[sbu_large_image] Scout Picks
6 December 2013 1430 comments
Paul Paul
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After selecting a 4-4-2 for the midweek matches, we tinker with our tactics and roll out a 3-5-2 this weekend. Liverpool and Swansea’s home games look too good to ignore, whilst Southampton’s ever-increasing injury list could play right into City’s hands at St Mary’s:

Michel Vorm gets the nod between the sticks for Swansea’s home game against Hull. The Dutchman has racked up a clean sheet in each of his last three appearances at the Liberty and is up against a Tigers side with just two goals in their last four road trips – a shut-out for Michael Laudrup’s side could well be on the cards.

Coming in at 4.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), Jon Flanagan offers a cut-price route into Liverpool’s defence for the visit of West Ham. Granted, the Merseysiders have been far from resilient of late but the Hammers’ away record bodes well – take away their 3-0 win at Spurs back in early October and Sam Allardyce’s side have scored once in their other six road trips.

A home game against Norwich offers Gareth McAuley the chance of picking up points at both ends of the pitch. The Baggies centre-half will be hopeful of a fifth clean sheet of the season against a Canaries side that has scored just four times on their travels, while his eye for goal has already came to the fore twice in the opening 14 Gameweeks.

Patrice Evra gets the nod as United prepare for the visit of Newcastle. The left-back has somewhat atoned for a lack of clean sheets with a goal, a pair of assists and 10 bonus points already to his name and will be hoping of further attacking returns tomorrow afternoon – the Magpies’ record of two goals in their last three road trips suggests a shut-out may also be on the cards for the most secure option in David Moyes’ backline.

With three sets of double figure hauls in his five home appearances, Mesut Ozil clearly prefers playing in front of his own fans. The playmaker has averaged 9.8 point per game at the Emirates since arriving in London over the summer and resultantly gets the nod as our Arsenal coverage for the visit of Everton, with Ozil’s creativity crucial in picking apart the Toffees resilience.

Eden Hazard is nailed-on for Chelsea’s trip to Stoke. After a slow start to the season, the Belgian’s form under Jose Mourinho goes from strength to strength – with three sets of double figure hauls in the last four Gameweeks, Hazard’s contribution will be key as the Blues look to break down a backline that has conceded just once in the last four at the Britannia.

We hand Samir Nasri the chance to impress as City make their way to injury-hit Southampton. The Frenchman has improved considerably under Manuel Pellegrini’s guidance this term and has delivered returns in seven of his 14 appearances – with David Silva still sidelined for the visitors, Nasri’s midfield trickery could take advantage of the Saints’ under-strength line-up.

West Ham’s visit to Anfield affords Steven Gerrard the opportunity to continue his superb run of consistency. The Reds skipper has now scored or assisted in eight of the last nine Gameweeks and has served up two double figure hauls in the last four appearances in front of his own fans.

Swansea’s problems up front hand Jonjo Shelvey a rare spot in the Scout Picks. The former Liverpool man was moved into an advanced central berth against Newcastle on Wednesday and produced a goal and assist in the 3-0 win – similar to Gerrard, he has now delivered double figures in two of his last four home games and with Michael Laudrup’s forwards hit hard by injuries, Shelvey looks set to carry the Swans’ goal threat at home to Hull.

A staggering 76% of voters in this Gameweek’s Captain Poll have opted for Luis Suarez at home to West Ham tomorrow. Whilst the Hammers have been resilient on the road, the loss of Winston Reid has clearly hit them hard and saw them concede three away to goal-shy Norwich recently – having racked up 57 points in his last three home appearances, the Uruguayan’s Anfield exploits could see him run amok yet again.

Sergio Aguero also gets the nod as City roll up to St Mary’s. Given that Mauricio Pochettino’s side have four, possibly five (depending on Jose Fonte’s fitness) of their first-team stuck in the treatment room, the visitors look overwhelming favourites to register a fourth straight win. City have scored nine times in the five away games Aguero has started – he has scored or assisted six of those strikes, underlining the likelihood of his involvement for tomorrow’s encounter.

Three clean sheets in four sums up Palace’s upturn in defensive resilience. Joel Ward gets the nod, then, as the Eagles look to keep out Cardiff at Selhurst Park – the visitors have failed to score in each of their last three away games, suggesting defensive returns are on the cards again for Tony Pulis’ side.

Ward’s team-mate Barry Bannan offers a cut-price midfield option this week. Coming in at 4.4, he’s scored or assisted each of Palace’s last couple of goals and will be hoping to replicate Tuesday’s eight-point haul against West Ham.

We hand Shane Long a bench role for West Brom’s home clash with Norwich. The Baggies frontman has three goals and an assist in the last four Gameweeks and may well plunder the points against the travel-sick Canaries.

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  1. Danielgill1983
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    I'm tempted by both brunt in for Brady and nasri in for mareillas. Any thoughts?

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    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I would hold on Nasri, underwhelming for cost

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  2. The Suspended One
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Who should I rotate with Migs - all home games (weeks 16, 18, 19)

    1 - Hull - STO MUN FUL

    2 - Cardiff - WBA SOT SUN

    Hull has Palace in week 23, when Migs has the mercyside derby and Cardiff has MUN

    I'm thinking Hull...

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    1. Sleep Talk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Cardiff.

      By the time of GW 23 you might have wildcarded already.

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  3. fireice
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Current team:

    Pantilimon, Mcgregor
    Terry, Mertesacker, Coleman, Fonte, BTurner
    Ozil, Ramsey, Barkley, Januzaj, RMorrison
    Aguero, Suarez, Lukaku

    1FT £2.7m in bank, want to sort out midfield

    A) Terry -> Ward, Januzaj -> Hazard -4
    B) Ozil -> Hazard, Januzaj -> Nasri -4
    C) Ozil -> Hazard
    D) Januzaj / Barkley -> Nasri?
    E) Any other ideas?

    Opinions?

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  4. TheSteady ¤ Wines th…
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Shelvey, Suarez, Ozil, Hazard (and Ward for me)

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  5. DÏLKS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Thrilling question coming up:

    Play Chester or Livermore??

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    1. stooshermadness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I'd go with Chester. I could see 0-0 but I can't see Hull scoring more than 1 and it probably won't involve Livermore.

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      1. DÏLKS
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        I'll go with Chester then; can't see Livermore doing anything at all, probably worth the risk. Hull have got some confidence as well.

        First ever 5 at the back! 😉

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  6. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    who would you bench from this lot:
    vidic (NEW)
    dawson (sun)
    Mertesacker (EVE)
    burner (cpl)

    burner seems the obvious choice but i think that all three of my big hitter def will concede so not sure what to do

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  7. Indrandro
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Baker vs Fulham
    Coleman vs Arsenal
    Sissoko vs ManU

    which one to play?

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  8. crystalpalaceRus
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Shelvey & Sess to score big this weekend

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  9. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    3 😎

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    1. Parm
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      What's with the grav?

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      1. Rafabio
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Parks and Rec. http://www.nbc.com/parks-and-recreation/

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  10. reshardo
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Rooney out for
    a)welbeck or
    b)Hernandez?
    One week punt?

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  11. FACUPARSE
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    I brought in Amalfitano for a 3 week punt. Watch him go...

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Ditto, watch him get injured for three weeks

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    2. *Unrial
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Not before Norwich at home I hope?

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      1. FACUPARSE
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Thats the reason why

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  12. NED KELLY
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Will Oscar play this GW

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  13. Parm
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    http://i.imgur.com/0SDkzrJ.png

    Reckon I could get away with a green this week? (700k rank may help 😉 )

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    1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
      • 15 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      106 points, red arrow.

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      1. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        So Suarez is getting 5 this week then?

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        1. Pepin - RIP Absinthe
          • 15 Years
          12 years, 3 months ago

          Irrelevant, everyone and their aunt will captain him.

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    2. ★FC Borecelona★
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Other than Brady, I can't really see any holes in your XI. Well done

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      1. Parm
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Makeshift XI this week 😉

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    3. Zombie
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Ramsey hattie...

      Do I need to say more?

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  14. Zombie
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    So India hosting U-17 FIFA world cup in 2017...Finally something big 😀 😀 Hope it turns out good. There will be some crazy, never seen before crowd in these matches!!!

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  15. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Can anyone suggest a 5.0 midfielder to get for Januzaj?

    However, if I wait a week and save the transfer I would downgrade Benteke to Lukaku, then I could get a slightly more expensive mid.

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    1. Doctor X
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Redmond or Brunt

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    2. Whazza
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Isn't Januzaj likely to start this gw?

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      1. Sleep Talk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Perhaps, but one never knows and I don't feel safe owning him over the Christmas period.

        Think I'll hold on for a week though.

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    3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Save then

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    4. stooshermadness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Wait on it. Januzaj may start (well, I don't believe he will, but still there's a chance) and in any event which 5.0 mid out there are you thinking is going to rip it up ?

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  16. The Sarjeant
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    I'm currently writing this weeks Bookies Picks, and I'm in need of a little help selecting a keeper from these four teams below, I'd appreciate the help selecting one, thanks.

    A) Arsenal.
    B) Man City.
    C) Tottenham.
    D) West Brom.

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    1. DÏLKS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      D.

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    2. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Surely Lloris

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  17. The Bandit
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Who knew I could watch Man U at home live on Sky with no involvement from on the setee and not behind it? 🙂

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Aren't they on Bt sport tomorrow? Shame Rooney isn't playing

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      1. The Bandit
        • 15 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        They are, but you get my drift...

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    2. Somalion
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I didn't because I reckoned Sky had stopped bothering showing football 😛

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  18. GoonerByron
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Would this team be good to go guys?

    Speroni
    Evans / Kos / Burner / Baker
    Hazard / Gerrard / Sess / Jedinak
    Suarez (c) / Aguero

    Krul / MOlsson / Ravel / Rooney

    1FT, 0.2 in the bank

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  19. Cheeseoid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Hope everyone buys Nasri. Fully expect to sell him next week and could use the cash please

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    1. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Who are you going to sell him for?

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      1. Cheeseoid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Not fully decided but will use some cash to get Rooney for Benteke and would like the best mid I can afford

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  20. DÏLKS
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    What are the chances in Swansea scoring this week?

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    1. Cheeseoid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Hmm I have 2 Swansea players so next to none

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      1. DÏLKS
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Hahaha! Who you got?

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        1. Cheeseoid
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          12 years, 3 months ago

          Chico & Shelvey

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          1. DÏLKS
            • 12 Years
            12 years, 3 months ago

            The only player I can see scoring is Shelvey.

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    2. stooshermadness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Figure them to be camped outside the Hull area for 60 minutes or so, so pretty good.

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      1. stooshermadness
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        And I have McGregor (Harper). But I am a realist.

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        1. DÏLKS
          • 12 Years
          12 years, 3 months ago

          Indeed, I have Chester, if they were at home, then I would put him in definitely.

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  21. Alonso The Great Midfielder
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    clyne for cardif/cpl/swa defender??? 4.8 in bank

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    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      ward

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    2. DÏLKS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I've just done to Ward, but I already had Williams.

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    3. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      choose ward because home game? i think not much difference betwwen cpl and cardiff defend right..

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  22. Scottys Army
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    RMT

    Mignolet

    Terry Mcauley Burner

    Ramsey Bannan Gerrard Ozil

    Remy Kun (VC) Suarez (C)

    Subs - lewis whittingham coleman clyne

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    1. DÏLKS
      • 12 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Might be slightly unnecessary but, you could do Clyne --> Ward, then play him over BTurner?

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      1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        im just playing burner...

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      2. Scottys Army
        • 12 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        clyne is easily benchable for a few weeks so reluctant to sell tbh

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  23. Declan
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    I'm putting Kun(C), the Saints team is in tatters.

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    1. ccc
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Cannot ignore Suarez's form. If City go up by two, Aguero can easily be subbed off.

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      1. Declan
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Agreed, I just hope he's got the 2 😉

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      2. Alonso The Great Midfielder
        • 14 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        suarez has never score against westham......just for extra information

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    2. Darth
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Still in better shape than west ham I would say 😉

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      1. Declan
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Saints have conceded 8 in their last 3.

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    3. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I just switched it off Aguero, had it on him for that very reason. Tell me more...

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      1. Declan
        • 16 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        No Boruc, Clyne, Wanyama, Schneiderlin, possibly no Fonte. These are all guarenteed starters when fit.

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    4. Kostja
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I was also considering, but its an away game, Saints still ok as a team. Midweek CL game might have Aguero pulled early. If Suarez goes nuts I am fecked in all minileagues so also a defensive move

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      1. Rafabio
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Away game? They just put 3 past WBA at The Hawthorns.

        Saints still ok as a team? They have conceded 8 in their last three including 3 to Villa, at home. Villa FFS!

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  24. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    real chance zab doesnt start this week ;?

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    1. Rafabio
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I think he'll be rested with CL and ARS looming.

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  25. BONZ
    • 16 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    After digesting the World Cup draw, and looking at the progress maps, I cant wait for it to start. Some fantastic group games but if had to pick these are three that are mouth watering:

    Spain v Holland - this will be such a technical dream, the quality will be superb;
    Germany v USA - the Klinsmann factor for the underdogs;
    England v Uruguay - Suarez gets his teeth into English FA on the World Stage;

    Mapping group winners and runners up is sooooo hard to predict but the English dream is all but over if the media and bookies are believed - 3rd favorites to win their Group.

    What are your lots top 3 group matches and why?

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    1. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Spain v Holland to great teams at the World Cup and is repeat of the
      last WC final.
      England v Uruguay Simply one word Suarez
      Brazil and Croatia because of Forca madness on FFS

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    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      B, D & F

      Same groups as you but Germany vs Portugal should be a great opener.

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      1. Thomass
        • 13 Years
        12 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah come on Portugal it's for you

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  26. gers23
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Anything worth changing for a hit?

    Mignolet

    Terry Burner Mcauley

    Gerrard Hazard Ramsey Whittingham

    Suarez Remy Aguero

    Davis Brady Shaw Chester

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  27. ccc
    • 13 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Brady > Bannan for free?

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  28. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Adam >

    a) Cabaye

    b) Sessegnon

    c) Other

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    1. Thomass
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Cabayeeeeeeeee

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    2. stooshermadness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Can you stretch to Lampard ?

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  29. LJJM Duckies
    • 15 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Australia drew Spain, Netherlands and Chile. Oh well, looks like we go home with 0 points then.

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    1. Chu Young Ping Pong
      • 13 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      Same like England then.

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  30. EAGLES (0 Chelsea players)
    • 14 Years
    12 years, 3 months ago

    Got ground to make up....Agüero(c) instead of Suarez like everyone else 😎

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    1. Mull
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      12 years, 3 months ago

      I've got to make up more ground than you. Hernandez(c) 😎

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