Dylan Bolch’s Supercoach World Cup Watchlist: Buy, Hold, Sell round 4

The group stages are done and dusted and we’re into the knockout phases now.

Round 3 of Supercoach WC26 proved a fruitful one for me, climbing into 520th in the overall rankings. 

After a slow start, I’m finally building some momentum. 

We’ve lost 16 sides from the World Cup already, which means making the most of your trades this week will be pivotal. 

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BUY

LIONEL MESSI (ARG – FWD)

I haven’t owned Lionel Messi yet in this tournament, but I won’t be making that mistake again. The Argentinian superstar has been at his vintage best this campaign, scoring six goals from three matches. I’ve given him the armband with a juicy fixture against Cabo Verde.

FACUNDO MEDINA (ARG – DEF)

Argentina have the best chance at keeping a clean sheet this round, according to the bookies. I think it’s essential you have a defender/goalkeeper to get a piece of that and left back Medina could be the best bet. Medina chimed in with an assist in Austria in round two and should be well rested after not featuring in the final group game. 

EMILIANO MARTINEZ (ARG – GKP)

If you’re not interested in Medina, then Martinez is another great shout. I do prefer Medina given the attacking threat, but Martinez should be pretty bankable this week. 

JORDAN PICKFORD (ENG – GKP)

England faces DR Congo this round and I like the prospect of Pickford in net. The Everton star is nailed in the national side and does some great work between the sticks. The English defence has seen a bit of rotation this tournament, but Pickford has been a constant throughout. 

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JUDE BELLINGHAM (ENG – MID)

Bellingham is one of the most promising youngsters in the world right now and has started his World Cup campaign with a bang, scoring twice and adding an assist. The English CAM is averaging a team-high 16.7 SC points per game. Has plenty of upside as a midfield option.

MARC CUCURELLA (ESP – DEF)

He’s already in almost 22 per cent of teams, but if you don’t own Cucurella, you should definitely consider bringing him in this week. Spain have the second-best chance of keeping a clean sheet this round and Cucurella also offers plenty of attacking potential. 

KYLIAN MBAPPE (FRA – FWD)

If you don’t own Mbappe, you should probably look to rectify that. The French star has scored the most Supercoach points in the competition this campaign and is a weekly captaincy option. Sweden have looked solid enough from an attacking perspective, so I’m keen to pick a pair of French attackers rather than invest in the defence. 

MICHAEL OLISE (FRA – MID)

You could certainly pick Ousmane Dembele who just scored a hattrick, but I’m going for Olise given he can be selected as a midfielder instead. France’s attack is humming and I’m hoping holding Olise last week pays dividends. 

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SERGINO DEST (USA – DEF)

The USA isn’t the glamour side some of the other names on this list feature for, but keep an eye on PSV Eindhoven’s Sergino Dest. Dest offers plenty of attacking potential given the licence Mauricio Pochettino has given him, but is also a nice avenue into America’s defence, who have a favourable fixture against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

CHRISTIAN PULISIC (USA – MID)

The AC Milan attacker is yet to hit his straps this tournament, but looks primed to make an impact against Bosnia and Herzegovina. It’s a great fixture, just make sure he is in fact named in the starting XI and has overcome that niggling injury. 

DANIEL MUNOZ (COL – DEF)

Colombia have looked the goods this tournament, finishing first in Group K ahead of Portugal. A fixture against Ghana awaits, but I like Munoz’s unique mix of attacking potential and defensive contributions. If you don’t quite know what I’m referring to, watch one of Colombia’s group stage highlight package, where Munoz regularly enters the opposition’s box. 

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JOSHUA KIMMICH (GER – MID)

It’s so annoying that we can’t pick Kimmich as a defender, but the German right back is still a decent option as a midfielder. Kimmich delivered two assists in Germany’s opening fixture against Curacao, highlighting his explosive ability. He’s by no means a must-have, but a knockout game against Paraguay, who are usually ultra defensive, should mean he gets to be involved on the attack.

FLORIAN WIRTZ (GER – MID)

I was massive on Wirtz pre-tournament, but he hasn’t quite hit the heights I was hoping for just yet. Having said that, given he’s only provided two assists in three games, an average of 10.3 SC points is pretty sound. If he can get an attacking return or two against Paraguay, he’s a great pick, but just be mindful, a potential clash against France (or Sweden I guess) awaits in the round of 16. 

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HOLD

HARRY KANE (ENG – FWD)

The reason I don’t have Kane as a buy is because I think there are more forward options and I can still get into the England attack via Bellingham. If you do own however, he’s a certain hold as he could definitely fire. 

LAMINE YAMAL (ESP – FWD)

I’ve been reluctant to invest in Lamine Yamal this tournament, but his role and minutes are now trending in the right direction. The right winger played 76 minutes against Uruguay in the last group stage match and should be right to go for Spain’s clash against Austria. If you’ve held him this far, you should continue to as some will consider buying this week. 

PEDRI (ESP – MID)

Pedri is yet to have an attacking return this tournament, but he’s still doing his job through base stats. The Barcelona star is so important to how Luis de la Fuente’s side plays and should be in the mix for more points again against Austria. 

VINICIUS JUNIOR (BRA – FWD)

Vini Jr starred again in round three, posting his season-high 27 SC points. The Real Madrid star scored a brace, but had a whopping five shots on target, which underlies his explosive potential. Japan isn’t an easy beat, but this guy is a star. 

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ERLING HAALAND (NOR – FWD)

Haaland didn’t feature in Norway’s clash against France, instead the Vikings opted to rest their star player. Haaland should be ready to fire against the Ivory Coast, but are there better options this week? At this stage I’m fading, but that’s a scary prospect given Haaland’s incredible record with the national side. 

BRUNO FERNANDES (POR – MID)

Portugal haven’t yet hit their straps this tournament and neither has Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, but his class is undeniable. If the Portuguese are to overcome Croatia, you’d imagine Fernandes is pretty crucial to those chances.

KEVIN DE BRUYNE (BEL – MID)

KDB was electric against New Zealand, lifting Belgium to the top of Group G. The scary part is I think he has another level to go to again. Senegal in the round of 32 is a tough matchup, but KDB might still be a solid hold. 

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SELL 

CODY GAKPO (NED – FWD)

Gakpo failed to fire against Tunisia, much to the disdain of owners (myself included). I’m selling him this week given a tough fixture against Morocco. That’s not to say he won’t get a return, I just think there are better options.

DENZEL DUMFRIES (NED – DEF)

Purely a fixture play this one, because Morocco look really dangerous. However, there is an argument to hold Dumfries and have him on the bench, because if they do get through, they’ll face Canada in the round of 16, which on paper isn’t the worst matchup. Same goes for Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi. I don’t love either for this particular fixture, but the winner will be a good player to have next week.

ISMAEL SAIBARI (MAR – MID)

Saibari has been a beast this tournament, scoring in every single one of Morocco’s group games. Playing as a striker, Saibari has been the focal point for Mohamed Ouahbi’s side. The fixture against the Netherlands is tough and while he’s not the worst hold, I also think if he’s your only avenue to a better and bigger asset, then you can pull the trigger.