Your complete Qatar World Cup Fantasy Guide — Group H

Portugal go into this group as heavy favourites as Cristiano Ronaldo has what is probably his last chance at a World Cup winners medal. But with his form of late at Man United looking poor and an unfortunate injury to Diogo Jota, goals may become a problem for them.

Their opponents are no mugs, either.

Two-time champions Uruguay have great tradition in this tournament, making it to the quarter-finals in 2018, where they were knocked out by eventual winners France. They also came fourth in the 2010 edition.

South Korea will rely on their talismanic striker Son Heung-min to upset the heavyweights, just as they did in their 2-0 win over Germany in 2018.

African powerhouses Ghana will hope to turn around their recent run of poor form at major tournaments and emulate the team of 2010. They also have unfinished business with Uruguay after Suarez denied them a semi-final by saving a ball on the line with his hand in 2010.

Cristiano Ronaldo, FWD ($10m)

Even with the circus that surrounds him at Manchester United, he is a hard man to ignore. Quite simply a goal machine. He might make the team he plays in worse, but in fantasy, all we care about is goals. No one in football history has scored more than Ronaldo.

Despite delivering them their first European championship in their history and winning the inaugural Nations League, coach Fernando Santos is a man despised by fans and pundits alike. Criticised for their perceived lack of endeavour in attack, Portugal made hard work of a straightforward group.

Ironically, it has been suggested Ronaldo may also be a problem, similar to the ones seen at Manchester United. They are overly reliant on an ageing star who doesn’t want to accept his shortcomings. Still, from a fantasy perspective, Ronaldo is pure gold. Selfish and deadly, he may be the group’s top scorer, and Portugal still don’t qualify for the knockout stages.

Their defence is decent, conceding just six goals in eight qualifying games, but with injuries to left-back Nuno Mendes and Pepe, this could be another area of concern for an already under-fire Santos.

Cristiano Ronaldo, FWD ($10m) ★★★★★

117 goals in 191 international games make him the highest-scoring international player ever. 700 club career goals too. He may be a problem for Portugal and Manchester United, but he can be a point machine in your fantasy team. 

Joao Cancelo, DEF ($6m) ★★★★★

Seven goals in 37 appearances for his country is quite the return, and with his club form being excellent to start the season with two goals and one assist. He is a must-have in your team. 

Bruno Fernandes, MID ($9.5m) ★★★☆☆

Probably your second most likely route to goal, Fernandes has proved his quality at club level. Three goals and two assists in nine qualifying games is a good return for the Manchester United midfielder. 

Bernardo Silva, FWD ($9m) ★★★☆☆

Manchester City’s midfield maestro is an ever-present for his country and can do anything on his day. A slightly lower price to Bruno, he managed one goal and three assists in nine qualifiers.

Rafael Leao, FWD ($8m)

The 23-year-old AC Milan winger is turning heads all over Europe as he bags goals and assists for I Rossoneri. Only called up to the national team recently. He is yet to score, but with Jota out injured, it could be the perfect chance to announce himself on the world’s biggest stage.

Uruguay qualified through CONMEBOL in third place, although some way off the top two of Brazil and Argentina. In qualifying, they scored 22 goals and conceded 22, leaving their goal difference at 0 and hinting that they may just be a fun team to watch come November.

Though no doubt a talented squad, recent times have been inconsistent for La Celeste as players like Edison Cavani and Luis Suarez age. Liverpool record signing Darwin Nunez will be eager to fill their boots and could be a surprise package this winter.

Playing in a 4-3-1-2, they rely heavily on their two strikers to produce great moments, and while they have attacking talent, it’s all somewhat predictable.

Still, with such great tradition in this tournament and this group being challenging to call, Uruguay could easily find themselves atop the group in the end.

Luis Suarez, FWD ($7.5m) ★★★★☆

All-time record goalscorer for his country Luis Suarez has 68 goals in 134 matches. Better than a goal every two games. If Uruguay do score, he is the most likely route.

Edinson Cavani, FWD ($7.5m) ★★★☆☆

Just behind Suarez in second is Edison Cavani, with 58 goals in 133 matches. The veteran striker knows where the goal is and has already scored three goals in five games for his new club Valencia.

Federico Valverde, MID ($8.5) ★★★☆☆

The 24-year-old winger has burst into life for Real Madrid this season and is in the form of his career. Six goals and two assists in 12 La Liga games is a good return and he’ll be full of confidence heading into his first World Cup.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta, MID ($5.5m)

Playing just behind the strikers, he is the orchestrator of the attack, as evidenced by his large number of assists. He also got five goals in qualifying and is a compelling option at only $5.5m.

A permanent fixture at the World Cup since 1982, South Korea have competed at the last nine tournaments. Their best finish came as hosts in 2002 when they made it to the semi-finals before being beaten by Germany.

Setting up in a 4-2-3-1, Paulo Bento has his men well-drilled and tough to beat. In 16 qualifying games, they kept 12 clean sheets, on no occasion conceding more than one goal. In attack, they are obviously very reliant on Spurs man Son Heung-min to provide the goals, but Wolves winger Hwang Hee-chan, as well as striker Hwang Ui-jo and playmaker and number ten Kwon Chang-hoon, are known to chip in every now and then as well.

With a good history in the competition, combined with the Tigers of Asia’s fearsome work-rate, an upset could be on the cards in Group H.

Son Heung-min, FWD ($8.5m) ★★★★☆

The prominent difference maker for his country, he’s been one of the Premier League’s most clinical strikers for years. A slow start to the season for Spurs, but he will be eager to make an impact in Qatar. 

Kwon Chang-hoon, MID ($5.5m) ★★★☆☆

Playing as number ten in the team, the 28-year-old attacking midfielder has 12 goals in 41 competitive games for his country. He is the second most likely route to points in this South Korean side. 

Hwang Hee-chan, MID ($6.5m)

He is a forgotten man of late at club level, but not for his country. The right winger is a constant threat in-behind defences, making him a handful to deal with. His pace and direct running mean he’s never far from goals or assists.

Victims of one of the great robberies in World Cup history when Luis Suarez handled a goal-bound shot in the quarter-finals in 2010. The Black Stars go into Qatar 2022 with mounting pressure after a poor showing at AFCON, which saw them finish bottom of their group with just one point.

Playing in a 4-2-3-1, much of Ghana’s fortune depends on keeping Thomas Partey fit. The Arsenal midfielder has been notorious for his absence at club level and is arguably even more key for his country.

Under new manager Otto Addo following the AFCON disaster, results are yet to improve, with Ghana winning just two of their last nine and another last-place finish looks likely for the Black Stars. However, a few young and exciting prospects could surprise a few.

Andre Ayew, FWD ($6m) ★☆☆☆☆

As a current squad-leading goalscorer (23 goals in 107 games) and second-place all-time goal scorer for Ghana, Ayew is safely his country’s most likely route to goal. He also has penalties in his locker for added bonus. 

Jordan Ayew, FWD ($6m) ★☆☆☆☆

Second place in the current squad’s goal scorer list is brother Jordan (20 in 82). The Crystal Palace winger plays as the number nine for his country and has proven a reliable servant in his long career.

Mohammad Kudus, MID ($6m)

Making his debut for club and country at 19, Kudus has already scored five goals in 18 appearances. Playing for Ajax, he has scored five goals in the league this season and three in the Champions League, including a brilliant strike against Liverpool in Anfield.

Odhrán Brennan is a data journalist for a sports data company, living in Finland. He’s been playing FPL since the 06/07 season and is a long-suffering fan of both Arsenal and the Republic of Ireland national team. You can follow him on Twitter here