World Cup 2014

World Cup 2014 – Introducing PlayON

We now turn our attentions to PlayON, who have just launched their new site for the World Cup at www.playon.co. The team at PlayON have been working hard behind the scenes over the past year building this new site and have launched it ahead of Thursday’s opener between Brazil and Croatia. We’re delighted to announce that we will be supporting their game over the summer:

Some of you may already be familiar with PlayON – a game powered by Opta stats that we covered over the previous domestic campaign. In this new site there are plenty of new features, with Gameweeks being run for all groups and each individual group for each round.
If you’re new to PlayON or simply require a re-cap, don’t worry. In an article tomorrow we will look at how to select your squad and also cover the rules and points scoring systems, whilst we’ll also be on hand to roll out a new Player Picks article prior to each Round’s deadline – giving you a heads-up on any potential bargains before the next batch of matches gets underway.

Crucially, PlayON differs from many other Fantasy games in that the player prices alternate in accordance with their previous displays over the tournament. This means that looking for bargains is never the same from one Round to the next – Kevin de Bruyne may be cheaper than Eden Hazard to start with, but a strong performance for Belgium’s opener with Algeria would see the former’s price rocket in time for Round 2 and perhaps force his previous owners to look elsewhere.

PlayON is also a betting exchange so you can put your money where your mouth is. There are one-on-one and multiplayer games on offer and you can also take on Ambassadors such as Robbie Fowler, Les Ferdinand, the Fantasy Football Scout and Opta Joe. There are also new game types and pay-out structures in the new site, as well as a leaderboard which adds together your top five Gameweek scores over the course of the World Cup, with the top finisher winning £500.

For now, though, head on over to PlayON to check out their new and improved website – you can select whichever Gameweek you want to play from in the menu in the top left. Keep any eye open over the next few days as we ramp up our coverage closer to the big kick-off.

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3,267 Comments Post a Comment
  1. milanista10
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    No one considering Sneijder on here?

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    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Nope

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      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        This.

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      2. milanista10
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Reason?

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    2. AgentRed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      He's in my team at the moment. Still back him to do well and annoying that Robben is classed as a forward.

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      1. Madderegern
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Overrated in a tough group

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  2. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    A) Di Maria & Cuadrado
    or
    B) Candreva & J.Rodriguez

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    1. Joga Bonito®
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      A) Think Di Maria will get some goals with the defences concentrating so much on stopping Messi, Aguero and Higuain... just typing that made me feel sick. Argentina's team is just naughty.

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  3. AgentRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Anyone know what Japan's defence is likely to be? Have seen variations in line ups.

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    1. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Same. A few have gone with Konno (2.5m) so hopefully they're right.

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    2. Demí
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      nagatomo - konno - yoshida - uchida

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      1. AgentRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Thanks, have got Konno but hadn't seen him in anyone else's line ups.

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        1. Demí
          • 13 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Taken from this i should add. Guy is very reliable, and you can see all the other team previews there too:

          http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/09/japan-good-between-the-boxes/

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers there is my missing piece

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  4. Petronius
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    The Russians' FIRST game, takes place AFTER Brazil's SECOND game.
    Cesar gets 1 point after the first round, so I would like to substitute him with Akinfeev. But by the time Akinfeev plays his first game, Cesar would have already played his SECOND game, where he gets 10 points. Which points do I receive?

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    1. crystalpalaceRus
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Thats odd i just noticed that

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      1. Petronius
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        How can we find out? If the brazilians play two games in the first round and none in the second, they might not be such a good idea.

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    2. Smarty Pants
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      I think they should be able to segregate the two gameweeks.
      Like in the UCL, there will probably be another tab with current points and manager subs available after the start. So, 'my team' will be for GW2 selection straight after the first deadline...
      Anyway, there is no double gameweek planned according to their fixtures tab.

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  5. Carrick Doesn't Deserv…
    • 11 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Group C
    Colombia v Greece 1-0
    Ivory Coast v Japan 2-1
    Colombia v Ivory Coast 1-1
    Japan v Greece 1-0
    Japan v Colombia 1-2
    Greece v Ivory Coast 0-1

    what do you think? (have i over-estimated japan due to love for Shinji?)

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Japan are abysmal defensively.

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Possibly but Ivory Coast and Greece could both fail to score!

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    2. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Think you have called Japan quite well actually. They tend to score a few but concede also.
      If Greece play as their usual defensive self then Japan may well get the CS.

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    3. GuyIncognito
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Greece are better than that.

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    4. Hamstergod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      I'd fancy Greece to beat Japan and maybe even draw with one of Colombia/Ivory Coast. They are quite solid defensively. Otherwise I''d say I agree

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  6. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Any advice on this team?

    Cesar
    Ramos Manolas Rojo
    Di Maria Hazard Valbuena Jrod
    Messi Neymar Benzema

    Bench includes Muller, Arias, Slimani, Bentelab and fillers

    Cheers guys.

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  7. liverpoolfan365
    • 12 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    What are peoples opinions on having a very week bench but very strong starting line up?

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    1. liverpoolfan365
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      weak*

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      1. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Not keen on that strategy. If you have 20 decent players you can have the best eleven scorers. If you have only 11, some will fail.

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  8. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Who here has gone with Moutinho in their team? Ghana and Usa sure are temptin. On set pieces and pretty attacking too

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    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      or even Postiga for that matter

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  9. huwwilliams_
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Ozil or Muller?
    and
    Valbuena, Poba, Matuidi or Cabaye? Personally feeling I should go with Valbuena as he delivers a dirty ball and assists quiet a but but know. Opinions?

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  10. Tuchap - Lurker
    • 13 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    Too much in spent at the back?

    Alves (7.5), Boateng(6), Evra(5.5), Alderweireld(5), Rojo(4), Manolas(2.5), Mesbah(1)

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    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Yip. What system are you going?

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      1. Tuchap - Lurker
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        I sort of based it on def's and fwd's because i just couldnt see much value in midfield.
        Currently got 3 good mids (plus bentaleb) and 4 decent strikers.

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    2. VougieDipond
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      I would ditch boateng for one of the popular 4m guys Kombarov or Von Bergen

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    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      I'd lose Boateng, but otherwise not really. Downgrade to a 4.0 defender.

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    4. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      I've spent more 🙂

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    5. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Thanks all, ill have a re-shuffle.

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  11. low-life
    • 10 Years
    10 years, 13 days ago

    So, who's got the best (McDonalds game) team for me to copy for a (big) money league I've entered then? I've already stumped up the cash and can't pull out but don't have too much time to spend before deadline day.

    Alternatively, what are the main things to look out for? In terms of setting up for squad rotation etc.

    Has Mark done a guide for this game?

    Thanks in advance. Sorry, not been on here lately.

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    1. Tuchap - Lurker
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Think Mark said his post about it will be coming tmoro.

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      1. low-life
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Great, thanks.

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    2. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Mark's publishing an article about this game tomorrow. It seems to work like UFPL so spread the money in your squad, you can make manager substitutions/swap captains etc.. A few rules still need to be clarified; hopefully we know more tomorrow.

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      1. low-life
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Coolio. Cheers. I'm sure I'll get in to it if I get a bit of time.

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  12. Magerost
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Im playing a fantasy game where you play for team value, value is gained for players who does well.
      So how is this team.

      Barry
      Kompany,Rojo,Silva
      Valbuena,Paulinho,Carvalho,Di Maria
      Messi,Neymar,Lukaku

      Carvalho is there only because he is very cheap.

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    • GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Wildcard after the groups. No need to concentrate on the likely teams to get out of the groups.

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      1. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Though if Iran and Algeria doesn't go through, and we'd need to drop their players, I have no idea how we'll be building a 23-man team 😐

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        1. Camp No No
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Lol. Would be great to watch knock out rounds when nobody could afford players who actually play for their teams.

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    • crystalpalaceRus
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Im worried that having defenders on my bench that play the same day as some on my first 11 means i wont be able to use them?

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      1. Walsh
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        You would just have to sub within a tight window in between games if you choose to.

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      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        You can but try getting some that player in later groups.

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      3. Madderegern
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Thats true you cant...

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    • milanista10
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Ozil or Di Maria?? Given that I have Rojo and Messi and no German players

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      1. The Sarjeant
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Di Maria.

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      2. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Di Maria.

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    • The Sarjeant
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Anyone being hardcore like me playing McDonald's, Mirror, Fox + Fantasy iTeam?

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      1. low-life
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Can't find English version but hopefully you get the idea

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    • Hooper is a Bull.
      • 13 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      No Brazilians apart from Cesar. Too risky?

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      1. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        With their group...probably yes. Try fitting in an attacker like Neymar/Fred

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      2. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        I only had one too and felt I had to change. I now have 3 total.

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    • LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      7M mid: Kroos or Xabi Alonso or Paulinho ?

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    • Pringle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Is Di Maria really that good fantasy option? Not a typical goal scorer is he?

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      1. Tuchap - Lurker
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Im not keen on him tbh, I may be wrong but I made the effort to find abit more cash and get ozil.

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      2. Herman Toothrot
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Has the most assists in any European league this season I believe.

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    • JJO
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Best mid for 4,5?

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      1. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        I like Lulic

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        1. JJO
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Regular starter?

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      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Find 0.5m and get Valbuena.

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        1. JJO
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Already have him
          I bought Dzagoev for that 4,5 mil but not sure he will start

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    • Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Evra + Shaqiri OR Ramos + Misimovic?

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      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        RM

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      2. Tuchap - Lurker
        • 13 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        ES

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    • Root
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Players from eliminated teams get unselectable after the group stage?

      I have only one 1M player in my squad at the moment. 🙁

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      1. Joga Bonito®
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        SHHHHHHH haha!

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        1. Root
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Shh what?

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          1. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 13 days ago

            ...nm.

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            1. Root
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 13 days ago

              I need to know!

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          2. Joga Bonito®
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 13 days ago

            Actually it wont make a difference surely because people will be making transfers before teams are eliminated surely?

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            1. Root
              • 12 Years
              10 years, 13 days ago

              Hmm, maybe.

              This by far the most confusing fantasy sports experience of my life!

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            2. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              10 years, 13 days ago

              You can't make any transfers before the group stages are over.

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      2. Hamstergod
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Yep, thats generally what most people think and having experience with the UEFA CL or EL it's very likely to happen, so unless they increase the budget after the group stage (not mentioned), then its better to have 4-5 cheapies, to be more flexible later on or just hope Iran and Algeria make it through.

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        1. Joga Bonito®
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Is there just a small window to do transfers after round 3 finishes or can you do it in advance before the end of round 3?

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          1. Hamstergod
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            10 years, 13 days ago

            I believe it starts as soon as round 3 commences and is open until the first match kicks off

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        2. Root
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Now I absolutely hate this game.

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    • SGTMacaroni
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Any decent mids for 3.5? looking to upgrade Bedoya?

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      1. Bambi
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        .5 more and you have a nice bosnia midfielder - cant remember his name

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      2. Root
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Downgrade to a 1.0 mid. You'll need that money on later stages of the tournament. Shit sucks.

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    • Bambi
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      6 midfielders and 3 forwards too much for 4-4-2 / 4-3-3?

      Cillessen* - Karnezis (2)
      Evra - Alderweireld - Rojo - Von Bergen - Kombrarov - Manolas (6)
      Di Maria - Shaqiri - Cuadrado - Valbuena - Misimovic - KDB (6)
      Messi - Neymar - RVP (3)

      Is the money spread out too much? Is this going to be too much rotation?

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      1. funny money
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        will cillessen start?

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        1. Konig Luther
          • 11 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          yes

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      2. SGTMacaroni
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Im doing the same, similar 6 defs, and 6 solid mids 4+, but ive only got 2 and postiga upfront

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        1. Bambi
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          my only concern is that I have 4 midfields from groups E and F which may make it difficult to rotate - do you think this will be a problem?

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    • Richd
      • 11 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      So whats going on in McDonalds game... Brazil play twice before Russia play once.

      Does this make Brazilians a better or worse choice? How will it work? The rules confuse me even after reading them.. thanks.

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    • funny money
      • 14 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Please RMT- have 0.5m spare. In particular is Navas a crazy pick when i can afford for e.g. Cesar?? Do I need Alderweireld? I have Y Toure at the moment my plan is to sub in Ozil if he doesn't recover - my feeling is he is the form midfielder and worth the punt - ok?

      Navas Karnezis Mbohli
      Rodriguez Aurier Durm Rojo Cholevas Montazeri montes
      Toure Di Maria Valbuena KDB Pjanic Palacios Bentaleb Beikzadeh
      Messi Mueller Neymar © Soudani Heydari

      Thanks - first and only RMT for the first round - much appreciated!

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    • AgentRed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Thoughts on this? Not that comfortable leaving Valbuena out but not sure where I'd make room:

      Cesar (Mbohli, Escober)
      Evra Alderweireld Rojo (Blind Manolas Mahini)
      Ozil Oscar J.Rod KDB (Palacios Delgado Bentaleb)
      Messi Muller Fred (Djabou Heydari)

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      1. AgentRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Oh and Di Maria in midfield also

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      2. funny money
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        who is djabou?

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        1. AgentRed
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Unknown trash forward

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    • Pringle
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      So Yaya faces Japan the first match and you dare to go without?

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    • Madderegern
      • 10 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      This load of crap solid enough ? (3-4-3)

      GK: Cesar / Karnezis
      DEF: Rojo / Alderweireld / Durm / Kombarov
      MID: De Maria / Pogba / Paulinho / De Bruyne / Valbuena
      ATT: Messi / Neymar / Benzema / Lukaku

      All thoughs are welcome !

      Considdering 2 things with 1 mio in bank:
      1) Durm for other defender ???
      or
      2) Oscar for Paulinho ???

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      1. AgentRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Oscar for Paulinho definitely

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        1. Madderegern
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Thx for input !

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      2. Madderegern
        • 10 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        And - is there a smarter alternative to Benzema ?

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        1. AgentRed
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          I think he's a smart pick but if you were set on changing I'd look at Higuain or Muller.

          I have Fred personally but seeing as you have Neymar already you might want to hedge your bets.

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      3. funny money
        • 14 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        alderwereild > Durm?

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        1. Madderegern
          • 10 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          I have him already 🙂

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          1. funny money
            • 14 Years
            10 years, 13 days ago

            no i mean is he a better pick? i have Durm but not alderwereild so was inferring from you choosing drum to get rid of that he is better ,,,,

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            1. Madderegern
              • 10 Years
              10 years, 13 days ago

              Im not entirely sure if Durm is a nailed starter ?

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    • Parm
      • 12 Years
      10 years, 13 days ago

      Line-up Builder seem to have ballsed up my predictions, can't edit anything i've done previously in the new version 🙁

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      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        10 years, 13 days ago

        Any players that bandwagons are starting to build on?

        Konno the japanese wonder defender?

        Also I was wanting to find you, how sure are you about the Ghanaian keeper Duanda?

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        1. Parm
          • 12 Years
          10 years, 13 days ago

          Not sure, might be Kwarasey

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            10 years, 13 days ago

            Cheers, thought you might say that.

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