The first two matchdays of EURO 2024 Fantasy are almost over. The last round of the group stage, Matchday 3 starts in a very short time and we have a lot to talk about.
Let’s quickly look at our MD3 tips, best players’ picks, captain, possible chip strategy, and of course our team selection for MD 3.
Hopefully, it will help you to gather some useful insight and better manage your squad in the following round of EURO Fantasy.
It is the last chance to do something about your rank and mini-league position before 33% of all EURO Fantasy options disappear.
When the Round of 16 begins, teams of EURO managers will look very similar, because there will be fewer players to pick from. So, after Matchday 3, movement in the overall ranking will be more limited.
1. Tips for Matchday 3 of EURO Fantasy
Focus on teams that have something to play for in Matchday 3
Some nations have already secured their R16 spot, so we can expect rotation from them. In the past, the last matchday of the group stage of the World Cup or EURO was always rotation-heavy, so be prepared for that.
So, wait for the Germany lineup before you decide to transfer in (or out) some of their players.
So, pick players (especially your captain) from teams that still have something to play for.
If on a Matchday 3 wildcard or limitless, exploit the rotation
If you are using chip in MD3, you can focus on players that are likely to play, or some less popular option, that could make the squad after their team already secured their spot.
For example, you will know Germany lineup before the deadline, so if you see Fullkrug or Sané starting, they could make your squad. Similarly, i you think Jota will start for Portugal, he can be good one week punt.
Have four captaincy options for Matchday 3 as well
Just as in the first Matchday, make sure you have four captaincy options for MD3 as well, all who play on different days.
Do not overlook players good at balls recovered and MOTM awards
Balls recovered and MOTM awards can be a huge source of points in the EURO Fantasy. Do not overlook players that are good at balls recovered or MOTM when selecting your squad for MD3.
2. Fixtures to target in Matchday 3 of EURO 2024 Fantasy
Let’s look at who are bookies’ main favorites to do well in MD3:
- Georgia vs. Portugal: Portugal 81 % to win, 50 % to score 2.5+ goals
- France vs. Poland: France 75 % to win, 41 % to score 2.5+ goals
- England vs. Slovenia: England 71 % to win, 33 % to score 2.5+ goals
- Albania vs. Spain: Spain 68 % to win, 34 % to score 2.5+ goals
- Switzerland vs. Germany: Germany 57 % to win, 27 % to score 2.5+ goals
- Ukraine vs. Belgium: Belgium 57 % to win, 27 % to score 2.5+ goals
Find over 2.5 odds for all teams in our article: EURO 2024 Over 2.5 Goals Odds
3. Key player to own and transfer targets for Matchday 3
Key players to own
- Germany midfielder: We prefer Musiala, Gundogan, Wirtz – in that order, but wait for the lineup to see which of them are starting
- Germany defender: Mittelstadt (if in starting lineup)
- England defensive coverage: Pickford or Guehi (Guehi is very good at balls recovered)
- Fernandes – main man for Portugal
- Kane, Bellingham – great fixture against Slovenia, but wait for predicted lineups and roumors to see whether they are likely to start or not
- Lukaku/Ronaldo – your 3rd forward
- Faes – budget enabler, good at balls recovered
Transfer targets
- Mbappe, Griezmann or both for the fixture against Poland
- Hernandez/Kounde – your France defensive coverge
- Germany midfielder – Musiala, Gundogan (or Fullkrug, Sane – if they are in starting lineup)
- Lobotka, Rice, Kante, Zinchenko – cheap budget mids good at balls recovered
- Dimarco – your captain for 24.6
- Spain players could be perfect differentials, however, it is hard to predict which of them will start since they already qualified for R16
- Eriksen – the main man for Denmark
- Szoboszlai – main man for Hungary
- McTominay – differential, main man for Scotland
Differentials for MD3
- Fullkrug, Sane – if they starts
- Jota – if he is predicted to start
- Szoboszlai
- McTominay
4. Clean sheet probabilities for MD3
Let’s continue analyzing bookies odds for EUR 2024 Matchday 3. We used our Odds to probability calculator to convert other odds to probabilities as well, which helps us assess the potential of the following matchday.
Clean Sheet Odds Matchday 3
Bookies expect 6.46 clean sheets in MD3. Which teams have the highest chance of keeping a clean sheet? Bookmakers especially favor Portugal (53 %), England (53 %) and France (49 %) to keep a clean sheet in Matchday 3.
See our full table here: EURO 2024 Clean Sheet Odds.
5. Best captain for Fantasy EURO 2024 Matchday 3
When we select a captain in fantasy football, it is all about the fixture. Basically, we try the pick the fixture that has the highest haul potential (or hattrick potential).
But because we can change our captain 3 times in Matchday 3, you should have 4 captaincy options available – one for each day. And if your first captain will not deliver you can switch captaincy to another player who is yet to play.
A captain for each day
- Day 1: Musiala (or Fullkrug if he starts) – Szoboszlai would be the differential captain
- Day 2: Dimarco or Spain players as differential captain(s), but hard to guess who starts
- Day 3: Mbappe (or Kane) – if they are expected to start. Eriksen as a differential captain.
- Day 4: Fernandes (or Lukaku) – Jota as a differential
Captaincy thresholds:
- Day 1: 8 points
- Day 2: 7 points
- Day 3: 6 points
- Day 4: 5 points
So if your captain score this amount of points or more, you will keep the armband on him.
Read more: EURO 2024 Fantasy captaincy thresholds
Substitution thresholds:
- 4 points
6. Limitless team
Are you playing limitless in MD3? Here is our draft for your inspiration: EURO Fantasy Limitless Team
7. Team selection constructed solely for Matchday 3
