Euro 2016 – Portugal

Portugal finished the qualifying campaign top of their group with 21 points, with their success mainly built on a series of narrow wins, in spite of a shock 0-1 defeat at home to Albania. In total they scored just eleven goals and conceded five.

Portugal, who face Austria, Hungary and Iceland in Group F, will most likely win all their group games but may face tough opposition with Austria, another to finish top of their qualifying group. All prices are based on the UEFA McDonalds Game.

Qualification

There are some notable qualification mainstays who will be absent from the tournament, such as Fabio Coentrão and Miguel Veloso.

Most starts –  Rui Patrício, Nani (8), Danny, Ricardo Carvalho, Cristiano Ronaldo, João Moutinho (6), Tiago, Eliseu (5), Bruno Alves, Fábio Coentrão, Pepe (4), Vieirinha, Danilo (3)

Most goals –  Cristiano Ronaldo (5), João Moutinho (2), Miguel Veloso, Fábio Coentrão, Ricardo Carvalho, Nani (1)

Most assists  – Quaresma (2), Bruno Alves, Danny, Eliseu, Fábio Coentrão, João Moutinho, Nani (1)

Likely Tournament Line Up

————————- Rui Patrício ————————-
Vieirinha ——– Pepe ——– Carvalho ——– Eliseu

———————– Danilo / William ———————–
João Mário ——– Moutinho ——– Rafa / A. Gomes

—————- Ronaldo © ———— Nani —————-

The Defence

Goalkeepers 

5.0 – Rui Patrício (Sporting CP)

4.0 – Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais)

4.0 – Eduardo (Dinamo Zagreb)

Defenders

5.5 – Ricardo Carvalho (AS Monaco)

5.5 – Pepe (Real Madrid)

5.0 – Bruno Alves (Fenerbahçe)

5.0 – Eliseu (SL Benfica)

4.5 – Cédric Soares (Southampton)

4.5 – José Fonte (Southampton)

4.0 – Raphaël Guerreiro (Lorient)

Patrício is Portugal’s number one keeper; he’s nailed on and played every minute of the European qualifiers. Priced at 5.0 he looks a decent option ahead of Portugal’s fixtures.

Lopes and Eduardo are the second and third choice goalkeepers. They won’t start any of the games unless Patrício gets injured.

Pepe, who plays club football with Real Madrid,  is the only defender 100% nailed on. For the same price  there is Ricardo Carvalho, a player who goes into the tournament as a rotation risk due to fitness concerns.

Alves and Fonte are both the alternatives to Carvalho if needed. Fernando Santos could also move Danilo to centre-back during a match for something different.

Cédric Soares will compete for the right-back position with Wolfsburg midfielder Vieirinha, who is the current front-runner for the role due to the Southampton man’s lack of game time this season.

The left-back spot would most likely go to Eliseu, the underrated Benfica player who has had a positive campaign this season both at club level and nationally. Guerreiro is the natural successor to the position, but is not assured of starts. If he can earn a starting berth he could be essential as a rare bargain player with a good side.

Best picks: Patrício or Pepe. Guerreiro if nailed would be one of the best bargains at your disposal.

The Midfield

7.5 – João Moutinho (AS Monaco)

6.5 – Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)

6.0 – João Mário (Sporting CP)

6.0 – Danilo Pereira (FC Porto)

5.5 – William Carvalho (Sporting CP)

5.5 – Adrien Silva (Sporting CP)

5.0 – André Gomes (Valencia)

4.5 – Rafa Silva (SC Braga)

4.5 – Renato Sanches (SL Benfica)

Moutinho is clearly the most known player in Portugal’s midfield, but unfortunately the AS Monaco player is not a strong source of Fantasy points as he doesn’t score much. Too often the assister of the assister.

Vieirinha is classified as a midfielder in the UEFA McDonalds game but in reality he is Portugal’s most likely first choice right-back. This reverse out-of-position player status together with his price tag makes him a player to avoid.

Both Danilo Pereira and Carvalho  are in line for the defensive midfielder spot; although Danilo offers a strong aerial threat, the pair’s defensive duties mean attacking returns will be rare.

Adrien Silva and Sanches are less likely to earn game time but Adrien will surely give everything to win Moutinho’s spot in the starting 11, if so the Sporting captain offers strong Fantasy potential after a Portuguese League campaign with eight goals and six assists.

The best Portuguese player in the Portuguese League this season was Mário, a central midfielder that has adapted to playing on the wing, scoring six times and assisting 10. He is expected to show all his class in the starting 11 – a player to keep an eye on.

Gomes and Rafa Silva are in contention to play the false wing role in Portugal’s favoured 4-4-2. This could make the Braga man a huge bargain. Both players are very good technically, Gomes has La Liga and Champions League experience, while Rafa has 12 goals and a handful of assists to his name this season and he is one of the most enjoyable players to see in the Portuguese League.

Best picks: João Mário. Rafa Silva can be a big bargain if nailed.

Forwards

12.0 – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)

7.5 – Nani (Fenerbahçe)

6.0 – Éder (Lille)

6.0 – Ricardo Quaresma (Beşiktaş)

Ronaldo is clearly Portugal’s main threat and is most likely to play up front. With five goals in six games for this country, including a hat-trick against Armenia, he is in fact the best Fantasy option in the squad as well as being the all-time Portugal goalscorer. He is also the team’s number one penalty and free kick taker. Portugal will depend hugely on his form. A must-have with Portugal’s fixtures.

Nani is also a guaranteed starter, probably up front partnering Ronaldo or wide on the wing. After a good campaign this season in Turkey he is expected to step up his game at national level and contribute with goals and assists. If Ronaldo and Nani are both on form, Portugal could very well win the tournament.

Éder is expected to play only as a sub or if Portugal need something different with a target man up front. After a failed start at Swansea he was loaned to Lille where he scored six goals in 13 games. At national level, though, his record is poor, with just one goal in 23 appearances.

Tricky forward Quaresma offers strong goal and assist threat but his place in the starting 11 is not granted. His role at national level will be most likely be that of an impact sub. He is for the risk-taking Fantasy manager only.

Best picks: Cristiano Ronaldo looks essential. Nani is your next best bet if you are crazy enough to go without Ronaldo.