Fantasy Football

Subterms

    More stories

    • 125 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game: Transfer allowance and Matchdays explained

      by

      DREAM TEAM’S Euros fantasy game is available to play now with this summer’s tournament set to kick off in Germany on June 14th.Understandably, almost every manager will be focused on the creation of their initial XI at this stage but it’s imperative all gaffers fully understand how Matchdays will work; and how transfers are allocated.PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO PLAY, GREAT FUN!Excitement for Dream Team Euros is building by the dayCredit: Dream TeamMATCHDAYSDream Team’s Euros fantasy game is divided into seven scoring periods known as Matchdays.
      Matchday 1 – first round of group fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 2 – second round of groups fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 3 – third round of group fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 4 – round of 16 fixtures (8 games)
      Matchday 5 – quarter-finals (4 games)
      Matchday 6 – semi-finals (2 games)
      Matchday 7 – final (1 game)
      Each Matchday begins one hour before the first game of the relevant scoring period kicks off so the deadline for Matchday 1 is 7pm on June 14th, an hour before Germany take on Scotland in the opening fixture.Matchday 1 will conclude with Portugal v Czech Republic on June 18th, after which point all 24 teams present at the tournament will have played once.It’s important you lock in your starting team before that first deadline because any changes made after 7pm won’t come into effect until Matchday 2.To be clear, if you transfer one England player out for another on Sunday June 16th based on a leaked starting line-up, that change won’t go through until three days later, when Matchday 2 begins.Once the tournament is underway, make sure you adhere to the Matchday deadlines when making transfers, playing Boosters and selecting your captain.Don’t forget our Euros Bracket Challenge!Credit: Dream TeamPLAY OUR EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE GAME – IPHONE 15 PRO MAX UP FOR GRABS!TRANSFERSYou are free to make unlimited transfers prior to Matchday 1 as this will enable you to experiment with various formations, combinations and strategies.Once the tournament begins, you will be allocated a certain number of transfers dependent on the Matchday.
      Matchday 1 – unlimited transfers (prior to deadline)
      Matchday 2 – three transfers
      Matchday 3 – three transfers
      Matchday 4 – unlimited transfers (before round of 16)
      Matchday 5 – five transfers
      Matchday 6 – five transfers
      Matchday 7 – five transfers
      As you can see, your initial XI should be relatively tailored to the group stage as a whole as you’ll only have a maximum of three transfers prior to Matchday 2 and the same again for Matchday 3.However, unlimited transfers before Matchday 4 (round of 16 fixtures) will allow you to build your team from the ground up in preparation for the knockout stages if you so desire.It’s important to note that your overall budget will increase from £50million to £53million from Matchday 5 onwards.This should allow you to select a fully active XI even if all the so-called big teams (with their more expensive players) make it to the last eight.Use your transfers to keep your team in tip-top shapeUnlike our regular season fantasy game, transfers can not be rolled over from one Matchday to the next.Transfers can be reversed, however, by pressing ‘undo’ when managing your team for the upcoming Gameweek.For example, if you wish to swap Harry Kane for Kylian Mbappe between Gameweeks 2 and 3 but later read that the France forward is an injury doubt, you can reverse the transfer (prior to the Matchday deadline) and revert to England’s captain – you will also get the transfer back.It’s also worth noting that you are not obligated to make any transfers.If you believe your XI is well set up for Matchday 2 after doing well in Matchday 1 then it’s perfectly reasonable to not change anything.Needless to say, you should use your transfers to react to the unfolding drama of the tournament and improve the point-scoring ability of your XI.CLICK HERE TO PLAY EUROS SCORE PREDICTOR NOW – £5,000 PRIZE POT!Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euros fantasy game More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Play Dream Team’s Euros Score Predictor game alongside this summer’s tournament – £5,000 prize pot!

      by

      THINK you have an idea of how this summer’s Euros will play out?Dream Team’s Euros Score Predictor game invites you to forecast the results of all 51 matches set to take place at this summer’s tournament.The more accurate your predictions prove to be, the more points you’ll gain and the higher you’ll appear on the overall leaderboard.After the final, the entrant with the most points will bank a whopping £3,500 – with £1,500 for the runner-up and £500 for third.Just like our Euros fantasy game, Euros Score Predictor is free to play and will surely enhance your enjoyment of this summer’s football extravaganza.And why not play in Mini Leagues against your mates (or colleagues, family members, etc) so you can battle it out for bragging rights?CLICK HERE TO PLAY EUROS SCORE PREDICTOR NOW – £5,000 PRIZE POT!Submit your predictions for Matchday 1 now!Credit: Dream TeamEuros Score Predictor is divided into seven Matchdays that align with the tournament’s format:
      Matchday 1 – first round of group fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 2 – second round of group fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 3 – third round of group fixtures (12 games)
      Matchday 4 – round of 16 fixtures (8 games)
      Matchday 5 – quarter-finals (4 games)
      Matchday 6 – semi-finals (2 games)
      Matchday 7 – final (1 game)
      You have to submit your predictions for every fixture in the upcoming Matchday for your entry to be valid but you can subsequently alter predictions right up until kick-off for each relevant game.Most read in FootballSo for Matchday 1, you must first submit predictions for all 12 of the group games set to take place from June 14th until June 18th.However, if you initially predict a 4-0 win for France over Austria, for example, but news breaks of an injury crisis among Didier Deschamps’ squad then you’ll be able to tweak your score for that fixture when you get a look at Les Bleus’ depleted line-up.You are free to submit predictions for the first three Matchdays (entire group stage) right now if you wish but, whatever your preference, just make sure you’ve entered the full allotment of predictions for each Matchday before it gets underway.Play Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game this summer!Credit: Dream TeamCLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME NOW!As previously mentioned, you will score points based on the accuracy of your predictions.Here’s how points are earned:
      Correct outcome +4 pts
      Correct score bonus +3pts
      Correct ‘home team’ goals +1 pt
      Correct ‘away team’ goals +1 pt
      Correct score difference +1 pt
      Of course, all teams bar Germany will be on foreign soil this summer but each fixture has a designated ‘home team’ and ‘away team’ – the former is always listed first.The term ‘correct outcome’ refers to the general result of the match in question – home win, draw or away win.If, for example, you predict Germany to beat Scotland 4-0 in the tournament’s opening game but it actually ends 2-1 to the hosts, you would still earn four points for correctly predicting the winning team.However, if you accurately predict a 2-1 win for Julian Nagelsmann’s side then you would bank ten points in one fell swoop – four points for the correct outcome, three points for the exact score, and one point each for the numbers of home goals, away goals and correct score difference.It’s important to note that results are measured at the end of normal time (90 minutes plus stoppage time) once the knockout stages are underway – extra time and penalty shootouts are irrelevant for the purposes of Euros Score Predictor.For example, if you predict a 2-2 draw between Portugal and Netherlands in the quarter-finals and it finishes that way at the end of normal time, you will receive ten points, even if Cristiano Ronaldo goes on to score a winner in extra time.Cristiano Ronaldo won the Euros with Portugal in 2016Credit: Getty – ContributorThese are the fixtures for Matchday 1:
      Germany v Scotland
      Hungary v Switzerland
      Spain v Croatia
      Italy v Albania
      Poland v Netherlands
      Slovenia v Denmark
      Serbia v England
      Romania v Ukraine
      Belgium v Slovakia
      Austria v France
      Turkey v Georgia
      Portugal v Czechia
      Can you spot the one-sided thrashings, the damp squibs and the shocking upsets?If not, feel free to select one of the ‘quick picks’ under each fixture and this will fill in a common prediction for you.By all means, dig deep into the stats and form relevant to each match-up if you like but if you opt for sheer gut instinct – a method used by several Score Predictor winners during the regular season – then it will only take mere seconds to enter your predictions for each Matchday.READ MORE SUN STORIESWith a £5,000 prize pot up for grabs, why not get involved via our app or website today?PLAY OUR EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE GAME – IPHONE 15 PRO MAX UP FOR GRABS!Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euros fantasy game More

    • 200 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game scoring system explained: What are player performance marks and bonus points?

      by

      DREAM TEAM introduced a new and improved scoring system for the 2023/24 season and our Euros fantasy game will more or less follow suit.However, we have made some slight tweaks based on user feedback that will create an even more engaging experience for managers this summer.Whether you’re new to Dream Team or an experienced gaffer, it’s important you understand all the ways players will score points once Matchday 1 gets underway.PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO PLAY, GREAT FUN!Goals are more important than ever this summerCredit: Dream TeamPOINTS BREAKDOWNAll Players:
      Goal +6 pts
      Assist +3 pts
      Shot on target +1 pt
      Big chance created +1 pt
      Tackles (per two) +1 pt
      Appearance (up to 60 minutes) +1 pt
      Appearance (60 minutes or more) +1 pt
      Yellow card -1 pt
      Red card -3 pts
      Own goal -2 pts
      Penalty miss -3 pts
      Goalkeepers & Defenders only:
      Clean sheet (minimum 60 minutes played) +5 pts
      Each goal conceded over one -1 pt
      Goalkeepers only:
      Saves (per two) +1 pt
      Penalty save +3 pts
      Most read in FootballIt’s important to note the increased value placed on goals and assists, previously worth five and two points respectively.This change means goal involvements are more important than ever and you should ensure your XI is stacked full of players capable of pinpoint finishes or killer passes.Please note that all the statistical elements (big chances created, tackles, etc) are determined by the boffins at Opta – nobody knows numbers better in the world of football.Joao Palhinha makes a lot of tackles for both club and countryCredit: GettyDream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameAdditionally, players are also able to earn Bonus Points if they positively contribute to their team’s performance in ways not covered by the aforementioned actions.Players do this by accumulating Player Performances Marks (PPM) based on certain statistical achievements within any given fixture.
      5 – 7 PPM = 1 Bonus Point
      8 – 11 PPM = 3 Bonus Points
      12+ PPM = 5 Bonus Points
      PLAYER PERFORMANCE MARKSAll Players:
      Successful Dribble +1
      Accurate Cross +1
      Pass Completion Rate* (70-80%) +1
      Pass Completion Rate* (80-90%) +2
      Pass Completion Rate* (90%+) +3
      Interception +1
      Foul Won +1
      Block +1
      Goal Outside Of The Penalty Area +1
      Offside -1
      Foul Conceded -1
      Error Leading To Goal -2
      Goalkeepers only:Successful Claim +1Successful Punch +1Keeper Sweep +1*Minimum number of 25 passes required to be awarded pass completion rate PPMsFoden earned plenty of bonus points during the regular seasonCredit: GettyAs an example, imagine you have selected Phil Foden for England’s first group game against Serbia in Matchday 1.If the Manchester City midfielder completes three successful dribbles (+3 PPM), wins two free-kicks (+2), completes 84% of his 50 passes (+2) but gets caught offside once (-1) then he will finish with six Players Performance Marks, which equates to one Bonus Point earned on top of any other points he may have earned from goals, assists, shots on targets, etc.READ MORE SUN STORIESFor full transparency, you can check each players’ PPM for any fixture using Dream Team’s Match Centre.PLAY OUR EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE – FREE TO PLAY, IPHONE 15 PRO MAX TOP PRIZE! More

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      How to win Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game: 5 things you need to consider

      by

      WHETHER you’re new to Dream Team or an experienced manager who knows the ropes, it’s helpful to be aware of the core principles that underpin our beloved fantasy football game.With our Euros fantasy offering available to play right now and excitement building ahead of this summer’s tournament in Germany, allow us to highlight five things you need to consider whenever you’re plugged into the world of Dream Team.All the following points apply whether you’re hoping to compete in a Mini League with your mates or fancy a share of the £50,000 prize pot.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT!How it feels to play Dream Team’s Euros fantasy gameCredit: Dream Team1. Points Make PrizesMake sure you’re fully aware of how players score points in Dream Team Euros.We introduced a new and improved scoring system for our season fantasy game in 2023/24 that recognises individual performance to a more specific degree than ever before and our Euros game follows the same system, with some minor tweaks.When selecting a player for your XI, ask yourself: where are his points coming from?Remember, just because a player looks useful in real life, doesn’t mean they’re necessarily a viable Dream Team option.For example, there are impressive defenders who seem to pull double their weight but if they offer nothing going forward and their team is broadly light on clean sheets (because of weaknesses elsewhere) then their point-scoring potential is limited.Equally, some midfielders are pleasing on the eye but if they’re not a goal/assist threat then they’ll have to earn a lot of bonus points to justify their place in a decent Dream Team XI – such individuals do exist but are tricky to identify.A full breakdown of the scoring system can found in the Game Rules here.PLAY OUR EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE – FREE TO PLAY, IPHONE 15 PRO MAX TOP PRIZE!2. Head > HeartMany a promising Dream Team boss has come unstuck because they let their allegiances interfere with their strategy.The likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden are all perfectly fine selections give their form heading into the tournament but England fans should ensure they build their team with their head, not their heart.Equally, you may hope that France and Germany are eliminated at the group stage but is that actually what you think will happen?Don’t pass up the opportunity to own Kylian Mbappe in favour of manifesting an easier route to the final for your team.Think you better than Gareth Southgate? Prove it!Credit: Dream Team3. Fixtures, Fixtures, FixturesIt’s a good idea to be across the schedule at all times.Whether you use Dream Team’s Match Centre or an old-fashioned wall chart, an awareness of the fixtures will help inform your decisions for the better.Generally speaking, players are more likely to return shed-loads of points against favourable opposition whereas even match-ups are more difficult to predict.Spain, Croatia and Italy all boast several talented players but the three nations have been drawn together in Group B, alongside the unfortunate Albania.No doubt there will be plenty of points on offer from these fixtures but it’s not all that easy to identify which specific individuals will benefit given the competitive nature of the group.Conversely, Germany, England, Belgium and Portugal have been gifted more friendly group fixtures – on paper at least.You should also make sure your XI works as a cohesive unit by cross-referencing the fixtures.For example, Matchday 2 features Netherlands v France.If your XI contains Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Antoine Griezmann and Mbappe at that stage then you’re essentially up against yourself – either your Dutch defenders will keep a clean sheet or your French attackers will cash in, either way a couple of your players are likely to flop.There might be times in the knockout stages when it’s acceptable to hedge your bets but your XI should be a harmonious force across the first three Matchdays at least.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament game4. Transfer PolicyHere’s a breakdown of your transfer allowance for the whole tournament:
      Matchday 1 – unlimited transfers (prior to deadline)
      Matchday 2 – three transfers
      Matchday 3 – three transfers
      Matchday 4 – unlimited transfers (before round of 16)
      Matchday 5 – five transfers
      Matchday 6 – five transfers
      Matchday 7 – five transfers
      This allowance gives you a lot of flexibility to react to the unfolding drama but you should never make a transfer just for the sake of it.If your XI is well set up for round of 16 after the final round of group games then it may be wise to resist transfers altogether – it all depends on the situation.Every transfer should improve your team, either for the upcoming Matchday or with a view to long-term gains.We’ll be on hand throughout the tournament with tips, tricks, stats and facts that should help you identify the best transfer targets.5. Perfect TimingTiming is everything in Dream Team.At the most basic level, you should familiarise yourself with the Matchday schedule, ensuring you make any desired changes to your XI before each deadline.Remember, the deadline falls one hour before the first fixture of the relevant Matchday – therefore the first deadline is 7pm on June 14th, an hour before Germany v Scotland kicks off.
      Matchday 1 – first round of group games
      Matchday 2 – second round of groups games
      Matchday 3 – third round of group games
      Matchday 4 – round of 16 fixtures
      Matchday 5 – quarter-finals
      Matchday 6 – semi-finals
      Matchday 7 – final
      The two most-popular players in Dream Team Euros right nowTiming also refers to your three Boosters, which will deliver bumper points if deployed at opportune moments.
      Goal Bonus – each goal scored by your players earns TEN points (instead of the usual six)
      12th Man – select an additional player from any position (for free) to score points for your team
      Max Captain – the player who earns the most points for your team will automatically be selected as captain, doubling their score
      Each Booster can only be played once never in conjunction with another, this means you’ll have a Booster active in three of the seven Matchdays.The timing of each Booster should be determined by fixtures and the make-up of your team.For example, there’s little to be gained from activating Goal Bonus if your XI is packed full of defenders and holding midfielders.Get your timing right and you’ll fly up the leaderboard!Good luck to all gaffers playing Dream Team this summer.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW – £50,000 PRIZE POT!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
      Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
      18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

    • 175 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Gameweek 37 cheat sheet: How Dream Team bosses should approach the FA Cup final

      by

      THE regular Dream Team season will draw to a close this Saturday.Once the FA Cup final is in the history books, focus will switch entirely to our Euros fantasy game – which is available to play right now.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!Will Pep Guardiola add another trophy to his collection this weekend?Credit: ReutersPlenty of gaffers will need a big finish in the London-based Manchester derby if they are to secure Mini League glory.And of course there’s the small matter of the massive sums of cash up for grabs at the top end of the overall leaderboard.So what’s the best way to approach the final fixture of the 2023/24 campaign?Inevitably, most managers are backing Manchester City to get the better of Manchester United at Wembley.At the time of writing, four of the five most transferred-in players ahead of the Gameweek 37 deadline are among Pep Guardiola’s favourites.MOST-POPULAR RECRUITS AHEAD OF GAMEWEEK 37:
      Rodri (£4.1m)
      Bernardo Silva (£4.2m)
      Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m)
      Kevin De Bruyne (£6.2m)
      Josko Gvardiol (£4.5m)
      Most read in FootballMr PopularCredit: Dream TeamIt should go without saying that Phil Foden (£5.9m) and Erling Haaland (£7.5m) are the standout must-have assets as the two highest point-scorers in the game – the former is three points ahead of his team-mate on 386.The only reason the successful duo aren’t among the most-popular recruits is because they already feature in the majority of teams.In terms of strategy, it might be wise to switch to the lesser-used 4-5-1 formation with Haaland being the lone striker.Julian Alvarez (£4m) has plundered 280 points this season but the World Cup winner is likely to start on the bench.Those who fancy the Red Devils to land a glove or two on the Premier League champions could back Rasmus Hojlund (£3.5m), who has two goals in his last two outings.Although it’s worth noting the Denmark international mustered just 28 points in the ten outings prior – a listless run that featured just three shots on target.Hojlund is a differential option for gaffers who want to bet against Man City to some degreeCredit: GettyWith all this mind, it might be smart to stock up on Man City midfield assets instead.A quartet of Foden, De Bruyne, Rodri and Bernardo (alongside Fernandes) seemingly covers most bases – although some gaffers will be tempted to back the explosive Jeremy Doku (£3.7m) if they believe the Belgian winger will start.However, if there’s any indication Alvarez will get the nod then backing both of Man City’s forwards (and penalty-takers) seems reasonable.All Dream Team bosses should already be aware that Ederson (£2.9m) has been ruled out of the final after fracturing his eye socket at Tottenham.Truth be told, Stefan Ortega (£2.1m) would probably have started regardless as he’s played every minute of City’s FA Cup campaign so far.Alternatively, Andre Onana (£2.9m) is Dream Team’s outright top goalkeeper because of his insane tally of 190 saves.It’s entirely possible that the Cameroon international could concede two or three goals on Saturday but still return a decent haul through save points if it’s one-way traffic from start to finish.Only Trent Alexander-Arnold averages more points-per-game among Dream Team defenders in 2023/24Credit: GettyDream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameIn defence, Gvardiol is the man of the moment having banked 78 points via four goals, two assists and four clean sheets in his last eight games.Interestingly, Diogo Dalot (£3.2m) is the next-best defender on both sides having earned 220 points, just three short of City’s Croatian left-back.The Portuguese full-back ranks highly for bonus points, big chances created, assists and tackles among assets in his position – like Onana he’s capable of a healthy return even when his clean sheet hopes are low.John Stones (£3.1m) has generally been a substitute option of late after a campaign blighted by injuries but there’s not much between Kyle Walker (£3.7m), Manuel Akanji (£4.2m), Ruben Dias (£3.8m) and Nathan Ake (£3.2m).One of that quartet is likely to be missing from the starting XI, possibly Ake given his recent minor injury but the Dutchman did come off the bench in the second half against West Ham.Fernandes has racked up 320 points this seasonCredit: GettyGaffers limited in scope should prioritise Man City’s heavy hitters in attack and Fernandes, who averages nine points-per-game since the turn of the year.Haaland and Foden are clearly the two best captaincy candidates and there’s not much between them at all.The England midfielder is generally more consistent as he picks up plenty of bonus points whereas City’s No9 is more of a feast-or-famine asset.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat being said, Haaland’s ceiling is enormous, as evidenced by his five-goal rout against Luton earlier in the season.Before managers lock in their transfers/captain for the 2pm deadline on Saturday, they should seek out all relevant team news – an unfortunate injury has the potential to scupper what should be entertaining end of the campaign.talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
      Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
      18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Soccer

      Who finished as the top Dream Team performer at each Premier League club this season?

      by

      SATURDAY’S FA Cup final will officially complete the regular Dream Team season.With two just two teams set to compete in Gameweek 37 before focus switches to the excitement of our Euros fantasy game, now is the perfect time to reflect upon another thrilling domestic campaign.With that in mind, let’s highlight the outright best performer at each of the 20 Premier League clubs in 2023/24.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!A top-tier Dream Team assetCredit: ReutersARSENAL
      Bukayo Saka
      363 points
      The Gunners’ No7 is set to finish fourth among all assets after yet another remarkable campaign.Saka scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists in all competitions and only seven players earned more bonus points than his tally of 52.Several Arsenal assets excelled this season but still the Emirates’ resident Star Boy finished 91 points clear of his nearest rival, Martin Odegaard.A word too for Ben White, Gabriel and William Saliba who, barring something extraordinary from Josko Gvardiol at Wembley, will finish as the three top defenders.Most read in FootballASTON VILLA
      Ollie Watkins
      315 points
      No fewer than four Villa midfielders achieved 200+ points this term but they all paled in comparison to their hugely impressive centre-forward.Watkins claimed the Premier League’s Best Playmaker award for registering more assists than anyone else in the top flight and he also scored 24 goals in all competitions.The England international finished third among Dream Team strikers.BOURNEMOUTH
      Dominic Solanke
      243 points
      Only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak scored more league goals than the Cherries’ No9 this season.Andoni Iraola’s side punched well above their weight to finish comfortably in mid-table despite a worrying start to the campaign and Solanke’s form was at the heart of their upturn.The 26-year-old target man can count himself unlucky not to have made Gareth Southgate’s 33-man training squad ahead of Euro 2024 after bagging 21 goals in 42 outings.Should Solanke have made England’s provisional squad?Credit: GettyBRENTFORD
      Yoanne Wissa
      170 points
      Bryan Mbeumo or Ivan Toney might have claimed top spot had they not been sidelined for long spells of the season for different reasons.But the Bees’ DR Congo international deserves plenty of credit for stepping up with 12 league goals having previously fulfilled a back-up role.BRIGHTON
      Pascal Gross
      260 points
      The adaptable German finished just outside the top ten midfielders as his returns fell away with the Seagulls form at the back end of the season.However, Gross must be praised for mixing it with the high-profile names for so long, thanks in no small part to his impressive tally of 14 assists.In fact, no player delivered more accurate crosses, a statistic that helped him rack up 58 points – the third-highest total among all assets.BURNLEY
      Sander Berge
      128 points
      Sadly, there’s very little positives for the Clarets to take from their latest return to the top flight.Their industrious Norwegian midfielder edged out his team-mates but his return of 128 points is the lowest total in this list.Moving swiftly on…One of the great breakout seasonsCredit: GettyCHELSEA
      Cole Palmer
      368 points
      The Blues’ Player of the Year was 99 points clear of Conor Gallagher after the final day of the Premier League season.More broadly, he’s bound to finish third in the rankings overall with only Phil Foden and Haaland above him – an amazing effort without European fixtures to bolster his schedule.Palmer’s breakout campaign featured 25 goals and 18 assists – one for the ages.CRYSTAL PALACE
      Eberechi Eze
      225 points
      The Eagles’ No10 averaged 7.3 points-per-game in 2023/24 – a rate only bettered by seven players in the whole game!Incredibly, one of those individuals was Michael Olise, who averaged 8.8 points-per-outing but was limited to just 19 appearances because of injury setbacks.Jean-Philippe Mateta’s run of 14 goals in his last 16 games pushed Eze close but the striker ultimately fell nine points short of his team-mate.EVERTON
      James Tarkowski
      201 points
      Only Arsenal’s holy trinity of White, Saliba and Gabriel contributed to more clean sheets than the Toffees’ vice captain.Tarkowski’s efforts meant Sean Dyche’s side conceded just 51 league goals – only Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool boasted better defensive records.James Garner and Dwight McNeil came a close joint-second on 199 points.Talent to burnCredit: GettyFULHAM
      Antonee Robinson & Joao Palhinha
      201 points
      The Portuguese enforcer averaged more points-per-game than the American defender but we’re happy to split the honours.Palhinha is the Premier League’s undisputed tackle king having notched 178 challenges, 43 more than his closest rival in the metric.Whereas Robinson is in a class of his own where interceptions are concerned having registered 90 of them – only two players completed more than 60.This niche speciality helped the hardworking left-back claim 41 bonus points.LIVERPOOL
      Mohamed Salah
      330 points
      Barring something special from Bruno Fernandes in the FA Cup final, Anfield’s Egyptian hero will finish fifth overall in Dream Team, a fantastic effort given the criticism he faced throughout the final third of the campaign.Salah is always there or thereabouts when the curtain comes down and 2023/24 was no different.25 goals and 16 assists represents an excellent return that most gaffers have come to expect as standard from Liverpool’s talisman.LUTON
      Carlton Morris
      195 points
      The Hatters’ No9 scored on the final day of the season to win a thrilling three-way battle among Rob Edwards’ squad.Ross Barkley finished as runner-up on 194 points with Alfie Doughty a close third on 193.Morris acquitted himself relatively well with 11 goals and seven assists.Who will finish as Dream Team’s top dog?Credit: ReutersMANCHESTER CITY
      Phil Foden
      386 points
      The FWA Footballer of the Year is Dream Team’s outright top performer at the time of writing but it’s set to go down to the wire with Erling Haaland just three points shy ahead of the FA Cup final.Foden leapfrogged the Norwegian poacher with his title-sealing brace against West Ham on Sunday, a performance that yielded 17 points.Nine of Pep Guardiola’s troops have achieved 200+ points this term.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameMANCHESTER UNITED
      Bruno Fernandes
      320 points
      Given the Portuguese playmaker has a 94-point lead over Alejandro Garnacho, it’s safe to assume that there’s no realistic FA Cup final scenario that would see him dethroned.Fernandes ticked along before the turn of the year but he’s really turned it on in 2024, taking 189 points from 21 outings at an average of nine per appearance!No player created more big chances and he might end up ranked in the top ten for tackles – he does it all.NEWCASTLE
      Bruno Guimaraes
      304 points
      Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak were justifiably popular assets throughout the season but the Magpies’ all-action Brazilian was surely overlooked by too many gaffers.Guimaraes hoarded 83 bonus points in total, 13 more than his closest rival in the metric, Mohammed Kudus.The ex-Lyon midfielder racked up 117 tackles and his attacking output increased significantly at the back end of the campaign – nine of his 18 goal contributions fell between March and mid-May.Bonus ball!Credit: GettyNOTTINGHAM FOREST
      Morgan Gibbs-White
      212 points
      Chris Wood surprised Dream Team bosses with 15 goals in all competitions (all but one of them coming in the league) but even so the New Zealander finished 45 points adrift of his playmaking team-mate.Gibbs-White was credited with 12 assists on top of his six goals and he was unlucky not to register more given only Fernandes, Kevin De Bruyne and Palmer created more big chances among midfielders.SHEFFIELD UNITED
      Gustavo Hamer
      149 points
      The ex-Coventry midfielder looked more at home in the top flight than most of his team-mates but that’s not saying much.Only four Bramall Lane residents, Hamer, Vinicius Souza, James McAtee and Cameron Archer, reached triple figures in terms of Dream Team points this season.For comparison, 20 Liverpool players passed the landmark.TOTTENHAM
      Son Heung-min
      251 points
      All 27 of the South Korean superstar’s goal involvements came in the Premier League in 2023/24 – 17 goals and ten assists.At this stage of his career, Son is widely considered among the most reliable Dream Team forwards and the addition of Europa League fixtures should boost his viability in 2024/25.Pedro Porro finished as Spurs’ runner-up and he deserves suitable praise for his efforts – only Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gvardiol averaged more points-per-game among defenders.Nothing between themCredit: GettyWEST HAM
      Jarrod Bowen & Mohammed Kudus
      300 points
      West Ham’s two standout stars finished joint-sixth among midfield assets and just scraped into the exclusive 300 Club, which has ten members among all players.Bowen played as a centre-forward for much of the season and bagged 20 goals as a result while Kudus banked 70 bonus points – only the aforementioned Guimaraes earned more.The Ghana star deserves extra credit for achieving a triple century as he temporarily left East London to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations midway through the season.WOLVES
      Matheus Cunha
      231 points
      The Brazilian forward should be recognised as one of Dream Team’s hidden gems of 2023/24.Cunha’s ownership never grew beyond 4% despite the fact his average of 6.4 points-per-game eclipsed that of Darwin Nunez , Solanke and Watkins.READ MORE SUN STORIESAmong strikers, he ranked in the top four for both tackles and bonus points, which topped up the core points he earned from 14 goals and eight assists.Excited for more fantasy football action? Good news! Dream Team Euros is available to play right now!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
      Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
      18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

    • 250 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Cole Palmer & Curtis Jones included in England’s provisional Euro 2024 squad – play Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game now!

      by

      GARETH SOUTHGATE has named his provisional 33-man England squad ahead of Euro 2024.Kobbie Mainoo, James Trafford, Jarell Quansah, Jarrad Branthwaite, Adam Wharton and Curtis Jones have all been included in the initial list but seven players will have to be cut by June 7th, when all competing nations must submit their finalised 26-man squads.Chelsea’s Player of the Year, Cole Palmer, has also been selected after a magnificent breakout season at club level.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!Palmer will be added to Dream Team’s Euros gameCredit: Dream TeamThe majority of players named in the Three Lions’ provisional squad are already available in Dream Team’s Euros fantasy game, with Harry Kane being the overall joint-most expensive asset alongside Kylian Mbappe at £7.5 million.At the time of writing, Jude Bellingham (£6million) is the second most-popular player in Dream Team Euros, behind only the aforementioned France superstar, having been picked by 49.3% of gaffers who have already built an XI.All players named in Southgate’s provisional squad who aren’t already present in Dream Team will be added in due course – those who are later cut will be removed prior to Matchday 1.ENGLAND’S PROVISIONAL EURO 2024 SQUAD
      Jordan Pickford
      Aaron Ramsdale
      James Trafford
      Dean Henderson

      Kyle Walker
      Trent Alexander-Arnold
      Kieran Trippier
      John Stones
      Harry Maguire
      Lewis Dunk
      Ezri Konsa
      Jarrad Branthwaite
      Marc Guehi
      Jarell Quansah
      Joe Gomez
      Luke Shaw

      Declan Rice
      Kobbie Mainoo
      Conor Gallagher
      Adam Wharton
      Jude Bellingham
      Bukayo Saka
      Phil Foden
      Cole Palmer
      Curtis Jones
      Jack Grealish
      James Maddison
      Eberechi Eze
      Anthony Gordon
      Jarrod Bowen

      Harry Kane
      Ollie Watkins
      Ivan Toney
      Wharton has been included in Southgate’s provisional squadCredit: GettyBurnley goalkeeper Trafford, Everton defender Branthwaite, Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton and Liverpool duo Quansah and Jones are the uncapped members present in the provisional squad.Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford and 33-year-old Jordan Henderson, who has represented his country 81 times at senior level, are among the most notable absentees.talkSPORT BET have England as the favourites to win the tournament in Germany this summer, such is the attacking firepower prevalent in the squad.Captain Kane scored 44 goals and provided 12 assists for Bayern Munich this season while his understudy, Watkins, finished as the Premier League’s top assist-provider and joint-fourth top scorer.Elsewhere, Bellingham has notched 23 goals and 11 assists with Real Madrid one game away from adding another Champions League trophy to their collection – the 20-year-old was a key contributor to his side’s triumph in La Liga.ENGLAND TO WIN? PLAY OUR EUROS BRACKET CHALLENGE GAME – IPHONE 15 PRO MAX UP FOR GRABS!England have an excess of attacking talentCredit: GettyDream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameIn Dream Team’s regular Season game, Foden, Saka and Palmer have combined for 71 goals, 46 assists and 1,117 points!Many fans want Southgate to unleash the full attacking force of the Three Lions but the 53-year-old generally prefers a more pragmatic approach.That being said, England were the joint top scorers at the World Cup immediately prior to their elimination at the hands of France in the quarter-finals.This summer, they will face Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in Group C and Dream Team bosses are evidently backing them to progress comfortably. It’s early days but Bellingham, Kane, Foden, Pickford and Walker are all among the ten most-selected players in our Euros fantasy game right now.With unlimited transfers available prior to the first Matchday deadline, Dream Team managers are encouraged to select a team now – there’s no harm in building a first draft at least.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
      Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
      18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More

    • 238 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Phil Foden leads best Dream Team XI of the 2023/24 season – and FOUR Arsenal stars make the cut!

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY wrapped up their fourth consecutive Premier League title on Sunday to the surprise of very few.Appropriately, it was Phil Foden (£5.9m) who shone brightest for Pep Guardiola’s side against West Ham on the final day.The Etihad’s homegrown hero scored a stunning goal inside two minutes to vaporise any semblance of tension and ultimately scored a brace in the decisive 3-1 win.Foden’s performance saw him leapfrog Erling Haaland (£7.5m) at the top of the overall Dream Team rankings but the Norwegian poacher has a chance to strike back at his team-mate in the FA Cup final next weekend.The Manchester derby at Wembley will be the final fixture of the regular Dream Team campaign – thoughts will then switch entirely to our Euros fantasy game.CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM’S EUROS FANTASY GAME – £50,000 PRIZE POT, FREE TO ENTER, GREAT FUN!The best of the bestCredit: Dream TeamWhile there’s still a few i’s to dot and t’s to cross, the ultimate Dream Team XI for 2023/24 is unlikely to change so let’s run through the season’s outstanding performers.GOALKEEPER: Andre Onana (£2.9m)Manchester United’s custodian overtook David Raya (£3.6m) at the weekend and, barring a seismic mauling at Wembley, the Cameroon international will finish as the top asset in his position.Who would have predicted that during the error-strewn first weeks of his time at Old Trafford?Most read in FootballOnana has kept 13 clean sheets in all competitions this season but the reason he’s the only player in his position to reach a double century of points (201 to be precise) is his absurd tally of 190 saves – comfortably the most among all Premier League keepers.In a way, the Red Devils’ porous defence actually helped the 28-year-old… in the world of Dream Team at least.An unlikely leaderCredit: ReutersDEFENDERS: Ben White (£4.6m), Gabriel (£4.3m), William Saliba (£4m)As expected, it’s a clean sweep for Arsenal in defence.The Gunners conceded the fewest goals in the top flight and kept the most clean sheets in all competitions by a wide margin.White and Saliba and contributed to 22 clean sheets while Gabriel benefited from 21.The former finished above his team-mates on 266 points because he also chipped in with ten goal involvements – four goals and six assists.The Brazilian centre-back is almost certainly assured of second spot among defenders on 247 points but there’s an outside chance his French partner might be caught be Josko Gvardiol (£4.5m) at the last.Man City’s in-form left-back needs 16 points at Wembley to overhaul Saliba’s total of 238 – unlikely but not impossible given the Croatia international’s scoring touch of late.Arsenal’s defence were dominant this seasonCredit: GettyMIDFIELDERS: Phil Foden (£5.9m), Cole Palmer (£5.7m), Bukayo Saka (£5.9m), Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m)The aforementioned Foden banked 17 points at the Hammers’ expense to reach 386 for the season in total – further evidence that he is fully deserving of the individual awards bestowed upon him.The 23-year-old has 26 goals and 12 assists to his name and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he added to his haul against Man United on Saturday.Chelsea’s Player of the Year deserves huge credit for his return of 368 points as he is the only man in this team who hasn’t had European fixtures to bolster his schedule at any stage of the campaign.Palmer is actually going to finish the season having registered more goal involvements (43) than Foden – a truly exceptional breakout season.Arsenal’s No7 wasn’t given the opportunity to improve his rank at the weekend as he missed the last league game against Everton through injury.Regardless, Saka produced another fantastic campaign to underline his status as a top-tier Dream Team asset.He racked up 363 points via 20 goals, 16 assists and 52 bonus points.One of the stories of the seasonCredit: GettyOur midfield is completed by another familiar figure who always ends up with a lofty ranking.Fernandes really turned it on in the second half of the season, despite his side’s unconvincing performances, to reach 320 points with a game still to play.The Portuguese playmaker has created 30 big chances this season, the most among all assets, and he’s likely to reach triple figures for tackles too – not to mention his 28 goal involvements.A word for Bruno Guimaraes (£4.7m), Jarrod Bowen (£4.8m) and Mohammed Kudus (£5.2m), who all reached the 300-point mark.Dream Team’s Nick Elliott previews this summer’s Euro 2024 tournament gameSTRIKERS: Erling Haaland (£7.5m), Mohamed Salah (£6.2m), Ollie Watkins (£4.9m)For a while, Man City’s No9 tricked fans into thinking his Premier League Golden Boot was under threat but when all was said and done he finished five goals clear of Palmer on 27.Make that 38 goals in all competitions and it’s remarkable that has Haaland copped his fair share of criticism this term.The prolific poacher is three points behind Foden on 383 heading to Wembley.38 goals in all competitions (and counting)Credit: GettyLiverpool’s Egyptian hero may have faded in the final third of the campaign but he was brilliant in spells when the Reds looked like title contenders.Salah is a modern Dream Team legend and another massive haul of 330 points has only cemented his status.Last but by no means least, it’s the man who spearheaded Aston Villa’s return to the Champions League.Watkins scored 24 goals in all competitions and he supplemented that with 18 assists, the latter tally only bettered by Kevin De Bruyne (£6.2m).READ MORE SUN STORIESThe Villains’ main man has to be considered a top-tier Dream Team striker going forward having plundered 315 points in 2023/24.A round of applause for the cream of the crop!talkSPORT BET Welcome offer
      Get £30 in free bets when you bet £10 – CLAIM HERE
      18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10 on any sports at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
      Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org More