The knockout rounds are where premium players truly earn their price tags. With fewer fixtures, less room for error and every match carrying huge importance, investing in proven world-class talent becomes more important than ever.
While differentials can still provide rank gains, premium assets offer the combination of security, explosive potential and captaincy appeal that can define your World Cup Fantasy campaign.
We did a piece on the best premiums during the group stages, and this will be an update of that, taking into account fixtures, form and differential status.
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10. Bukayo Saka, England
Bukayo Saka ($9.5m) has been easing himself back in from injury but now seems to be approaching full match fitness. The fixture against Norway could be one where he gets some joy, and although he hasn’t produced what we know he can, he no doubt still has a haul in him.
Also, he is one of the few premium players who is a huge differential and still under five per cent owned, which means he qualifies for the scouting bonus.
Norway may prove stubborn, but England should still create enough opportunities for Saka to deliver. His combination of goals, assists and bonus-point potential makes him a huge upside option, although, admittedly, a risky one.
Bukayo Saka might prove the ultimate risk-or-reward pick (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
9. Lamine Yamal, Spain
Similar to Saka, Spain’s young superstar has also had a quiet tournament by his own high standards, and it’s a similar story with him being eased into the team after injury.
A quarter-final against Belgium means Spain are strong favourites to progress, and despite his lacklustre campaign so far, he is still the best attacker for his country.
The 18-year-old played his first 90 minutes of the tournament in the 1-0 win over Portugal, so his fitness is not an issue anymore. Surely it’s only a matter of time before he hits form again.
8. Erling Haaland, Norway
Including Erling Haaland ($10.5m) may surprise some managers given Norway’s difficult fixture against England. However, fantasy football is ultimately about backing elite players capable of producing moments of brilliance — and he has shown this tournament that he can score against anyone.
He already has seven goals from the 11 that Norway have scored while he’s been on the pitch and is probably the biggest talisman we have left in the World Cup. If Norway manage to get anything from this game, there is no doubt Haaland will be the catalyst.
While his fixture lowers his immediate appeal, that is countered by being arguably the best finisher in world football.
7. Mikel Oyarzabal, Spain
Mikel Oyarzabal ($8.1m) remains one of the safest routes into Spain’s attack, and he is also the focal point, playing as the No 9. He has four goals and an assist and will be one of the favourites to score in the quarter-finals given the fixture and the quality of Spain’s team.
His slightly lower ownership compared to other premiums could also make him an attractive differential. Oyarzabal is only 12.5 per cent owned at the time of writing.
Although he doesn’t qualify for the scouting bonus, he is still very much a differential. So for those chasing, he is a fine option.
6. Ousmane Dembele, France
Ousmane Dembele ($10.0m) is also nailed to start, and although he doesn’t provide the minutes security of Michael Olise and Kylian Mbappe, he has a higher goal threat than the former.
He has already proven his worth with a hat-trick against Norway during the group stages and has two assists to his name.
Mbappe, Olise and Dembele are undoubtedly the best attacking trio of this tournament, and all three have huge upside. Owning at least two of them seems wise, especially since they are favourites to win the World Cup.
Managers chasing rank may even prefer to captain Dembele over Mbappe.
5. Michael Olise, France
Michael Olise ($9.5m) has been one of France’s standout performers throughout the tournament. His creativity has been exceptional, and he genuine goal threat too.
He leads in assists (five), and he has been quite unfortunate not to have registered a few goals. Olise’s involvement in almost every dangerous attack keeps him firmly among the premium conversation, and along with Mbappe, he is one of France’s most nailed attackers.
If France score, there is a high chance he will be involved one way or another.
4. Jude Bellingham, England
Bellingham continues to prove why he is one of the most complete midfielders in world football.
He has lived up to the billing time and again on the big stage, and his most recent brace against Mexico was the latest example. He now has four goals and one assist in this World Cup.
He regularly arrives late into the penalty area, creates chances for team-mates and is one of the players who is very likely to play every single minute even if the game goes into extra time.
Facing Norway only strengthens his appeal. Managers looking for a premium midfielder with both consistency and explosive potential should have Bellingham near the top of their shortlist.
Jude Bellingham was immense for England at the Azteca (Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
3. Lionel Messi, Argentina
Few players are more reliable in tournament football than Lionel Messi.
Argentina’s quarter-final meeting with Switzerland is far from straightforward, but the overall route through the draw remains favourable compared to several other tournament heavyweights.
Messi, even at the age of 39, continues to dominate Argentina’s attacking play, taking set pieces, penalties and creating chances too. He is also in contention for the Golden Boot, and Argentina’s side of the draw means they have a great chance of going further in the tournament.
While he may be in the twilight of his career, Messi’s Fantasy ceiling remains among the highest in the game.
2. Harry Kane, England
England have one of the most appealing quarter-final fixtures against Norway, and they have shown they are an attacking force.
Harry Kane ($10.5m) has been sublime this tournament with six goals and will have the Golden Boot in mind.
The England captain has been in outstanding form, consistently producing attacking returns while remaining the focal point of almost every attack. Whether it’s penalties, link-up play or finishing inside the box, Kane offers multiple routes to points every single match.
England are one of the favourites now and have a fairly favourable bracket to make it to the final.
1. Kylian Mbappé, France
No games are easy at this stage of the tournament, but France will still be heavy favourites against a tricky Morocco side. Kylian Mbappe (£10.5m) has the ability to produce attacking returns against any opposition and remains France’s biggest goal threat by some distance.
He is the joint-leading scorer at the moment with seven goals and the favourite to get the Golden Boot, according to the markets.
France have looked the best team at the World Cup, and unsurprisingly they are also the favourites to win the tournament.
Mbappe is nailed to start, will play the whole game and is also on penalties. He is a no-brainer pick.
