo, Portugal will need to come out firing against Uzbekistan if they’re any chance of topping the group, after Colombia took care of business in their opening match. 

FLORIAN WIRTZ (GER – MID)

Wirtz posted 12 SC points against Curacao after just one assist, but I’m happy to hold him a little while longer. I think his minutes are more secure than Jamal Musiala, but both are solid options.

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KAI HAVERTZ (GER – FWD)

Havertz played up top for Germany in their opening fixture and cashed in, scoring a brace in Germany’s demolition of Curacao. He’s not in the buy section though, because Ivory Coast and Ecuador should prove tougher opponents and I think I’d rather target German defenders or midfielders. 

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (BEL – MID)

The Belgium veteran didn’t have his usual impact in the side’s opening clash against Egypt, but he’s so crucial to how they play and what they do. On set pieces and will be looking to make his mark on the tournament in upcoming games against Iran and New Zealand. 

LUIS DIAZ (COL – FWD)

Bayern Munich’s Diaz was dynamic against Uzbekistan, doing plenty of damage on the left wing. He loves a dribble and gets plenty of touches in the opposition box. Can you afford to use a forward slot on him? 

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SELL

LAMINE YAMAL (ESP – FWD)

Hopefully you didn’t get caught out by Yamal’s benching. The Barcelona youngster’s on the comeback trail from injury, so his minutes aren’t secure right now. As good as he is, you can’t be wasting a forward spot on a guy who’s minutes seem to be limited right now. 

ANTONIO RUDIGER (GER – DEF)

The Germans went for the centre back combination of Jonathan Tah and Nico Schlotterbeck against Curacao, leaving Rudiger to come off the bench. Trade. 

CRISTIANO RONALDO (POR – FWD)

Ronaldo was a non-factor for Portugal against DR Congo, leaving some pundits to call for his benching. The Portuguese superstar didn’t create any chances and had just two progressive passes (second lowest of any Portugal starter). He’s one of the greatest we’ve ever seen, but unfortunately with the form he’s in, he isn’t a Supercoach option for us right now. 

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DAVID RAYA (ESP – GK)

If you’re in the 11 per cent of teams who own Raya, he’s an easy trade out. Unai Simon is the first-choice keeper right now, despite Raya’s fantastic season at Arsenal. 

SCOTT MCTOMINAY (SCO – MID)

I didn’t mind McTominay as an option for round 1 against Haiti, but he’s not worth it with fixtures against Morocco and Brazil to come. 

MARC GUEHI (ENG – DEF)

Ezri Konsa and John Stones were preferred over Guehi for the clash against Croatia, so look to invest elsewhere if you want a piece of the England defence.