Euro 2016 Group F: Player Picks

Group F see's one of the World best players try and put his mark on an international tournament.

Portugal

Possible starting 11

Rui Patrício;

Cédric, Pepe, Carvalho, Eliseu;

William Carvalho,

João Mário, João Moutinho, Silva; Nani,

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portugal head into Euro 2016 as a dark horse for the completion and will have high hopes after being given an easier looking draw on paper than they have had in recent times.

As well known the side's star player is, Ronaldo will for the first time the side look to be heading with the possible tactic of playing in the forward role which could improve his value.   Behind him he has a number of talented players who Portugal will hope can supply Ronaldo the chances to fire them through the tournament.

In defence they still play the familiar central defending partnership of Pepe and Carvalho, which isn't inspiring but does bring a huge amount of experience.   In attack there does appear an over reliance on Ronaldo and issues could arise if others cannot add end product to the side.   But In what may be the final competition with Ronaldo in his prime perhaps the timing is right.

Rui Patrico -€” 5m

Patrico offers a nice balance of price and potential playing in a side that appears to have a group in its favour.  So far one if not the most popular pick from many players preview sides.

Joao Moutinho - 7.5m

He will have been in many of your previous international competition fantasy sides.  Moutinho is the control element of the attacking play and has been asked to play higher up the pitch than under previous Portuguese sides.  Moutinho was the only other player to score twice in qualification and is a key player to the side.

Joao Mario - 6m

Despite only playing 1 qualification game Mario looks like he is a safe starting pick for the Euro's after an impressive club season.  Playing for Sporting Lisbon he scored 6 and provided 11 assists in 33 games which is a steady amount.  However, the 23 year old has a reputation for getting in good attacking areas and is progressing at a high pace.  A summer move seems certain with Liverpool and Manchester United both being linked.

Christiano Ronaldo -€” 12m

Scorer of 56 goals in 125 games for Portugal, he hasn't had the supply line he has enjoyed at club level.  At 31 years old this is possibly the final tournament where we may see him in his prime and there is the thought it may be the last one he could take by the scruff of the neck and make his own.

He will take all direct free kicks and penalties and could play as the forward this time around.  In a group that looks very attractive on paper he could explode goal wise in the group stages but it is a gamble.

Nani - 7.5m

17 goals in 94 games he has found a new lease of life since leaving Manchester United.  He is pricey and unfortunately selected as a forward but again the group tempts.

Iceland

Possible starting 11

Kristinsson;

Skúlason, R Sigurdsson, Árnason, Sævarsson;

Gudmundsson, G Sigurdsson, Gunnarsson, Bjarnason;

Sigthórsson, Finnbogason

There are a few managers who have achieved historic status getting their sides to Euro 2016 and Lars Lagerback is one more.  The former Sweden and Nigeria manager has taken the side from going close to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup to succeeding in the Euro's.  Lagerback has now been joined by Heimer Hallgrimsson who will take over as manager after the competition.

It is a pretty incredible achievement just to get here.  Iceland has a total population of 360, 000 and from there just 21,508 registered players.   The side qualified by beating Holland both home and away.  They also had wins over Turkey and Czech Rep so they will be no pushovers in the next few weeks.

Their attitude of team spirt and work ethic could see them cause a shock and they are a very real banana skin for Group favourites Portugal in game one.

Gylfi Sigurdsson - 8m

Siggy has had a great season for Swansea in the Premier League and can hope to take his goal scoring form into the Euros.  6 goals in 10 in qualifying games shows you his importance to the side and he has 12 in 37 international games which is an amazing record for a central midfield player. He will take all the set piece's and will be at the heart of most of their attacking play.

Johan Gudmundsson -6m

The Charlton wide man is a skillful player who is also very quick.  5 goals in 45 games for Iceland.

Alfred Finnbogason - 5.5m

If you want a gamble in the forward position then form horse Finnbogason could be your man.  At Augsburg he ended the season scoring 7 goals in the final 12 games whilst on loan from Real Sociedad.

He secured the move to Sociedad by and incredible run for Heerenveen where he scored 53goals in 65 games. Perhaps then the 27 year old could be a great option in a group where you fancy he will get chances.

Austria

Possible starting 11

Almer;

Klein, Dragovic, Hinteregger, Fuchs;

Alaba, Baumgartlinger;

Harnik, Junuzovic, Arnautovic;

Janko.

A very interesting side and one being heavily backed to do well in the competition.   Austria are a collection of players who have largely been around a while and who are finally showing more consistency at club and country level.  The manger achieved qualification using a small selection of players preferring to stick to his tried and trusted players.

Austria produced a record 9 game win streak to bring them here which has raised the hopes of the nation and a whole bunch of gamblers who enjoy sports betting.   They sit as second favourites in the group and will expect to progress into the last 16.  Whether they can go further will depend on how the players handle the situation but they offer the fantasy player some picks who could prove great value at their buying price.

Christian Fuchs - 6m

Experienced and we know plenty about him after his fantastic year winning the Premier League for Leicester City.  Safe starter and supplied a brace of assists in qualification.  There won't be many defenders in the competition with more confidence and momentum.

David Alaba - 7m

Super star for Austria.  As just 23 years old Alaba has won Austria player of the year 5 years in a row!

He plays at left back for Bayern Munich but switches to a central midfield duty for his country.  11 goals in 44 games for Austria in total, 4 in 8 in qualifying.

Alaba's role has depended on the opponent and circumstance.  Facing tricky opposition he sits in a double pivot defensive minded role, while when Austria are on the front foot he rotates with Junuzovic as the no10.

A fantastic abatable all-round player and now add that he is penalty taker and you can see why he has been a popular pick in many players fantasy sides.

Zlatko Junuzovic - 6.5m

Werder Brehmen playmaker had a strong season.  26 games 4 goals and 10 assists catch the eye but so do 6 yellow cards.  7 goals in 46 international games, Junuzovic is the set piece taker and if you are half a million away from Alaba you have a second option.

Marc Janko 7.5m

Towering forward is in the form of his career scoring 16 goals in 20 games in the 2015/16 season for Basle.  He has 26 in 52 for Austria and with Arni, Junuzovic and Alabs supplying him he should get chances to keep the goals coming.

Marko Arnautovic -€” 7m

We know Arnie well and a player who seems to need an arm around the shoulder is benefiting from that by showing some of his bets form.  11 goals in 52 games once again it's a shame he is listed as a forward.  Still while Alaba and Janko in particular are getting the headlines coming in it may be Arnie and his ability to score in braces that is the best pick.

Hungary

Possible starting 11

Király;

Kádár, Lang, Guzmics, Fiola; Nagy,

Gera; Dzsudzsák, Kleinheisler, Németh; Szalai.

Hungary are viewed but some expects as possibly the weakest qualifier for this year's completion.  Indeed some statistics back this up.  In 9 of the 12 qualifying games they scored once or not at all and many of the player do not play at Europe's top leagues.

Having said that they twice drew with Romania and their qualification games were all tight affairs.  All 6 wins and 2 defeats were by single goal margins.  The game with Austria is the one that means the most to them and could make things difficult.

Balazs Dzsudzsak 6.5m

Captain and the team's best player.  He will line up wide in midfield but look to push into forward in attacking areas.

Zoltan Gera - 6m

At 37 Gera is not going to be the force he was. But Gera is penalty taker and hold all the experience you may need.

Stall