Trying to pick the World Cup winner is tremendously difficult, but this combination of players from Germany and Argentina will take some stopping.
Only the most negative of football fans would suggest that the World Cup has been anything but absolutely brilliant so far and after a helter-skelter opening couple of weeks where football fans had only one rest day to catch their breaths, the knock out stages didn’t disappoint.
Penalty kicks, amazing goals, red cards, injuries and one unbelievable semi-final which JOE hopes is just a taste of what’s in store in Rio De Janeiro tonight as Argentina and Germany lock horns.
Here in JOE Towers, we have used the most recent downtime to reflect on what has been one of the greatest World Cups ever and decided to put our heads together to come up with what we think will be the best XI to take the field and try to win the greatest prize in football.
To do so, we headed on over to new Fantasy Football website PlayON, where football fans can put their Fantasy Football expertise to good use and try and win a few quid while they’re at it. To find out more about PlayON, check out our interview with founder Killian Jones here.
For the World Cup Final, PlayON has a £1,000 Guaranteed Pot on offer – you can enter up to three different teams into the game so get picking before tonight’s 18.00 deadline at www.playon.co
Of course, it wasn’t easy to just pick from the two teams however we have a feeling that Germany are going to add to their three titles. Much like a very prudent manager with a penny pinching chairman on his back, we have used our £100 million budget at PlayON very effectively. We feel that die mannschaft will be coming into this final on the crest of a wave after their 7-1 demolition of Brazil while Argentina have had to endure extra-time against both Holland and Switzerland.
We had to include this man though
Check our selection (it gets better as it goes on, trust us) and the reasons why we picked them below and if you think you can do better, head on over to PlayON and have a stab at if yourself.
PlayON have put 100x £1 one-on-one games up, so the first 100 people can take JOE’s team on for £1 each here.
Best of luck!
JOE’s Fantasy Football Team for the World Cup Final
Manel Neuer (Germany): The German netminder wasn’t very busy against Brazil in the semi-final but he will need to be on form to keep out Messi and co. Germany’s defensive form has been mixed so far with the Bayern Munich star only keeping three clean sheets however we expect him to be in his terminator like best on Sunday.
Ezequiel Garay (Argentina): Argentina’s defensive form has carried them though to the final while their strikers are still trying to fire on all cylinders. The Albiceleste haven’t conceded a single goal in the knock-out stages yet and Garay has been a rock in their defence. Do you want to hear something crazy? Garay has just moved to Zenit St Petersburg for just €6m.
Mats Hummels (Germany): It’s easy to see why Man Utd and Barcelona have been heavily linked with the stylish Dortmund centre back. Not only is his passing the base on which Germany build all their attacks but he has weighd in with 2 vital goals against Portugal and France.
Jerome Boateng (Germany): One of the more reliable defenders in a sometimes cagey German defence, Boateng offers width and an attacking outlet for Loew’s side.
Marcos Rojo (Argentina): Arguably the player who has most enhanced his reputation at this World Cup, the swashbuckling Sporting Lisbon defender is equally comfortable defending as he is going forwards.
Sami Khedira (Germany): Instrumental in the semi-final against Brazil where he totally dominated Gustavo and Fernandinho. It looks like he is reaping the benefits of an injury plagued season at Real Madrid and has found form at the perfect time for Germany.
Enzo Perez (Argentina): JOE were very impressed by the newest face in the Argentinian side especially since he came in to replace Angel Di Maria. His powerful running and dribbling skills could cause some of Germany’s slower players problems.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany): The epitome of a ‘big game player’. The Bayern Munich midfielder is at the heart of everything good that Germany while his metronomic passing and tireless running are a joy to behold.
Toni Kroos (Germany): Real Madrid’s newest Galactico absolutely destroyed Brazil’s back four with his clever movement and lethal final ball. He is as comfortable creating chances as he is finishing them. He has already scored twice in this tournament and we wouldn’t bet against him netting again.
Lionel Messi (Argentina): The worlds best player will now have the worlds eyes on him. What else can you say about Lionel Messi. Simply put, if he plays to the best of his abilities then Argentina will win the World Cup.
Thomas Muller (Germany): Winner of the Golden Boot at the last World Cup, Muller has already netted five times already. The best player in the World Cup so far and it would be fitting of he scored the winner in Rio.
Get picking for the £1,000 guaranteed game now at www.playon.co
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